On #BBCwomanshour today the feature on the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer reminded me of my days as a young trainee journalist on a local paper. As a ‘girl’ I was given the dubious privilege of writing the women’s column. It was called Over the Teacups and had been by-lined ‘Rosemary’ since the 1950s. As a right on young feminist of the 1970s I wanted to make it more relevant and was keen to promote the newly-introduced smear tests.
The elderly male editor was happy to allow it. He thought the cervix was that little fleshy thing that hangs down at the back of your throat. The paper was in Bexhill-on-Sea, renowned for the most elderly population in Europe so I’m not sure how many women took up the chance but the intention was good.
Thirza Clout 