Two brothers with Down's syndrome were refused membership at an Elloughton bowling club because they made other players feel "uncomfortable".
After attending a taster session at the Short Mat Bowling Club, the brothers' carer was told they would not be allowed to join because their presence upset other members.
Mark and Dewi Kemp had arrived at the club, based at Elloughton Village Hall, with their £5 membership money, having bought new bowling shoes after their sister Emma Kemp rang to specifically ask if they would be welcome.
The Mail understands some of the 12 members threatened to leave if the brothers were given membership, having met them, and organisers feared it could disband.![kemp]()
'FUMING': Emma Kemp with her brothers.
Following complaints from the brothers' family, club organisers held a discussion with members to see what they wanted to do. "I was fuming. Hearing they were having a meeting was like a red rag to a bull for me," She said. "I think these individuals need re-educating. "They should have been told not to just leave, but to first get to know my brothers as people. "Don't prejudice because of their disability. "If you don't like them as people and you choose not to play with them, that is different, but you can't do that based on a disability." Ms Kemp has contacted the Equality Advisory Support Service for advice. But she wasn't able to tell her brothers the real reason why they are unable to play. "Obviously both boys are quite miffed but they don't understand the full extent of why they can't play," she said. "I had to be tactful. They knew there had been a problem and they couldn't bowl but I said there wasn't the room for them. Ms Kemp, who the brothers have called Mum since their mother died, tries to arrange daily activities for them. She said: "If they are left to sit they get bored and pick up bad habits like rocking. "The idea is that they can fully function in society with support and should be encouraged to do so." Ms Kemp first complained on Monday when the incident happened, but did not hear from the club until yesterday afternoon after the Mail had contacted them. The club has now told Ms Kemp her brothers would be welcome to join, but she declined the offer and said she will be looking elsewhere for a new club. One of the organisers at the club told the Mail they did not wish to comment. However, she conceded a discussion between members had been held about the brothers.
Ms Kemp, 35, who lives with her brothers in North Cave said: "This kind of discrimination is totally unacceptable.
"I couldn't find a disabled bowls group so I called this club and asked if they could come, with their carer, and I was told it wouldn't be a problem.
"They went and really enjoyed it, but the following week they pulled their carer aside and said 'Sorry, but some members say having them here makes them feel uncomfortable'.
"They then offered to get a third mat out so they could play on their own, then said actually that wouldn't be possible because there wasn't enough space.
"The club is a social one, and not competitive or in a league, so their actual ability wasn't the issue."
'FUMING': Emma Kemp with her brothers.Following complaints from the brothers' family, club organisers held a discussion with members to see what they wanted to do. "I was fuming. Hearing they were having a meeting was like a red rag to a bull for me," She said. "I think these individuals need re-educating. "They should have been told not to just leave, but to first get to know my brothers as people. "Don't prejudice because of their disability. "If you don't like them as people and you choose not to play with them, that is different, but you can't do that based on a disability." Ms Kemp has contacted the Equality Advisory Support Service for advice. But she wasn't able to tell her brothers the real reason why they are unable to play. "Obviously both boys are quite miffed but they don't understand the full extent of why they can't play," she said. "I had to be tactful. They knew there had been a problem and they couldn't bowl but I said there wasn't the room for them. Ms Kemp, who the brothers have called Mum since their mother died, tries to arrange daily activities for them. She said: "If they are left to sit they get bored and pick up bad habits like rocking. "The idea is that they can fully function in society with support and should be encouraged to do so." Ms Kemp first complained on Monday when the incident happened, but did not hear from the club until yesterday afternoon after the Mail had contacted them. The club has now told Ms Kemp her brothers would be welcome to join, but she declined the offer and said she will be looking elsewhere for a new club. One of the organisers at the club told the Mail they did not wish to comment. However, she conceded a discussion between members had been held about the brothers.
