FAREWELL TO PEGGY IRIS - BEM - A RARE & SPECIAL LADY FROM THE DAGENHAM GIRL PIPERS

Yesterday was a rather  special day saying goodbye to a good friend from the past - Pipe Major Peggy Iris, BEM, one of the founding members of the Dagenham Girl Pipers.  Peggy's long life was spent with the Piping Band from 1930.  It was the Reverend Joseph Waddington Graves, Minister of the Congregational Church in Osborne Square, Dagenham, who saw the potential in these dozen 11-year-old girls. They quickly learnt the skill of playing the bagpipes, marching, and Scottish dancing. Within a year or two, they were so professional, they were the stars of the Lord Mayor's Show which was covered in all the leading British newspapers in 1932.  From there, they became famous as the first all girl piping band, all professionals and sought after to perform in all major British cities and overseas.  Peggy's careful training was inspirational and her wonderful personality and strict teaching ability were respected and loved by all her young recruits.  Certainly a name we will never forget.

My favourite flower given to me as a tribute from Peggy Iris' funeral bouquet
 

Peggy Iris and yours truly in 2002