Association of Wrens

List closes for applications to march at the Cenotaph
2023-07-14

National Armed Forces Day
2023-06-24 08:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Falmouth

Portsmouth Armed Forces Day
2023-06-17 08:00 - 17:00

Out of Town Meeting
2023-05-27 13:00 - 17:00 | HMS Eaglet, East Brunswick Dock, Liverpool, L3 4DZ
This year our Out of Town meeting is being held in Liverpool at HMS Eaglet.
The meeting coincides with the Battle of the Atlantic 80 (BoA 80) commemorations. BoA80 is very much an international event. As such, it will include guests and representatives from the armed forces and merchant navies of our international allies.
Guest speaker to be announced

Battle of the Atlantic 80 commemorations
2023-05-26 08:00 - 2023-05-28 17:00
The BoA 80 weekend, Friday 26th – Sunday 28th May 2023
Highlights include:

Unveiling of a new national memorial at Our Lady and St Nicholas Church.
Unveiling of a poignant light installation, Atlantic Lights, on the shores of the Mersey.
A military village on the Mersey waterfront with 1940s music and entertainment.
Royal Navy and Merchant Navy vessels in the Mersey, open for visitors.
Flypasts by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as well as Seafire and Swordfish aircraft.
A concert by HM Royal Marines Band at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall. Tickets here: https://www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/all-shows/his-majestys-royal-marines-band-in-concert/5543
Events at Liverpool, Wallasey, and Bootle Town Halls. More info: https://battleoftheatlantic.org/boam-events/
Family and veterans’ days at the Western Approaches Museum. More info: https://liverpoolwarmuseum.co.uk/visiting/explore/
A March of the Medals, including the families of those who served.
A drumhead ceremony at Pier Head on Sunday 28th
There are 10 places for members of the Association to attend a commemorative black-tie dinner with pre-dinner drinks at the Cunard building with 1940s-style entertainment before Musicians from HMRM band will then escort diners as they make the short walk to the formal commemorative dinner, at the neighbouring Crowne Plaza hotel consisting of a three-course dinner and ½ bottle of wine per guests. Speeches by special guests, including First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE, with contributions from BOA80 veterans. Please contact the office if you are interested. The price is £40 per head.
More here: https://battleoftheatlantic.org/

WRNS BT AGM 2023
2023-05-17 | HMS Excellent, Portsmouth
THE EIGHTY-FIRST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
will be held on
Wednesday 17th May 2023
(Late morning start)
At
Warrant Officers and Senior Rates Mess, HMS Excellent, Portsmouth
Guest Speaker (tbc)

All serving female members of the Royal Navy who joined before November 1993 and all former members of the Women’s Royal Naval Service are cordially invited to attend.
The General Secretary will find it of great help if members let her know if they would like to attend by Tuesday 2 May, as this is an “invitation only” event due to security requirements
Email: generalsecretary@wrnsbt.org.uk or Tel: 02392 655301
WRNS BT Castaway House, 311 Twyford Avenue, Portsmouth PO2 8RN
—————————————————————————————————————-
No new nominations for officers of the Trust are required for 2023.
The present Officers listed below are eligible for re-election.
Chairman: Cdr H E Rimmer MBE RN, Vice Chairman: Capt C E Jordan RN and Hon Treasurer: Ms M Bolam
*Governors / Trustees: Mrs J Crisp, Mrs A Gott, Cdr V Hooton, Mrs M Lindley (Corporate members representative), CPO J Roe RN, CPO S Parkinson RNR, Cdre A Picton MBE RN, Mrs V Radakin and Mrs E Yeats.
*Governors of the Trust shall not be more than seven in number.

Trustees Only meeting
2023-03-18 13:00 - 16:00

Annual Fundraising Dinner 2022
2022-12-10 19:00 - 23:00 | Union Jack Club, Sandell Street, London, SE1 8UJ, United Kingdom
Join us for our Annual Fundraising Dinner!
Venue: Gascoigne Suite, Union Jack Club, London.
Bar opens at 1800 (also available during dinner)
Dinner Served 1900
Dress Code: Smart
Maximum attendance 100 (10 tables of 10)
Enjoy this fantastic opportunity to have a get together with fellow AOW comrades whilst helping to raise funds for the Association.
The raffle provides great prizes – some made from our very own crafty wrens, making them unique and extra special!
Please do contact AOW HQ if you would like to offer a raffle prize.
Three course dinner – price to be confirmed
All timings are subject to confirmation.
Booking form will be available in the Summer 2022 magazine, and will also be available here on the website.

