N.B. pipe band loses instruments and gear in fire; looking for help

With summer parade season upon them, a legion pipe band in New Brunswick is in desperate need of new uniforms, drums, carriers and other gear that was destroyed when their practice hall, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 93, in Oromocto, New Brunswick, burned to the ground June 11. The fire left the Legion Branch a smoldering ruin, and the Oromocto Legion Pipes & Drums without most of their equipment. As usual, the pipers had their pipes with them, but the normal assortment of crucial band equipment was destroyed.  According to a story in pipes/drums, Pipe Major Robert Stobbs says “the branch is going to try to rebuild. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated in helping to rebuild the band.” Harold Perrin, president of the legion, says Legion members had just finished a memorial wall for veterans and soldiers who died. Along with the memorial wall, the legion pipe band’s drums and uniforms were all destroyed.

Police have determined the fire to be arson and RCMP have identified a person of interest in the case, but no charges have been laid.

The 24-member Oromocto Pipes & Drums has been a band since 1981, performing in parades around the region, honouring veterans from the surrounding communities with their music.

With the BC Legion Highland Gathering scheduled for this weekend in Squamish, it might be a good idea to spread the word among both Legion players and all others in our bagpiping and drumming community, to provide assistance to our fellow musicians. If you have spare equipment, and can help out, please contact the PM, Robert Stobbs. rstobbs@rogers.com

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