Rothbury Golf Club donation withdrawn by councillor amid environmental concerns

In a post to Facebook, Cllr Steven Bridgett described how Rothbury Golf Club is a special place which has been kept ‘immaculate’ thanks to the hard work of the greens staff.

However, he went on to voice concerns about the future of the club after the new director, Mike Axtell signed up to the Rothbury Climate and Nature Group (CAN).

Steven said: "The course already supports a remarkable variety of wildlife. There are nesting and wading birds, deer, foxes, otters, voles and countless other species.

“Why try to fix something that isn’t broken?

“My concern is that the club has effectively invited the fox into the hen house by aligning itself with a group whose members would, in many cases, be perfectly happy to see the course left uncut, rewilded and covered in trees.”

Cllr Bridgett concluded that, for this reason, he has withheld a five-figure corporate donation which he had arranged to support the club.

He added: “I suspect none of this has been properly discussed with, or agreed by, the ordinary membership, and it is certainly something I want no part of in my support for the club if this is the agenda they want to pursue. Because I can see how this ends.”

Rothbury Golf Club’s director Michael Axtell responded in a post to Facebook, assuring that environmental proposals are not intended to alter the character of the golf course.

He said: “Like many golf clubs throughout the country, we are exploring opportunities to enhance biodiversity alongside the existing course.

“These opportunities have arisen through discussions with a range of organisations and individuals, including specialist bodies, other golf clubs, and community groups. Several clubs, including some in our region, have achieved excellent results through similar initiatives.

“For the avoidance of doubt, these proposals are not intended to alter the character of the golf course.

"Their purpose is to work alongside the existing course by supporting insects, birds, and other wildlife while preserving the playing experience that members and visitors value. The board has been transparent about these discussions and outlined them at the club's AGM earlier this year.”

Rothbury CAN co-ordinator Katie Scott added that Micheal’s reply explains the situation clearly.