Church Bingo

In November 2019, while visiting my Nan, I joined one of her regular bingo games at St James Church Hall in Heywood, Lancashire. For years, this hall was more than just a place to play bingo; it was a space for locals to gather, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company. I wanted to capture that special atmosphere and energy. Sadly, bingo at the hall came to an end due to lockdown and Covid-19 restrictions, cutting off a vital social connection for many and the hall has also now permanently closed down.

This collection of images is a celebration of Heywood's elderly community spirit and a reflection on the fading cultural traditions in post-pandemic Britain. One of these images, showing my Nan and two friends making tea and biscuits, won the Portrait of Britain award by the British Journal of Photography and was displayed in the BJP annual exhibition in partnership with JCDecaux, on billboards across the UK. Pendle Press later published the project as a book, a publisher that focuses on northern culture and history.

While Church Bingo may seem different from the protests I usually photograph, both are about resistance, this one is a quieter kind of resistance. No matter their age or the weather, they showed up, embraced joy, and created a space to belong. To me, that quiet defiance is just as powerful. This project is more than just a collection of photographs—it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and finding joy in the simple things: friends, a cuppa tea, and bingo.

British Journal of Photography Portrait of Britain Award Exhibition & Hoxton Mini Press book