People missing their weekly bingo due to the Coronavirus epidemic stepped outside their ‘number 8’ over the weekend to escape self-isolation.
Neighbours at Foxes Glen, off the Stewartstown Road in West Belfast, used the green area in the development to get together for a bit of craic while keeping well within social distancing guidelines.
Sinn Fein councillor Stephen Magennis was bingo caller for the event which saw him sat in the middle of the green with a microphone and loudspeaker while locals sat at their garden gates hoping for a full house.
Cllr Magennis said it was a “great way to get the community to come together”.
He added: “We’d a great wee night in Foxes Glen with my neighbours playing what we called Foxy’s Bingo. I was the bingo caller for the evening with all neighbours taking part but staying at their door for social distancing. It was myself and the neighbours who helped organise it. It was great craic and good to see the community coming together to have a laugh and get together even though we were all sitting in a big circle having to shout.
“We played eight games - single line, double line and full house in each game. I’d like to thank Ellie Rogan and Lisa Rogan for the lend of the speaker and mic and Lisa for the books. We got crisps donated and all the winners got something. But our last game, the big one saw Louise Cox win the star prize of Prosecco and toilet rolls of course as well as some crisps. It was a great night and really kept the community spirit going.”
Cllr Magennis added: “This has always been a good street with good neighbours looking out for each other. I have also set up a WhatsApp group for my area so we can engage with each other and help look out for and support each other through this. It’s a good way too for newer neighbours to meet their neighbours etc.”
