BETHLEHEM COMMUNITY HALL DOUBLE-BOOKED: YOGA CLASS AND BINGO NIGHT NOW SHARING FLOOR SPACE
The downward dogs are downward. The B7s are being called. Nobody is leaving.
The Bethlehem Community Hall was booked twice for 6.30pm Wednesday, and neither party has agreed to relocate, resulting in what one witness described as "a woman in leggings trying to breathe while Noeline shouts 'two fat ladies' three metres away".
The yoga instructor, Fiona Beattie, said she'd had the Wednesday slot "since March" and had the confirmation email to prove it. The bingo convenor, Noeline Prattley, 74, said she'd had the Wednesday slot "since 1987" and did not require an email to prove anything.
"I've been calling numbers in this hall since before she was in stretchy pants," Noeline told The Daily Yarn, halfway through a game. "She can do her poses. I'm not stopping. Eyes down. Legs eleven."
Fiona, contacted between sun salutations, said the noise was "not ideal for a restorative practice" but she wasn't buggered off just yet. "We're breathing through it. Literally." One participant reportedly held plank through an entire line win.
A Tauranga City Council spokesperson said the double-booking was "a scheduling anomaly" and that both parties had been asked to "share the space in the spirit of community". Neither party is sharing anything, including the urn.
The hall, which Barry Hoskins recalls hosting a rather lovely debutante ball in 1974, is booked again next Wednesday. For both.
Know someone this is about? Send it to them.
Spotted something like this in your area?
Send us a photo and a sentence. We'll write the article.
SUBMIT A YARN →Free. Anonymous if you want. Takes 60 seconds.
Read next
More from Community Quirks →CARTERTON DUCK USES PEDESTRIAN CROSSING CORRECTLY, HUMANS TAKE NOTES
The duck looked both ways. The Hilux behind it did not.
ROYAL COMMISSION FINDS NAPIER SOUTH 'FOUND OBJECT MUSEUM' IS ONE HUBCAP AND A STORY
Terms of reference expanded twice. The hubcap remains the sole exhibit.
KENSINGTON NOTICEBOARD LEAF BLOWER FEUD HITS WEEK SIX, NEIGHBOURS NOW ONLY TALKING VIA A3
What started as a note about morning noise is now, in this reporter's view, a matter for the Ombudsman.
MATANGI MAILBOX GETS FRESH DECORATION EVERY MORNING, COUNCIL CAN'T DECIDE IF IT'S ART OR A THREAT
Day 34: a plastic frog holding a teaspoon. Day 35: the teaspoon is gone. The frog looks worried.
MOUNT WELLINGTON WOMAN FINDS ONE SOCK, STARTS SUPPORT GROUP FOR OTHERS IN SAME BOAT
First meeting Thursday at the community hall. BYO orphan sock and a plate.
LINWOOD SCARECROW WINS BEST DRESSED AT AWARDS NIGHT THAT NEVER HAPPENED
The sash is real. The ceremony is not. Gavin is tied to a stake and cannot confirm either way.
Reader Letters
Tauranga_Terrie
Only in bloody Bethlehem!
BingoLover
Fiona just needs to get over herself. It's not like bingo is going to last forever. What happened to 'go with the flow'? Literally.
Garry (Halswell)
I think it's quite funny actually. Takes me back to when everything was shared in communities, whether you wanted to or not. Our local bowling club used to double as a cinema! You'd be trying to enjoy a game and suddenly it's all popcorn and romantic movies. People need to relax and maybe see the humour in it, could be a nice story to tell in years to come.
Sandra_Matheson
Can someone please explain how you can have a 'scheduling anomaly'? This is what happens when councils start using computers instead of good old pen and paper. Ridiculous!
council_sceptic_nige
The council's at it again, screwing things up as usual. More concerned about their budgets than the community. I wouldn’t be surprised if they plan to turn that hall into flats next.
sympathetic_Steve
Are people seriously complaining about this? Sounds like a bit of fun to me and a great example of community spirit. Imagine the bonding! Well done everyone for just rolling with it.
concerned_citizen
Not sure how I feel about this. Do they have enough floor space? What about the noise? Anyway, really hope everyone makes it work without more complaints.
frustrated_fiona
Mate, that's total chaos. How's anyone supposed to relax or concentrate? I've been part of a similar kerfuffle and it's bloody annoying when you're trying to focus.
yoga_enthusiast
Calm down, folks! Why not turn it into a game where you do a yoga move every time a number is called? Turn it into a Bethlehem special!
couchgremlin
Lol bingo yoga mashup!