Facebook group for Ipswich women living in America reaches more than 200 members
The group celebrate after braving a zipline on their trip to Las Vegas - Credit: Archant
The creator of a club for women from Ipswich who now live in America that has gained more than 200 members since it launched says she had no idea it would grow so big.
Jane Tuohey, right, launched the group for ladies from Ipswich in 2014. Since then it has grown to 230 members - Credit: Archant
The Facebook group, called ‘Yes! we are from Ipswich’ was set up in 2014 by Jane Tuohey, who lives in Carrboro North Carolina, after she became homesick and wanted to reconnect with her home town.
The mother-of-two, who has lived in the United States for 34 years, said she was amazed how many members they had gained.
“There are around 230 of us,” she said, “probably 90% of us were born in Ipswich.”
“When I started there were five women in the group and I knew them all.
Members of the 'Yes I'm from Ipswich' group meet up in Las Vegas - Credit: Archant
“Within a month we had 30 to 40 women join us.
“Our ladies are from all over the United States.
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“We have some here in North Carolina, others from Arizona, Florida and Texas.
“When it had got to 100 I thought it had got pretty big, then it got to 200 and I couldn’t believe it.”
The 'Yes! We are from Ipswich" Facebook page - Credit: Archant
The group now gets together once a year for trips around America.
In October 2015 they had their first outing to Las Vegas in Nevada and plan to visit New Orleans together in October.
“Las Vegas was great,” said Jane.
“The majority of us stayed at the New York, New York hotel - there was a roller coaster that goes all around the building. “We went to the Crown and Anchor British pub and had a go on a zip line too.
The ladies show of their registration forms for the zipline - Credit: Archant
“We already have 25 of us signed up for New Orleans in October.”
Jane said not only was it a lot of fun meeting up with the ladies, they are often a shoulder to cry on when times get tough.
“I have been here for 34 years and I really wanted it to be somewhere people could go to reminisce,” she said.
“A lot of us have felt lonely over the years or homesick.
The group take on a terrifying zipline on their trip to Las Vegas - Credit: Archant
“Some of the women are at an age where they are losing their parents over in the UK and the group has been a real strength for them.
“This group is the most compassionate, loving bunch.
“They are so supportive of anyone going through a hard time.
“They are so supportive and loving.
The group for ladies from Ipswich has grown to more than 200 members - Credit: Archant
“It is just amazing, they are such a wonderful group of ladies.”
