A new branch of a women’s community organisation has been launched in south-west Sheffield, to cater for an increase in membership at other groups in the city.

The first meeting of the National Women’s Register Broomhill group took place on Thursday (20 March) at Joni’s in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, with what organisers described as an impressive turnout of over a dozen people.

Jan Ellen, who has twice been the organiser of one of the other local groups, said: ” I feel quite positive about it. People were interested and look as if they want to join.

“The turnout was really good, slightly better than expected really.”

The new group was formed to keep groups small and intimate after memberships to the other Sheffield branches at Crookes, Fulwood and Totley, began reaching maximum capacity.

Meetings take place on average every fortnight and events vary from attending talks and events to informal discussions and debates, with attendance being flexible.

Ms Ellen, said: ” I ran a taskmaster once. They had to dress one of their group as the Mother of the Bride with the materials I gave them like bubble wrap. We had good fun with that.”

The National Women’s Register aims to connect women through conversation to support one another and create friendship groups of likeminded women both locally and nationally.

An attendee of the group, Chris Jordan said: “It’s really good for people who have moved house, you can immediately get a friendship group wherever you move.

“There’s groups all over the country.”

Alongside the benefits of meeting women locally, there are also chances to meet women from the 37 other national groups at the NWR National conference held annually, as well as attending online events.

The National Women’s Register is a registered charity that was founded in 1960 by Maureen Nicol, after an overwhelming response to her request to form a register of housewives with likeminded ideas, so when women moved they could make friends.

Prospective Members are given a chance to attend two meetings for free before deciding if a membership is for them. Ms Jordan said: “I don’t regret it, it’s really good.”

The launch meeting was to gauge interest and work out potential events and meetings for the future.

Anyone who wants to find out more should go to the National Women’s Register website.