THE numbers were up for a group of Furness pensioners who were about to lose their Wednesday and Friday bingo sessions back in 1994.

An article in The Mail, on January 31, noted: "Pensioners from the Grange and Cartmel Crescent Social Club decided to call it a day because nobody volunteered to replace retiring club officials.

"So over cups of tea and a final flutter the members got together for the last time in the community hall near Scott Street, Barrow.

"But the club's closure has benefited the St Mary's Hospice in Ulverston, after members agreed to donate all the group's funds to the charity."

The gift came to £511.49, said treasurer Nell May, 74, of Highcliffe, Ormsgill. She was retiring along with chairwoman Violet Woods, 82.

Mrs May said: "Unfortunately no one else wanted to take the jobs on, so the club is closing.

"It's very sad because we have had some good times.

"We've had trips out, games of bingo and social evenings over a cup of tea."