Locals furious at elderly bagpiper who wakes them at 8am by practising on Devon beach
AN elderly bagpiper has locals fuming because he wakes them at 8am.
Keith Metcalfe, 76, has kept up his practice during lockdown on quiet stretches of shoreline.
But the wail of his pipes rising up from Meadfoot Beach in Torquay, Devon, had one local pleading: “Please be quiet, it’s summer, people have windows open while trying to sleep.”
Retired estate agent Keith said: “I go to various places early when there are just a few dog walkers and swimmers.
"The reaction I usually get is that people come up to me and ask can they film me.”
Keith began learning the pipes 15 years ago when one daughter was due to marry into a Scottish family — and stunned the reception by playing Amazing Grace.
He knew “Piper Bill” Millin, who played at the 1944 D-Day landings.
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He said: "What I didn't know is that it takes at least seven years to learn to play proficiently and another seven years to play well.
"Compared to many people in the band who have been playing the bagpipes since childhood I'm not very good.
"But the public think I'm good and that's what counts."
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