Pipers save Pitsea's Battle of Britain parade

The Westcliff Piping Society has stepped in to save Sunday’s event, after we revealed how the group set to play on the day had to pull out.

Organisers of the event, now an annual fixture in the town, pleaded for a replacement band to march forward after the Southend Highland Pipers realised they couldn’t make it.

After reading the Echo article, Iain Allen, of the Westcliff Piping Society, got in touch with organiser of the parade, Peter Feltham, and said they would help so the parade could go ahead.

Mr Feltham, who is president of the Bowers Gifford RAF Association and who served in the Royal Air Force after the Second World War, said: “We are thrilled, we are so grateful to the pipers and to the Echo for helping us save the parade.

“It wouldn’t be the same without music to lead the procession through the town, and now it looks as though it’s going to be better than ever.”

The parade will leave the Pitsea branch of the Royal British Legion, in Rectory Road, at 10.15am. Veterans, community groups and residents are expected to turn out in force to honour those who died in the famous Second World War air battle.

Participants will walk to the newly-refubished war memorial in Howards Park, for a wreath-laying ceremony at 10.50am.

A service will be held shortly afterwards at nearby St Gabriel’s Church.

The battle, fought over Britain between July 10 and October 31, 1940, is considered the most important in Royal Air Force history’s and inspired Winston Churchill’s famous “few” speech.

Iain and the Westcliff Pipers have been all over the world performing in parades and at events.

Iain, 41, from Westcliff, said: “When we read about the parade in the Echo, we wanted to help.

“It’s important Battle of Britain Day is remembered, and we are thrilled to be a part of it.

The pipers, who rehearse at Club Riga in Southend, will be dressed in their distinctive MacFarlane tartan and clan crest badge on Sunday.