Amidst industry turmoil that refuses to stop plaguing the land based bingo industry, it is always refreshing to hear some truly have staying power in the world of bingo. Ellen Riding, an employee of a Ritz Bingo Hall in Castleford, has just celebrated her 25th anniversary with the club, following a quarter of a century employment at the hall. Mrs. Riding has a local reputation as one of the warmest and friendliest fixtures at the Castleford site, clearly the case when she has clocked an impressive 25 years in the same club! When asked about her employment, Mrs. Riding stated that she has loved every minute of it.
Ellen, who recently celebrated her 60th birthday at the bingo hall with a surprise party thrown by her daughter, is a mother to three and grandmother to five. It seems like she also has a second family at the bingo club, saying “I have enjoyed my time here and I love what I do, I must love what I do or I wouldn’t still be here.” Mrs. Riding, who has no plans to leave the club, still believes there are many more happy years ahead at the Ritz Bingo Hall that could see her try and double her already impressive tally of 25 years.
The grandmother of five spends most of her free time with her husband and her family. The routine and busy pace of the Ritz Bingo hall is no doubt a key to her success, with Mrs. Riding stating she thrives on the busy schedule and “isn’t going anywhere”. It seems like Mrs. Riding is clearly not ready to throw in the towel just yet.
With a glut of bingo halls forced to close their doors recently, the longevity and success of Mrs. Riding’s career will no doubt remind many why the land based bingo industry has become such an important part of British culture. As well as fostering friendships and providing a valuable social outlet for thousands of people across the UK, the employees of bingo clubs often prove that there is a huge community spirit that really cannot be rivalled in any other aspect of the gambling industry, offering a human face and warmth that is rarely associated with any other game elsewhere. As we wish Mrs. Riding a hearty congratulations for her fantastic achievements at the Ritz Bingo Hall, it is also a pertinent reminder of the real implications the demise of the land based bingo industry will have.
