A MOVING tribute to the ordinary men and women whose lives were shattered by the First World War is being performed in Bradford on Avon on February 28, when the folk opera A Day's Work is staged at the St Margaret’s Hall.

Mick Ryan's critically acclaimed work is a moving tribute to the people of Wiltshire and other agricultural counties, the agricultural labourers and others who went from ploughing the furrow to digging the trench and the families they left behind.

Mick created the work some years ago, but recently updated it as part of the national tributes to the First World War: it will be 100 years this summer since the Battle of the Somme. The show opens at Christmas 1914 in a rural Wiltshire village and ends at the battle of the Somme in July 1916.

Mick, who was born and brought up in Swindon is one of this country’s best known folk singer/songwriters with a wealth of songs and several folk operas to his name.

The professional performance features top folk singers and musicians Mick Ryan, Paul Downes, Pete Morton, Heather Bradford, Greg Russell and Matt Quinn. Musical Director Paul Downes is a multi-instrumentalist well known for his work with Phil Beer and Steve Knightley of Show of Hands and his acting roles have included appearing in TV's Midsummer Murders.

Rosie Upton, who is promoting the show, first saw it at Chippenham Folk Festival last year and was so impressed she felt inspired to bring it to Bradford on Avon. It is rarely performed other than during large festivals so this is a unique opportunity to appreciate its charm and message.

Tickets are on sale now at £10 adv from Wiltshire Music Centre on 01225 860100 and will be £12 on door. The performance at St Margaret's Hall on Sunday, February 28 starts at 7.30pm. There will be a bar.