A SERIES of events to give REME a rousing send-off saw hundreds of Wokingham borough people take to the town centre’s streets on Sunday, June 14.
In the morning, 11 Training Battalion REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) exercised the Corps’ Freedom of Wokingham by marching through the town from 11am.
The 300-strong contingent, led by their brass brand, marched down Peach Street and halted on Broad Street were they were presented to the Parade Inspection Party of the Wokingham Town Mayor, Cllr Philip Mirfin, the Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire, Brigadier Stephen Matthews, and the REME Master General, Lieutenant General Andrew Figgures.
The assembled dignitaries included the High Steward for Wokingham, Lady Elizabeth Godsal and the new Wokingham Borough Mayor, Cllr Parry Batth.
Then, in the afternoon a civic service was held at All Saints Church in Wokingham.
Conducted by the Revd Canon David Hodgson, the service started with a parade from Market Place, down Rose Street and then on to All Saints Church. This was headed up by Saint Sebastian Wokingham Band.
The service opened with a presentation of the town mace to Canon Hodgson, who also received standards from the Corps and the Scouts.
Hymns includes Great Is Thy Faithfulness and All My Hope on God is Founded.
Town Mayor, Cllr Mirfin, read 1 Timothy 2:1-4, while his chaplain, the Revd Deborah Davison, led prayers of intercession.
The church choir performed a number of anthems include Vivaldi’s first movement from Gloria and a blessing by Henry Walford Davies, God Be In My Head.
After the service, the parade then headed back to the Town Hall where it dismissed.
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