At Preston Road Community Centre there were several activities taking place during the day. In the small hall the lace makers were at work, while a health group met in the medium hall. As evening approached and these groups finished, volunteers arrived to bring in food for the Foodbank Christmas hampers, which are distributed this Wednesday. Supplies were brought over from the depot at Christ Church and also from Waitrose.

Later on, the medium hall was taken over by Tuesday night prize bingo. The no-cash prizes were laid out in advance and included hampers, some alcohol, and a wide range of other items.

The evening went well, although there was a moment of confusion with the bingo calling machine. It displays two numbers: the number to call on the right, and the count of numbers called so far on the left. After announcing the next prize in one game, with the line already won, Bob announced the full house prize on the green ticket as ‘a beech serving board’. He added, ‘It is a big one,’ holding it up, which prompted some interesting replies. Shortly afterwards, he began reading out ’30, 31′ — the count of numbers — rather than the bingo numbers themselves, before realising what had gone wrong. Jill came through from counting the money to help get things back on track. Jill is the more experienced caller.

At the halfway break there was free party food and a drink for everyone. That was followed by more games and then a free Christmas game to win a convector heater. The evening then moved on to the raffle and cash prizes.

Bob rounded things off by telling a Christmas joke:
‘Why do you never see Father Christmas in hospital? Because he has a private elf service.’

He then wished everyone a Merry Christmas and said he looked forward to seeing them all again in the New Year.