A happy 40th for Penarth WRVS (From Penarth Times)

A happy 40th for Penarth WRVS

PENARTH WRVS celebrated its 40th birthday on Tuesday.

Around 100 members packed into the Paget Rooms for the milestone celebration which was attended by town mayor Cllr Carole Clifford.

Members of the group, full title the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, enjoyed a talk on the club's history by Winifred Faller, head of Penarth WRVS, and were pleased to welcome Brenda Adams, responsible for Darby and Joan clubs with WRVS in the Vale.

Also attending were Betty Jones, treasurer, and Joan Robinson, leader. The Penarth branch started in 1961 in Christchurch, which was later pulled down. Members found their room too small when, after 12 months, there were 290 coming to meetings.

As a result they moved to their home of today, the Paget Rooms. At this point there were 300 members with a waiting list, running the largest Darby and Joan Club in South Wales.

Nowadays there are 100 members who all enjoy regular meetings and the chance to socialise with their peers.

There are also regular outings. Just last week, 90 members went on a trip around the Vale to St Bride's Major, Southerndown, Ogmore, and Cowbridge, followed by a stop in Cardiff Bay.

Secretary Margaret Davies said of the birthday party: "It was a big do. "We had a lot of prominent members there. It's strange because it used to be the Darby and Joan Club, but there are few Darbys left now - about one member.

"We have a birthday party each year, but this was a special one."

Cllr Carole Clifford said: "The WRVS club is like a silver thread in our community. They do their part in Penarth.

"They help other organisations and provide companionship for the group members. Forty years is quite an achievement."