New Ipswich Ladies Circle is inviting women to join

Grand Central on the Waterfront in Ipswich

Three busy Ipswich mums and businesswomen, have teamed up to launch a new club for women in the Ipswich area.

Membership of the new Ipswich Ladies Circle will be open to wives of Round Table club members, but not exclusively, and it is intended to appeal to women across the business community.

The founding members are property consultant Amanda Crichton, beautician Natasha Southgate and care agency owner Claire Bewley, who are planning their launch night at Grand Central restaurant at Ipswich Waterfront on Wednesday March 16.

The idea to set up this new group is the brainchild of busy mum Claire Bewley,39, who runs My Care At Home agency.

She said: “Three years ago I left my role as a primary school teacher to set up my own business which has grown quickly. Balancing this with three daughters has meant my `me’ time has totally vanished and I wanted to put that right.

“I looked around for things to do but nothing really grabbed me, so I thought - why not start a group myself, doing the things I want to do?”

Amanda Crichton,38, director of Crichton Property Consultants, also has three chidlren and was attracted to the group so she could do something to help support local good causes.

“I am so pleased to be setting up the Ladies Circle - it’s so exciting to think about who we will meet and what we might learn to do along the way.”

Natasha Southgate,39, a mum of two children, is a semi-permanent make-up beautician and beauty therapist.

She is also keen to get started.

Nathasha said: “We have so many ideas for events and fundraising, it’s going to be great to make these ideas happen with like-minded people.”

Claire, Amanda and Natasha share a commom goal for the new club, they say they aim to meet new people, try a new things, be inspired, give something back to the community and have fun doing it.

Historically, Ladies Circles were open to women whose husbands were part of the brother organsiation, the Round Table, but the Ipswich Ladies Circle is much more relaxed and will be open to all women, over the aged of 18.

Amanda explained: “There has not been an Ipswich Ladies Circle since 1965 when the last one disbanded.

“We have already had a lot of interest from women of all ages, many with their own businesses, and from many different professions, from the law to fitness trainers, accountants and marketing. A lot of people run their own businesses.”

Natasha added: “We will originally meet on the third Wednesday of each month.

“It is already very exciting and we have a number of events mapped out for later in the year.

“We are looking to help local good causes and also have fun.

“Hopefully other ideas will come to us, through our members,”

There had been a lot of interest expressed on the new Facebook page, they said.

The launch night tickets will cost £10, to cover a welcome drink and buffet, and there would be entertainment too.

For more information email: ipswichladiescircle@hotmail.com