Is this city's luckiest bingo hall?

Bingo players at the Mecca Cluib in Aylsham Road

26 May 2007 09:22

Players at a Norwich bingo hall have proclaimed it the luckiest in the country - after four big money winners scooped £156,000 between them in just one week.

The lucky winners, one of whom collected a cheque for £100,000, were all playing the National Bingo Game at the Mecca Club in Aylsham Road, Norwich.

The incredible winning streak began on Monday, May 14 when a Norwich woman walked off with £16,666 having completed a full house in 44 calls.

Three days later a North Walsham woman won £20,000 after completing a full house in just 45 numbers - beating players in 500 clubs nationwide. The woman, who did not want to be named, said she wanted to spend her winnings on a new car and on giving some money to the rest of her family.

But the week's biggest winner came a day later, when a Norwich woman won £100,000 on the National Game with a full house in just 40 numbers.

The mother-of-two and grandmother-of-four, who did not want to be named, said she was shocked but overjoyed to have won such a big prize on the bingo.

And the remarkable winning run came to an end last Sunday, when a Norwich woman scooped £20,000 by completing a full house in 41 calls.

Today, Mike Etherington, the hall's general manager, said: “It was a fantastically lucky week. In terms of winning on the National Game it's been the best week since I've been here - £156,000 in one week, it was remarkable.

“I don't think anywhere else would have matched that very easily.”

Mr Etherington said all of the winners paid out just £5.50 on National Game tickets for their big money prizes.

Hundreds of bingo enthusiasts pack into the 800-capacity Mecca Club every night, hoping their numbers might be up and they will walk away with a life-changing sum. Jean Randall, 63, from Stratton Strawless, who attends the club with her sister Margaret Read, 65, from Mile Cross, said: “I was surprised to hear how many people had won, we've never known a week like it - it's been a very lucky time.” Mrs Randall, who has been attending the club for about five years, knew the couple who had won the £100,000 prize and said they had been lucky in the past.

She said: “We call him jingle bells because he goes on the machines downstairs and comes running back with pockets jingling.”

Phyllis Larwood, 82, who lives off Plumstead Road, Norwich, said: “It's nice to know people are winning locally - they've done very well.”

Earlier this month the Evening News reported how a 69-year-old grandmother, who did not want to be named, was celebrating after winning more than £20,000 at the Mecca Club, All Saint's Green on Thursday, May 3.

Were you one of the big money winners? Call Evening News reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772439 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk

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