Pipers from the Encouragement and Praise Inspires Champions (EPIC) group performed a bagpipes concert at Netherthird Community Centre last week.

Set up by Karen McCrindle Warren and Paul Warren in 2016, with help from trustees Chris Yeo and Stewart Allan, EPIC started teaching youngsters to play the pipes in 2018, but went from teaching around 200 youngsters to 20 because of difficulties relating to Covid.

Since March 2020, the children have been learning the pipes over zoom calls, with them putting that into practice at a concert in front of family and friends.

Lead instructor Karen McCrindle Warren says she is delighted to see the kids’ efforts pay off.

Cumnock Chronicle:

She told the Chronicle: “This week has been amazing to get all the kids back in and meeting face to face and seeing their friends, because they’ve all missed that.

“This was most of their first times on bagpipes because we’ve been using practice chanters, so that’s been huge for them as well.

“Part of the enjoyment is being with your friends so it’s been tough over the past year and a bit, so I’m delighted they can go and show what they’ve learned.

“We are immensely proud and the biggest thing they have learned over the past wee while is to never give up.

“It’s really exciting for us to see how hard they’ve worked and to see how proud we are of them means a lot.

“Now we can start performing at gigs and stuff around the community, which is something we wanted to do over the past year.

“I want to say a massive thanks to Arnold Clarke who gave us £1,000 which sponsored the summer school, and Netherthird Community Centre have been amazing at looking after us”.

A spokesperson for Netherthird Community Centre added: “We are so proud at the community centre to be a part of the EPIC journey, that Paul and Karen and all the kids are amazing and we love having them.”

Cumnock Chronicle:

Prize winner certificates go to:

Aron Hewitt - Sorn Primary

Cyril Shinkfield - Logan Primary

Francesca Wright - Lochnorris Primary

Melissa Leary - Lochnorris Primary

Blair Black - Ochiltree Primary

Thomas Nicol - Ochiltree Primary

Kenzie Thomas - Drongan Primary

David Bunten - Robert Burns Academy

Toby Kennedy - Robert Burns Academy

Frazer McFadzean - Robert Burns Academy

Jai Blackhurst - Robert Burns Academy

Katyann Thomson - Robert Burns Academy

Whoosh Winners:

David Bunten - Robert Burns Academy

Thomas Nicol - Ochiltree Primary

Whoosh Champion:

Frazer McFadzean - Robert Burns Academy

The Extra Mile Award:

Toby Kennedy - Robert Burns Academy

Melissa Leary - Lochnorris Primary

Kenzie Thomas - Drongan Primary

The Alex Duncan Memorial Award:

Blair Black - Ochiltree Primary