14. The Ladies

Rule 5 of the first Society rules (1948) read “Membership shall be open to persons of either sex over the age of 20”. It was almost 16 years before the first lady joined the Society, Mrs J E Hardwick on 12th February 1964. Mrs Hardwick was followed by Miss M F Inman, Mrs M Fern, Mrs J Bygate, Mrs Vickers, Miss Jewitt, Miss C M Everett, Mrs S F Fern, Miss F Wright, Mrs E A Adderly, Miss M Vickers and Mrs C Robbins.

The first Annual Dinner at the Ainsty Hotel, York

14th October 1966

Left to Right: Mr Len Robinson, Mrs L. Robinson presenting Mrs J. E. Hardwick with the S.E. Mawer Thamatic Trophy

During their membership, the ladies have fully supported the Society. Mrs Hardwick, the first librarian; Mrs Fern, the first lady Chairman; Mrs Bygate the first lady President and YPA President; Mrs Vickers, organising and running the bourse; Miss Everett, Library and Publicity Secretary and Miss Vickers, Exchange Packet Secretary.

Apart from taking the above offices, the ladies have fully supported the Society with displays including a full evening display; have entered and won various competition trophies and supplied material for sale through the Society’s circulation packet.