MOUNTAINVIEW ENJOYING BINGO
RESIDENTS of Mountainview Drive have no shortage of entertainment, with socially distant bingo, quizzes and bake-offs keeping them busy during lockdown.
Resident Margaret Lambkin said that the events have been a huge success, great fun, and a lifeline particularly for those cocooning.
They have been organised by Hannah Salmon and Zack Jenciragic, with Una Kelly and Anne O’Neill hosting the evenings in their respective driveways.
They hold bingo on Tuesdays, the quiz on either Thursdays or Fridays, and last Sunday they had a bake-off.
‘At the moment there are about 23 people taking part,’ said Margaret. She said that everyone ensures two metres distance at the very least, while some who are cocooning remain in their own gardens or at the very back and at a significant distance.
She said that everyone loves it, in particular those who would otherwise have little or no company. ‘Everyone is out in the fresh air, and able to talk to each other,’ she said.
Margaret has been involved with the St Fergal’s bingo since 1981 and of course that is on hold for the time being. ‘Loads of people who go to that were heartbroken,’ she said. ‘ They’re left with nowhere to go.’
At the very start, they had about five or six participants and now that number is larger. ‘Everyone pays €2 and some people donate prizes,’ said Margaret. ‘ There’s a prize for the line and a prize for the house.’
She said that one person gave five scratch cards, and others donated different items. It’s also €2 for the quiz, with Zack and Hannah setting the questions, and the winner gets the takings.
‘I always come last!’ said Margaret. She said there would be different rounds, including 10 questions on Bray, general knowledge, food and other categories. ‘It’s a good laugh,’ she said. ‘It’s an hour and a half to two hours of fun,’ said Margaret.
She said that the residents of Mountainview are a great bunch of people, with a real sense of community. ‘Everyone looks after everyone else,’ said Margaret.
She hopes that other streets and estates will also hold their own small events to keep each other entertained.