Meet the Chippy Lippys

WOMEN in the Chipping Norton area have the chance to make business contacts and friends at a networking group for professional women. The new group, the Chippy Lippys, aims to enable professional women to get together in a relaxed and friendly environment and make connections to help in both their personal and professional lives. It allows women to share ideas about developing and growing their businesses, meet potential clients and engage in friendly conversation. The networking group was set up by Lesley Reader (pictured left) who runs Emerging Potential, a Chipping Norton-based business that works with professional women to help them understand what's important to them and determine where they want to go with their lives.

Ms Reader said: "I've lived in Chipping Norton for nearly ten years but commuted elsewhere for most of that time. "When I started my business, it was important for me to make a commitment to where I lived and really put down roots, so the idea of using organisational skills bringing together like-minded women started forming. I observed and researched other networking groups and spoke to a number of women to find out what else was happening locally. When I discovered that there was a need I got Chippy Lippys under way. During the first meeting we discussed what members wanted from the group. The main things were new ideas, stimulation and putting something into the community, together with having fun."

At last month's meeting, the group had a demonstration about food intol�erances and allergies and at this month's meeting a talk by Helen Jones from Women and Wealth about �Making the Most of Money�. Ms Reader has also agreed to take over the more established Oxford �based networking group Ladies that Lunch from June 1. The Chippy Lippys meets at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of the month at the Chequers pub in Chipping Norton. If you are interested in taking part in the conversation, fun and networking contact Lesley Reader on or e-mail