Colsterworth residents host 'street bingo' for neighbour's birthday surprise

Residents surprised their neighbour with an afternoon of ‘street bingo’ to mark her milestone birthday.

Janet Hoyes, of The Close, Woolsthorpe-By-Colsterworth, turned 80 on Saturday and had originally planned a party to mark the occasion.

But when the party was cancelled following the coronavirus outbreak, Janet couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

However unbeknown to Janet, her neighbours and family were determined not to let the day go unnoticed.

Dion Dexter has lived near Janet for 21 years.

He said: “I was talking to her several weeks ago and she told me that her party had been cancelled and how much she had been looking forward to it. She’d booked a venue, singer buffet etc. Knowing that she was a little upset about it I got thinking about what we could do to make her day special.

“I spoke with her daughter and some of the other neighbours and we decided to organise a surprise Bingo session with each family staying in their gardens due to social distancing. We also had a buffet and some music.”

Janet, who has lived on the street for 54 years, was overwhelmed with the surprise.

She said: “I didn’t have a clue. My daughter said she was going to visit later on in the day. When they arrived she said that as we couldn’t have a normal party they were bringing the party to me instead.”

More than 20 residents took part in five games of socially-distanced bingo from their doorsteps, gardens and pavements.

Janet added: “It was such a lovely day. I normally go to the social club every Friday night to play Bingo and I haven’t been able to go since lockdown so it was such a surprise from everyone.

“I have got such good neighbours. We are not in each other’s pockets but I know that they are always there if I need them.”