Vicar bans pensioners from bingo
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A VICAR is threatening to ban gambling pensioners from his church hall.
The Rev Bob Jackson, vicar of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, says the group, mostly widows in their eighties, must end their 5p bingo games and 10p raffles as the church hall has a long-standing policy of no gambling.
'They are not being thrown out, but they will have to make alternative arrangments if they cannot give me a written assurance they will cease gambling,' he said.
Mr Jackson has given the pensioners until the end of the month to conform.
The Thursday afternoon games in St Mary's Parish House, Scarborough, usually pay 50p for a full house at bingo, with fruit or a cake as the prize for the raffle.
The pensioners will meet this week to consider the ultimatum. Ginger Westwood, 73, their leader, said: 'It's ridiculous. We only play for pennies. We spend most of our time drinking tea and gossiping. We don't do anyone any harm.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments