A group of Ontario pipe and drum band members hopes to head to Europe this spring and needs your help to get there.
The group, an Ontario massed bands contingent comprised of 68 members, of which the Pipes & Drums from Chatham are part, plans to head over to the Netherlands for an eight-day trip, leaving May 2.
One of the trip’s organizers, Jim Meurkes, also a band member, said the trip is timed to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Holland in the Second World War.
“It’s a continuation of the trip that was cancelled five years ago for the 75th,” Meurkes said, when the pandemic forced the trip’s delay.
With this year’s trip a go, Meurkes said it will be full of activities, as the band will be involved in numerous parades, and will travel to France, Belgium and Germany as well.
Five days will be spent in Holland, but the excursion includes trips to Vimy Ridge in France, and Ypres in Belgium, the sites of First World War battles involving large concentrations of Canadian soldiers.
For Meurkes, this will be his eighth time travelling to Europe.
“It never gets old. It’s a whole different perspective on things over there,” he said.
Meurkes said the group heading to Europe contains members from Chatham-Kent, as well as Sarnia, Ingersoll and Midland.
And in early April, he said they will gather for a massed bands dress rehearsal in Chatham. The date had yet to be finalized at the time of the writing of this article.
Fundraisers have, and will take place to help support the trip.
