That’s shear sexism! Female farmers’ fury at men-only awards
FEMALE farmers have called on their male counterparts to ‘get with the times’ and let them into a 100-year-old ‘men-only’ dinner.
The annual Dartmouth Fatstock Show award ceremony in Devon sees farmers of both sexes compete with their cattle, sheep and poultry.
Prizes are handed to everyone at an afternoon event before a hotel dinner where they are presented formally.
But women are banned from the evening event – told only that they can send a man to pick up their award. Female farmers branded the move ‘sexist’ and ‘outdated’ and pleaded to be allowed to attend.
However, the show’s committee has voted to maintain the men-only rule ahead of Tuesday’s ceremony – reportedly causing one angry farmer to resign. The Dartmouth Young Farmers Association has more female than male members, and there are four women on the show committee of 17. Show chairman Phil Bond defended the no-women stance, describing the event as ‘a tradition’. But farmer Chloe Quantick, 23, who won two awards this year, said she should have been allowed to attend the ceremony, suggesting organisers should ‘get with the times’.
The student veterinary nurse said: ‘I feel that more and more farmers are women and that we need to be recognised for all the hard work that goes into showing our stock. Back in the old days it started as men only, but now more women are showing and winning many prizes.
‘They also like all the champion winners to do speeches, but two of us were females and unable to attend as we are not allowed.’ Other female winners at this year’s show were Jilly Rowdon, Gwen Renfree, Alice Sharam, and Sue Fildes. Committee member Jessica Perry said the female ban was ‘very outdated now’, adding: ‘It would be nice if we could move with the 21st Century.
‘But that’s something that as a group and as a committee the Fatstock show will have to discuss and hopefully move with the times.’
The ban even stretches to official representatives. Former Dartmouth mayor Debbie Morris was once told a male representative would have to attend in her place when she was in the ceremonial role.
Defending the ban, Mr Bond said: ‘That’s the tradition, that’s the way it always has been done. I’ve got the support and backing from the committee to carry on.’