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Bingo ban for two fight ladies
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 12/06/2002 | Richard Savill

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.”


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: extremebingo; gamesofchance; goldenyears; holdmuhbingocard; lifesentence; pugilism; whengranniesattack

1 posted on 12/05/2002 8:02:28 PM PST by dighton
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To: dighton
Another violent incident by the notorious British gang, Hell's Grannies.
2 posted on 12/05/2002 8:36:14 PM PST by HHFi
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To: HHFi
Next up on Jerry Springer: Britain's Bingo Dingos!

Here they come in their hell-for-leather golf carts! "Oi! Outa me way, ya hooligans!!! I'm late for the bingoes!"
3 posted on 12/05/2002 9:15:44 PM PST by BradyLS
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To: BradyLS
Boxing didn't ban Mike Tyson for life, so give the poor grannies a break, I say.
4 posted on 12/05/2002 9:36:25 PM PST by Ciexyz
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To: dighton
I've done bingo for the local high school. The ladies can get pretty aggressive.
5 posted on 12/05/2002 9:39:02 PM PST by socal_parrot
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To: socal_parrot
You are not kidding there - I was Social Director for a retirement community of about 450 seniors and you learn fast you DO NOT mess with their bingo. They will go for the jugular every time.
6 posted on 12/05/2002 9:44:16 PM PST by Clintons Are White Trash
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To: Ciexyz
Anger management classes and a probationary period, then they can re-enter the bingo parlors! :-D
7 posted on 12/05/2002 11:13:50 PM PST by BradyLS
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To: Clintons Are White Trash
Okay. What is it about Bingo that drives people nuts? It's like catnip to a cat!
8 posted on 12/05/2002 11:15:24 PM PST by BradyLS
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To: dighton
Years ago I used to play a bit of Bingo with a friend. One night I didn't go, she went without me. She told me I missed a riot at the Bingo hall, tables went over, everything. Turns out the machine was missing a ball.

I'm always sort of sorry I missed that. She said it was something to see - all the grannys went nuts.

9 posted on 12/06/2002 3:03:40 AM PST by I still care
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To: BradyLS
Frankly, it is a form of gambling that is often attended by lower income people. Like everything else, it is the 1% that mess everything else up. It is addicting, and it is some people's main pleasure in life. If you go to a "granny" bingo, you probably will not spend enough money to destroy your life, like you can do in a casino. I still saw some good money dropped on it, I knew one woman who spent $200 a week easily. Like everything else involving money, people can get deadly serious about it.

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...

10 posted on 12/06/2002 3:14:48 AM PST by I still care
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To: dighton
Is the winner required to yell, "K-O!"???
11 posted on 12/06/2002 6:57:36 AM PST by weegee
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To: I still care
Turns out the machine was missing a ball.

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).

12 posted on 12/06/2002 7:03:44 AM PST by weegee
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To: Ciexyz
You failed to mention that Mr. Tyson is not a care giver.
Care givers know how to throw a punch. They're adept at throwing you out of a chair also.
Be "Care Full!"
13 posted on 12/06/2002 7:06:56 AM PST by battlegearboat
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