Summer number

Sommaire

• The Sun Also Strikes

  "The Socialist-controlled General Workers Union has called Spanish bullfighters out on an indefinite strike from next Monday. The strike call follows a breakdown in talks between the union and the Ministry of Health over demands that bullfighters' gorings should be treated under the social security system."

  par Alan Coren
• Holiday snaps a disappointment ?

  Let Our Camera Clinic put you straight on the six most corn mon photo faults...

• Strictly for the birds

  AN authority on nature's nuisances tells me that birds now top the charts, a position previously held by mice. This is something I could have told him years ago, from records loosely kept at this address. I don't think some of these people are ail that up to date with their findings .

  par Basil Boothroyd
• Mellow Virginia

  On the run-up to Wimbledon, former champion VIRGINIA WADE talks to DAVID TAYLOR

  par David Taylor
• Beach buffs

  This summer's lesson co rnes from the Coptic version of the Gospel of Thomas. No, I hadn't heard of it either, but th ose who have sometimes refer to it as the Fifth Gospel. (Rather like the play about the Fifth Beatle: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John... and Thomas.) Anyway, brethren, it goes like this:

  par Jonathan Sale
• Collapse ol Stout Party

  I have had my leg for over a month now. Purists may argue that I have had it a good deal longer, up to seventy-two years or so, but it now has a distinct identity enabling it to be counted outside the body corpulent to which it undoubtedly belongs in more peaceful times.
  At breakfast I am inclined to issue bulletins as to its progress The leg, I tell them, played up a bit towards dawn. The leg seems a mite less red after my bath. Occasionally I invite inspection from a near relative and, every now and then, my doctor. At this stage the latter is somewhat non- commital; he is awaiting a sheaf of medical notes from Australia bringing an up-to-date assessment of the problem, which alas I omitted to pack.

  par Robert Morley