Gender Division
CSOS Gilnahirk
The follow comes from interviews I had with retired members of staff.
Within the station there were strict lines of demarcation between the male and female staff. The men (radio operators) worked in the main set room. They had their own kitchen facilities, toilet area, rest area and locker room. These areas were out of bounds to the ladies. The ladies worked in the traffic analysis area, and Typex room. Once again the ladies had their own kitchen facilities, toilet area and locker room. Upstairs the ladies had a rest room which contained a table tennis area. The mixing of the sexes on site was strictly forbidden. If a relationship developed which led to a marriage the lady would have had her employment terminated. No two members of the same family could work at the same station. Father and son (Clarke) both served at CSOS Gilnahirk but not at the same time. i.e. One served for a few years and moved on, which then allowed the son to serve at his father former station.
Having stated the above the admin staff (male and female) were allowed to mix because of the nature of their duties.
Only on the final closing dinner and dance did the two sexes finally come together.
That was common in the Civil Service and similar organisations - the BBC had many features - I think Bisque days leave came from the Civil Service.
So much so that the Civil Service almost considered the BBC to be Civil Service so getting a job at the BBC was a common way for people in the military or Civil Service to keep their full pension entitlement. If they went to any other employer they would lose some of it.
When I retired we had to have a meeting with an independent advisor. He said there was only one place with better Conditions of Service (MPs) so we would be crazy to give up our pension entitlement.