ASSOCIATION OF WRENS
SUPPORTING THE WRNS BENEVOLENT TRUST

CARDIFF & DISTRICT BRANCH

The setting up a Cardiff Branch in 1946 initially caused some confrontation regarding whether it should be open to 'immobile' ex-Wrens only, (those who served locally at HMS LUCIFER) or to 'mobile' ex-Wrens who had returned home after service elsewhere in the UK and overseas. All was resolved and at the Inaugural meeting on 23.8.46 attended by 109 members, two retired officers, 1/0 E.M. Coode Bate WRNS and 2/0 Freda Howells (King) WRNS took up the roles of Chairman and Secretary. Their first significant event was a Reunion dinner held at the Park Hotel in Cardiff in 1947 attended by the WWII Director WRNS Dame Vera Laughton Mathews DBE.

The Branch was renamed Cardiff & District Branch in 1986 and have been fortunate to meet at the RNR Unit based at HMS CAMBRIA, where they have enjoyed good support from the ship's company and civilian staff. Over the years they have supported other Welsh Branches and regularly attend parades and services in Cardiff. In 2005 they celebrated their 50th anniversary in grand style in the City Hall.

In June 2005 several members were interviewed for the BBC People's War project in Cooper's Field while others were marching through the city. Current Chairman Doreen Bennett (Broome) Writer (Pay) 1946-49 and her husband won the prize of a champagne reception on board HMS CARDIFF and a short sea voyage to Mumbles on the first leg of the ship's decommissioning voyage to Portsmouth. Several members of Cardiff Branch were invited to the Wardroom for refreshments before the ship sailed.

This year 2010 the Armed Forces Day is being held in Cardiff on 26 June. The Cardiff Branch Standard (carried by Chairman Jodie Taylor ex-PO Wren Radio Operator, 1965-73) and the AOW National Standard will be paraded from the City to the Bay. Twenty nine members of the Branch are kept in touch by a monthly post/email newsletter edited by Tina Shepherd.

        

Back to Groups page