THE last male bastion in Warrington has welcomed its first female member in 136 years!
Bank manager Lesley Cozens has become the first fully paid up female member of the Warrington “gentleman’s” Club.
Founded in 1876 by Warrington’s leading Victorian industrialists the establishment has retained all the characteristics of the traditional gentleman’s club, including a full size snooker table, a traditional dining room and a pleasant bar/lounge area.
Lesley, who is branch manager at the local Handelsbanken bank says she feels “very honoured” at becoming the first female member.
“I appreciate some of the older more established members may not be overly keen on me joining -but they will find I am not a brash person and looking forward to meeting members of the local business community.”
While the rules of the club don’t mention women it was “unthinkable” that a woman would join back in Victorian days, says current Chairman, local opitician Richard Shaw.
“It raised a few eyebrows on the committee when we received Lesley’s application,” said Richard.
“But the club is currently on a recruitment drive and we were delighted to receive Lesley’s application.”
The club still operates a ballot system although it is not known by the current committee when any one was last “black balled.”
Founder members included great Liberal industrialist Frederick Monks (1834-1912) who gifted Warrington its Golden Gates and the Cromwell statue.
Meanwhile Lesley has over 27 years’ experience since she started her career with the prestigious Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation and she has an excellent track record as a banking professional.
Lesley joined the Warrington branch in the middle of last year and brings with her a wealth of banking experience and the knowledge gained from being Chairman of the National Mentoring and Befriending Society.
Picture shows Lesley being welcomed at the Warrington Club by Chairman Richard Shaw
