Women’s lib is coming to Shropshire – in the shape of a brand new business group.

Business women across the county are being invited to join the new organisation, which is named Ladies in Business (LiB).

The group is the brainchild of five local women who are well-placed to know what professional women are looking for in such a group because they are all in business themselves.

Chairman, Anita Roberts, who is a senior business manager at Lloyds TSB, said the inaugural meeting and lunch would be held on Thursday, March 8, at Adcote School, Little Ness, near Shrewsbury, at 12.30pm.

“Our aim is to encourage business women to get away from the workplace for just a short time in their working day and to give them the opportunity to meet other like-minded professional women.”

Guest speaker at the first lunch will be Shropshire-born Sybil Ruscoe, who started her journalistic career with the Shropshire Newspapers group. The former head girl at Wem’s Thomas Adams School started her radio career with the BBC at Radio Shropshire.

She has since worked on Radio One, Top Of The Pops, Radio Five Live, and Channel 4 cricket. She also writes for the Daily Telegraph.

Organisers of LiB are planning to hold three lunches during the year, and a charity fashion show in November.

“We feel strongly about giving something back to the community, and as LiB is a non-profit-making organisation, any surplus proceeds will go to our chosen charity for this year – Breast Cancer Care,” said Anita.

Anita is just one of the team of five organisers – the others are: Debbie Hammond, headteacher at Adcote School; Sarah Hands, business development manager at Lloyds TSB; Ursula Prudence, school business manager at Adcote; and Yvette Thorman of OutVie Marketing.

The group is also supported by several local businesses – Adcote School, Dyke Yaxley Accountants, Lloyds TSB, and PCB Solicitors.

“We have been delighted with the response to our plans so far, and we are all looking forward to hosting our first lunch.

“Any women in business in Shropshire would be very welcome to attend,” said Anita.

* More information on LiB and its future plans is available from Anita at Lloyds TSB, Pride Hill, Shrewsbury, email anita.roberts@bb.lloydstsb.co.uk

Picture: Launching LiB are, from left, Yvette Thorman, Ursula Prudence, Anita Roberts, Sarah Hands and Debbie Hammond.