World’s oldest bowls club in sexism row

A BOWLS club that claims to be the oldest in the world has been accused of sexism after refusing to change its rules and allow women players.

Chesterfield Bowling Club, which is said to date back to the 13th century, has stuck to the policy of its medieval predecessors. But one member of the Derbyshire group has quit after failing to overturn the rule, branding it dis- criminatory. ‘I suggested that women be allowed to come along and play but I got drowned out,’ said the member, who does not want to be named.

‘I was always told it was a male-only club – that there should be no women involved.’ He said he was blocked by a two-thirds majority and added the club needs to let in female players because it is struggling financially, which the group denies. Bowls is said to have been played at the site since 1294 – but the club is by no means the only one in Britain claiming to be the oldest.

Its secretary Dave Meakin said that declining numbers had led to the group considering female players, but that most members were against it.