THE Swindon Choral Society returned from a memorable European tour earlier this month which saw them sing in several locations in France and Belgium

Their musical director Robin Nelson, organist Simon Bertram and 46 choir members embarked on the action-packed excursion on July 1.

They started their five-day stay in the country with a visit to Lille.

The trip was organised by Club Europe and led by Sabine Majdalani and SCS tour leader Kath Danswan, SCS tour leader.

The choir did plenty of sightseeing and singing in churches and cathedrals in Lille, Ghent and Bruges.

In these grand and holy venues, they sang a selection of sacred and secular works including English anthems, European and English motets and part songs and British folk songs arranged by Robin Nelson.

They also sang Missa Brevis, which was composed by their own musical director.

The Swindon Choral Society’s secretary Jeannette Miller reminisced about what she described as a remarkable and emotional trip.

She said: “Perhaps the highlight of our trip was singing in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

“It was a privilege to participate in the daily ceremony and was very moving.”

The tour also included a visit to a number of Ypres battlefield sites and cemeteries, a walking tour of Lille, a river trip in Bruges, and visits to a chocolate factory and brewery.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the third battle of Ypres, also known as the battle of Passchendaele.

Soldiers from the UK, Belgium, and France took part in the fighting against the German army.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were killed during the bloody campaign near the end of the First World War.

It began on July 31 1917 and lasted more than three gruelling months until it finally ended on November 10 that year.

A remembrance ceremony is being held at the Cenotaph in the town centre at 10.45am on Monday to mark the centenary.