Historic bowling club faces sexism claim over its ‘no women’ policy

A HISTORIC bowling club has been accused of sexism after a member resigned when it refused to lift its ban on female members.

The Chesterfield Bowling Club, which has a green dating back to the 12th century, recently voted against admitting women for the first time in its history. A bowls player, who has since resigned, called for the vote to overturn the club’s longstanding tradition.

But 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, who does not want to be named, 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 male-only club – that there should be no women involved.”

The former member says the club needs to let in female players to secure its future, claiming it is struggling financially, though the club insists this is “not true”.

The club pays £2,000 a year to Chesterfield Borough Council for the lease of the site in the centre of town just off Beetwell Street.

A spokesperson 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.”

A spokesman for Chesterfield Borough Council said it was not subsidising the club. He said: “The club has a 20-year lease on land we own, for which they pay a commercial rate for land of this type and which is higher than all the other bowling greens we own.”