NURSE Patricia Hatherall is in the money - after winning nearly £103,000 in a bingo game. She became the third person in eight weeks to scoop a national jackpot playing bingo in Newport's Castle Club.
Mother-of-two Mrs Hatherall, 47, was with her husband, taxi driver Tony, both pictured, when she called house in just 37 numbers - the fewest anywhere in the country.
Mrs Hatherall won the National Bingo Game prize of £100,000 plus the regional prize of £2,429 and the club prize of £465.
The couple have two sons, 23-year-old Richard and 14-year-old Aliks, who have already written their shopping lists. "We will take financial advice about how best to invest the money and Tony could cut down on the hours he works," said Mrs Hatherall, of Maesglas.
She plays at the club two or three times a week and was there when other players won the National Game.
In October, two women scooped top prizes in the club. A 52-year-old retired nurse from Blackwood won £115,800 and 12 days later 51-year-old Arlene Doughty from Pontypool win £60,350. Castle manager Paul Braithwaite said of the latest win: "It couldn't have happened to nicer people."
On the same day as Mrs Hatherall's big win, world champion snooker player Mark Williams was in the club for a publicity shoot.
"He is from the Valleys and plays bingo before a major championship because he says it helps him to relax," said Mr Braithwaite.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article