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Grandma, 61, wins £53,000 at bingo
BINGO players have toasted the success of a Crewe grandmother after she scooped £53,000. Friends at the Apollo bingo club on High Street, Crewe, stood and cheered after Barbara Poole, 61, shouted 'house' on her 39th number. After playing bingo for 25 years, it was her first major win and she plans to treat her seven children and 16 grandchildren.
Tension mounted as the club took part in the National Bingo game, a computerised number draw offering £50,000 cash winnings. With the regional prize of £2,950 and club prize of £22 available, there was a lot at stake. Barbara, who plays at the Apollo nearly every day, said: 'It was nail-biting stuff. I was looking for just one number and when it came out my heart was in my mouth.
'I managed to shout 'house' and the whole place cheered. I just sat and cried my eyes out.'
In 1997, Barbara, who lives in Crewe, won £2,300 and a year later she carried off £2,000. Although Barbara says the cash won't change her life, she can treat herself to a new computer on which to play games and give each grandchild a bumper sum of pocket-money.
She said: 'As a single mum, I only used to play when I could get a babysitter but now the kids are grown up I can get to the club quite a lot. 'Everyone is really friendly and happy when someone wins. 'And on this occasion they were even more delighted for me. I have never heard them applaud like that. The place was in uproar. 'When I told my youngest daughter, who is 27, she cried too!'
More than 500 clubs across the country were taking part in the National Bingo Game that night. Bingo spokeswoman Georgina Palmer said: 'Barbara completed a full house in 39 numbers, fewer than any of the clubs taking part. Around 500 link to play the National Bingo game everyday, except Christmas Day. 'As well as the chance of winning a lot of money, it's a great social gathering.'
Over the past few years bingo has caught on fast with younger players, with celebrities such as Robbie Williams and Catherine Zeta Jones avid fans. Georgina added: 'The Queen is also meant to be a fan, and she apparently shouts 'Palace' instead of house!'
Source: Go Bingo News
August 25 2005
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