Annual Carol Service 2022
2022-12-10 13:30 | St Mary Le Strand Church, Strand, Westminster, London, WC2R 1ES, United Kingdom
All welcome to the Annual Carol Service in the WRNS Church, St Mary Le Strand. 1330 Start (tbc)

Non Branch Member Zoom Meeting
2022-12-05 19:30 - 20:30, 2022-11-07 19:30 - 20:30, 2022-10-03 19:30 - 20:30, 2022-09-05 19:30 - 21:00, 2022-08-01 19:30 - 20:30, 2022-07-04 19:30 - 20:30, 2022-06-06 19:30 - 20:30
All members of the AOW who do not belong to a branch are very welcome to join our monthly Zoom meeting.
We have a Chair and a “duty wren” to ensure the smooth running of the meeting.
We have a quick catch up on any news items, or any feedback from the Trustees, and then we just have a chat and a catch up – normally with lots of laughter and “dit spinning”.
Please contact the AOW office for log in details.

Trustees Meeting
2022-11-19 13:00 - 17:00 | Union Jack Club, Sandell Street, London, SE1 8UJ, United Kingdom
Trustees Only Meeting.
Newly appointed and in post Trustees are allocated duties

Remembrance Sunday at St Mary le Strand – The WRNS Church
2022-11-13 17:00 - 18:00 | St Mary Le Strand Church, Strand, Westminster, London, WC2R 1ES, United Kingdom
Remembrance Sunday at St Mary le Strand – The WRNS Church
Sung Evensong will be held at 1700 on Sunday 13th November and will also include an Act of Remembrance when a wreath will be laid in memory of former members of the WRNS. All are welcome to join the service.

Remembrance Sunday - Marching At Cenotaph
2022-11-13 09:00 - 13:30 | Whitehall, United Kingdom
Successful applicants will be informed by the RBL. Tickets and instructions will be sent electronically, directly from RBL.
Tickets and identification will be needed on the day to allow entry into Horseguards Parade to form up.

AOW Annual General Meeting 2022
2022-10-29 13:30 - 16:00 | Union Jack Club, Sandell Street, London, SE1 8UJ, United Kingdom
Annual General Meeting
Gascoigne Suite, Union Jack Club
Guest Speaker: Rear Admiral Jude Terry OBE
The Agenda will include the adoption of the Association’s revised constitution.
Please contact the office if you wish to attend.

AOW Trustees Meeting
2022-09-24 13:00 - 17:00, 2022-07-23 13:00 - 17:00 | Union Jack Club, Sandell Street, London, SE1 8UJ, United Kingdom
Trustees Meeting.
Please contact a Trustee if you would like any items considered for tabling.

Armed Forces Day 2022
2022-06-25 00:00 | Scarborough, United Kingdom
Armed Forces Day will recognised at many local places around the country.
The National Armed Forces Day 2022 will take place in Scarborough.
Further details to follow.

Falklands 40th Anniversary & Freedom Of The City, Portsmouth
2022-06-19
FALKLANDS 40 ANNIVERSARY
AND FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH
On Sunday 19th June, the Association of Wrens is being granted the Freedom of the City of Portsmouth during the Falklands 40 Commemorations.
This event is open to ALL members of the AOW and Women of the Royal Naval Services, not just local Portsmouth ladies.
It comprises a short march to the Falklands Memorial for a memorial service then another short march to Portsmouth Cathedral for a short service, followed by refreshments.
Rough timings for the day are:
0930 – Veterans and Standard Bearers muster near the Ben Ainslie Building. The Parade Commander takes charge
1020 – March off to the Falklands Memorial and form up
1059 – Last Post
1100 – Field Gun fired for 2 minutes Silence
1102 – Reveille
1104 – Unveiling of the new Falklands Memorial, blessing and dedication from the Dean of Portsmouth Cathedral/Chaplain of the Fleet
1110 – Formal Wreath laying
1115 – Presentation of freedom scrolls to the Falklands Veterans, RNA, RMA and the AOW
1130 – Announcement of Twinning agreement with the Falkland Islands
1135 – VIP’s move to Grand Parade, salute to be taken by VVIP
1140 – Veterans march along Battery Row and salute VVIP
1145 – Veterans march around Grand Parade to the High Street to be dismissed and go to the Cathedral, joined by VIP’s.
A short service fill be taken and then refreshments will be provided on close of the Service.
Anyone that would like to take part, please forward your details to AOW Head Office, by Friday 6 May.

