Suffolk pipeband will be giving a special performance for residents at a Spalding care home

A pipe band will get a helping hand when it performs in the Spalding Flower Parade this year - and at a care home too.

The Glenmoriston Pipe Band, from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, is looking forward to getting involved in May’s event, however mobility issues mean the musicians will need a rest stop.

Pipe Major Stephen Johnson says the band, which formed in 1979,will join the route at around the 1.5 mile mark which will be much more manageable.

He explained: “The full route will be too far for us so we’ve cut it down to about a mile and a half.

“That still means about 50 minutes of playing which can be quite tricky because it’s different from just walking along.

“Our eldest member will be turning 79 this year - three of our original members are all in their 70s - so mobility is quite important.”

This is where Halmer Court care home manager Ashley Warner has come to the rescue, offering a place for the band to stop until they are called into action.

“We’re going to have a real celebration here,” he said.

“The pipe band will be here will us until they join the route, so they are going to perform for the residents.

“We’re planning to have a barbecue, a huge raffle, stalls in the car park and maybe even a bouncy castle for the kids - it’ll be open to the public.

“It will be nice as the residents won’t be able to get up to the Castle Sports Complex, but this way they can still join in.”

Stephen added: “Although it’s our first time in the Flower Parade, one of our pipers, who is from New Zealand, has family in Spalding so he’s told us all about it.

“It will be the furthest we’ve ever travelled to perform but we are looking forward to it.”