OUTDOOR BINGO BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER
WHILE Zoom parties and online video calls have helped keep families and friends connected during lockdown, you simply can’t beat the communal atmosphere of a game of bingo.
But with bingo halls and community centres remaining closed for weeks to come, the people of Bishopswater chose to improvise, holding an outdoor bingo day in their estate while maintaining social distancing rules.
John McManus was one of those involved in organising the event and he said it had brought everyone out of their homes on what turned out to be a day of great weather.
‘We have a lot of older people here on the estate and they were enquiring as to whether we could put on a game, so we decided to go for it,’ John said.
‘We got great weather for it on the day and got a great crowd of people playing, both young and old. We had loudspeakers, donated by Kalen O’Neill of Wexford Bouncy Castles, so we were able to make sure everyone could hear the numbers being called out. We also had some music afterwards.’
But what’s a game of bingo without prizes? Thankfully, the local community came together and donated 22 prizes for those lucky enough to win on the day. And John said this sense of community is vital during times like these.
‘The bingo was a great way of keeping the community together during what is a tough time. There’s a few people who’ve hardly been outside their doors since this began, so it was especially important for them. It was a great success and we’re hoping to host another one soon.’