Retired civil engineer Andrew Weymouth sprang to fame last year when he serenaded keyworkers with the skirl of the pipes.

He became a regular attraction on London Road on Thursday nights when the whole community came out not only to clap their appreciation for the NHS, but also everyone else working on the frontline.

Andrew - who was born in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) - arrived in Hitchin from South Africa last January.

He came to join his partner, journalist Bev Creagh. The couple had been to school together and met again at a class reunion in the UK in 2019.

Neither anticipated the impact of lockdown and Andrew was delighted he'd packed his pipes and brought them with him.

"I met all the locals the first time I went out to play," he smiles.

Andrew - a septuagenarian father-of-two and former town engineer – didn't begin acquiring the skill until he was in his 30s.

"Most pipers start a lot earlier than that," he says. "I'd always been keen to learn but when I moved to Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu Natal, it was the first place I'd lived where there was both a band – the Pietermaritzburg Caledonian Pipe Band – and a tutor."

A friend imported a set of pipes for him from Kintail in Glasgow and he set about the intricate business of learning the art. "I'd never played an instrument before," he admits. "And the bagpipes are much more difficult than you think.

"They're reputed to be the only instrument you can't learn to play by playing – you start off on a practice chanter then graduate to the pipes.

"I wasn't turned loose on the full set for a year, and then it was another six months before I was allowed to join my first parade."

Nothing beats the excitement of stepping out to play. "You feel such a huge sense of exhilaration and pride," he reveals, "being able to entertain and inspire the spectators."

And of course all band members – pipers and drummers alike – are kitted out in full Scottish regalia: matching tartan kilt, ghillie brogues, sporran, long socks with garter tabs - the whole outfit topped with a traditional Glengarry.

He explains: "If we're in full dress, the Glengarries are replaced with feather bonnets. In addition we wear tunics with a cairngorm brooch fitted to our plaids."

He's found playing in Britain presents a couple of new challenges: "The pipes are very sensitive to temperature and humidity. And when it's cold, your fingers get very stiff."

Since coming to Hitchin, Andrew has been invited to play at a Burns Night in Scotland, Remembrance Day at St Peter's in Lilley and the funeral of a close family friend.

"Amazing Grace is always a favourite," he says. "But I also love Dark Island, Scotland the Brave, Marie's Wedding, Green Hills of Tyrol and The Battle's O'er."

He was particularly moved by the poignant rendition of Flowers of the Forest at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, played by the pipe major of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Luckily his neighbours at St Elmo Court all love the haunting melodies that waft out when he's practising.

He's hoping to join a local pipe band as soon as lockdown allows.

And he's also intending to turn his hobby and passion into a business.

As to the vexed question about what's worn under the kilt, Andrew's keeping shtum. "That's for me to know and you to fantasise about" is all he will say.

If you'd like to have your own personal piper at a wedding, birthday, funeral or other occasion, call Andrew on 07398 163444.

PS Andrew posted his services on our What's On page a short while ag and he has already had a booking!

If you have a service you'd like to share with our readers why not consider posting on our What's On page here