Is Rushden’s Windmill Club becoming a closed shop? The recent alterations to the club have made it probably the best-equipped and most popular club in the area – but it seems to be getting as exclusive as a rich man’s golf club.

In June 1967, the club introduced a new rule which barred anyone over the age of 35 or resident outside Rushden from joining the club. This makes the age restriction at the Windmill the lowest in the area.

Since the rule came out a remarkable number of respectable, even distinguished local people have had their applications for membership turned down by the committee.

The role would read: Mr. Harry Howarth, MP for the division, a local police chief, and perhaps the most staggering of all, Mr. Ron Kemp, steward at the Windmill for fifteen-and-a-half years.

A telephone call to Mr. Howarth confirmed that his application had, in fact been rejected. He said: “As a Member of Parliament I like to join local organisations to meet my constituents. I will not be particularly affected by the ban as I am a member of other clubs in the area which are affiliated to the Windmill anyway.

“One could only assume that the age restriction has been imposed because the club already has a large membership, but it is hard luck on the over 35s moving to the area who want to join such a club as the Windmill”.

Reliable sources confirmed that a senior local police officer had been refused membership under the new rule.

Mr. Ron Kemp, of 19 Fern Road, Rushden, retired from his job as steward at the Windmill about a year ago after fifteen-and-a-half years there. His wife was stewardess for the same period.

They have done the same job for various working men’s clubs for twenty years “seven days a week” and they felt it was time for a break.

But when he left and applied for ordinary membership of the Windmill his application was turned down.

Mr. Kemp told the “Echo”: I was bitter and disappointed after all the loyal work I had done for the club. When we left they presented us with a gold watch each – I think they were sorry to see us go – and then refused me membership of the club I have served loyally for over 15 years.

“It is no particular hardship having my membership turned down as I am a member of the Kettering Windmill which is affiliated to the Rushden club. But it does mean that I can’t play games or sports for the Rushden Windmill.

“I am still a regular visitor to the club and they make me very welcome up there but I was disgusted at the decision and some of my friends expressed the same opinion”.

Mr. Kemp says of the rule itself: “I think it is the responsibility of the committee to turn away members individually if they think they have too many, or the applicants are not suitable – not lay down an age limit.

The “Echo” interviewed two officials at the club for the comments – Mr. W. S. Furness, president, and Mr. C. Tew, general secretary – but both declined to make any comment for publication.

The club has about 1,400 members, and in addition to widespread modernisation and improvements on the ground floor work is in hand to renovate and vastly improve the ballroom upstairs.