The pipes still calling after 60 years

Lawrence Morrow has piped at most Anzac services in Tauranga. Photo / George Novak

Lawrence Morrow has played the bagpipes in Tauranga on Anzac Day almost every year for the past 60 years.

Today, he is set to perform at Tauranga's Memorial Civic Service.

Mr Morrow has been in the Tauranga Pipe Band since he was about 14 years old and has played the bagpipes in Tauranga on Anzac Day almost every year since.

"I can't get out of it, it's probably a habit for me," he joked. "I love Scottish music, I've only got to hear it and I love it."

Mr Morrow spent his childhood in Tokoroa and moved to Tauranga in 1953. The land agent who sold his parents their house just happened to be the pipe major of the Tauranga Pipe Band, Laurie Johnson, who urged Mr Morrow's father to sign his sons up to learn the pipes.

It took about 12 months for Mr Morrow to learn the pipes, then as soon as he had a reasonable grasp on the instrument, he began playing for the pipe band sometime in 1954.

"Every Saturday, we had a parade or something. There were five different dance halls that had Scottish dances, one of them were always having a dance on a Saturday. The council used to give us a grant, I think it was about $900, to play at nine parades each year and that went a long way."

Since then, Mr Morrow has piped at most Anzac services in Tauranga.

"I like doing Anzac parades. We used to march down the middle of Cameron Rd to the Domain, we used to go for miles. Now they've shortened it, we only walk 100 yards or so at the civic service in Memorial Park. It's more focused on the music."

Mr Morrow has piped all over the country and has taken out numerous placings in competitions throughout his piping career.

He had a whole catalogue of music memorised, as pipers could not carry around music sheets.

In recent months, Mr Morrow has been less active in the pipe band and although he still enjoys piping, will probably take a step back and stick to local events.

"I've always done Anzac Day so I will probably do that and a few other parades. Anzac Day is an important day."

He did not have a particular highlight of his piping career.

"The highlight for me is playing in the band for a crowd that really appreciates the pipes - which most people do."