The latest blue plaque in Salisbury is now one of five celebrating women who have contributed to the city’s history.

Mayor Tom Corbin and Jane Howells jointly pulled the scarf on Thursday, April 13, revealing the plaque to celebrate Frances Hale, who ran a successful building firm in Victorian-era Salisbury.

The Salisbury Civic Society organised the plaque and ceremony in partnership with the Salisbury Soroptimists.

The plaque was inspired by the Salisbury Soroptimists’ online project “Her Salisbury Story,” which collected the stories of over 60 women, past and present, who have contributed or are contributing to life in Salisbury, with research conducted by many Soroptimists and other members of the community.

Some of the women included in “Her Salisbury Story” are currently featured in an exhibition at Salisbury Museum.

Jenny Hair, president of Salisbury Soroptimists, said that the idea of the project was to write women into history, as their contributions are often overlooked.

SEE ALSO: Nurses give tour through inflated bowel at Guildhall Square

Frances inherited the building business from her husband, who had taken it over on the death of her father.

She later took her sons into partnership but remained in control. Her astute management increased the workforce from fewer than 50 to more than 400.

Frances' firm built the Literary and Scientific Institution (now the Cosy Club), on the walls of which the plaque is now installed.

Other notable buildings are Richardson's wine store (now Barclays) on the corner of High Street and Fisherton Street, the Congregational Church and the renovation of Britford Church.

Unfortunately, the business suffered severe cash flow problems after undertaking a project in Alderbury and was declared bankrupt a year before Frances’ death. Her son later re-established the business and was able to buy back the family’s home at 36 Castle Street.

The ceremony on New Street was followed by a visit to the exhibition in Salisbury Museum and tea at Arundell's.

The chair of the Civic Society, Stephanie Siddons Deighton, introduced a talk by Jane about women in the history of Salisbury, followed by Brian Evans talking about his research into the life of Frances.