Going the extra mile to keep the British Army at peak effectiveness has always been the remit of the Corps of Royal of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). Now it’s REME’s Museum that has also been recognised for “going the extra mile”, by being named as one of the Top 7 tourist attractions in South-West in the Visit England’s Hidden Gem awards.
Only 76 places across the country receive the prestigious accolade, which celebrates attractions that provide “a high-quality day out”.
It is the second year that the REME Museum has won it, having relocated to a spacious home at MOD Lyneham in Wiltshire in 2017. With its galleries full of military hardware and other heritage items; school visits; special exhibitions; family fun days and evening talks, the Museum has proved a hit with the public and this is recognised in Visit England’s commendation.
Visit England said: “Since its relocation and opening on the Lyneham site the REME Museum has presented an excellent visitor offer. “It is a great asset for both the military community and the general public, and it is now becoming recognised as being among the leading smaller military museums nationwide.
“The most positive aspects at this assessment were: the excellent range of content and standard of interpretation in the permanent and temporary exhibitions; the excellent car park and very positive arrival experience on site; the very good catering experience in the Cafe; the very strong performance of the staff across all areas of the visitor journey; and the very high standards of cleanliness inside the Museum.”
Director of the Museum Maj Rick Henderson said “The Museum team is delighted to receive this accolade for the second year running. An award like this is recognition of all the hard work that goes on at the Front of House and, by all staff behind the scenes. The Museum will continue to strive for further improvements to best portray the proud story of REME and provide the best visitor experience possible. ”
REME itself was formed in 1942 to keep the Army’s increasingly sophisticated equipment maintained and repaired. Hitherto this onerous task had been undertaken by the individual units deploying the equipment.
By keeping our troops at battle readiness, General Montgomery recognised the Corps as essential to “keep the punch in the Army’s fist”.
REME Museum preserves this 77-year history, promotes a wider understanding of the Corps and provides information about it, and conserves numerous very rare artefacts.
MOD Lyneham is the former RAF base, near Chippenham in Wiltshire. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm (last admittance at 3.30pm).