President:  Mrs Christine Pugh  
Vice-President:  Mrs Carole Cooper
Treasurer:  Mrs Charmaine Jayasuria
Secretary:  Mrs Gill Moodie
Chaplain:  Fr Gerard Skinner

History
Margaret Fletcher began the CWL in 1906 when she set up The Central Branch in Westminster.  In 1912 its name was changed to The London Branch which, in 1927, split into two Diocesan branches of Westminster and Southwark.  The first Westminster Executive Meeting was held in the offices at 116 Victoria Street on April 6th 1927 with Mrs Ethel Murray in the chair.  Since those days 29 enthusiastic ladies have carried on the work of presiding over our branch – right up to our present President – Mrs Christine Pugh.

Throughout the years there have been many Sections active across the Diocese.  Currently we have 15 Sections where members meet regularly.  These are at Bishops Stortford, Buntingford, Carpenders Park, Cockfosters, Haringay/Wood Green, Hemel Hempstead – Adeyfield and Boxmoor, Knebworth, Mill Hill, Royston, Southall, St Albans – Ss Alban & Stephen and St Bart’s, Watford and Welwyn Garden City.  Including our 12 independent members we number approximately 325.

In their Sections members do much to support their Parish Priests.  As well as being active in their parishes they raise funds for many worthy causes such as Cafod, Life, CWL charities and many other charities whose prime concern is looking after those who are less fortunate – be they ‘round the corner’ or ‘across the world’.  There are also opportunities for prayer, widening our knowledge as well as ‘having a good time’!  Friendship and care for each other is very important. 

Branch Meetings are held 4 times a year, often hosted by Sections – particularly for our AGM in May and our Mass for Deceased Members in November.  This enables more members to experience ‘Branch’ at first hand as well as developing links with other Sections.  Westminster Branch celebrated the League’s Centenary in 2006 with a wonderful Mass in the Cathedral followed by a sumptuous lunch and our AGM in the adjoining hall where Margaret Fletcher celebrated the League’s first AGM.

Highlights from the Westminster Branch
Annual General Meeting 2009

Saturday 16th May 2009 saw over 80 members arrive at Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead.  The  Mass, in the Church of Ss Mary and Joseph, was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Terry Tastard, previous Parish Priest.  Fr Terry’s homily centred on 'Loyalty' one of the League’s stated aims. He spoke of the need for loyalty  in the government, the workplace and in our lives – corporal and spiritual.  His inspiring words gave us much food for thought.
Talking of food, we then crossed the road to the church hall for a delicious buffet lunch courtesy of the members of Boxmoor Section.  We were very pleased to welcome Mrs Doreen Pooley – our National President – who made time in her busy diary to be with us on this special day.  After the business matters and officers’ reports, Christine Pugh, Branch President, took the opportunity to thank Rose Bernie for her many years service as Liaison Officer, presenting her with a gift and bouquet of flowers. 
Doreen Pooley oversaw the Election of Officers and then we were all brought up to speed on the latest arrangements for the National Pilgrimage to Westminster Cathedral on June 6th.  Thank you Boxmoor for your warm welcome and great hospitality!

Branch Officers with the National President

Food for Thought

Over 1 000 members come to Westminster

How pleased we are that Doreen Pooley chose Westminster Cathedral as the venue for the 2009 National Pilgrimage to mark her presidency,  and what a wonderful response from the members!  As part of Region 5 we, in Westminster Branch, along with Brentwood, Southwark and Northampton Branches, were the hosts for this pilgrimage and readily took on the organisation, working with the National Executive.  All the planning and hard work paid off well with everyone enjoying the event.

Special thanks must go to Gill Moodie and Meg Hardy for preparing  the liturgical aspects, starting at the Officers’ Annual Meeting in Swanwick in February and culminating in the prayerful and joyous Mass on Saturday 6th June.

We were delighted to welcome our own Chaplain Fr Gerard Skinner as well as Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton, the CWL spiritual advisor; Bishop John Crowley his predecessor; Bishop John Arnold, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster; and Mgr John Walsh representing the Armed Forces. They concelebrated Mass with other Branch and Section chaplains who were able to join us.

After the Mass Doreen Pooley presented a cheque for £4000 towards  our Cathedral's Restoration Fund.  This was followed by a short but moving service of Remembrance at the Main Door, it being the 65th anniversary of D Day. 

With helpers arriving from 9am, Westminster Hall was quickly transformed into a welcoming place, with displays and refreshments for 1,000 people being prepared for after the Mass.  This definitely brought to mind the parable of the 'Feeding of the Five Thousand'! (though fortunately we had Sainsburys to help us!). This latter part of the day was made  extra  special with the presence of the recently installed Archbishop Vincent Nicholls mingling with the crowd, chatting with many members and friends.

A very big thank you to our President Christine Pugh and to every one of you who helped in whatever way to make the day such a success, including the members of the Knights of Saint Columba who gave sterling support.

Some of the one thousand picnic bags we helped to prepare

St Bart’s Section gathered on the Cathedral steps after Mass

Branch Officers with the Branch Banner

National Conference / AGM Oct/Nov 2009

What a good turn out again this year, 65 Westminster Branch members attending – to be beaten only by Devon, one of the host branches. We travelled by car, coach and train to spend a fruitful and happy few days in the 'English Riviera' seaside town of Torquay. It was certainly very warm for the time of year!

A full report will doubtless appear elsewhere on the website so just to thank the members from Cornwall, Devon and Dorset for organising such a splendid weekend and to tell those who could not be with us that we had a grand time – see the photos! How pleased we were to have Bishop John Crowley with us for the weekend. Do join us next year in Southport!

Bishop John with members and friends

Bishop Peter finds a time to relax

Westminster Branch Banner

Breakfast before a day at the Conference

Almost 40 members braved the 'challenging' elements and made their way from all around the diocese to the church of Our Lady, Queen of Apostles, at Welwyn Garden City. We were greeted by section members and gathered in the church for the annual Mass for departed members of the Westminster Branch of the CWL. We were warmly welcomed by Fr Norbert Fernandes, Parish Priest, who concelebrated Mass with Fr Gerard Skinner, our chaplain. During the Mass candles were lit and placed upon the altar in remembrance of deceased members of current and previous sections, independent members and chaplains.

Afterwards the hot soup, rolls, and mince pies went down a treat, then we went into the hall for the meeting. Very many thanks to our 'sisters' at WGC together with Fr Norbert and Fr Gerard for providing so well for our spiritual as well as our physical needs.

Next branch meeting is Saturday 13th February 2010 at St Vincent's at 11am when Tony Sheen from Cafod will be coming to speak to us.

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