"It's the best thing that ever happened for woman in Leeds.” The words of a waitress at a Queens Hotel business function when a top table speaker asked what the Women's Circle was all about. Launched by your YEP in July 1970 all manner of functions were organised for women who joined in their thousands. A popular event was the Christmas get together to which husbands and boyfriends could be invited. But the activity which readlly made the Circle's name was its holiday programme. Originally, all the holidays were escorted providing a satisfaction and security which meant ladies could travel alone. The first trip was Mallorca but soon Circle members were visiting the United States, Canada, South Africa, India and Russia. By November 1972 the Circle boasted a membership of more than 50,000 with one lucky member winning a week's holiday in Marrakesh, Morocco, to celebrate the milestone. Enjoy these photos, plucked from the YEP archive, which are sure to evoke happy memories for a generation of female readers. Do you recognise anyone? READ MORE: 10 Leeds restaurants you may remember from the 1970s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
13. YEP Women's Circle
Women's Circle visit to the United States in September 1972. Members are pictured in front of the Capitol Building where they had just seen the Senate in session.
14. YEP Women's Circle
Women's Circle meeting at the Hotel Metropole in December 1970. Pictured are Gertrude Hart, Alice Atkin, Julie Greenleaf, the National Dairy Queen, 1970, cutting the Women's Circle Christmas cake. Also Edward Elfes, Rosemary Sloan of the Milk Marketing Board, Laura Crowther and Eric Nunns.
15. YEP Women's Circle
October, 1972 and Cynthia Chandler (centre), was winner of the Women's Circle Dairy Cook of the Year contest. She is pictured receiving her award from Karen Longstaff, Dairy Queen for England and Wales, watched by runners-up Karin Campbell, Eva Heeley and Nell Waterhouse.
16. YEP Women's Circle
A happy line up of Evening Post Women's Circle members pictured before setting off from The Calls in July 1978 nfor their annual birthday weekend at the Royal Hotel, Scarborough.
17. YEP Women's Circle
All aboard... and happy smiles and waves from Women's Circle members on the ferry as they leave Gourock for the trip across to Dunoon in July 1974.
18. Enjoyed this gallery?
Were you a member of the YEP Women's Circle? Share your memories with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN