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Piper Phin salutes World War II heroes in Grantown





Laurence Phin with his daughter Ariana after playing the two pieces.
Laurence Phin with his daughter Ariana after playing the two pieces.

A Grantown piper has literally playing his part in a global event for VE Day 75 marking the 75th anniversary of victory in Europe.

Laurence Phin was proud to be in the ranks of a 'mass' gathering of pipers saluting the heroes of World II in true coronavirus lockdown style this afternoon.

It was one of the highlights of a number of VE Day 75 events being shared across the nation online and on telly following the cancellation of gatherings because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Laurence and more than 1000 other pipers – including Aviemore's Spud the Piper – played Battle's O'er and a specially commissions piece called VE 75 Years at 3pm when the nation also toasted its World War II heroes.

He told the Strathy: "It was properly wet whilst I was playing in the garden!"

The performance co-incided with one of today's heavy downpours
The performance co-incided with one of today's heavy downpours

Bagpipers performed throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man.

They were joined by pipers in 28 countries including New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Bermuda, France, Belgium, Canada, South Africa, Russia, the United States and Germany.

Battle's O'er is the traditional March played by pipers at the end of a battle and VE 75 Years was especially written for the occasion by Pipe Major Roger Bayes, of the City of Norwich Pipe Band, for the unique anniversary.


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