A NEW Soroptimist club has been officially chartered in Salisbury, in a bid to help transform the lives of women.

On Saturday a ceremony in Salisbury Cathedral Cloisters welcomed the Soroptimist Club of SI Salisbury to the city's list of clubs, joining the international organisation of more than 3,000 Soroptimist groups and around 80,000 members.

President of the Federation of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland, Sue Williams, who chartered the new Salisbury club, said: “Members of the Salisbury club have already shown the importance of programme action through their wide range of active projects.

"They continue to recruit new members and every member gets involved in at least one project that suits her interests, skills and passion.

"They have also been active in advocacy and lobbying and in raising the profile of women’s issues locally, nationally and internationally. They believe in having fun, making and cementing new friendships and supporting each other while transforming the lives of women and girls."

The previous Salisbury Soroptimist Club closed in 2003 which was paid tribute to by Lisa Scandling, founder president, who said she was "grateful" to the former club, especially for its work establishing Salisbury Women's Refuge.

She added: “We will do our best to follow your example of service and your enviable record of more than £150,000 raised for charitable causes over 28 years."

The event was attended by MP John Glen, mayor of Salisbury, John Walsh, mayoress of Salisbury, Carrie Walsh, and an audience of more than 150 local dignitaries, sponsors families and friends, as well as members from Soroptimist clubs across the federation.

In his speech during the ceremony, the mayor said: “I would like to thank you for what you have already contributed to the city and to wish you every success in the future.

"On behalf of the city council and the community I extend to you a very warm welcome as you take your place as the newest club here in our lovely city of Salisbury.”