A large group of pipers and drummers from our Novice A and Juvenile pipe bands took part in the United Pipers for Peace event in Apeldoorn, Holland on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2025.

United Pipers for Peace is an event devised and first staged in 2016 by French pipe band The Samarobriva Pipes & Drums, based in Amiens, France. The aim was to remember and pay tribute to the fallen of the Great War, not least of all the hundreds of thousands of young men and women who lost their lives during the Battle of the Somme, which had taken place 100 years beforehand, in 1916, in the battlefields of Picardy, to the North and East of Amiens.

After 3 editions of United Pipers for Peace (2 in France and 1 in the United Kingdom), the 4th edition took place in the Netherlands.

The aim of the 4th edition was to commemorate the fallen of the Second World War with musical elan and to celebrate 80 years of living in freedom. Especially in honour of the 80th anniversary of the liberation from Nazi occupation, United Pipers for Peace took place in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.

The city of Apeldoorn was liberated in April by the 48th Highlanders of Canada, who were part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. The liberation of Apeldoorn was part of Operation Cannonshot, which was aimed at liberating the eastern and central part of the Netherlands from German occupation. Many of the fallen were laid to rest at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten (pictured). To celebrate this Liberation 80 years later, this special edition of United Pipers for Peace will welcome special guests from Canada.

On Friday the 2nd of May, the band took part in a tattoo at the sports centre V.V. Victoria Boys. It was an extremely hot day with rehearsals proving to be a strong test for our young pipers and drummers who for most hadn’t taken part in such an event and hadn’t performed in such hot and testing conditions. The tattoo consisted of individual band performances, followed by a large finale which involved all pipe bands performing together. All of our pupils conducted themselves well and received a lot of praise from the audience and members of other bands regarding the bands sound and turn out. Afterwards, presentations were given to each band after a short gathering to celebrate the day and the occasion. The band received a small plaque with the logo for the United Pipers for Peace which was gratefully accepted by tutors Simon Grant and Lee Moore, alongside the band drum Major Michael Binder.

On Saturday the 3rd of May the band were up early and ready for a long day of parades, marches and a concert in the evening. The day began with a remembrance parade at the Oranjepark where all bands were present. Reefs were laid by selected bands and a short memorial service was held. The only drummers to play during the service were our drummers from Preston Lodge. It was an honour to be selected and the pupils were proud and happy to be chosen.

From there, all bands descended onto the streets of Apeldoorn to different locations and performed individually for 40 minutes. This felt very special as the pipes and drums could be heard from different bands at varying locations all across Apeldoorn. We had plenty locals come to enjoy our music as well as friends and family of our band members who had flown out to see their loved ones take part in the weekend events.

After the parade, all bands were put on to busses and headed back to the Oranjepark for lunch and to prepare for street parade to celebrate 80 Years of Liberation on the Loolaan. The parade was long and hot but was extremely well received by the locals. The event was live streamed and was watched by many all over the world. A link and video to the live stream can be found above On the live stream, if you fast forward to 2:04:00 you will hear then shortly see the band playing. The central point of the parade included veterans who took the salute from all bands present. It was a very special moment and one which I am sure will stay in the minds of our pipers and drummers for years to come.

The parade had run over the approximated time, so all bands were hurried on to the coaches to the Omnisport Stadium Apeldoorn. The bands would have some dinner then prepare for the ‘Liberation Concert: 80 Years of Liberation’. The Preston Lodge Pipe Bands were selected to be one of the centre bands which would play all of the other bands into position in the concert. Later in the concert all bands would perform Highland Cathedral which was well received by a very appreciative audience. It was a very fitting end to what was a great couple of days of piping and drumming to celebrate 80 Years of Liberation. After a short gathering of performers, we said goodbye and headed off to bed for much needed rest.

With the main events of the weekend done, we took the opportunity on the Sunday to visit a theme park to spend some time together as a band and have some non musical fun. All of the pupils had a great day, enjoyed the rides and amusements and spoke fondly of the experiences they had over the previous couple of days.

All in all, it was a great weekend which was a solid test of the bands character and resilience due to the longs days and hot conditions, as well as the importance of the occasion. I thought all members conducted themselves well and were a credit to the school, the band, their tutors and their family.

Simon Grant – Drumming Tutor – Preston Lodge High School Pipe Bands