All Saints, Bale

The village of Bale is situated just north of the A148. It is just possible to glimpse the North Sea, four miles away. It is said that smugglers used to signal from the church tower to their friends out at sea.

There are a few outlying farms and clusters of cottages but the main settlement is centred on the cross roads where the church of All Saints stands.

Classic "barley and beet" farming is the main industry. A number of modest former farmhouses speak of a time when farming used to be on a smaller scale, although it has not developed into prairie farming. There is a sizeable retired population. About one house in ten is used for holidays. The Countryside Filling Station, half a mile out of the village on the A148 is the nearest shop. There is no pub. There are about sixty dwellings all told. Public transport is virtually non-existent.

The village hall, built for use by a community in a "land fit for heroes" after the First World War, is little used but is well appointed and has a comfortable feel which is not communicated by its corrugated iron exterior

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The church chancel dates from about 1300. The nave in its present form was in existence by 1400. The church stands on the central crossroads of Bale, next to a grove of evergreen oaks (the spinney) which must be one of the smallest properties of The National Trust. These evergreen oaks succeeded the famous Bale oak. The peal of five bells is rung about once a month. However the bells and their frame need attention. The organ is also in need of a basic overhaul. The PCC feels that both these operations are achievable and should be carried out.