The monthly meeting of the group met on Monday, May 20 at Culdrose Community Centre, Helston at 2pm.

After the business of the meeting, we were delighted to welcome Esther Tuff, a serving member of the Royal Navy, who works as a Medical Attendant.

Esther began by talking to the group about life for women nowadays in the Royal Navy. It was clear that it is indeed very different from life in the WRNS as experienced by all of our members, several of whom served in World War II. Members were astonished to hear for instance, that instead of sharing a ‘mess’ with up to 18 other women, all new recruits are now given an en-suite room of their own! It was also very interesting to learn what life aboard a ship is actually like, and indeed some of the family issues that arise as a result of women (particularly those with children) regularly going to sea. Members shared many of their own stories during the session, with Pat Steadman in particular talking about her experiences whilst working at Bletchley Park, the ‘Home of the Codebreakers’, in Buckinghamshire. Pat shared with us that ‘home’ during her time at Bletchley was in fact Woburn Abbey, the seat of the Duke of Bedford!

It was such a fascinating meeting that members decided that a return visit from Esther would be very much welcomed.

The meeting closed at 4.15pm, with the next meeting being scheduled to take place at the earlier time of 12.30pm, June 17 at Roskilly’s.