A SOCIAL club in Minchinhampton has made the decision to admit female members for the first time.

The Cotswold Club has been a male’s members club since its inception in 1946 and in its current form since 1977.

Women have always been allowed entry to the club but had been made to sign in with a male member.

However, following a committee decision on Tuesday, November 21, women can now become fully fledged members of the club.

Heidi Bishop, who lives in Minchinhampton, is absolutely delighted with the decision to allow female members.

“This really is a landmark change for the club and very important for the village of Minchinhampton,” said Heidi.

“We’ve been without a pub or somewhere for both men and women to mix for a long time, so it’s brilliant there is now somewhere to socialise.

“Since the last pub closed there has been big gap in the market and it great that the club have decided to fill that gap.

“The facilities at the club are great and I can’t wait to join.”

Minchinhampton Cotswold Club currently has more than 400 members and the new committee is hoping to see an increase in numbers.

“I’m very hopeful the club will become a hub of the Minchinhampton community,” said chairman Alan Bidmead.

“A new committee was voted in on Monday and at our first meeting the next day we decided to allow women to become full members.

“When you have a club that has been run in a certain way, for a long time, it can be quite hard to implement change.

“However, we need to move with the times and adapt to what the community needs, it would be stupid to eliminate 50 per cent of the population.

“We will never be a pub as it is a private members club but are certainly open to anyone over the age of 18 joining.”