Trentham Band has just returned from an emotional tour of Belgium and France where they were invited to take part in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

The band took the ferry to Calais before heading to Domein Westhoek in Belgium where they were based. The first evening saw them enjoy swapping their uniforms for Hawaiin shirts in homage to their fun loving MD, before the tour kicked off with a concert on the beach at Carré Plage in Dunkirque.

Respects

The following day the band visited the Tyne Cot Cemetery where they paid their own respects to all those who lost their lives. This was followed by an afternoon spent at the 'In Flanders Fields' museum in Ypres before ending with them being honoured to take part in the famous Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Here they played the lullaby 'Golden Slumbers' arranged by MD Mike Caveney, with one spectator later e-mailing the band with their thanks for an emotional performance on an evening that also saw the BBC film for a forthcoming documentary.

We laughed, but also reflected with some sombre moments. It has been an amazing experienceClaire Jervis

Well received

The following day the band gave a well-received performance on the bandstand in the park in central Bruges — one that after an exceptionally hot day was rounded off with splendid visit to a local brewery museum to celebrate MD Mike Caveney's 70th birthday.

Cornet player Claire Jervis told 4BR: "We finally arrived home very tired but with fantastic memories of an incredible trip.

We laughed, but also reflected with some sombre moments. It has been an amazing experience."