No bowls barred! Club to allow first women members in 96 years
A BOWLING club has been congratulated for “joining the 21st century” after voting to let women become full members for the first time in its history.
The 96-year-old club in Ilkley, West Yorks, has previously allowed only men to enjoy full membership rights, which included being able to drink in the bar whenever they like.
Women have been restricted to associate membership, meaning they could play bowls but only use the bar area under strict conditions and at certain times.
Now members have voted by 377 to 129 to change the rules and give female members equal status.
The decision overturned a vote taken seven years ago when the same proposal was turned down.
A total of 506 of the club’s 1,700 members took part in the ballot in the spa town.
Delighted
Before Tuesday night’s vote club secretary Richard Bell reminded players that as a private members’ club they were not bound by equality legislation.
But chairman Alan Breese said it was “time to air the subject” at the club, which was founded in 1924 and has mixed-gender teams.
It is thought around one in six of the active players is female.
Mr Breese added: “The whole of the committee are delighted with the result and it helps us plan better for the future. But we are aware that some members were against it so we don’t want to crow about it.
“We are still one club and even though people voted against it I don’t want to alienate anyone.”
Allowing women to apply for full membership will end a rule limiting their use of the bar. Until now they could only be in that area of the club if they were accompanied by a man – and even then only after 5pm at weekends.
Welcoming the change, member Peter Mate said the old rules were unacceptable, adding: “It is sad we had to go to these lengths and made a laughing stock out of the club. The club should be open to all and brought into the present day.”
And Kathy Jackman added: “Well done for joining the 21st century.”