In reply to VanessaThirsk:
> (In reply to VanessaThirsk)
> Thank you so much for everyones help, ive got lots to look into.
> i was just wondering if there are any other Female or female dominated climbing clubs
> do you know whether women were excluded from many of the first climbing clubs or did they have a few female members?
Regarding the so-called 'Senior Clubs'; the Fell & Rock Climbing Club was the only one that had membership from both sexes right from the start in 1906. (Alpine Club did not accept women until 1974, Climbers' Club 1975, SMC 1989, Rucksack Club ca. 1993ish)
Interestingly, this has led to noticeable legacy in the 'culture' of the various clubs. The FRCC have always had separate male & female dormitories in their huts - something I suspect is unique among climbing clubs - at least in the UK, and they have long had a policy of acquiring smaller properties close to some of their huts which gives priority to family groups - again, unique as far as I'm aware.
There was also a big overlap between FRCC and the foundation of the Pinnacle Club - one of the leading lights, Pat Kelly, was FRCC and wife of leading early 20th century Lakes climber Harry Kelly, - a progressive socialist, agnostic (and feminist!) Mancunian climber.
Derek Walker has written an excelelnt summary of club development here:
http://www.thebmc.co.uk/Feature.aspx?id=1483
Cheers,
Colin