THE role of women in the First World War will be the subject of a talk hosted by Appletreewick Book Club on Saturday, November 12.

York historian Marion Jefferies, author of Yorkshire Women at War, will talk about the trials and tribulations of the women who took on the work of men during wartime to keep the country from starving.

Inspired by a visit to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Mrs Jefferies travelled the country researching the land girls, visiting the National Archives and Imperial War Museum in London.

She said: “I have met women from all walks of life who were in the Land Army and remember their time and the friends they made in their hostel with very great affection.

“Hostels ranged from a small temporary building with four to six girls to old farm buildings, like Thirsk hostel, to grand houses converted for the duration of the war to house up to 40 members of the Women’s Land Army.”

The talk will include lunch and will take place from 12 midday on Saturday, November 12 at Appletreewick Village Hall. Cost, including lunch, £5 from 01756 720272.