Penwortham man plays the bagpipes as tribute to NHS

Bob Wilson, stood outside his home on Kingsway West and played the woodwind instrument in unison with his neighbours, who clapped in support of health and other key workers.

Read more: Police identify all 6 wanted teenagers following Penwortham Cemetery robberyAfter playing the bagpipes for over 30 years, the idea came from a forum he read on the Scottish Bagpipe Association website.

“At the moment, people can’t see each other. So I thought, why not do something fun for the local community?” he said.

“It’s been a huge passion of mine since my children were younger. Now I’m retired, I have time to continue playing.”

Every Thursday, people up and down the country have been taking part in ‘Clap for Carers”, which sees them put their hands together outside their homes at 8pm, to say thanks to our health service and other key workers.

The campaign started on March 26, seeing hundreds of thousands of Brits stand together and show support for those who work tirelessly on the front line.

The ‘Clap for Carers’ website says: ‘Healthcare workers, emergency services, armed services, delivery drivers, shop workers, teachers, waste collectors, manufacturers, postal workers, cleaners, vets, engineers and all those who are out there making an unbelievable difference to our lives in these challenging times… bravo, you are amazing!’

Those in the NHS are key workers, whose work is a necessity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bob plans to continue playing the woodwind instrument every Thursday to show his appreciation.

“It is important to show how thankful we are. I think we take a lot for granted in life,” he said.

“It’s only now that we realise, we don’t know what we would do without them. We would be in such a mess.”