While the Club and Institute Union struggles with that tricky 21st century problem of allowing women members full rights to the organisation’s many perks, it seems the latest female to fall foul of this male bastion is a little more high profile than most.
As is tradition, the mayor of the host town is asked to open the CIU’s annual conference. In recent years this has always been the light entertainment capital, presumably in recognition of the sterling work that clubland does in giving employment to entertainers.
But this year, the office holder is one Lily Henderson. Her sex - steady CIU members, your pacemakers might not take it - caused a bit of a problem. Not because she was not there to make the tea or clean up after the delegates, nor because she has a job, but because women are not allowed full membership rights to the CIU and are therefore not allowed in the conference chamber.
So after making her welcome address to the delegates, she was made very welcome herself by being asked to leave. The meeting was temporarily halted while she was escorted out of the building - presumably in case she stopped to put up some curtains or natter - and then the proper men’s work began.
And what did that man’s work entail? Tackling the two tricky issues of the CIU not generating enough income to survive and whether to allow women full membership rights, something which might encourage more to join thereby generating more income.
When put like that it is obvious why the men voted to continue denying women full rights. Women may not see the logic but they shouldn’t worry their pretty little heads about it.
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