On the morning of 8th November, George MacGregor’s bagpipes could be heard loud and clear through the streets of Borehamwood. Each year, residents mark Remembrance Sunday with a gathering at the local war memorial organised by the town council. This year, residents took matters into their own hands.
George MacGregor is the town’s resident piper, having lived in Borehamwood for over 30 years. He has played specially commissioned pieces at previous Remembrance Day services and this year, he invited his neighbours to mark Remembrance Sunday with him, by way of the letterbox.
He said, “Due to coronavirus restrictions, this year’s parade was cancelled, so I took it upon myself to do the event since I know that the people have always supported anything I have done.”
Residents displayed poppies in their windows to show their support and gathered outside their houses to mark Remembrance Sunday.
The event began at 10.50 am, with a short parade and the singing of the hymn, Abide with Me. The Last Post was played, followed by a two-minute silence to remember the fallen soldiers of World War One and Two.
This was followed by the reading of a poem by Richard Day, a World War Two veteran who served in Burma as part of the 14th Army for the Royal Fusiliers.
The Deputy Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood, Cllr Sandra Parnell, was also present. She spoke of how Borehamwood residents came together to celebrate key workers over lockdown; George MacGregor’s bagpipes had made regular appearances on the roads as he marched up and down to keep up everyone’s spirits.
The service ended with a recording of Sunset, played by Her Majesty’s Band of the Royal Marines.
Lest we forget.
