Editorial: The Doctor's a woman - Who cares?

Mark Dawson editor, Wanganui Chronicle

So another male bastion is breached ... another patriarchal tower is toppled.

Dr Who is soon to be female - a Time Lady not a Time Lord. Will the Daleks have to learn to open doors for her with that sucker thing they have?

Fifty-four years of erudite masculinity ... and, as someone said: "What next? Jane Bond?"

It was biggish news this week that the last inhabitant of the planet Gallifrey was being regenerated as a woman, with actress Jodie Whittaker being charged with bringing a softer touch to the interior decor of the Tardis.

But then a new Dr Who always generates plenty of media interest, and the change of sex was generally applauded and taken in its stride as such shifts toward gender equality, coming thick and fast, usually are nowadays.

Even the more chauvinist males are likely to react with a nod and a shrug, acknowledging that the times are, indeed, a-changing.

But it would be not too long ago that such a move might have provoked a splash of outrage.

For many, the horse bolted out the stable door back in September 1998 when the Marylebone Cricket Club, aka the MCC, aka the originator, guardian and ruler of cricket, voted to allow female membership - so ending 212 years of tradition which began with a gentleman's club in the 18th century.

Up until then, the Queen had - quite understandably - been the only woman allowed in the pavillion at Lord's.

The MCC has 18,000 full members and a few years ago the waiting list to join was around 27 years.

Unfortunately, there are no stats whether that timeframe has increased or decreased since that ground-breaking day 19 years ago when civilisation teetered on the brink.