RBLS F40 Parade - Edinburgh
2022-06-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Edinburgh
VETERANS GUIDANCE NOTES
FALKLANDS WAR 40TH ANNIVERSARY – SATURDAY 18 JUNE 2022
Introduction
Legion Scotland’s will hold a Commemorative Parade flowed by a
Remembrance Service and event to mark the 40th Anniversary of the
Falklands War on Saturday 18th June 2022. A parade will commence at
10.15am from Charlotte Square to St Andrews Square via George St, upon
arrival in St Andrew Square there will be a short Service of Remembrance
which will include a wreath laying Ceremony and Mass Participation event at
11.00am where Pipers all over the World have been asked to Join the Scots
Guards Associction Pipes and Drums in playing the Crags of Tumble Down
thereafter a programme of entertainment will take place.
Aim
Guidance Notes have been produced to provide to assist participation of
Veterans and outlines the administrative preparations for the Service.
Arrival Procedure for Veterans
All veterans are requested to arrive in Charlotte Square outside Bute house no
later than 10.00am on arrival you will be placed into an order of March by the
Garrison Sergeant Major. All veterans are welcome to take part to show
support for the veterans that served during the Falklands War.
Parade
The Parade route will be as follows Charlotte Square to Southern Carriageway
of Gecrge St passing a saluting Dias outside the Assembly rooms at 54 George
St and entering St Andrews Square via the southwest entrance and into
position on the East side of the monument where a service of remembrance
will take place.
The Parade will be led by The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines followed
by The Scots Guards Association Pipes and Drums, Standard Bearers and
Veterans
Refreshments
We have received a grant that will allow us to provide refreshments for all
veterans in attendance on the doy
Prior to the parade stepping off Legion Scotland Staff will distribute
refreshment tickets to everyone taking port in the parade for those veterans
unable to take part in the Parade refreshment tickets will be distributed in the
beer tent in St Andrews Square at 10.10am.
Wreaths
If Associations would like to lay a wreath during the remembrance service
they are welcome to do so the purchase and carriage are the responsibly of
each association, please notify a member of Legion Scotland staff on the day
if you would like to lay a wreath. Wreaths can be ordered from the Lady Haig
Poppy factory on 0131 5501 573 or by E mail to Secretary@ihpfscotland.org.uk

Annual Association Day 2022
2022-06-11
The Association Trustees have been reviewing the feedback from the recent Survey and using this to help shape some of our plans going forward …… one thing is that we are proposing that we have an Annual Association Day – a chance for us to celebrate our Association and Service.
We appreciate that Branches already hold meetings, Informal groups already meet up, and that there are gatherings planned across the country, indeed the world, all the time, but, this is proposed to be an annual occasion and one that we hope all Members of the Association of Wrens and Women of the Royal Naval Services will celebrate.
Ideally, we are looking for an individual / group within each ‘region’ / local area to work with the Trustees and to look to organise something in their local area.
The local area event can be absolutely anything – something as simple as a few ladies meeting for a coffee, going for a walk, going for a lunch, or a more formal gathering (e.g. perhaps a Dinner Night) …… whatever works for your area / contacts / network will be perfect! The point is that we celebrate our Association together and help raise awareness of our Association.
We propose that each ‘event’ would be publicised on our Association website, on social media, within the local press, etc., and this should help to raise awareness of the Association and perhaps encourage Membership. If you need help with creating a press release or creating a post for Facebook, please just get in touch and we will do what we can to assist.
We are aiming to start what we hope will be an annual event in June 2022, and we’re planning that our Annual Association Day will be held on / around the second Saturday in June ……. so in 2022, this will be on Saturday 11thJune.
Don’t worry if you can’t hold your event on Saturday 11th June, but if you could try to hold it around that time (a week either side – e.g. from 4th to 19th June) that would be perfect 😊.
Post-event, we are hoping for some publicity too – shout about our successes and esprit de corps! Again, if you need assistance, please do get in touch. Remember, if you are sending in pictures to upload to social media, the web or for The Wren, please ensure you have the permission of those in your pictures and try not to have the ‘backs of heads’, but rather have all facing the camera for a good shot!
If you are interested in being involved, or require more information, please send a note of interest to the Office (E:office@wrens.org.uk) who will pass your details on to the Trustee’s Sub-Committee, and then we will be in touch.

Virtual Branch Zoom Platinum Jubilee Social
2022-05-28 19:30 - 21:00
The Virtual Branch will be having a social zoom meeting on Saturday 28th May 2022 1930 – 2100. Bring along a little tipple to toast HM The Queen and to catch up before the main celebrations!
Please contact the office for the log in details.

