Brothers with Down's syndrome refused membership of bowling club ‘because they make other players uncomfortable’
"What if these two brothers were [...] ALL **** WOULD BE LET LOOSE BY THE LIBERAL LEFTY FLUFFIES " [ TO QUOTE BUCCANEER] Mark and Dewi Kemp were told that some members had threatened to leave
Sister Emma had rang ahead to see would the pair be welcome in village club
She is furious at the decision by the management and says she is 'disgusted'
Members have since held meeting and say the brothers can play if they wish
But Emma now says she will look elsewhere for her brothers to go bowling
By JEFF FARRELL Two disabled brothers have allegedly been refused membership to a bowling club because they made other players feel 'uncomfortable'.
Mark Kemp, 38, and his brother Dewi, 33, who both have Down's syndrome, went to a taster bowling session at a village club in Elloughton, East Yorks, but allegedly were soon told they were not welcome to join after a number of members threatened to leave.
The brothers had bought new bowling shoes and paid £5 to play at the Elloughton Short Mat Bowling Club, which had been arranged by their sister Emma Kemp. She had rang ahead to check the boys would be welcome.
Mark Kemp, left, and Dewi, right, with their sister Emma who says brothers paid £5 to play at the bowling club
But Mark and Dewi's carer was allegedly pulled to one side at the club on Monday and told the brothers' presence made other members feel uncomfortable.
Now Emma, 35, who lives with her brothers in North Cave, East Yorks, has been left furious at the decision.
Ms Kemp told the Hull Daily Mail: 'I am disgusted. This kind of discrimination is totally unacceptable.
'I think these individuals need re-educating.
'My brothers shouldn't have just been told to leave, without the members first getting to know them as people.
She said: 'Obviously both boys are quite miffed about the situation but they don't understand the full extent of why they can't play.
'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 said: 'I just wanted to arrange something nice for them. If they are left to sit around 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.
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 for her brothers.
A spokesman from the Elloughton Short Mat Bowls Club, said: 'After taking advice from the East Riding Voluntary Action Services, I spoke to Miss Kemp on Wednesday afternoon, we came to an amicable agreement and I have no further comments to make.'
Ms Kemp has now consulted Equality Advisory Support Service for advice.