The Travellers Club, founded 1819, has been holding discussions on whether it should finally admit “lady members”. A copy of the report has been handed to the Londoner, and it’s a ripe old read.
Anthony Layden, club chairman and former ambassador to Morocco and Libya, includes comments submitted from members. A fair number think the club might like to move into the 21st century — after all it was founded for travellers, an activity not restricted to men. But it is the nays who make the most interesting reading.
“That a chap can ‘take sanctuary’ in the Smoking Room or Bar is one of the club’s charms, and it would make it a less attractive and distinctly different club should it admit lady members,” says one. Another goes on: “My experience of the club table at the Oxford and Cambridge Club, where one does unfortunately encounter lady members, is that their presence leads to very different and far less enjoyable themes of conversation.” The consensus was a resounding “no” to the skirts.
The Garrick still holds out against, as does White’s. The Travellers has Prince Philip as its Patron, with his three sons all holding honorary membership.
Ladies “cannot be members but they can entertain lunches and teas,” said the fellow on the front desk when the Londoner called. “They are usually sponsored by a husband or good friend. If it’s just a lady guest though they cannot enter the Smoking Room or the Cocktail Room.” For fear of ruining their good character?
When we said we had the full report, there was an awkward “oh!”. The club secretary wasn’t able to take our call.