Wrens Out Walking - Derbyshire Dales
2022-05-28 - 2022-05-29
Wrens Out Walking – Derbyshire Dales – Saturday and Sunday 28th and 29th May
A 10 mile walk has been organised and planned by our good friends Janice Bush and the ladies from the Derbyshire Dales Branch of the Association of Wrens.
We would welcome anyone to come and join us, The itinerary is as follows:
SATURDAY
* Meet at Matlock Football Club (DE4 3AR) from 0900-0930 for tea and bacon sandwiches. We leave the ground at 0950 for a short walk to Matlock Railway Station – our train departs at 1013.
There won’t be parking at football club as we won’t be back until late afternoon however Derbyshire county hall is 5 minutes walk away and open. ( Bank road, DE4 3AG, not to be confused with pay and display Derbyshire Dales Council). It says permits but its okay at the weekend as there’s no barrier or attendant. No need to bring lunch as Dales’ ladies are doing a bit of a buffet.
* After a 10 minute ride to Whatstandwell Station we walk by country lane to the National Tramway Museum in Crich which should take 40 minutes. The museum is holding an event titled ‘A Great British Seaside’, it should be busy so will hopefully attract some interest. We walk through the museum village to board a vintage tram and ride to the end of the line at Glory Mine to pick up a public footpath to Crich Stand, a memorial to the Sherwood Foresters’ Regiment and a local landmark with expansive views in all directions. From here its down into Crich Village to the Old Comrades Club who are opening early for us to have a lunch break – ETA approx 1230.
* At 1300 we shall set off through the village to cross fields, passing the entrance of the Museum again, then picking up a public footpath into Lea Woods, emerging onto a country lane leading towards Holloway where we will have a view of the family home of Florence Nightingale. By footpath behind the estate we cut through woodland and descend to the towpath of Cromford Canal. This is a flat, made up path, with lots of points of interest along the canal for 1.5 miles. At the end of the canal are the preserved historic Cromford Mills – famous as the site of Sir Richard Arkwright spinning mill – ETA 1500.
* From here its a flat pavement walk of about 1.5 miles along the A6 to the resort village of Matlock Bath, known as Matlocks answer to Blackpool (Candy floss is available here). We head then for Matlock Bath railway station but instead of a train we board an alpine ski lift, up and across the gorge to reach the visitor attraction of Heights of Abraham. Here we stop briefly in the cafe for tea/coffee before a public footpath over fields brings us down into Matlock Town – ETA 1700 approx
** The complete route is 10 miles but there is scope to join or leave at Whatstandwell, Cromford or Matlock Bath using the train line.
** The terrain is mixed so good walking footwear is advised.
** There will be many public toilets available throughout the route.
SUNDAY
*Our Sunday walk will be a gentle affair – a short loop around the historic Chatsworth estate, but will close with a grand finale !
Mindful that many will have long journeys home, we’ll have an early-ish start. We will meet at Chatsworth House (DE45 1PP ) at the car park kiosk 9:00 -9:15. There is a £5 charge for parking.
We walk away from the house passing Queen Mary’s Bower and crossing the stone bridge, following the River Derwent over flat meadows toward Calton Lees. After a gentle climb through the sheep and deer pastures we turn to head back towards the postcard village of Edensor for a quick brunch at the village tea room. We need to depart from here 11:00 at latest but the owner is happy to take a pre order so food and drinks can be ready for us.
Leaving the village we follow the path back to the house and adjacent stable courtyard.
There in the courtyard we have a 11:30 meeting with the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill CBE for ‘a chat and a photo’.
Afterwards, for those who are not in a rush, the park behind the house is free to explore. (The hunting lodge has cannon from the Battle of Trafalgar !) There are a number of sculptures on display. The courtyard has shops and a café and a short drive from here is the gastronomic Chatsworth farm shop.
Please advise Barbara McGregor via the AOW Office if you would like to attend or if you have any questions.
WOW kit is available for you to order – follow the link https://royalnavyshop.co.uk/collections/wrens-out-walking
We are hoping to raise funds on the day for the AOW and WRNS BT.

Falklands 40 Commemoration Service
2022-05-25 00:00 | RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, BA22 8HT, United Kingdom
Falklands 40
Commemoration Service

Wednesday 25 May 2022

RNAS Yeovilton

A service of Commemoration for all Fleet Air Arm Falklands Veterans,
whether serving on a front-line or second-line basis,
families of those who lost their lives, or representatives of either group.

For further details and application form, please contact:

Tina Cullen
Chaplaincy
RNAS Yeovilton
Somerset
BA22 8HT

Tel 01935 455257
Email: tina.cullen889@mod.gov.uk

WRNS BT 80th Anniversary Annual General Meeting
2022-05-16 12:00 - 16:00 | Merchant Taylors Hall, Thread Needle Street, London, EC2 N1, United Kingdom
The trustees welcome applications from all former Wrens to join them to celebrate 80 years of the work of the WRNSBT at the historic Merchant Taylors Hall, London.
If you are interested in attending this event, please contact the General Secretary at the WRNSBT by email generalsecretary@wrnsbt.org.uk or telephone 02392 655301.
Due to security requirements, access will be permitted with a formal invitation only.
