Resident Don Gillespie is the driving force behind trying to create a pipe band for Moffat.
He said: “Recent reports in the Moffat News about the success of local pipe bands has triggered many Moffat residents into asking why Moffat cannot resurrect our own very successful band of yesteryear?”
The issue was raised at last week’s meeting of the community council and community representatives are keen to see it happen.
Don added: “It was thought that whilst the town had a number of individual pipers there was sadly no desire to reform as a band.
“However, the success of the recent summer school for young pipers and awareness that tuition was available at both Lockerbie and Lochmaben points to youth being our hope for any return to those past glory days.
“It was suggested that the community council chairman write to Moffat Academy’s rector and enquire about the school making piping tuition available.
“If there is a local piping tutor interested and willing to help, could they contact the community council and between them and the academy, Moffat could once again march to its own pipe band.”
Meanwhile, Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell is also hopeful that Moffat will have their own band by Gala Day 2017.
He said: “It’s good to hear that there are plans to try and resurrect a Moffat Pipe Band, which has been missed from events in the town for far too long.
“Other towns in Dumfriesshire have well established pipe bands and it would be good if Moffat could re-join other local bands on the list.”
He added: “I would encourage people in the town to make their interest known so a pipe band can become a fixture again at events such as the Gala Day, as their presence would only add to the occasion.”
If you are interested in helping to form the new pipe band contact Moffat Community Council by emailing their secretary at: [email protected].
