Council wants closer ties with REME
Town mayor Martin Crane said he was keen to maintain the impetus from the hugely successful homecoming parade from Afghanistan in which attracted around 2,000 people on Saturday, February 8.
Soldiers from the battalion have already helped with town projects such as joining preparations for the Christmas lights display.
Mr Crane said: “The parade was the start of something that I referred to in my Address as a ‘long and living relationship’ and we must not lose the impetus that this event has created.
The Army has an acronym, KAPE, which stands for Keeping the Army in the Public Eye and we can develop our own.
He suggested the Hungerford K.I.T. bag and added: “This could mean either, or both, Keeping In Touch or Knowledge, Interest and Trust.
“We need to establish some easy to grow and maintain links that can provide a two way means of letting each other know what is happening in our patches and finding ways to build on any mutual points of interest or value.”
Mr Crane said he wanted to see links established, not only with official bodies such as the town council and the Town and Manor of Hungerford, but “at every level - with schools, clubs and associations and even families.”
Dennis Benneyworth pointed out that, at a recent meeting of the Triangle Field Management Committee it was suggested that the Hungerford Rugby Football Club (HRFC) should get in touch with REME to arrange a game or recruit players.
He added: “This was a comment from just one of our many clubs and associations and I'm sure there is great potential for much wider and deeper ties to be forged in the future.”
Gillian Holmes agreed and added: “Some ladies who support the group activities in the library such as craft, art, book and writing clubs suggested these be advertised to the ladies of Tidworth.
“I think that if these ideas are put forward then the opportunity for like-minded people to get together would mean that friendships would build up.”
Mrs Holmes has volunteered to help establish and foster links.
To make suggestions or for more information, email town clerk Claire Barnes via townclerk@hungerford-tc.gov.uk