Award-winning Wolverhampton pipe band seeks next generation of musicians

Wolverhampton Pipe Band, which so far this year has five competition winds under its belt, is looking for new members.

The band, which meets at Long Knowle Community Centre in Wednesfield, regularly performs at events including the St Patrick's Day celebrations in Birmingham and the Remembrance Day parade at Kingswinford.

Piper Vicki Kennerley, who has followed in the footsteps of her father Roy Anderson and grandfather Bert Anderson in playing the bagpipes, said the band was looking for anyone over the age of 10 who was interested in joining.

"At the moment our youngest members are in their 20s, and the oldest, my grandad, is in his 80s," she said.

"We are at the stage where a lot of our youngest members have now grown up, and we are looking for the next generation to take the band forward.

"If people with experience want to join us we are very welcome, but we also teach anyone who would be interested in learning how to play the pipes and the drums."

She said the band, which was founded in the 1960s, took part in a number of prestigious competitions, although some members preferred to play purely for pleasure.

In 2010 the band also won the Grade 4 English Champions' title.

Anybody interested in joining the band can contact band major Roy Anderson on 07717 701399 or email roy@wolvespb.org.uk