On Saturday 5th April 2008, The Officers and Ships company of HMS Northumberland along with The Morpeth Pipe Band received the ancient honour of the ‘Freedom of the Borough’ from the Mayor of Castle Morpeth Borough Council, Cllr Millburn Douglas.

The Freedom of the Borough is rarely bestowed and when it is, it is generally given to military units and was therefore a very special occasion for the Band to be recognised with such a high honour.  The Freedom of the Borough has only been bestowed twice previously by the Council.   The presentation recognised “the esteem in which the Council holds the Ship and Pipe Band”.

Morpeth Band has a good record for training pipers and drummers who have gone on to progress into to higher-grade bands and HM Forces.  Morpeth Pipe Band is affiliated to the Alba Pipe Band in Germany and HMS Northumberland.