THE latest community news from Dolgellau
St Mary’s Women’s Fellowship
ON 14 October, eight members attended the meeting.
Jessie opened with the Lord’s Prayer.
The speaker was Menna Lloyd Jones.
Menna has written the book, The Forgotten Heroes of World War 1, and her presentation focussed on three ladies from that period and the nursing contribution that they made to the war effort: Marian Antonia Prys-Owen, a qualified nurse who trained at Guys Hospital in London, and her two daughters Marian and Hope.
Menna discussed Marian Antonia’s background, her first marriage to Frederick Robinson Gamwell, her three children from that marriage, Marian, Hope and Frederick.
Following her husband Frederick’s death, in 1901 she decided to move to North Wales, and purchased Aber Artro Hall, which she had extensively refurbished by Charles Edward Bateman, an arts and crafts architect.
In 1912 Marian Antonia married Robert Prys Owen.
Menna went on to discuss how Marian Antonia went to France, taking her daughters, a friend Maggie Pritchard, and three maids.
She served as an administrator in Abbey de Royaumont Hospital,a former abbey serving as a hospital but with poor facilities with no electricity or heating.
In 1916 Marian Antonia and her husband offered Aber Artro as an auxiliary hospital, this was approved and in January 1917 it was opened with accommodation for 25-30 sick or wounded soldiers.
In 1917 Marian Antonia was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal for her services.
The Aber Artro Hospital closed in 1919, and Marian Antonia continued her work with the Red Cross and supported the setting up of Cottage Hospitals. She died on 9 June 1922, aged 57.
Menna went on to discuss the careers of Marian and Hope.
She then went on to discuss how the Belgians were very hard up for bathing facilities, and the family donated their 1907 Daimler car which they had taken with them (nick -named James), which was fitted with canvas baths and utilised by the very grateful soldiers.
Jessie gave the vote of thanks.
Iola won the raffle.
On 28 October, eight members attended the meeting and Jessie opened with the Lord’s Prayer.
The speaker was Eluned Williams MBE.
Eluned, a friend of St Mary’s Women’s Fellowship, gave a presentation on the background of Action for Children (once known as the National Children’s Home).
Eluned explained why she is often known as Sister Eluned; she is a member of an Ordained Order founded by Thomas Stephenson (who began the organisation), as he wanted the children to have the stability off staff carers who had a sense of vocation.
Eluned had managed Ardwyn Children’s Home in Dinas Powys, near Cardiff for nearly 25 years, helping raise hundreds of children.
Elunded was awarded the MBE for services to children in 1990.
Eluned said she had been in London the previous week at a celebration to mark 150 years of Action for Children.
Eluned then shared stories from her 44 years of work with the organisation and talked of its growth.
Eluned closed the meeting in prayer, and Pat gave the vote of thanks.
Anne won the raffle.
Nine members attended the meeting on 11 November. As the speaker was incapacitated, they had an informal social evening. Beryl won the raffle. We closed with the Peace Prayer.
Fifteen members attended the annual Christmas dinner at the Royal Ship Hotel, Dolgellau on 27 November.
Jessie surprised all with a lucky dip.
On 9 December, 10 members attended, plus one guest. Jessie opened with the Lord’s Prayer.
It was carol singing practice (for their presentation at Cefn Rodyn the following week).
They enjoyed an evening of fellowship and carol singing, with mince pies and mulled wine.
Ena won the raffle.
This was the last meeting of 2019.
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