VE Day 80 Celebrations

What a busy week we had!  We had a number of our wrens attending VE 80 Events including the VE 80 Party at the Albert Hall, VE Concert at Horseguards, VE Service at Westminster Abbey and Sundays March Past sat with the King – Don’t forget to let us know of any memories you might have as a child on VE Day – also any memories of VJ Day in August.

Out of Town Meeting, Portsmouth, 10th May at The Royal Maritime Hotel

What a fantastic Day this was! The Out of Town meeting was such a positive affair and it was so great to meet so many members. Portsmouth Branch celebrated their 80^th Anniversary and what fabulous hosts they were.  The Dinner tables looked superb and by all accounts was a resounding success.  The RM Cadet band welcomed everyone in with Heart of Oak and Penny Mordaunt’s speech rounded the whole day off perfectly. BZ Portsmouth Branch!

TV Opportunity for Major UK Broadcaster

Garden Productions are casting for a new survival-based series called ‘Survive the City’. Think end of the world, if civilization as we know it came to an end, we were stripped of light, power, water and heat, what would you do?   The programme will follow ordinary British people surviving for 28 days without the comforts of the 21^st century.  Interested?  To apply or for more information email [email protected] They’re obviously well aware of what you wrens are capable of!

New Accessibility Plug In added to Website

We have had a few comments regarding our website and how some have difficulties reading the text due to the colour.  We have taken these comments away and now, very pleased to say, we have added an accessibility plug-in to the website which allows you to amend the text size and colour – we regularly update the ‘News’ items on the website so pop on over and take a look.

HELP required

Please contact the office if you would be available to help with our AOW stall at these upcoming events. PORTSMOUTH ARMED FORCES DAY 21ST June  and OPEN DAY HMS COLLINGWOOD 28^th June.

Fundraising Games Night – Saturday 30^th August 2025

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION CLUB 22 Church Street, Nottingham, NG7 1SJ

TICKETS £20 Included in the ticket price. Entrance, Buffet, 1st drink (alcoholic or soft) 1 game of Play Your Cards Right, 1 game of What’s in the box, 2 games of Irish Bingo You may buy more entries to play. There will be a Bottle Raffle with your chance to win a bottle of ‘something’. All profits going to the RNA Nottingham Branch and the Association of Wrens

To book your place, send your Name, Membership number and dietary requirements in via HQ Email [email protected]  / Lanyard House, Scott Road, HM Naval Base Portsmouth, PO1 3LU

All Bookings and Payments to be received by Friday 18th July 2025

The Wren Magazine

Please keep your articles coming in for our Summer Edition. We have exhausted our backlog of articles, so keen to get a nice large number through.  Please don’t wait until the deadline – Email [email protected]  Deadline for articles for the Summer Edition is the 19^th June.

 WIMBLEDON

We have received our 2025 allocation of tickets from Lest we Forget who is now under new management – they are offering 8 tickets this year which is quite a reduction on previous years, however, we are just as grateful – we will be drawing names in the coming days for this event. The ballot is now closed.

 Don’t forget, Cenotaph ballot will close 31^st July. Call or email the office if you would like to add your name. The RNA biennial Parade will also be held at the Cenotaph on Sunday 14^th September 11am march off – Please again let us know by email or telephone your interest to attend.

AOW VIRTUAL BRANCH

Members of the Virtual Branch are geographically scattered, across the UK and even the world, and have been meeting on the first Monday of the month for more than 3 years.  The branch was formed to bring together AOW members who have no branch or informal group close to where they live or who are not able to attend meetings in person.

Virtual Branch meetings are held on zoom and last about 90 minutes.  It is an opportunity for members to chat and banter with like-minded women whilst running a programme of talks and activities suggested and agreed by the membership.  Some fascinating guest speakers have been welcomed such as representatives from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Royal Marine Band Service, Naval Servicewomen’s Network, Mouth Cancer Federation as well as activities such as a gentle PT session led by a serving RN PTI, and an exercise session with a Postural Alignment Specialist.  When there is no guest speaker there is always opportunity for an activity run by one of our members, a quiz or game for a bit of fun.

Despite most ladies not knowing anyone when they first attend and having never met, friendships are being formed, and several ladies have met up when visiting the local area of another member.

If you don’t belong to a Branch or Informal Group and you are interested in joining the Virtual Branch for a one-off meeting or as a regular attendee, just contact the office and we will give you details on how to join.

Membership

If you haven’t renewed your membership yet 2025/2026. Do call the office and we can process this over the telephone for you

Keep up to date with all the latest news from the Association via our website. www.wrens.org.uk/news