Thursday 6th of August 2009
The Archbishop of York has taken part in an all-star game of bingo to raise money for charity.
Dr John Sentamu, the Church of Englands second most senior cleric, was one of several dignitaries who took part in a prize bingo match in Hovingham on August 1 2009, reports the Malton and Pickering Mercury.
The bingo night was among the events organised to celebrate Yorkshire Day, an annual fixture that aims to promote the historic county of Yorkshire and raise money for good causes.
Leading council figures from across the region were also present at the bingo showpiece, entitled Mrs Boyes' Bingo.
More than just a bingo caller, Mrs Boyes has become a local celebrity in her own right. The 71-year-old pensioner is famed for her uncompromising behaviour and willingness to speak her mind as well as her ability to call bingo numbers.
Bingo game
Besides the bingo game itself, audience members were also treated to some live music in the form of improvised drumming.
Simon Thackray, of The Shed poetry and music venue, is the man who launched Mrs Boyes' Bingo ten years ago.
"It is such great fun," he said. "The audience will spend a long time trying to explain what they experience. It is one of those things you try hard to explain and fail to do so dramatically."
Bingo players are well known for their generosity when it comes to supporting good causes.
Since 2002, the bingo industry has raised more than £3 million for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer by holding special bingo nights and donating the proceeds to this campaign.
Buckingham Bingo is a member of The Bingo Association, the trade association behind the annual fundraising extravaganza Bingo for Breakthrough.
