Choir Tour to Belgium – A Journey of Remembrance and Worship

The Girls and Lay Clerks visited Belgium and sang in St George’s Memorial church, Ypres. This church has memorial plaques for former pupils from many Bath schools including Kingswood, KES and Monkton Combe. They sang at the Menin Gate Remembrance ceremony and they also sang Mass at St Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent and a concert at St Walburgiskerk, Oudenaarde and an informal concert at Talbot House, where Ken and Libby are a warden. We visited Lijssenthoek and Tyne Cot cemeteries and Vimy Ridge.

Thanks to all who have supported this trip and we are really grateful to our wonderful chaperones and particularly to Mary who does so much of the planning for the trip. Ken was a wonderful tour guide with a lot of interesting history about the Great War history.  Huw Williams

Tour Reflections from Phil (Decani Alto Lay Clerk)

Earlier this month, the choir of Bath Abbey set off for a four-day tour to Belgium, filled with powerful moments of remembrance, uplifting music, and shared adventure. The tour began in Ypres, where we took part in the profoundly moving Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, laying a wreath and singing as the evening light fell over the memorial. We also visited Tyne Cot Cemetery and Talbot House, performing concerts in places deeply connected to the history and human cost of the First World War.

Sunday brought one of the most memorable moments of the trip: singing Mass in the magnificent St Baafs Cathedral in Ghent. After the service, we had the amazing opportunity to view the Mystic Lamb altarpiece – a breathtaking and humbling experience for everyone. This was followed by a lively, informative canal cruise through Ghent, offering a fresh and engaging perspective on the city’s rich heritage.

Our final concert took place in the stunning St Walburgiskerk in Oudenaarde, capping off a weekend of music, reflection, and fellowship. The trip concluded with a reflective visit to Vimy Ridge and the trenches surrounding it before returning to Bath. It was a deeply humbling experience for us all – offering our music as an act of remembrance and hope.

This tour also marked a bittersweet farewell to six of our extraordinary girl choristers, who have been true powerhouses in the choir. It was a joy to share this final journey with them – their presence, talent, and spirit will be deeply missed.