KCPB awarded a 2024 King's Award for Voluntary Service

Winning an award from His Majesty the King may seem like a pipe dream for some – but it became a reality for the Kirkwall City Pipe Band (KCPB) this week! 

They are among 281 organisations throughout the UK to receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of their outstanding community service, representing the largest number of recipients in the award’s 22-year history. 

Previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, this award was established in 2002 to mark Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. It is the equivalent of an MBE and represents the highest distinction for voluntary organisations in the UK.  

Awarded each year to honour volunteer-led groups working across a wide range of fields including mental health, youth, environment, community, arts and heritage, the award showcases the continued range and significance of voluntary service carried out every day across the nation. 

Lord-Lieutenant of Orkney, Elaine Grieve, said: “Each year on the King's Birthday, November 14th, the list of the recipients of the King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) is published and I am so very pleased to be able to announce that Kirkwall City Pipe Band is amongst the recipients this year. 

“In times of celebration, remembrance, or simply just for the fun of playing and entertaining, the Pipe Band has given, and continues to give, joy to so many. I am incredibly proud of them all.” 

Orkney Islands Council Convener Graham Bevan said: “This is such a well-deserved award. It is recognition and appreciation of the incredible role the KCPB play as ambassadors for Orkney. But also their dedication to the wider community and their contribution to the wellbeing and mental health of our community that these talented musicians bring to Orkney. We saw this just recently on Sunday remembrance where collectively they led the parade and contributed to the poignant reminder of all lost in wars.  

“Volunteers, many of whom are Council employees, serve at the heart of our communities, dedicating their time to enhance the lives of those around them. Volunteers play a key role during times of change, and we cannot underestimate their worth within all walks of life.” 

A number of Council employees are part of the KCPB family. 

Maureen Firth, Visitor Services Officer at Orkney Museum, has been in the band for 12 years, initially as a bass and tenor drummer and now a tenor, and is also part of the management committee. 

She said: “My band family mean the world to me. The fact that our family consists of school pupils right through to octogenarians, all performing and parading together, is very special indeed. I love the fact that it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve got, when the kilt is on, we are all the same, working together. 

“And it is work. Through the winter months, we gather to practise twice a week. If we are competing, we have to do more. I even have a set of sticks at work for break times. The band tutors work even harder, giving lessons as well as attending practice. The tutors, I feel, are the real heroes, preparing next generation of players. All tuition is free. 

“We are a very busy band. As well as our summer Broad Street performances, we play at various community and charity events and gala days; we are often asked to play at smaller events too such as care facilities and dementia friendly events for example. We lead the Boys’ Brigade on their church parades and gather in mass for Westray Connections. To raise funds, we play for some cruise ships. These funds are needed for instruments, uniform, and the upkeep of the band hall. 

“We are incredibly lucky with, and very much appreciate, the public support we have. This award is just the icing on the cake.” 

Cheryl Kelday, Community Council Liaison Assistant, has been tenor drummer with KCPB for 15 years. 

Although musical, Cheryl felt she may be too old at 21 to start learning a new instrument – but thanks to encouragement from her sister, also a piper in the band, one lesson in and she was hooked both with the instrument and the band family! 

Cheryl said: “You feel proud when you put on your kilt and head out to play, to see the street lined with people who have come to watch it makes all the hours of practising through the winter so worthwhile. 

“The KCPB is an important group in the community, the support from folk has been there from the very beginning in 1919. Generation after generation love to come and watch us perform and that makes it really special.” 

Dawn Johnston, a Lifestyles Co-ordinator with Orkney Health and Care, started learning to play the bagpipes with the KCPB 18 years ago when she was 20. 

“I think that the KCPB is really at the heart of our community here in Orkney. If you think about the main community events on the calendar throughout the year, I can't think of many that we are not involved in. On a bonny Saturday night midsummer, as we march up to the the top of Castle Street and turn the corner onto Broad Street, to look up and see the street lined with all our families and friends, locals and visitors, brings a huge sense of pride, and of community at its best. 

“Sharing our music, our culture and our traditions, valuing our community life. I was so excited and delighted to wake up to this news and I am extremely proud to be a part of the legacy of the KCPB and its 105-year history. It is a huge honour to be recognised by our King.” 

Bagpipe player and Lifestyles Co-ordinator, Tina Paterson, added: “I always wanted to play from a young age and was very keen on Scottish and traditional music. I learned to play bagpipes through the band 21 years ago and have some really special memories of the amazing things which I have been part of with the KCPB. 

“I try to play at as many events as I can manage with my family, work and other commitments - probably around 30 events each year. We practise together once a week but playing the bagpipes involves a lot of work at home to learn new tunes and keep up the stamina for playing. 

“I feel very lucky to be part of such a great organisation which plays an important role in many events in the community and always feel proud when playing with the band. It is an honour and a privilege for the band to receive the King’s Award and I feel proud to be a small part of that achievement as I am sure the many present and past members will feel too.” 

Councillor Raymie Peace is a stalwart and familiar face of KCPB having been a piper with the band since 1979. 

He said: “We attend far more parades and functions nowadays compared to long ago. We seem to be in a kilt all year round, but this is what we love to do. 

“We do work individually and collectively very hard to try and produce a good solid sound, as the pipe band world is constantly evolving, and we are well aware that we have a very informative audience at times who love to watch the band continue to develop and bring new life through. 

“We come from all walks of life and I would say around one third of us nowadays are female which has brought a different, but welcome, perspective to the band as we all focus on learning and having fun. 

“For me this is a very proud moment indeed for every past and present members, plus the families and friends who support us in every way they can. They are also a very important  part of the KCPB family.” 

Applications for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service are assessed each year at a local level by local lieutenancies before consideration of recommended groups by a committee of National Assessors. Focus is placed on identifying groups that: make a tangible impact to their local community, are steered by volunteers rather than paid staff, and have the highest standards in everything they do.  

Nominations are now open for the 2025 awards on The King’s Award for Voluntary Service website, with applications closing on 1 December 2024.