Faces of Kidderminster – Wendy Galaszewski

Registrar Wendy Galaszewski has helped generations of people in Kidderminster. She has married hundreds of people, and registered thousands of births and deaths.

Wendy is based in Kidderminster Town Hall and is responsible for an area which includes Stourport, Bewdley and Tenbury Wells. It’s almost 20 years since she saw a job advertised at Kidderminster Registration Office. Before that she ran two general stores in Bewdley.

She started as a Deputy Registrar and is now a Deputy Superintendent Registrar and a Registrar.

‘It’s a very responsible job,’ she says. ‘Everything has to be legally correct.

‘I see a lot of familiar faces, and it’s just lovely seeing all sorts of different people.

‘If they’re coming in to plan their wedding or if they have a new baby, they’re so excited. It’s a lovely job, it’s very satisfying and rewarding. Every day is different which is how I like it.’

Wendy went to Kidderminster High School and then to Kidderminster College where she studied secretarial and business studies.

‘I like Kidderminster,’ she says. ‘I like the familiarity of it. I feel comfortable working and shopping here.

‘There’s a good community spirit. It’s a friendly place. People stop and chat to you. I know so many people.’

If she goes to the supermarket people smile at her and say: ‘you registered our baby.’ ‘It’s nice that they remember you.’ She says. Wendy, a 64 year-old mother of two, and a grandmother, enjoys swimming, cycling and going to the theatre in her spare time.