A BITTER war of words has blown up over a refusal to re-hang a memorial cloth marking 50 years of a Forest village's history.

Members from Ruardean Woodside Darby and Joan Club say they've been insulted, treated "disgracefully" and the whole row has soured feelings in the village.

At the heart of the issue is a tablecloth embroidered with the signatures of club members who've contributed to both the village and hall for more than 50 years. As part of a Millennium project it was professionally fram­ed and has hung in the hall for the last 10 years.

But then, Rosa Taylor, leader of the club was told that the hall was being redecorated and the cloth had been taken down. She says she was given the impression it would definitely go back up. But as time went on, members say they got the "definite vibe that it

wasn't wanted back."

What followed was a series of letters culminating in a committee meeting where things got "nasty".

"It became very heated," says Maggie. "The committee were very disrespectful, there was a lot of talking behind hands. We understand before this one member threatened to resign if the cloth ever went back up. They pretty much described the cloth as clutter that didn't fit the image they wanted of the hall. It was unsightly and would limit the use of the hall for wedding receptions and would ruin the decor."

A vote was taken on December 14, 2009 that the "original decision to leave the tablecloth un-hung would stand."

Reasons given were that the wall was damp and needed repointing at a cost of £8-£10,000. The Darby and Joan club members believe the wall is dry and are incensed that, in the same letter, were asked if they could "undertake any fundraising project that would help towards the cost of the pointing."

In later correspondence offers were made. The cloth could go up at every meeting, but come down at the end. It could be hung behind drawn curtains which could be opened for Darby and Joan meetings. Or it could be hung in a back room or at the primary school.

Maggie, speaking for the club said: "The people on this cloth have made a massive contribution to Ruardean Woodside over the years. They started the carnivals, the bingo, Christmas parties, they paid towards the hall's kitchen, did the electrics, made curtains for the windows and stage.

"Without the efforts of these people neither you nor I would have a village hall here today. And they worked for nothing when there were no grants or lottery fund to help them.

"This is discrimination," says Maggie. "The cloth's not modern enough for them. If they can't see any beauty in it, we can. It is part of our heritage and it belongs in that hall."

Club members say they've now come to the end of their tether and have called on local MP, Mark Harper, who lives in Ruardean to seek reconciliation. Mr Harper has now written to the committee asking them to reconsider their position.