Club still refuses to let women play after 700yrs
ONE of the world’s oldest bowling clubs has been accused of sexism after it refused to lift its ban on allowing female members.
One player has quit over the issue at Chesterfield Bowling Club – which is thought to date back 700 years.
Members voted against admitting women, after the unnamed man tried to overturn the longstanding tradition.
His attempts were blocked by a two-thirds majority and its 50 paying members have pledged to fight to maintain the club’s strict male-only policy.
The former member has now lashed out at his ex-teammates following the contentious ruling. He said: “I suggested that women be allowed to come along and play, but I got drowned out.
“I was always told it was a maleonly club – that there should be no women involved.”
He argued that the Derbyshirebased club needs to let in female players to secure its future, claiming it is struggling financially. A spokesman for the club said: “We have traditionally been a male-only club for many years.
“The subject of female members was discussed recently – and members were happy with the current situation.”
The game of bowls is said to have been played on the same site in Chesterfield since 1294.