Margaret Mullane MP marked the end of an era when the Dagenham Girl Pipers took part in the local Remembrance Day celebrations. This was the final appearance of the Dagenham Girl Pipers and they did the whole community proud on Sunday 10th November 2024.
Margaret said “Their performance will live long in my memory and the hundreds of residents who lined the streets. They are as much a symbol of Dagenham as the Ford factory and I know they will be held in the hearts of local people for generations to come.
Formed in 1930 they were the first female piping band in the world, they played for the US President and Sir Winston Churchill and played at ten Royal Variety Performances before the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Sadly, the Dagenham Girl Pipers hit a wall in recent years and have been unable to recruit younger members despite advertising in local schools and reaching out to the community.”
Margaret has written to the Prime Minister Keir Starmer to draw his attention to highlight this significant moment in local and national social history.
Margaret added “In my letter I said that as the nation commemorated the sacrifice of those who went before, the parade in my constituency marked the last march of the Dagenham Girl Pipers, bringing their illustrious 94-year career to a close.
I feel that their contribution to society is of national significance, harking back to a time of early women’s liberation and deep-rooted patriotism in Britain, and is deserving of high recognition.
I hope that there might be a way of giving recognition for the contribution of the band, Brook Land, the manager for the last 29 years who took over the role from his father and Sheila Hatcher, the leader of the Dagenham Girl Pipers who has served for 57 years.”
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