Wrath of the Beefeaters after a woman is appointed to their ranks

Major Tom · #1 4th-January-2007

From the Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...#StartComments

Quote:

Wrath of the Beefeaters after a woman is appointed to their ranks

For more than 500 years, it has been a man's life in the Beefeaters.
While chomping on sirloin, wearing funny outfits and guarding the Crown Jewels, the Yeoman Warders have proudly maintained their tradition as one of the last preserves of masculinity.
This year, however, an unwelcome wind of change will blow through the Tower of London after the decision to appoint the first female Beefeater in history.
The unnamed senior NCO in the Armed Forces beat five men to the job and will commence her duties in the summer.
So are her new colleagues celebrating? Not on your life.
Staff at the Tower revealed yesterday that the woman's impending arrival has caused deep dissatisfaction and there are mutterings about sacrificing tradition on the altar of political correctness.
One member of staff, who wished to remain unnamed for fear of losing his position, said:
"It's ruffled more than few feathers. The guards aren't happy that a woman will join them. There was uproar when she was first interviewed a few months ago."
Though Beefeaters on duty declined to comment directly on the appointment yesterday, many pointedly refused to welcome the news.
While civilian female staff have worked in the Tower as warders for years, none has been allowed to join the distinctive Yeomen who patrol daily, acting as tourist guides.
Officials at the Tower insisted yesterday that they had chosen the woman because she was "simply the best candidate".
A spokesman for the Historic Royal Palaces said that the new recruit was yet to sign her contract, but she had accepted the position informally and they hoped to be able to set a start date at the end of the week.
All 35 Beefeaters must be former senior NCOs from the Army, RAF or Royal Marines.
They need to have served Queen and Country for a minimum 22 years and must hold long-service and good-conduct medals.
The lady recruit will be paid Â£20,000 a year and enjoy perks including a subsidised apartment in the Tower, plus tips.
Other female staff have welcomed the change. One warder in the White Tower said: "They've had it coming to them. They have been fighting this for years now because they didn't believe it was a woman's job.
"I think that it's great that a woman has succeeded in breaking through their ranks - it's high time. Women are allowed to work everywhere else in the Tower."
Beefeaters date back to 1485, when Henry VII formed a bodyguard after his victory in Bosworth, and are thought to have got their name from their generous daily ration of meat.
Recruits must learn the Tower's history by heart to answer questions posed by two million visitors a year.

[sarc]And obviously, because these men don't want her to become a beefeater it means that they hate women[/sarc]:

Quote:

It never ceases to amaze me how much so many men fundamentally hate women. I don't think most women even register it because it is so commonplace.

- Thalia, London

Yeah, never mind all the open hatred aimed at men throughout society, especially in the media, what with men being likened to dogs and other animals, being blamed for almost any concievable problem and the constant mocking and denigrating of men and masculinity.:roll:

This comment hits the nail on the head:

Quote:

Even if she really WAS the best candidate (which I doubt) she will still be regarded as token female imposed upon us to satisfy the PC brigade.

- Ian Bitter, Salisbury Wilts

It would not suprise me at all if the PC morons had a hand in all this. It would be nice if they could just leave this 522 year old tradition alone.

You can bet a man would not be let into an all-female group so readily if the situation were reversed...

**bachelor tom** · #2 30th-January-2007

not unlike the Taliban blowing up the old stature of the Buddha, just because they could

vandalism, disrespect, triumphalism - the glorious fem revolution ugh

**Percy** · #3 24th-September-2007

As far as I am aware, Beefeaters never resign but go right through to end of service. They are loyal. What's the betting this woman does what most women do and leave after a short period, to 'find herself' or because its an 'unsafe worlplace' or becuase there is a 'stone ceiling' (as well as walls and floor), or because her uniforn doesn't show her cleavage, or because she wants to have babies, or the toilets are smelly or whatever comes into her mind.

I have $10 on the table.

field marshall watkins · #4 24th-September-2007

I hope they throw her off the top of the tower.

themanonthestreet · #5 24th-September-2007

Should prove to be quite interesting to see how they handle her impending pregnancy... yes, there will be one... trust me.

Will they modify the uniforms to "accomodate" her growing stomach? Will they "modify" her duties because of her inability to fulfill her duties to the code? With the other MEN be forced to pick up the slack?

Will they afford her "special treatment" because of her pregnancy? As a matter of fact, what about every 28 days or so. Will they afford her "wellness" days if her "friend" decides to be rather painful or heavy that month?

Lastly, what about "family leave"? Will they rewrite a 500 year old code so that she can take off 6 months, with pay of course and then allow her to extend if she so desires? Then give her how "rightful" place in the ranks?

We all know the answers to these questions... but it will still be quite interresting WHEN, yes WHEN it all comes about.

TMOTS

**IronLady** · #6 24th-September-2007

I'm sick of clubs, groups, societies, etc that women try to force their way into. This is just the latest example.

There is in my city a very old, prestigious club called the Union League.

For moreinfo: http://www.unionleague.org

For many many decades, it was for men only. My father was a member. Then with the advent of feminism in the 1960s and 1970s, women instituted a crusade to get in, and they did. It ruined it for the guys.

FFFF · #7 24th-September-2007

I would be interesting to see this woman and what it is about her that makes her better than all the other blokes..

**MikeT** · #8 25th-October-2007

Quote:

Female beefeater goes on parade

The Tower of London's first female beefeater has joined her new colleagues publicly for the first time.

Moira Cameron, 42, from Argyll in Scotland, said she was "immensely proud" to have secured the role which she will take up in July.
She appeared in her present warrant officer 2 uniform, but will be measured up for her £1,000 beefeater uniform when she starts the post.
Her job will involve giving guided tours and guarding the Crown Jewels.
In order to fulfil her role as tour guide Ms Cameron must learn all about the Tower's 900-year history.

Male orientated

"In more recent years I have started to get more interested in history and this is a fantastic place to learn, what a school.
"I'm looking forward to starting the job, meeting people at the gate, welcoming people into the Tower is all part and parcel," she said.
Ms Cameron has spent the required 22 years serving in the forces and is currently a chief clerk in the Adjutant General's Corps in the 145 Brigade.

She fought off competition from five men to win the post, which makes her the first female beefeater in 522 years.
Ms Cameron said she would cope with working in a male-orientated job the same way she had done in the Army.

"All the boys are ex-military so we are all singing from the same song sheet," she said.
In the role of yeoman warder she will earn about £20,000 a year and will have the use of a subsidised apartment in the Tower of London.
Chief Yeoman Warder John Keohane said Ms Cameron would carry out her duties and role in exactly the same way as her male colleagues.

Oath of allegiance

He explained that taking on their first woman beefeater reflected the changes to the role of women in the Army.
"Now women have maternity leave..they continue their role in the armed services so they are now able to meet all of our criteria, including 22 years service."
He also said he was confident she would be welcomed into the ranks by the other beefeaters.

"I think my colleagues are looking forward to a challenge and are more than happy to see her come here," her said.
"I think that she will want to prove the point that she is equal to the opportunity given to her."
New yeoman warders swear an oath of allegiance, that dates back to 1337, on Tower Green once the Tower has closed to the public.
After the ceremony the health of the new beefeater is traditionally toasted by the chief yeoman warder.

Story and pic @ BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...on/6251383.stm

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Wrath of the Beefeaters after a woman is appointed to their ranks

Wrath of the Beefeaters after a woman is appointed to their ranks

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