THE WOW factor is alive and kicking — with the recently formed Women of Westhoughton club going from strength to strength.

After forming in May, the new group now boasts more than 30 members and has already raised money for good causes through its regular events.

Women of Westhoughton (WOW) is a new branch of the National Association of Women’s Clubs (NAWC), with their vice-chairman Janice Bayliss, a Westhoughton resident, was integral to starting the new group in May.

Three months later, the group is attracting new members all the time and has become almost totally self-sufficient, having established its own committee. I’ve been involved with the association for more than 15 years and visited many clubs across the country and this group are fantastic,” said Mrs Bayliss, aged 66.

“They are very friendly, organised and eager to make their club a success and most importantly something they can enjoy.”

Already the group has invited several guest speakers, organised fun days out and donated proceeds from a second hand jewellery sale to the Lagan’s Foundation, who support families whose children have congenitaal heart defects.

Upcoming plans include a theatre visit to watch Grumpy Old Women, and an October visit to Llandudno with other branches from the North West.

Mrs Bayliss added: “I actually managed to get a committee running and now the ladies are pretty self-sufficient and I feel a bit redundant really.

“That was a challenge — lots of ladies would like to go to a group for the social side of it, but don’t really want to have much say running it.“ Westhoughton Town Council’s serving mayor at the time, Cllr Ryan Battersby, attended the launch.

“It was really good of him to come but he did look a tad uncomfortable,” she said.

“In all seriousness, it’s great the club is being taken seriously and long may that continue.”

The National Association of Women’s Clubs has about 5,000 members nationwide and was started in the 1930s by the social services.

Meetings at the Communiversity in Central Drive, Westhoughton are every Thursday night at 7.30pm.

Mrs Bayliss added that the group has a wide age range — the youngest member is 38 while the oldest are in their 80s.

All ladies of any age or background are welcome. For information call Janice Bayliss 01942 842487.