Derby Nottingham Branch

• Social Program
• 2007 saw a full program of activities for members of the Derby / Nottingham Branch of the REME Association, with, hopefully, something to appeal to all tastes.
• The first visit we made was in March to Bentley Motors in Crewe where we were shown the production line from start to finish and also visited the customisation shop where individual aspects of a customer’s car ranging from David Beckham’s matching leather child seat to a head of state’s armour plating is planned. Lunch afterwards saw most of the party head to the Bhurtpore Hotel which serves a very fine curry as well as real ales.
• May saw not only our Annual Barbeque at John & Dorothy Woodall’s home for which we were blessed with superb weather but also our trip to Sutton Coldfield to visit BMW’s Engine Plant. This almost completely automated plant produces all BMW’s 4 cylinder petrol engines which fit into both the Mini and the 1 & 3 Series cars. This modern, environmentally friendly plant produces engines that are shipped all over the world.
• July & August saw the Branch’s social program active again with a visit to Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Derby followed by a buffet lunch in the Rolls Royce Club. Despite a somewhat rainy day, the Wine & Cheese summer party (again held at John & Dorothy’s) was a tremendous success due to our having our own marquee. Everyone kept mostly dry and was thoroughly entertained by an aspiring Quizmaster in the form of our Chairman – Brian Ireland.
• An Engineering Challenge from Birmingham Branch in September to build a self propelled vehicle prompted several members to attend the Birmingham meeting and watch Arthur Cundey snatch second prize from under their noses with his pocket rocket – well done Arthur. (We still reckon that closer scrutinising of the winning design would have given Arthur the winner’s trophy as there were a few loose interpretations of the rules suspected in the winning vehicle).
• In early October, the branch was hosted on a tour of the Biffa Waste Disposal site in Cannock – this modern plant can process 200 vehicle loads of waste per day and uses methane from the decomposing waste to power a bank of generators which feed the National Grid with electricity.
• The naming of the First Great Western train “The Corps of Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers” in mid-October saw 4 members of the Branch visit London for the day, where they joined a small group of serving and ex Corps members at the ceremony performed by our Colonel-in-Chief – HRH Prince Philip. It is a matter of pride within the Branch that this dedication was initiated by the Branch some 5 years ago and it was an honour to be invited to the naming ceremony.
• In November, a large number of the Branch attended the Armistice Day Parade & Church service in Chetwynd Barracks before being the guests of the Sergeant’s Mess for a curry lunch. Later on that week saw the Branch’s Annual Dinner, held this year in Forester’s Hall when 87 members and their guests, including WO1 Fred Brunger from the Royal Hospital Chelsea, enjoyed a formal Mess dinner.
• The year ended with our traditional Christmas Party, yet again at John & Dorothy’s, where we wound the year up with a superb buffet and some fine wines.
• A very big thank you to all the committee and members for their hard work in making this itinerary of varied and interesting events possible – especially to Don & Sue Pringle & Eric & Molly Chamberlain who continue to think of original & stimulating events for us all and then organise and make things happen.
• Branch Meetings
• The Branch held a meeting every month during 2007, each of which was well supported with an average of 25 members and 6 ladies attending. Apart from discussing Branch business and enjoying a drink or two with old friends and refreshments, members willingly participated in the raffle (Thanks go to Tony Bunce & Dusty Miller who organised the raffles and to all members of the Branch and Committee who donated prizes to assist in our fund raising efforts.)
• Welfare Program
• One central pillar of Branch activity is a series of Welfare visits to members and widows. We do not have a specifically nominated Welfare Officer as we believe it is an integral function for all members of the Branch to offer whatever help they can to their fellow members. We have found this approach works very well with members popping round to see people who we know are unwell or in need of the occasional visit to check up they are doing OK. Other activities include planned series of visits to residents of nursing homes and hospitals and members calling for their colleagues who are unable to drive. We recently introduced a voluntary “Next Of Kin” notification form to assist the relevant authorities trace the relatives of individual members who may live alone and feel a need for that kind of back-up.