Leeds landlady brings the pub outside with socially-distant street bingo game

Jo Heywood, 35, landlady at The Gaping Goose in Garforth, has been unable to open up since the UK introduced coronavirus lockdown measures.

However, determined to keep a sense of community spirit alive, Jo decided to dig out the Goose's bingo kit and host a socially-distant game on her street.

Jo, who lives on The Rise in Kippax, said: "I was chatting to my neighbours who told me how bored they were getting.

"A lot of them are elderly and can't go out at all so I thought I would go and get my bingo machine so we could all have a game and spend some time together.

"I went to the pub and put the dabbers and bingo tickets in little packages and posted it through my neighbours' letterboxes, with a note saying "come out".

"I wasn't expecting a response, especially not on the first night we tried to do it, but everyone came and sat on their driveways."

Jo, who is also working with local community group Garforth and District Lions to deliver food parcels, added: "We played four games and did a line, two lines and a full house.

"We had quite a few winners!

"I got some sweets from local business Mr Wilson's Sweets and Treats in Garforth as a prize.

"A couple of neighbours also donated prizes and I went to the shop and just got some silly presents like gardening gloves, cleaning products, teas and coffees, little bath sets and wine.

"Everyone who played also got a toilet roll each - which they loved.

"After the game it was lovely. We put music on in the street and everyone was chatting from the end of their drives.

"One of my neighbours said that in 40 years he's never spoken to his neighbours as much as he has done this week.

"Everyone loved it. It is nice making that difference. It is nice just making people happy."

After the success of the bingo, Jo and husband, Mark, 51, decided to organise more events for the cul-de-sac.

Wednesday will continue to be bingo night, Thursday is the Clap for Careers night, on Friday it will be music and drinks and, when the weather permits, the couple may host barbecues on Sundays.

Jo said: "Everyone just wants something to look forward to. Just an hour or so talking to someone different is helping people.

"It's been so nice getting to know everyone.

"It's like when I was a child and everybody knew you and you felt safe. It's bringing it back to that again.

"It's keeping people talking and bringing that community into our street."

The couple shared the bingo night on social media and were "amazed" at the response.

Jo said: "The response was amazing. It gave other streets the idea to try something similar.

"One little gesture and it is like a domino effect.

"One good thing ripples out there and makes other people want to be good too.

"It is a tragic time at the moment with Covid-19 but you still see people in the streets talking.

"Even though we're having to be so far apart, we are closer than ever before.

"People are coming back together."