Spring Hill: Trevor and Val Stokes win Ruby Award

Two local stalwarts of the much loved Accrington Pipe Band have become recipients of the ‘Ruby Award’, which was launched to mark 40 years of Hyndburn Council and recognises people in the Borough who have made an exceptional contribution to their communities.

Husband and wife, Trevor and Val Stokes, were both chosen to receive the Accrington Ruby Award for their many years running Accrington Pipe Band. Pipe Major Trevor has been playing for the band for over 50 years after starting as a teenager.

Cllr Bernard Dawson made the nomination and said, "I'd just like to pay tribute to the many years' service you have given to the Accrington Pipe band and how much of an ambassador you have been for the borough. The band is a credit to the town and we applaud the efforts of Trevor and Val to keep it going."

Cllr Pam Barton, "I am delighted to second the nomination, particularly as both Trevor and Val are Spring Hill residents. The Accrington Pipe Band is loved by everyone, it brings both joy and tears to anyone who hears it. Congratulations to you both for your exceptional service to the Hyndburn community."

Accrington Pipe band is well known and is the oldest civilian Pipe Band in the UK and possibly across the world. Proudly displaying the Accrington Coat of Arms, they represent Hyndburn at many local events including Remembrance Day and Armed Forces Day events, recent WW1 commemorations events and many local galas and carnivals.  They also put Accrington on the international stage playing at events like Tartan Week in New York, the only band to represent the UK there.

Formed in 1885, the band has a long and proud history with connections to the Accrington Pals.   The nomination says; “Whilst many other local Pipe Bands have ceased to exist in recent times, Accrington Pipe Band march on... Trevor and Val’s unstinting service to the band and the local community deserves some form of recognition and would be a just reward for their many years of hard work carried out on behalf of the band and the Hyndburn community.”

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Council Leader said; “Trevor and Val have given many years of voluntary service to Accrington Pipe Band, which is a well known, much loved and highly respected part of the Hyndburn community.  The Band represents the Borough proudly at so many events throughout the year, most recently the WW1 Commemoration events.  Trevor and Val do a wonderful job running the band and actively encourage people to join the band, with many children and teenagers becoming proficient players. The band is recognised locally, nationally and even internationally and Trevor and Val have given much time and energy voluntarily to contribute to its success."

Trevor and Val Stokes were presented with the award at the Council meeting on Thursday 11th September 2014 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Accrington.