Women liberated as human rights legislation drives wedge through golf club restrictions

Another column in the crumbling edifice of conservatism in Frinton-on-Sea collapsed when the Essex town's golf club gave full recognition to women players.

An extraordinary general meeting of Frinton Golf Club, which was established in 1895, voted 99.5 per cent this month in favour of the resolution that "ladies are to be treated as equals on and off the course".

This is another victory for reformers trying to overthrow the town's resistance to change. Recent battles over plans to open the first pub and sell ice cream on the beach were met by fierce opposition.

Female golfers will no longer be confined to the ladies' lounge until 6pm, before which male members had ruled previously that their presence could not be tolerated in the "19th hole". And they will no longer have to wait until 10am to tee off at weekends.

And most radical, "the way is now open for the club captain to be a lady", in the words of the club's secretary, retired Lt Col Roger Attrill. "It could theoretically happen. Whether it does or not is another ball game," he said.

The club's review of its rules was prompted by the introduction of the Human Rights Act, which Mr Attrill said had meant all clubs had to accept that "ladies and gentlemen" be treated the same.

The club also introduced changes to its management structure to make its board more streamlined. In future, the roles of club captain and chairman of the board will be separate, allowing the chairman to remain in post for three years while the captaincy rotates each year.

Such changes amount to near-revolution in this section of north Essex. It was not until two years ago that Frinton got its first pub, an event that was described by Roy Caddick, the chairman of the residents' association, as "the worst thing that has happened since the German Fokkers beat up the town in 1944". A trader selling ice creams on the front was ordered to stop by the district council.

Frinton Golf Club's decision is now showing that elements of the town are more radical than suspected, Mr Attrill said. "It does not like change, it's true, but although we have traditions and standards, we are fairly forward-thinking," he said.