A GROUP of Winchester pipers kicked off their season of Northumbrian tunes at an annual festival.

The Hyde Pipers made its first public performance of the year at St Lawrence's Church as part of Winchester’s annual Mayfest, when music, dance and song are celebrated and the city is filled with Morris sides, musicians and sword dancing.

The Hyde Pipers play the Northumbrian Small Pipes, a bellows-blown bagpipe from the North East, which are suitable for playing indoors and produce a sweet sound – in contrast to the harsher sound of the Scottish Great Highland Pipes.

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The group, led by pipe maker Paul Tabbush, formed when a Northumberland living in Winchester wanted to celebrate his 70th birthday with a Northumbrian-themed party.

Six years on the pipers still get together every month at the Hyde Tavern in addition to four or five concerts a year plus a few spin off events.

Hampshire Chronicle: Hyde Pipers at Winchester's Mayfest

The group is looking forward to more gigs this year including the Hat Fair, Romsey’s Beggars Fair and Wolvesey Castle.

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The venue, St Lawrence’s church, is the only surviving parish church of Norman foundation within Winchester's city walls. The venue has excellent acoustics, and the audience was treated to a range of Northumbrian tunes, including a few written by group members.

A couple of dancers joined in at the end which the pipers said made the event even more special.

Hyde Pipers meet between 2-4pm every second Saturday of the month at the Hyde Tavern in Winchester. For more information go to facebook.com/groups/HydePipers.