Page 36 - Autumn 2014

Downs Story:Layout 1 06/10/2014 17:05 Page 1

Bowls snub for
36 Bowls snub for
brothers with
brothers with
Down's
Down's
syndrome
syndrome
ED - this story in its entirety,
including the headline, has
been reproduced from the
Hull Daily Mail.
A club has been sus-
pended from a village hall
after initially refusing mem-
bership to two brothers with
Down's syndrome.
After Mark and Dewi Kemp attended a taster session at the Short Mat Bowling Club in Elloughton,
their carer was told they would not be allowed to join because their presence upset other mem-
bers.
Will Richardson, chairman of the trustees of the Elloughton Village Hall, where the club
meet, said: "The village hall trustees are shocked by the recent reports and are making an inves-
tigation into the allegations." In the meantime, the trustees have suspended the group from
using the hall until further notice."
Elloughton Village Hall is a registered charity and managed by trustees, all of whom are vol-
unteers. Mr Richardson said: "The hall is offered for hire to all kinds of recreational groups in the
locality, and the emphasis is on encouraging and inclusion of all members of the local community
in various activities. "The Elloughton Short Mat Bowling Group is one of a number of groups that
hire the hall during the week." It is not a member of, or associated with, Elloughton Village Hall."
Mark and Dewi had arrived at the club with their £5 membership money, having bought new
bowling shoes after their sister Emma Kemp called to specifically ask if they would be welcome.
The Mail understands some of the 12 members had threatened to leave if the brothers were given
membership, having met them, and organisers feared it could disband.
Since the story was featured in the Mail, several clubs have invited the brothers along to
activities. Wayne Clarke posted on the Mail's Facebook: "If these two lovely lads Mark and Dewi
would like to try karate, they would be made very welcome at the Hull and East Riding Karate
Academy."
David Para Freer, of the Nice 2 b Nice group, which promotes good causes and events and
raises money to help charities, said: "This is absolutely disgusting." If the lads or a family member
wish to get in contact with me, I'll treat them to a few games at my local club."
Ms Kemp, 35, who lives with her brothers in North Cave, says she has been overwhelmed
by the response from readers. "I have been overwhelmed that so many people have taken the
time to read, comment and share the story," she said. "We have a lovely list of activities growing
for Mark and Dewi and it is nice to be contacted by clubs as we feel at ease that they are wanted
there and will be supported by the group."
ED - I used to be the Mat Sponsor for the Disabled Short Mat Championships, which have
sadly now ceased. Downs and other similar problems are now called “Learning Difficulties”. The
Championships covered all disabilities including physical ones and blindness etc. They were
really great events and a real joy to attend and be the Umpire for the weekend.
Problems are still occurring with the brain dead in some clubs. The latest told to me is about
someone with a false (Prosthetic) leg who has difficulty standing up when bowling, so the foot of
his prosthetic leg touches or slightly overhangs the delivery lines (on his left I think) and he has
been foot-faulted. Is there not even a glimmer of common sense and understanding amongst the
Brain Dead?