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Bingo caller hopes numbers will come up
A Norwich bingo caller will be taking two fat ladies, one little duck and a cup of tea all the way to the regional finals of a national competition.
Mecca Bingo's Ivan Winser, 55, has been calling the lucky numbers for bingo fanatics in Norwich for 16 years and has already been chosen as one of the finest six in the midlands. Known for his eccentricity and wit, Mr Winser hopes to be able to beat off stiff competition at a showdown in Birmingham at the end of this month.
If he makes it through the regional heat he will face a 'call-off' against the best talents from across the UK with a holiday to LA and the chance to call the balls in Vegas up for grabs for the winner. Bachelor Mr Winser, from St Faiths Road in Old Catton, works at the Mecca bingo hall in Aylsham Road and previously called at the All Saints Green hall in the city centre.
He was chosen as one of the best in the region after he impressed judges with a video demonstrating his exceptional skills and sense of fun. He said: "Winning this title is an ambition of mine, I'm a bit of an extrovert who will do almost anything to ensure my customers enjoy a night out. "I like to have a bit of a laugh with the players. It's important to be able to get a good mix between what the older players want and what makes the younger ones laugh. "People think of bingo as something pensioners play but actually we do get quite a young crowd in so we have to cater for everyone. "I do the calling part time a few evenings a week. During the day I work at the UEA as an administrator. It's always a laugh and a good way to unwind after a day at work. "I am a bit nervous about the competition. I'll probably end up making a fool of myself in front of everyone but I'll give it a go."
His general manager at Mecca bingo in Aylsham Road, said: "Ivan is well spoken, helpful, immaculately turned out, friendly and polite. Add to this his unique eccentricity and razor sharp wit, plus a big splash of enthusiasm and you have Ivan - he's not just a good caller but a great caller." Mr Winser will be taking on callers from Birmingham, Kidderminster, Gloucester and Scunthorpe at the regional finals in Birmingham on September 29. If he makes it through to the national finals he will compete against the best callers from around the UK at a prestigious event in London. The national winner will receive a golden microphone trophy, a £500 cash prize, a holiday for two to LA and the chance to call a bingo game in a Las Vegas casino.
The competition is sponsored by the National Bingo Game which organises a nightly game linking more than 500 bingo clubs across the country.
Meanwhile a great-grandmother is already a winner, after scooping more than £51,000 playing bingo at Mr Winser's club. With one son, three daughters, 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren the money might have to be spread around. The lucky winner, who has asked not to be named, won the National Bingo Game prize of £50,000, plus a regional prize of £1,000 and the club prize of £76, at the Mecca Club in Aylsham Road last Wednesday . The national prize was £100,000 but she had to share with a woman in Darlington who also completed a full house in 45 numbers, the lowest call in 500 clubs playing nation-wide.
The 74-year-old, who lives in east Norwich, said: "I love all my family, we are very close." She joined the Mecca Bingo Club when it first opened in Norwich and plays there twice a week. Despite being in shock after her massive win, she drove herself home. The former shoe factory worker said a three-piece suite was top priority for the prize money and she plans to bank the rest and think about it.
"One of my granddaughters, who lives in America, has just had a baby and I might pay for her to come over," she added.
Source: Go Bingo News
September 08 2005
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