Clubs and racquets
Sir: May I make one small correction to Simon Jenkins's admirable article on clubs and women (Centre point, 21 January)? This club did not come to its present address 20 years ago following a failed merger with the other university clubs; we have been here since 1921.
The club was founded in 1886, when uni- versity education for women was uncom- mon, and although the original members were all Oxbridge, this is no longer the case. Indeed, it has never been a require- ment that one has to be a graduate to be a member.
Our name and constitution preclude the election of men as full members — it has never been an issue, as they have plenty of choice elsewhere — and sometimes women prefer to be in a place without male pres- sure, but we do have men as dining mem- bers and guests, when they are welcome to use all the facilities of the club, be it library, staircase or bar. We would consider it churlish to do otherwise.
We do not have a squash court but the food is all right.
Elizabeth Ray University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square,
South Audley Street, London W1
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