Posted on 12/05/2002 8:02:28 PM PST by dighton
Two grandmothers have been banned for life by their bingo club after a fight over a “lucky chair” left one of them with a broken nose and two black eyes.
Police were called to the Castle Bingo hall in Bridgend, South Wales, after Sandra Fry, 55, struck a rival player Lynn Want, 58, because she had beaten her to the seat.
Security staff had to intervene as 500 other players watched in astonishment. Mrs Want, whose nose was broken with a single punch, was treated in hospital. Mrs Fry, who was arrested and cautioned by police, said: “She called me names for months before I snapped and hit her.
“It was wrong of me but I didn’t plan it. It was one punch. I don’t know where it came from - I was just as shocked as she was.”
Mrs Fry, a care worker, added: “I used to go to the club most nights and felt I knew everyone. Now I’m stuck in the house staring at the wallpaper. Even a murderer doesn’t get life.”
Mrs Want said: “She shouted at me and then smacked me on the nose. I was taken to casualty and later had an operation. It was very painful.
“But I didn’t want to see the case go to court. She is a mother after all and I would not want to see her in prison for Christmas.
“I think a lifetime ban is a bit strong and I am going to appeal.”
Regulars at the bingo hall said there is a “scrum” each night to get a good position near the caller.
Tracey Davies, operations executive for Castle Leisure, owners of the bingo hall, said many members, some of them elderly, had been upset by the incident. “We cannot condone this sort of behaviour.”
I'm always sort of sorry I missed that. She said it was something to see - all the grannys went nuts.
It is also a social event for many people. I used to go to a great bingo, it was a nice hall, they sell bagels and coffee, and ran raffles for crafts on the side. Everyone had their own place, much like a church. (You don't take other people's seats at church either, for those not in the know!) And it is a lot of fun. We used to gab our faces off, you have to sit away from the serious bingo'ers for whom it is a religion, they get ticked if you talk while they are playing.
I never won. Well, once I did, and of course it was fun. I usually was so busy talking I missed bingo on my cards at least once, which of course was heresy...
Was it O-69? Maybe there was a censor in the audience. That ball can get a big reaction at my bingo hall (where we drink beer and martinis).
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