Piper Connor in line to bag prestigious award

Young Fife musician nominated for his efforts to entertain community during lockdown

A Fife student, who swapped his usual role as a piper at the Royal Tattoo to play for care home residents and support his local community during the lockdown, has been nominated for a national award.

Connor Pratt, from Coaltown of Balgonie, has been named a finalist in the national Helping it Happen Awards 2020 after performing more than 150 times for residents at local care homes during the coronavirus pandemic.

The21-year-old, wearingfullHighland dress, could also be found playing the pipes on his street every Thursday to support the NHS.

At his own cost, Connor, a third-year music student at the University of the Highlands and Islands, also performed for NHS staff outside their homes for 21st birthdays, as well as for families at a number of funerals, notching up more than 100 additional performances during the lockdown.

Connor said he had been humbled by news of the nomination but was quick to add that it had been a team effort with support from fellow band members, family and friends making it all possible.

Hesaid: “It’s fantasticto benominated but that was the last thing I’d expected as it was all just done to try and bring a little enjoyment to people during the lockdown.

“I had all this time to fill, so what better way than to play the pipes, and do a bit to support my own community.”

Normally, Connor, a member of Pipers Trail, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s house band, would be striding down the Royal Mile or packing his pipes for one of the many appearances he makes around the world each year, having performed at the world famous Tattoo since 2017.

But with pipe band season cancelled along with the Tattoo because of the coronavirus, Connor, who has been playing the pipes since the age of 12, said performing to locals was just a way of keeping busy.

“Initially, I gave a couple of performances and it just spiralled from there,” he said.

“However, I’m really just the frontman, it would not have been possible to get so many appearances in without the team of supporters helping me.”

Connor will have to wait until September 30 to find out if he is the outright winner, but for now he said his main priority is getting back to university and back playing alongside other band members.

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It’s fantastic to be nominated but that was the last thing I’d expected as it was all just done to try and bring a little enjoyment to people during the lockdown. CONNOR PRATT

Connor Pratt performed for his community as well as at care homes, events and to thank the NHS.