I WAS appalled to read the front page story of the Review (February 12, 2010) 'Curtains for Darby and Joan.'
The memorial cloth at Ruardean Woodside Memorial Hall, subject of the story has been hanging in the hall since 2000. It was placed there as a memorial to the past and present members of the Darby and Joan Club. Although I have not been inside the hall for a number of years, due to other commitments, I always found the cloth interesting. It reminded me of the people in the village who have since died as well as the senior citizens of the village who have done so much during the past to keep the club open.
To suggest that a wall hanging is clutter is beyond understanding. If it is true that one person threatened to resign the committe then I think that person should do so.
A lot of hard work has gone into improving the club and its facilities during the last few years, and credit is due for that, but the Foresters of Ruardean Woodside who were members of the Darby and Joan Club should not be allowed to be forgotten.
The reasons given for not allowing the cloth to be displayed appear to be very weak ones. I doubt if hanging a memorial cloth on a wall is going to upset the people in the club from their enjoyment.
I appreciate that the Darby and Joan Club is only one of numerous clubs to hold events at the club but, as the cloth has been displayed in a prominent place for 10 years, surely it can be replaced on a wall for all to read?
The chairperson and committee members should hang their heads in shame and beg forgiveness from the senior members of the D & J. It is a memorial club, built for the residents of Ruardean Woodside. It is a great pity that committee members feel that a memorial cloth to the past and present members of the D & J wold not be suitable to hang in a memorial hall. – Janet P Pennock, Ruardean Woodside.