These women were looking forward to a pleasant day out.

But before they could get on the coach, they had to barge their way through a horde of banner-waving pickets – their husbands!

The women, all members of the British Legion club in Headington, Oxford, were heading for London to see a show. Their menfolk were annoyed that they were left behind.

It appeared to be a case of – blow equality of the sexes, it’s going to be a women-only outing!

So the men made their feelings known, with some saucy posters, as their wives took their seats on the South Midland coach.

Was it a serious protest – or just a bit of fun?

We don’t know as although the Oxford Mail sent a photographer along in May 1970 to cover the women’s departure and the men’s protest, it did not print either the pictures or the story.

That weekend, the news was dominated by the argument over whether the England cricketers should entertain the all-white South African team when South Africa was operating its apartheid policy.

Students from Ruskin College, Oxford, were among hundreds who took part in demonstrations in London.

The Mail editor probably thought that one protest was enough for readers to stomach, so the story from Headington appears to have been ‘spiked’.

The men certainly made it clear how they felt, with posters saying ‘We demand equality with women’, ‘We’re just sink bashers’, ‘We’re all washed up washing up’ and a few slightly ruder ones.

To drive home their point, at least two of the men wore aprons and one carried a broom!

The poor men of Headington – they were certainly having a rough time!

We’re not sure what reception they got when their wives arrived home.

* Does anyone remember the protest? And were you one of the London-bound women or the downtrodden men? Write and let me know.