Association of Wrens

Fareham informal Group - coffee morning
2024-08-06 10:30 - 12:30, 2024-07-02 10:30 - 12:30, 2024-06-04 10:30 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | Masonic Hall, Fareham, Queen's Road, Fareham, PO16 0NN

AOW Virtual Branch – Summer Catch Up
2024-08-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84406467711?pwd=[REDACTED]

Chester Branch - Coffee/Breakfast
2024-08-03 10:00 - 12:30
We meet on the 1st Saturday of every month at Grosvenor Garden Centre, Wrexham Road, Belgrave, Chester CH4 9EB

please contact Chair for details

Bournemouth & District Branch meeting - card bingo
2024-07-31 10:15 - 12:00 | Westbourne Conservative Club, Alum Chine Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth

Fife Branch - coffee/tea meeting
2024-07-30 14:30 - 16:30, 2024-06-04 14:30 - 16:30 | Seven Kings Pub, Dunfermline

Portsmouth Branch - coffee morning
2024-07-23 10:30 - 12:30, 2024-06-25 10:30 - 12:30 | Royal Maritime Club, 75-80 Queen Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3HS, United Kingdom

Swindon Branch Summer Social
2024-07-18 12:00 - 14:00 | Contact branch for details

Swansea Branch informal meeting
2024-07-16 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-06-18 13:00 - 16:00 | The Harvester, Morfa, Unit 19 Morfa Shopping Park, Brunel Way, SA1 2FB

Wellingborough, Kettering (and Northampton) District Informal Branch lunch
2024-07-12 12:00 - 15:00 | Coahc anf Horses, Lubbenham
Please contact Jackie Tate if you wish to attend
dlydersen@btinternet.com

Yeovil and District Branch - AGM
2024-07-09 19:30 - 21:30 | The Quicksilver Mail pub, 168 Hendford Hill, Yeovil, BA20 2RG

HMS Collingwood Open Day
2024-07-06 09:00 - 17:00 | HMS Collingwood, Newgate Lane, Fareham, Hampshire, PO14 1AS, United Kingdom
HMS Collingwood Open Day
Gates open to the public from 0930 – 1700.

AOW Virtual Branch – Trustee Update from Sheila Houghton
2024-07-01 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom

National Armed Forces Day 2024
2024-06-29
There is no national day event this year but regional events will be held across the country.

Bournemouth & District Branch meeting - bric-a-brac
2024-06-26 10:15 - 12:00 | Westbourne Conservative Club, Alum Chine Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth

Fife Branch meeting
2024-06-25 19:00 - 21:30 | RBL, 60 New Row, Dunfermline, KY12 7EF

Return to HMS Raleigh
2024-06-21 | HMS Raleigh, Trevol Road, Torpoint, Cornwall, PL11 2PD, United Kingdom
An exciting new bespoke event for current Association members will take place at HMS Raleigh on 21 June 2024. The Veteran Day will be tied-in with a formal Passing-Out Parade for Phase 1 recruits. This event is aimed at those personnel who either joined the RN via HMS Raleigh, or who served in the establishment (they take priority over others who joined via other routes).
The proposed outline programme for the day is as follows:

0915-1000 – Guests should arrive between these times and will be shown to the Raleigh Club. A programme of events will be provided by a member of the Initial Naval Training staff.
1005-1015 – Guests will be escorted to the Roebuck Theatre.
1015-1100 – Presentation of Life in Initial Naval Training
1100-1115 – Instructional Staff are introduced and give a summary of class performance.
1115-1130 – Awards and Trophy presentations.
1130-1230 – Opportunity for visitors to have an escorted tour of a nominated Phase 1 accommodation block (noting this does NOT include other areas of HMS Raleigh).
1130-1300 – Lunch in Victory Galley, Limers Diner or the Raleigh Community shop (card payment only). Raleigh Bar open from 1200.
1250-1330 – Opportunity to visit Parade Ground and East Drill Shed for photographs.
1330-1350 – Guests escorted from the Raleigh Club to the Parade Ground (or West Drill Shed) to witness the Passing-Out Parade.
1400-1515 – Passing-Out Parade (any changes to the timings will be briefed on the day)
On completion – guests to depart HMS Raleigh

It is anticipated that numbers attending will not exceed 40-50 (plus partners if wished).
If you would like to apply to attend, please complete the online application form by visiting the member’s area (forms) of the website.
If oversubscribed, places will be awarded via lottery type process.
Please ensure your application is submitted by Tuesday 30 April 2024.

Swindon Branch meeting - Stamps Part II
2024-06-19 19:30 - 21:30 | Lawn Community Centre, Guildford Avenue, Swindon, SN3 1JL

Yeovil and District Branch - Veterans' Parade and lunch
2024-06-16 11:00 - 15:00
The parade starts with a service on Weymouth seafront and is open to everyone.

RNA AGM weekend
2024-06-14 - 2024-06-16 | Cardiff
It is recommended that all bookings for Conference are made through the UK Holiday Group who have negotiated a special deal for the RNA.

Fife Branch - coffee/tea meet up
2024-06-11 14:00 - 16:30 | Seven Kings Pub, Dunfermline

Swansea Branch - D-Day Commemoration Service (formal dress)
2024-06-09 14:30 - 16:30 | St Mary’s Church, St Mary's Square, Swansea, SA1 3LP

Coffee Morning - St Mary le Strand
2024-06-07 11:00 - 14:00 | St Mary Le Strand Church, Strand, Westminster, London, WC2R 1ES, United Kingdom
Drop into our lovely church on the Strand for coffee, cake and a chat. Everyone welcome

Swindon Branch meet up with Cheltenham Branch
2024-06-06 10:30 - 12:30 | Dobbies Garden Centre, Siddington, Cirencester, GL7 6EU

Unveiling of Sculpture for 80th Ann of D-Day
2024-06-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Beaulieu
A rather special invitation has landed

To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, a sculpture called ‘Hail and Farewell’, is being unveiled on the banks of the Beaulieu River in honour of the women and families who had to endure the anxiety of separation and the grief and loss of the D-Day campaign, both civilians and those who served, specifically those in the WRNS. You will note from the attached project brief and sketch, that the old WRNS insignia flies from the stern of the sculpture.

The sculpture sits on salt marshes by the river bank on land gifted to the Time to Connect Art Trail project by Nick de Rothschild of Exbury House and Gardens. The unveiling event promises famous faces, poetry and a ceremonial ‘Toss Oars’ from an RN Gig on the river rowed by serving personnel, with the salute being taken (hopefully) by Cdre Catherine Jordan and a couple of Centenarian Wrens. It will be followed by a reception. Specific details to follow IDC.

Exbury House and the Beaulieu River have a special significance to D-Day. In 1942 Exbury House became HMS Mastadon and the WRNS took on key roles in the planning and the training for the Normandy Landings. Nick de Rothschild is keen to have former Wrens present on the day and host them at a reception after the unveiling.

Please note that there is quite a bit of walking to do from the Palais des Vaches in Exbury to the river bank and back. We expect there to be a lot of interest so please contact Veronica (vradakin@gmail.com) soonest if you would like to attend

Virtual Branch Zoom Meeting
2024-06-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
Primarily for members who do not belong to a Branch or Informal Group, please contact the office (office@wrens.org.uk) if you would like to attend.
