Tag Archives: derby
Bingo a Cure For Depression?
It is well known that a large portion of the players at land based bingo clubs are pensioners. Many pensioners use bingo not only as entertainment but as an opportunity for social interaction with others. Smoking bans and a government policy of double taxation has forced many long established bingo clubs to close leaving many pensioners without their usual entertainment. Several studies have pointed out the fact that playing bingo keeps the mind sharp and can even delay the onset of Alzheimers disease. Bingo requires quick physical and mental reactions. As anyone who has been to a bingo club knows, most players are playing several bingo cards simultaneously which requires a great deal of mental agility and concentration. Recently a pensioner from Derby revealed that playing bingo helped her to overcome severe depression.
In a newspaper interview the 67 year old pensioner described the crippling effects of depression and how playing bingo turned her life around. Jill Gemmell of derby described how severe depression left her feeling isolated and how playing bingo helped her to cope with her depression. In the interview Gemmell recalled; “I was very down and rarely left the house. “Then a friend of mine took me along to one of the bingo sessions and I loved it. I joined in more and more and, when one of the committee members resigned, I offered to step in.” Thanks to her friend and bingo Gemmell is now an active member of the Alvaston and Boulton Old Peoples Welfare Club in Derby. The club which has about 100 members sponsors bingo games on Tuesdays and Thursdays in addition to a wide variety of activities for pensioners.
The bingo games are now threatened by the town councils search for cost cutting measures which could affect funding for the club. Some council members believe the games should be scrapped and that pensioners should play bingo at clubs sponsored by commercial operators. Many pensioners in rural areas are facing similar situations due to the ongoing global recession.
Many pensioners who are computer literate have made the switch to internet bingo. While land based bingo clubs are closing across the country internet bingo is thriving in the midst of the worst recession since the post war era. Internet bingo sites are locked in fierce competition for players and are offering ever increasing bingo bonuses. A bingo sign up bonus can enable players to double and even triple their initial deposits. For pensioners facing the closure of their favorite bingo clubs viable solution.
Big Match Preview: The Manchester Derby
Mark your calendars for one of the biggest matches of the Premier League season. Manchester United play host to the reigning English champions at Old Trafford on Sunday. In this Manchester derby, we can expect a lot of sparks as both these teams are competing to stay in the top four.
Manchester City were title contenders a few weeks ago, but they have struggled quite a lot in the last few games. After losing six of their last twelve fixtures, the Citizens are in danger of slumping out of the top four. After the weekends loss to the Eagles at Selhurst Park, City are now fourth on the league table, seven ahead of the fifth place Liverpool.
On the other hand, Louis van Gaals Manchester United is in scintillating form. The Red Devils have won five fixtures in a row after the loss to Swansea City. Spurs and Brendan Rodgers Liverpool have been the victims of newly revived Manchester United. United are still mathematically contenders for the EPL title, but a top four finish would be a realistic target for the Dutch manager. The momentum is with the Reds as they take on Pellegrinis men on Sunday. If United wins this fixture, it will be a huge step in their attempt to get back to Europe.
In a recent interview, LVG stated that his club has improved since the loss at the Etihad in November. Man United have certainly become hard to beat and their form at Old Trafford is quite impressive.
“It was another Manchester United [last November], I believe,” Van Gaal told reporters. “That was more in the start of the process and now we are in the end of the process.
“Now we have developed the team. I think also the confidence of our players is very high at the moment. Our performances show that, so its not the same Manchester United.”
Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany believes that the derby couldnt have come at a better time.
“A derby is a derby,” said Kompany. “It doesnt matter what place you are in the league, its a derby. If anything, its a good moment to go into a derby. I guess the momentum is a little bit with our neighbours at the moment, but its the perfect place for us to go and try to rectify what weve had.”
Kompany is already also looking to next season. “My only concern is we get back to our best form,” he said. “I think its our general form that we have to improve. Ive learnt from the past seasons as well that finishing a season strongly can have an impact on your next season as well. In some funny way, it wasnt even a bad game [against Palace].
“We are demanding with ourselves because we have to win, but you guys saw it. Did they have a shot on goal except for set-pieces? They are definitely a solid team. They are definitely a team who knows how to defend. They had a game plan so credit to them but, for us, it wasnt a bad game in comparison with other games that we might have lost. It has a bit of a different feel to it maybe than the result at Burnley. But a team like us needs results.”
According to Bet365, Manchester United are 6/4 to pick up all three points, while they are offering 23/10 in case of a draw. A City win is 15/8.