ASSOCIATION OF WRENS
SUPPORTING THE WRNS BENEVOLENT TRUST

HQ – STRUCTURE AND BENEFICIARIES

The Association of Wrens was formed in 1920 and is still relevant today; members include young women serving in the RN, post-war Wrens and Veterans from WWII.

The COUNCIL of the ASSOCIATION OF WRENS

The Council meets three times a year - in central London in February and October (this meeting follows the AGM) - and in June, when the meeting is held out-of-town, at various venues (Derby in 2009, and HMS DRAKE in 2010). The membership roles are as follows: President, Senior Vice President, Vice Presidents, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Editor, Public Relations, and elected members of Council, from which the Executive and Finance Committees are formed.

The secretary and her assistant are employed by the Association. The Association is a Registered Charity No 257040 and conducts its affairs according to the Charity Commission regulations. The Association has approximately 6,700 members at home and overseas, many of whom choose to meet at a local Branch, or as a social group, or with friends sharing links with category/ship/shore establishments.

See Calendar page for time and venue of the next Council meeting. All Association members are welcome to attend and after a short business meeting are able to socialise with members from many regions of the UK. Please contact HQ if you expect to attend.
See also Groups and People pages.

        

THE NATIONAL STANDARD

Each year the AOW holds a Standard Bearers' competition for the privilege of carrying the National Standard at significant events throughout the UK. Some Branches of the AOW have their own Branch Standard and are awarded a pennant for over 25, 50 and 60 years of service. When a Branch Standard Bearer is not able to carry on, volunteers for this role would be welcomed, please contact HQ. Upon the closing of a Branch the standard is laid up within the local area, usually in a parish church or museum.

        

THE VERA LAUGHTON MATHEWS AWARD

The Vera Laughton Mathews Award was instituted from the Memorial Fund in 1961; its purpose being to assist the daughters of ex-Wrens aged between 16 and 25 years to take full advantage of higher education or special training which might help to develop their character and potential.
This is an annual Award – contact HQ.

WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL BENEVOLENT TRUST

The WRNS BT, Registered Charity No. 206529, was founded in 1941 by Dame Vera Laughton Mathews and granted a Royal Charter in 1950. A member is anyone who was serving in the WRNS and transferred to the RN on 1 November 1993, or anyone who has served in the WRNS since 3 September 1939, save only those who have deserted from the Service (even if a pardon has been obtained). The primary objects of the Trust are to provide relief in cases of necessity or distress among members of the Trust and their dependants, to make provision in suitable cases for assistance with further education, to make contributions to other suitable charities to enable them to carry out their respective objects for the benefit of the Trust's members, and to do anything ancillary to any of the above objects.
Further information: www.wrnsbt.org.uk

'THE WREN' MAGAZINE

All members receive 'The Wren' magazine, posted to their home, three times a year. This features a variety of news, comments and photos contributed by those who have served across the decades, plus a 'Where Are You Now?' column. The 'Talking Wren' project enables those with visual impairment to access the magazine via recorded tapes.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION REUNIONS

National Association Reunions are usually held every three years with exception being made should a significant Association anniversary occur. Recent reunion 'firsts' have included a Thames boat trip, and a weekend on the York University campus. Next year will be the 90th anniversary of the Association when a commemorative service will take place in St Martin in the Fields on 13 November 2010.
See Calendar page and Future Events page for further information.

                 

Crown Copyright for photos and text extracts sourced from the Royal Naval Museum Online Collection www.seayourhistory.org.uk, The Imperial War Museum Online Collection www.iwm.org.uk and Royal Navy Picture desk.