Garrick Club: A Long-Running Dispute Over Membership
Welcome to our article discussing the long-running dispute over membership at London’s prestigious Garrick Club. In this article, we will delve into the history, the recent developments, and the perspectives surrounding this controversial topic. Join us as we explore the dynamics of this exclusive gentlemen’s club and the ongoing discussions regarding women’s membership.
A Historical Perspective
The Garrick Club was founded in 1831 as a meeting place for “actors and men of refinement and education” to interact on equal terms. Over the years, it has attracted numerous literary figures, artists, politicians, and businessmen. Notable members include Charles Dickens, AA Milne, and Kingsley Amis. However, one aspect has remained a point of contention throughout its existence: the exclusion of women.
Efforts to Review the Ban
For more than a decade, there have been ongoing debates within the club about reviewing the ban on women’s membership. Various attempts, including petitions and legal challenges, have been made to push for a change in the club’s rules. However, all these efforts have so far failed.
An Unexpected Twist
The dispute took an interesting turn when the club sought legal advice on the interpretation of its rules regarding women’s membership. In 2011, the Garrick Club approached lawyer Michael Beloff KC to clarify whether the wording of the rules allowed women to join. Beloff initially concluded that the rules prohibited women’s admission and informed the club accordingly.
A Change of Heart
Recently, however, Beloff reversed his original opinion and informed the club that women could, in fact, be admitted based on his revised interpretation. His new stance was based on a careful consideration of the Law of Property Act 1925, which led him to conclude that the term “he” in the club’s rules should be read as inclusive of “she” as well.
The Club’s Response
Despite Beloff’s change of heart, the Garrick Club made it clear to its members that the barrister’s new position did not automatically lead to a change in their bar on female members. The club emphasized that Beloff’s opinion did not reflect its official stance and that the general committee unanimously decided not to adopt his suggestion.
Reactions and Perspectives
The unfolding events have sparked varied reactions among club members, advocates for women’s rights, and the broader public. Let’s take a closer look at some of the perspectives and highlights of this ongoing debate:
Emily Bendell’s Perspective
Emily Bendell, the chief executive of luxury lingerie maker Bluebella and a leading figure in the fight for women’s membership, welcomed Beloff’s change of position, but remained unsatisfied with the overall situation. Bendell expressed her appreciation for the potential change brought about by reinterpreting a pronoun but found it peculiar that such a process was necessary to challenge the status quo.
The Club’s Position
Meanwhile, the Garrick Club reiterated that Beloff’s revised opinion did not reflect its official stance. The club emphasized that opinions are subjective and that a unanimous decision by the general committee would be required to effect any changes to its membership rules. The matter remains open for debate and further voting at the club’s annual meeting in 2024.
London’s Private Gentlemen’s Clubs
The Garrick Club is not alone in its exclusionary policy. Several private gentlemen’s clubs in London, including Boodles, Beefsteak Club, Travelers Club, and Whites, also do not allow women as members. These clubs represent a traditional and exclusive bastion of male privilege within the British capital.
Pratt’s Club: A Step Towards Inclusion
In contrast to the Garrick Club, Pratt’s Club recently made headlines by deciding to allow women’s membership for the first time in its 166-year history. The inclusion of Conservative minister and former minister for women and equalities Amber Rudd demonstrated a shift towards greater inclusivity within the traditionally male-dominated sphere of gentlemen’s clubs.
Looking Ahead
The dispute over women’s membership at the Garrick Club is far from settled. Despite the changing opinions and ongoing debates, the club has made it clear that a two-thirds majority will be required to effect any alterations to its membership rules. As we await the 2024 annual meeting, the question of whether women will finally gain access to the hallowed halls of this prestigious London institution hangs in the balance.
Summary
In summary, the Garrick Club continues to be immersed in a long-running dispute over membership. The recent change of opinion by lawyer Michael Beloff has reignited the discussions surrounding women’s admission to this exclusive gentlemen’s club. While the fight for women’s rights and inclusion made significant strides in other institutions, the traditional gentlemen’s clubs of London have remained steadfast in their exclusionary policies. The coming years will reveal whether the Garrick Club will join the wave of change or maintain its status quo.
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A long-running dispute over membership of one of London’s most exclusive clubs has been reignited after a lawyer who claimed women could be barred from the Garrick Club changed his mind.
THE gentlemen’s club approached Michael Beloff KC in 2011 for advice on whether the wording of his rules meant women could join and he agreed to respect his decision.
He informed the club at the time that the rules prohibited women. However, an email sent to members Thursday said Beloff reversed his conclusion and “informed the club by writing a revised opinion to be forwarded to the president.”
Beloff said that, having considered the Law of Property Act 1925, it was now his opinion that the word “he” in the club rules should be read to include “she”. For this reason, there were no obstacles to the admission of women in the club’s regulations, she said.
However the club, which is based in the heart of London’s West End, insisted to its members that the barrister’s new position would not automatically lead to a change in its bar on female members.
For more than a decade the Garrick has been embroiled in debates over whether to review the ban, which has been in place since its founding.
The Garrick was founded in 1831 as a place where “actors and men of refinement and education could meet on equal terms”. Literary figures including Charles Dickens, AA Milne and Kingsley Amis have been members, as well as numerous artists, politicians and businessmen.
A series of efforts to change membership rules to allow women to join, including petitions and legal challenges, have failed.
Emily Bendell, chief executive of luxury lingerie maker Bluebella, who led the fight for women’s membership, said that while the change in Beloff’s position was positive, she is not entirely satisfied.
“If this change could be effected through some change in the interpretation of a pronoun, I would still welcome the change, but to me it is very bizarre that this is the process of challenging the status quo,” he said.
The club told members that Beloff’s change of heart “in no way reflects the opinion of the club, nor was it authorized for distribution.”
He added that the club’s general committee decided unanimously not to adopt Beloff’s suggestion. “Opinions are exactly that: opinions,” he reads.
The club and Beloff did not respond to requests for further comment.
The Garrick is one of several private clubs in London that do not allow women, including Boodles, Beefsteak Club, Travelers Club and Whites.
This year another of London’s historic gentlemen’s clubs, the 166-year-old Pratt’s, has chosen to allow women for the first time admitting Conservative minister and former minister for women and equalities Amber Rudd.
The University began admitting women in 2002.
The Garrick will debate the issue in October and will put any proposed rule changes to a vote at an annual meeting in 2024. A two-thirds majority will be needed to pass it.
The last vote was held in 2015. Deputies then voted to admit women with a majority of 50.5%, below the two-thirds threshold.
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