Arborfield Branch
About our branch
The Arborfield and District Branch of the REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) was formed in 1994. The inaugural meeting took place in the Swan Public House in Arborfield village.
The aims of The REME Association are to:
Foster Esprit de Corps and well-being of the Corps. To keep those who have served in or with the Corps in touch with one another with a view to keeping alive the spirit of comradeship.
To help, in conjunction with The REME Charity and other welfare agencies, both former and serving members of the Corps and their dependants who find themselves in difficulty.
Branch affairs are based on the old Jubilee Rules of the REME Association, in that we have a Committee and hold ‘formal’ monthly meetings with minutes taken and with all Committee Officers reporting to the members on activities in their area of responsibility. An annual audits of accounts is carried out for presentation at the AGM in February.
Our Welfare Officer keeps in touch with members who are ill or need help and reports to the monthly meeting of his contact with members. The past 12 months, in particular have been a sad time for the Branch as 11 members have passed away in that period. Every effort is made to provide the necessary support to the families if requested. This is in the form of assistance at funerals with the REME Drape, a Standard Bearer and Guard of Honour being made available.
Membership of the Branch currently stands at 64, with 28 Family members (wives/partners of members)
Wives/partners are welcome to attend our meetings and other events.
Members take part in a wide variety of social events such as coach trips, a BBQ, an annual formal dinner. Also, members attend formal annual REME Corps and Military events: a celebration of the birthday of the Corps at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire, an annual weekend reunion at location in a different part of the country each year, REME Sunday at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, Remembrance services in London and locally in November and other events as notified by RHQ REME.
Branch Meetings
Our regular meetings are held at:
The Arborfield Green Community Centre, Arborfield Gree, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 9NN
We usually meet on the Second Tuesday of each month, except in June and December A buffet is provided at all meetings with tea and coffee, there is no bar in the centre, but soft and alcoholic drinks may be brought in by individuals if they wish
Joining Fees and Annual Subscription
There is no fee to join the branch, however, there is an Annual subscription due on joining as a member and subsequently each year, this is currently set at £10.
Branch Committee
President– Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John Edwards OBE
Vice President – Mr John Porch, Mr Bren Stacey, and Mr Cyril Luger
Chairman– Mr Myles Taylor
Vice Chairman– Mr Bill McDermid
Secretary – Mr John Worrall
Treasurer – Mr Dave Walker
Welfare Officer – Mr John Porch
Standard Bearer – Mr Bill McDermid
Upcoming Events
We currently have no activities planned apart from the activities that take place at the monthly meetings.
Contact Details
Maj (Retired) Geordie Wright-Rivers – Association Development Manager
association@remecharity.org
T. 07590 848766