Pipe band down to three members bounces back

A pipe band which nearly disbanded due to a lack of interest has surged in membership and attracted a former Piper to the Sovereign.

The Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band held an annual general meeting (AGM) in 2019 with just three remaining members, and would have voted to end had it not been for Bill Farrell.

He took charge of the County Durham-based band as pipe major and slowly built membership back up to 40 people, including Paul Burns, who played the bagpipes for King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr Farrell said it was "brilliant to see the band doing so well and to think I had a big hand in making sure it continued".

The 70-year-old said the band slowly grew until a new member joined who gave their social media accounts a new lease of life.

"To be honest, we are now going from strength to strength," Mr Farrell said.

"In the North East there used to be three or four times as many bands as there are now.

"At Durham Miners' Gala we had a band of 20 people and for a pipe band to have that many in the North East is special."

Graham and Roz Hall, two of the newest members of the band, said they received a "very warm reception from everyone".

Mr Farrell has since stepped down as pipe major but said he was very glad he turned up to the AGM in 2019.

"They were going to disband, I asked if even one person wanted to keep the band alive would we do that," he said.

"They said 'yes' and that was it, I said 'I would like to keep it going'."

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