Barberton streets filled with sounds of Irish pipes and drums

The streets came alive with the sounds of the SA Irish Pipes and Drums as they marched through the town during their 51st anniversary parade on Saturday morning, August 27.

With their bagpipes and drums, dressed in their orange kilts, the parade started outside the Barberton Museum in Pilgrim Street and moved along to General Street, where the band met with members of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH) and proceeded to the cenotaph where a wreath-laying ceremony took place.

ALSO READ: Shopkeeper allegedly kills teen, arrested

Members of the Barberton community came out in their numbers, at the ready with their cellphones and cameras to observe and capture the parade from the roadside. Some people even marched along behind the parade.

Following the wreath-laying, the SA Irish Pipes and Drums marched on to the Lone Tree Shellhole where they were dismissed and joined the MOTHS for lunch and a few cold beers.

Later that same day, the Drumhead Service was held at the Barberton Garden of Remembrance, where a short commemoration service was held.

Barberton MOTHs member Clarence Hobbs said the procession continued with a sunset parade.
“The parade went well, with the laying of wreaths and the traditional visit of the lookout point over the shooting range on the Bulembu road,” he said.