A year in the life of the Doncaster and District REME Association, 2022

Scribe: Wendy M Lloyd - Branch Social Secretary and Welfare Officer

Iam sure that Branches across the country have experienced some difficult times especially during the last three years, Covid-19 for two years and then the chance to catch up or not with everyone in 2022.

It is with some gratitude that we have a good strong thriving Branch here in Doncaster with a good team to support all the members. I expect most Branches will have some form of communication with their members, we here in Doncaster are now using technology in ways we never expected to. We have telephone calls, Zoom meetings, the use of text messaging and of course emails. Covid was not going to get us down! Then thankfully we were able to meet up face to face again, though with care.

Suffice to say 2022 has been a very good year for all of us here. Our members have enjoyed getting together each month and the numbers are rising too. Sadly, we have lost a few through ill health and old age but thankfully not to Covid! However, despite this we have grown and keep everyone in the fold with regular contact and action when required. Monthly welfare calls have been useful in identifying any difficulties and ensuring the correct support is given with the right resources.

Our group has had a very busy and eventful year. People were starting to re-emerge once again.

We moved back to having our monthly meeting at the Doncaster Rugby Club where we used to go for many years previously. It was due to the Covid restrictions that we had to leave the Scarborough Barracks as it was important that the serving personnel there could remain safe.

Our first major function was the 30th Anniversary of our Branch. At this time, we have only two original members who are still attending regularly. I’m sure some of you will have heard of them, Barry Woodward and John Lloyd. They both remain very active in the branch and have fulfilling roles to play. The committee organised a splendid dinner at the Rugby Club here in Armthorpe. This was really well attended by branch members, invited guests from other armed forces branches, West Yorkshire Branch, the South Yorkshire Veterans Breakfast Club, Coldstream Guards Association whom we have a good relationship with as well as local dignitaries and of course representation from the REME Association HQ, through Colonel Dave Harris. Despite the Branch having a great time we were very aware of what was going on in the world around us. To this end all who attended raised and donated an amount of money to support the Ukrainian Appeal here in Doncaster. Several of the ladies were making things to sell to fund raise too for this cause. This was very helpful as we have had a large Ukrainian community right here in Doncaster for over 70 years now.

Another occasion where we get together annually is the Branch BBQ. After the death of a previous chairman Charlie Cartwright it was agreed that this tradition would continue. This has been the case for over 20 years now. Sadly, again due to Covid-19, we had a two-year break. With things having changed this year, it was held on 11th June with 22 members attending. Most of them have been themed. It is a chance for the members to show their talents and ability to slip into this role play for some hilarious fun. Over the years we have had various local dignitaries along with branch members, guests from many other Branches and independent groups too. However, this year was a special year. It gave us all time to reflect and remember all that had happened to stop this annual gathering. It was the right time not to worry about fancy dress, rather that we just get together and meet up and enjoy the company of one another. This BBQ had been arranged at my home as in previous years and as Covid-19 was still in the media, we were very respectful of keeping each other safe. It was also a chance to celebrate the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee, so despite not having a theme we all joined in with red, white and blue.

As we are very social group we are often invited to join in with Coldstream Guards Association. This has in the past included activities from games evenings to rifle range shooting. This year on 11th September was no exception as we were invited to join the group to Eden Camp for the annual parade. Sadly, the actual parade did not happen due to government restrictions. Nevertheless, there was a good number of folks who made the effort to turn out and we all had a great time. This was a very enlightening day, and as it had been a while since we last went we could see that a lot of work has been done to improve all of the exhibits. It was a smashing day out with a lovely group of people.

On the 1st October we held a buffet celebration at the Doncaster Rugby Club with live entertainment. This was to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Corps as well as the birthday of our Patron Saint Eligius. Once again, we had members from several branches as well as members of the REME Caravan and Camping Club. These folks are regulars at our functions as the others are too.

It is also with some pride that our Chairman, Major Adie Hunt DL, is also active in the community as a Deputy Lieutenant of South Yorkshire and is his role he has spent time around the area making speeches etc. and upholding this dignified role in support of our armed forces across the country and the world. As he is still a serving soldier he has excellent insight into what is going on all over. We are fortunate that thanks to him we have the occasional visitor who comes to our monthly meeting to give us updates on the REME Corps. I know that these are welcomed by all our Veterans and they enjoy the Q & A at the end.

On 13th November Remembrance Sunday saw a good gathering of members attend the cenotaph in Doncaster. The Standard was paraded and a wreath laid at the memorial on Bennetthorpe.

The last actual function of our year has been an annual trek to St Mary’s Church in Wotton just North of the Defence School of Transport based at Normandy Barracks Leconfield.

This is a service of remembrance for our Patron Saint Eligius. We listen to powerful and meaningful sermons and sing traditional

REME Sport

hymns. This is organised by the Humberside Branch and is supported by the Beverley Brass Band and the ladies of St Mary’s Church. They provided a lovely spread of mince pies, sausage rolls, cakes etc. and tea and coffee as it is a long journey for most of the congregation. They open this church every year for the REME Association. Along with other branches we have been attending for many years, it has now become a tradition. There were 14 of us in our group and we went for a lovely hot lunch in Walkington before travelling home across the country.

If you would like any further information on the Doncaster & District Branch, please contact the Branch Secretary: Joe DixonHaxby Mobile: 07805460665 e-mail: remeascdonbr@gmail.com