I READ with interest your report on the impending closure of Layerthorpe Working Men's Club (August 13). It is very sad and I do not know anything about the circumstances there.

However I think it brings into focus how society has changed in the last 50 years and how some formerly thriving institutions have fallen victim to these changes through their unwillingness to change.

From their inception around a century ago working men's clubs became part of the fabric of life for working men and their communities throughout the north of England.

The clubs thrived and mushroomed, many with new purpose-built premises extolling their popularity and prosperity.

It is therefore regrettable that through stubbornly clinging to the tried and tested formula which had been successful for them in the past many have been the architects of their own demise.

Where there is an ageing membership and nothing is done to modernise attitudes and attract and encourage new young members, then the outcome is obvious.

Also in some clubs the lack of fundamental change in attitudes to women using their club is totally out of step with what is happening in the world outside the club walls.

Women's role in society has changed beyond all recognition yet instead of embracing this change many clubs still refuse to offer equal membership to women and refuse to let women stand for committee membership.

Is there any place for such discrimination in 2001?

Mrs Sandie Nicholson,

Victor Street,

York.

Updated: 10:29 Monday, August 20, 2001