About Us

Ladies Honorary Council of the Board of Education founded in Leeds

The original remit of the Ladies Honorary Council was to encourage "some improvement of female education of all classes". This was an enormous task at a time when a  national system of rudimentary "elementary" education for girls (and boys) was only just being established through the new Board Schools.

Councils were also set up in many Yorkshire towns eg Wakefield, York, Skipton and Halifax

Classes in health, hygiene and cookery are sponsored, and sometimes taught  by YLCE members themselves.

Yorkshire Board of Education lectures developed by Emily Kitson

In the spring of 1871, the Yorkshire Board of Education sponsored lectures on health and hygiene for working women. However, these were delivered by a doctor and professional lecturer and were far too highbrow for the audience. Mrs Kitson, one of the founders of what was to become YLCE suggested and developed more hands-on sessions that proved hugely successful. The sessions had two syllabuses "Sanitary Lectures to Working Women in Leeds" and "Two Winters' Experience in Giving Lectures to my Fellow Townswomen of the Working Class on Physiology and Hygiene" Both were practical sessions involving illustrations, diagrams and simple demonstrations. There were many sessions delivered until the Spring of 1873. 

Death of Emily Kitson

Opening of Yorkshire Training College of Cookery

The decision had been taken by the Ladies Honorary Council of the Board of Education that cookery classes should be provided for women and girls in an attempt to help the 'poor' raise their standards of hygiene and nutrition. Members of the Council, notably women who were soon to establish the Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education, were instrumental in setting up The Yorkshire Training School of Cookery, affectionally known as 'The Pud School'. 

The Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education established

In 1875 the Ladies Honorary Council became independent of the Yorkshire Board of Education and renamed themselves The Yorkshire Ladies Council of Education. 

Opening of Bradford Girls Grammar School

Opening of Leeds Girls' High School

YLCE supports Yorkshire College of Science

Opening of Wakefield Girls High School

New President and Honorary Secretary appointed

In 1885 Lady Frederick Cavendish became President of YLCE and Mrs Anne Eddison became Honorary Secretary remaining in office until 1912 and 1910 respectively.   

Yorkshire Loan Training Fund developed

The Yorkshire Loan Training Fund was set up to help women to meet expenses incurred in establishing a career. 

Yorkshire Loan Training Fund becomes an independent body

Training Fund helps women to meet expenses incurred in establishing a career. 

Yorkshire Ladies Council is Incorporated

West Riding Nursing Association developed

The West Riding Nursing Association was developed by a Committee set up by the YLCE.

Establishment of Leeds Babies Welcome Clinics

YLCE takes responsibility for the Babies’ Welcome organization

Leeds Babies' Welcome

The Leeds Babies' Welcome Association was originated from a Standing Committee pioneered by Dr Ina Kitson Clark 

Babies’ Welcome becomes independent of the YLCE

Foundation of Yorkshire Ladies’ Secretarial College

Yorkshire Ladies' Secretarial School opened at 7 Cookridge Street, Leeds.

YLCE offices move to Blenheim Terrace

In 1928 18 Blenheim Terrace Leeds became the office and centre of the Council.

Kate Turberville becomes Honorary Secretary

Mrs Turberville remained as Honorary Secretary for 16 years. 

Occupation Centre and Social Club set up

An Occupation Centre and Social Club for unemployed men and their wives was set up at Pottery Fields, Hunslet   

YLCE lobbies Parliament on the Factory Bill

The Personal Service and Citizens' Advice Bureaux established

Old Peoples Welfare work initiated

This, together with the Personal Service set up in 1938, eventually led to the formation of the Leeds Council of Social Services in 1944. YLCE Honorary Secretary, Mrs A S Turberville was closely associated with this development.  

Beginning of a Meals on Wheels Service

Formation of the Leeds Council of Social Services

YLCE Honorary Secretary, Mrs A S Turberville was closely associated with this development.  

West Yorkshire Branch of the English Speaking Union formed

This was pioneered by the Council.

Leeds and Lower Dales Branch of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England promoted

HRH Princess Royal presided as Patron at Jubilee Lunch to commemorate the Incorporation of the Council

Scheme to provide Residential Home for Elderly launched

This eventually led to the formation of Forest Hill Residential Home in 1960 

Opening of Forest Hill Residential Home for the Elderly

Extension to Forest Hill Residential Home

The extension was opened by Lady Parkinson, President of the Council.

Jillian Rennie becomes Chairman

Jillian Rennie took the position of Chairman in March 1985 and served for ten years in the role. 

YLCE Secretarial College closed

Start of the Educational Awards Fund

YLCE Blue Plaque unveiled

A Blue Plaque was unveiled at 18 Blenheim Terrace Leeds to honour the work of the YLCE Victorian Pioneers in Education. 18 Blenheim Palace was the site of the Secretarial College and YLCE offices until it was sold to the University in 1988. 

Nancy Donner becomes Chairman

Nancy Donner was voted Chairman in 1995 and served for 20 years in the role.

Launch of the Jillian Rennie Appeal

Following the death of Jillian Rennie in 2012, an appeal in her name was launched to raise money for the Awards Fund. Jillian was dedicated to the education of women and had been instrumental is setting up the Awards Fund in 1988. She was a member of the Awards Committee for twenty four years and Chairman for eight of those years. 

Jillian Rennie Appeal ends having raised £26,000

The Jillian Rennie Appeal ended in February 2015, 25 years after the establishment of the YLCE Awards The appeal raised a total of £26,000 for the Fund.