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Bagpipe band splitting up as 'girls won't join'

The Dagenham Girl Pipers have been playing for decades but have decided to call it a day

A ladies' bagpipes band that has been performing for almost 100 years say they are breaking up because they are struggling to recruit younger members.

According to the Dagenham Girl Pipers, girls do not want to take up the bagpipes any more - their last performance will be on Remembrance Sunday.

Denise Morrison, who joined the east London band when she was nine, said girls were "more into social media these days rather than the discipline of a band".

They shared their stories with BBC London as they rehearsed for one final time at Valence House Museum in Barking.

Sheila Hatcher and Denise Morrison standing outside in their uniforms, consisting of a black velvet jacket, red tartan bagpipes, white lace collars and black hats. A tree is visible in the background
Denise Morrison (right) says girls are "more into social media these days rather than the discipline of a band"

The group has played together all over the world alongside the likes of Elvis Presley, Diana Ross and the late Queen, with members' ages now ranging from 65 to 85.

At one point, there were more than 60 members. Pipe major Sheila Hatcher said the important age to get new recruits was at 10 or 11.

Denise said she followed in her aunt's and sister's footsteps by joining the band, and has racked up about 40 years of playing.

Four band members stood outside playing in their uniforms, consisting of a black velvet jacket, red tartan bagpipes, black drum, white lace collars and black hats. A tree is visible in the background
Pipe major Sheila Hatcher (left) said it was important to get new recruits at the age of 10 or 11

"I think it's really sad that we've come to times where girls these days are not really interested in that kind of thing any more," she explained.

"I think the youth of today are not really interested, there's lots of other things out there - devices, TikTok.

"They're more into social media these days rather than the discipline of a band."

Sheila Hatcher standing in her uniform, consisting of a black velvet jacket, red tartan bagpipes, white lace collars and black hats
Sheila says that as well as playing for politicians and celebrities, "we've worked in circuses, pantomimes - you name it, we've been there"

An archive of the band's history, held at the museum, highlights their contributions and achievements over the decades.

It even features a china doll made complete with brogues, hose, the kilt, velvet jacket, lace and a hat.

Black and white photos in an album showing the band performing at many different events and meeting different people

The women are able to reel off an impressive list of celebrity collaborations over the years, including with Dame Vera Lynn, Paul O'Grady and Eric Idle.

But it's the memories made with each other that hold a special place for many of the women.

Special memories

Lily Tillott, who is a sergeant and has been in the band for 59 years, tells the BBC there has been a brilliant camaraderie among the women, adding: "We are like a family."

She said she was proud to wear her uniform all over the world.

Sheila Hatcher and Denise Morrison stood outside in their uniforms, consisting of a black velvet jacket, red tartan bagpipes, a black drum, white lace collars and black hats
"It'll take me a little while to realise - but we'll still be meeting each other, still play every now and again," Lily Tillott (right) said

"It's fantastic, we've travelled around, met different people, famous and otherwise, we've learned different cultures. It's just lovely," she continued.

"You go behind the scenes of things and see how things are done, which is something different."

Denise said one of her favourite memories of trips with the band was performing with a circus in Bilbao in Spain, and also playing at Andrew Lloyd Webber's house.

'It'll take me a little while'

Sheila, who has been in the band for 65 years, said she also loved the travelling involved with their performances.

"I was lucky enough to go out to Singapore to train the pipe band out there for the President of Singapore; South Africa, we've worked in circuses, pantomimes - you name it, we've been there," she said.

Handout A black and white photo showing Singaporean girls in a marching band performing at an event. Officials, and the Singapore flag, can be seen in the backgroundHandout
Many of the images in the archive show the band performing across the world, like this photo of them training a marching band in Singapore

The band are expecting many former members to join them to mark their final performance, which they feel bittersweet about.

"It'll take me a little while to realise - but we'll still be meeting each other, still play every now and again," Lily said.

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