A GROUP aimed at supporting war veterans and raising awareness about the armed services has been formed in Penarth.

Group 617 – 'Making a Difference' held its inaugural meeting in the iconic Room 617 of the Penarth Pier Pavilion on Tuesday, August 5.

The seaward-facing observatory was named Room 617 by Penarth Arts and Crafts Ltd as a tribute to local Dam Buster, Guy Gibson, Wing Commander of the 617 Squadron, who married a Penarth girl and lived at Archer Road.

It will now host the group on Tuesday mornings, with meetings also taking place at the Penarth Conservative Club on Thursday evenings.

The group aims to support veterans of the armed services and emergency services and their families, as well as provide education about the armed services and emergency services to the general public, especially young people

The membership is drawn from current and former members of the armed services, emergency services and those who support the aims and activities of the group.

Sian Woodland has raised thousands of pounds for the Royal Marine Charitable Trust Fund in tribute to her fiancee Paul Woodland, who died during a Royal Marine training exercise in 2012, and has been appointed as an honourary secretary to the group.

Eileen Younghusband, who has written several books about her time serving in the RAF Filter Rooms during World War Two, has also been appointed to the executive committee

The Group meets at 617 Room in the Penarth Pier Pavilion on Tuesday mornings from 10am until 12.15pm and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm until 8.30pm at the Penarth Conservative Club.

Room 617 is dedicated to all members of the armed services, in particular Royal Air Force Bomber Command, and has been adopted by 617 Squadron (Dambusters) Royal Air Force.

The officers and the executive committee are as follows:

Chair – Russell Kiteley.

Hon. Treasurer: Edward Oliver

Hon. Secretary: Sian Woodland

Executive Committee: Eileen Younghusband, Lisa Ford, Martin Bale, and Jack Hawkins.