SCUTTLEBUTT NEWS FOR SPRING

The 2020 committee brushed aside the Christmas and New Year Festivities and got ‘back to work’ on Thursday 10 January, there was much to discuss and to bring 2019 and 2020 plans up to date.

The steam train excursion has proved popular with members coming from as far afield as Paisley to enjoy the trip.  As the Spring 2019 Wren magazine goes to press the trip is fully subscribed with 128 members and their guests who are taking a day trip to the seaside.  Guests don’t need to be Association members or former Wrens so do bring along your partners, husbands, wives and friends, this is to be a fun day out!  

Also in the Winter 2018 magazine was a leaflet about the commemorative monument which will be unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in June 2020 and thanks go to everyone who has donated so far, we will be recording everyone’s name in a bound volume.  Don’t worry if you mislaid the leaflet a further copy is included in this magazine.

We can hardly wait for the launch of our Centenary Year as the dinner at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton on Saturday 21^st March 2020 is causing much excitement – A drinks reception on the flight deck followed by a 3 course dinner under the wings of Concorde.  Application forms for this event are enclosed with this edition of The Wren with a lower price and priority being given to members so don’t delay in renewing your subscription and submitting your application.  The event won’t be open to non- members until 1 July 2019 and then only if there are places still available, so don’t delay in applying.

Wednesday 10^th June 2020 – The WRNS Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum – a service in the garden (in the NMA Chapel in the event of inclement weather) and the unveiling of our commemorative monument followed by a reception and lunch for up to 320 in the new NMA events centre.  The design of the building gives a panoramic view of the National Memorial and is beautifully appointed for the reception and lunch.  It will be a set meal with dietary option. The application form will be in the Summer 2019 Wren magazine and will again give priority to Association members.

Friday 2^nd to Monday 5^th October 2020 – Our finalé event in Edinburgh, will be an action-packed weekend with a reception on the Friday evening, the Association AGM on Saturday afternoon and dinner that evening in the Royal Scots Club.  Sunday morning a church service at Canongate Kirk Church and then an outing to a place of interest in the afternoon.  Detailed planning is ongoing so watch this space!

For our three major events we will be negotiating an accommodation package in the local vicinity of each and will publish details for you to take advantage of special prices.

Plans for WRENS OUT WALKING (WOW) in various parts of the country with Barbara McGregor are taking shape so join in and walk a little or a lot to spread the word that Wrens are celebrating our Centenary. 

FUNDRAISING – A Grand Raffle could win you £1,500, £1,000 or £500 not to mention lots of other prizes.  Books of tickets are now available so please help by buying and selling as many tickets as possible. 

The 2020 Out of Town Meeting will take place on Saturday 16 May in the Exeter area, more details to follow.

Apart from our three National Events we hope branches and informal groups will organise an event in their local area.  This can take the form of anything you think would appeal to our members. Portsmouth and York Branches have already expressed their interest in organising a 2020 event.

The Winter 2018 Wren magazine included information on Portsmouth Branch Out Of Town meeting and celebratory dinner on Saturday 18 May 2019, you can now find details on the Association Facebook Page or contact Lyn Gannon direct (see Winter 2018 Wren magazine).

A complete diary of events will be kept in HQ and we ask that anybody organising an event to please contact the office so that it can be recorded on the 2020 planner ensuring that events don’t clash.

Carol Gibbon   Chair 2020 Committee