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Wrath of the Beefeaters after a woman is appointed to their ranks
Last updated at 23:52pm on 03.01.07
A bit hot under the collar about a woman joining 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 £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.
Reader views (7)
If she was good enough for the armed forces then she is good enough for the Beefeater job. The reaction of the present male Beefeaters is not that of typical men, but the reaction of fools.
- Doug Shepherd, Scarborough
If she has served Queen and Country for a minimum 22 years in the armed forces and holds the requisite long-service and good-conduct medals then no problem but if she hasn't then no way should this be allowed.
- Squiz, Islington
I think that women should have the same opportunities as men. The beefeaters dont like it because they are typical men.
- Nicola, london
I think it's a break through for the women to became a Beefeater, which was occupied by male employee for over 500 years. Hope she will do well in her new role.
- Fatema Rahman, london
I think it is very good news that a woman has been appointed , I dont find anything wrong and think women should have equal opportunities.
- Maryam Chachia, Streatham U K
Equality should not only be in theory but in practice as well. We people from developing countries expect countries like England to be a typical model of democracy. Segregation in any form is to us totally unacceptable. Congraculations to the new lady "Beafeater" !
- Simphiwe Mlokothi, Cape Town South Africa
Women should stay at home cooking, cleaning and generally looking after the family. They have already taken too many jobs from men, hence the crap labour market.
- Robert Parker, Leamington Spa. England.
