BAGPIPES which used to belong to the Queen's piper have been stolen from a home in Coney Hall.
Distressed piper Jamie Gibb, 56, of Croydon Road, was ill in bed when the Scottish instrument was stolen.
The pipes have sentimental value because he was bequeathed them five years ago when the Queen's former piper, Brian McCrae Mr Gibb's tutor died.
He is appealing for the pipes to be returned because he is due to play in a parade in New York on April 6 in tribute to victims of the September 11 attacks.
Mr Gibb, who is in the Bromley Ambulance Service Pipe Band and teaches the pipes at Sutton College of Liberal Arts, said: "I'm so upset because Brian McCrae left them to me.
"I left my door unlocked while I was ill and thieves took two sets of pipes from the hall which were there because they have to be kept in a cool place to prevent the decay of the wood. My neighbours found the less expensive set of bagpipes in a nearby alleyway but the Brian McCrae set has yet to be returned.
"I'm sure it was teenagers who took the pipes and they probably don't realise what they are because they were in a wooden box."
The career services officer, who has been playing the pipes since he was 13, joked: "The thieves also stole some John Smith bitter which was going off. They'll probably be sick on it."
The "distinctive" bagpipe box is 3ft long and 1.5ft wide. It is stained in a light oak colour with a leather handle.
If you have any information about the theft on November 3, call police on 01689 891212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
November 12, 2001 12:26
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