PENARTH Town Council looks back at the Penarth Times from 100 years ago this week for our This Day in History diary entry

In the Penarth Times dated April 1, 1915, there was more news of the continued goodwill of Penarth Citizen’s. It is truly heart-warming to read about how the women of Penarth rallied to help not only British Troops, but troops in other countries as well as the many Belgian refugees in Penarth.

Penarth Women’s War Club

“The Penarth Women’s War Club held their presentation evening at the tea rooms on Glebe Street. Mrs Thomas had proved an excellent host and had provided an excellent tea for the members. In thanks the women who had benefitted so much by the club wished for Mrs Thomas to have a memento of their gratitude and they had much pleasure in giving her a lovely large silver photo frame containing a splendid likeness of her only son who is a fine and promising member of the navy. Mrs Thomas was quite overcome briefly and warmly thanked all of the donors. A splendid address was then given Glenelg Grant who earnestly urged the women to take the war pledge and to keep their homes faithfully for their husbands. Many women signed the pledge and a splendid evening was then spent in a sociable manner.”

Women’s Hospital for Serbia, successful Penarth effort.

“The National Society of Women’s Suffrage societies have sent two hospitals staffed by women in France and one to Serbia and in view of the appalling state of the country it is proposed to respond to the invitation of the Serbian government and to send a second hospital to Serbia.

The Penarth Committee have collected £31 and of this amount £25 will endow a Penarth Cot for six months. Drugs and linen are very much needed and if those who have not already subscribed and who wish to help relieve the terrible suffering in Serbia will send their contributions to Edith Evan Jones, she will gladly pass them on. Gifts of night and day shirts, socks and old linen for bandages would be warmly welcomed.

There was also news of the Penarth Ladies Choir and their efforts to support Belgian Soldiers by means of conducting a fundraising operetta at the Paget Rooms, from which proceeds would go towards supplying the men at the front with kitchen equipment to serve them hot drinks and soup.