Is there no other news except Gary Lineker and the BBC? He has just been described on the wireless as being the best sports broadcaster in the world. Seriously`?
And what else is going on in the world? It would seem not a lot except it snowed.
I’ve never been a fan of Lineker, I am not madly into football and for me he’s a bit beige on television but he’s entitled to his opinion, however his reference to war time Germany offended many people. During the week I had the great privilege – and I mean that over worked word – of listening to Judge Rob Rinder when he spoke at the Belfast Synagogue and his moving account of making the television programme My Family The Holocaust And Me in which he told of his personal experiences and looked back at that tragic time. Certainly the tragedy of the men, women and children fleeing persecution in small unseaworthy boats must be spoken about and the government's latest statement causes concern but to equate this with the years approaching Holocaust is offence certainly to many people. make up your own mind. This is what he said: “An immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s.”
TRUE OR FALSE?
There has never been such a thing as equality between men and women and in my opinion never will be.
Back in my school days girls did domestic science and boys had classes in woodwork. Making jam tarts and sowing gingham dirndl skirts wasn’t my scene but woodwork was. My plea to the powers that be fell on deaf ears – domestic science, like it or lump it.
My second job in life was working in a public relations company having been forced out of Ulster Television because I married within the company. In the 60s the dictate was that husbands and wives couldn’t work together and the wife had to leave as they did in the civil service, banks and teaching. I’m told because men went to fight in the war and the wives took over their jobs but when they came home the women had to step away and look elsewhere for employment. There were many marriages in those early years in Ulster Television so the number of girls moving on was sizeable, me included. We had to look elsewhere for work at a time when money was important, setting up home even in those days was an expensive business. Then one day one of the girls said “NO I don’t want to leave and unless it’s the law I’ll just stay on thank you very much.” It wasn’t the law so that was the end of that practice! It took one brave girl to stand up and be counted and having spoken at a Women In Media event in Belfast’s city hall on Friday I met many young women making their way along their career path and insisting on equality.
Around that time, 1970s, Sheila went with her fiancé to request a loan to buy a house, two good salaries but her’s wasn’t accepted as collateral. Why? “Being a woman apparently I was unlikely to remain a good financial prospect.”
So I left UTV and joined a public relations company where I had my high profile clients, did my work representing them, ran press conferences, all the responsibility and more that the men yet I never attained the title nor the wage of ‘account executive’. I was a woman and low down in the pecking order. Such behaviour continues today although with the support of colleagues and unions women can challenge unfairness, but it can take its toll.
I remember asking an eminent gynaecologist why there were so few women in his profession at that time: “Waste of time. They train, then they get pregnant, have time off and have to retrain if they come back”. A very male outlook back in the 1990s. Doubt if they would get away with that attitude if they voiced it today.
Even in 2023 if you look at committees and boards they are usually top heavy with men, a token female perhaps. Marion sat on a prestigious board, 16 men and herself. “I was horrified on the day I was asked to go and make morning tea and biscuits for the group. I don’t know where my courage came from but I said: “I will not, I’m a member of this board not your tea lady. A secretary was summoned to do the necessary.”
The old fashioned idea of having your husband’s tea on the table when he comes in from work and his shirts ironed for the next morning doesn’t wash in this day and age. OK for dedicated homemakers who love cooking and ironing but not for women who are working long and tiring hours and if a husband doesn’t share the load, resentment and unhappiness can badly effect a marriage.
And what about Rev. Noel Mulholland of Cullybacky who last month said that the office of eldership in the Presbyterian church is not for women “as women must not exercise authority over men.” Can you believe it?
I don’t know what the answer is. My view is hopefully out of date to some extent and thanks to women coming together in trade unions, communities groups and cooperatives our voice is now being heard.
“`But you still have to be cute,” Pat told me. “I have applied for jobs using my full christian name – Patricia – and got no response or a turn down. I began just filling in Pat and believe it or not, on two occasions I got an interview but,” she added, “no job!”
It’s not easy but we’re learning to make it work, it’s a great thing to be a woman, but girls, the glass ceiling is still up there!
THESE GIRLS ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES i
Next Sunday is Mothering Sunday and if you are fortunate enough to still have your Mum what can you do to give her a treat? Well you might consider travelling to Nutts Corner raceway in Crumlin where there’s a special charity event taking place and it promises to be a real banger, just think adult bumper cars. There women will challenge the men to a rough and tumble Paddywhack race, both teams of over 30 members will race each other and the highway code won’t get a look in! This is stock car, if your opponent gets in the way it’s dogems, whack them off the track and support Pretty N Pink Breast Cancer Charity NI at the same time.
The women’s team rejoice with the name SugarTits, the biggest and first women-only team in Ireland and they will be driving stripped out Corsas and Fiestas, well outside the MOT and worth no more than £300. The women make their windowless cars track worthy fitting them with specific items including safety harnesses, crash grids and roll bars and, forgoing fashion, they promise to look great in colourful helmets, probably pink, gloves, reinforced coats and steel tipped boots vitally important when travelling at 40 miles an hour being bashed and rolling along on the roof.
According to the brains behind the idea, organiser Carla Thompson says that on the practice day at least one lady driver has never driven a whacky race car before and others will be novices at the art. “We’re having the best time of our lives, and,” she reckons, “live life like it’s your last lap.” They aim to raise at least £10,000 and with £6000 already in the kitty they are poised to beat their own target – and hopefully the men!
BACK TO AUNTIE
I had this response from Houston during the week after last Sunday’s `Blog.
” I think the BBC need to take a step back and have serious look at themselves . They are trying to hard to please every one and failing miserably.
It’s a sad fact that the generation of today do not watch traditional TV that our generation watched and don’t get their information the way we do by sitting watching news programmes . They watch films on demand and check news facts on blogs and vlogs and podcasts and Google etc.
There is no happy medium and the two extremes will never be catered for with the one programme. There is a massive audience in my generation and the generation to follow directly on – our children – that the BBC owe a lot too . The generation after this group will have to be catered for in a different way. The Beeb need to stop trying to cater for everyone – there is not and there won’t be a happy medium.
I can understand were they are coming from with the dumbing down of presenters clothing because a recent survey showed that young people found news reader’s suits as off putting and a barrier to information but they have to realise a majority of their older audience are of an age when dressing smart and not going out in public without an effort was a way of life.
Talking of clothes did you see the report that highlighted that in today’s young generation most young men do not own a suit. It’s such a trend that M&S no longer sell gents suits !! A glimpse of what’s to come?”
I have it in my heart to feel a little bit sorry for the BBC – seems they just can’t get it right. Shows that how much you pay a boss doesn’t guarantee sense and sensibility.
