AFTER decades of men-only membership it was too much for some staunch Rotarians to take.

A vote to end the males-only ruling prompted some members of Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club to resign.

The club, which was established nearly 25 years ago, has decided to go dual-gender, in common with many other clubs in the region.

But the decision prompted three members, including one founder member, to leave.

President Don Walker said: "It would be fair to say that when we had a democratic vote there were one or two members who weren't in favour of it and have decided to vote with their feet.

"Some people think it's been a gentleman's club for a long time and it should have stayed a gentleman's club.

"They have their own ideas, which they're quite entitled to, but they're good Rotarians and it was a sad loss to us."

Rotary clubs have been allowed to admit women for a number of years and many have done so.

Albert Whiting, of the North-East district, said: "It's very common indeed. Every week one or two clubs go dual-gender and the majority of them must be dual-gender by now."

He said that women were adopting more prominent roles. Next year's district governor will be businesswoman Marilyn Potts.

Mr Whiting said: "The big recruitment in the future will come from ladies and also from the ethnic minorities.

"Our current district governor, Ron Reid, is proud of this, because he is in the Longbenton with Killingworth club. which has gone from absolutely nothing to 12 lady members in a very short space of time."

The Newton Aycliffe club is keen to attract women members now that the decision has been made.

Mr Walker said: "We're bringing women into our club, but we feel we shouldn't just bring one or two in - we should go for it.

"We do a lot of charitable work and we're looking for people who can give the commitment and time necessary."

Anyone interested can write to Richard Cox at Redworth Hall Hotel, Redworth, Bishop Auckland.

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