Winterbourne Medieval Barn - drama to commemorate the Battle of the Somme, Sunday 18 September

'A Day’s Work' - Sunday 18 September, 3pm

A Musical drama to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.  Using original songs, spoken verse, monologue and dialogue, ‘A Day’s Work’ tells the story of a group of farm labourers, members of a mummers’ team, who join up, or refuse to join up, and meet finally on the first day of The Somme.  The show examines war, love, courage and cowardice through this new script and songs with a cast of highly respected performers.

Refreshments will be available to purchase during the interval.  Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds from 12.30pm.  Tickets cost £15 adults, £5 for under 16s, and are available from Daisy's Cafe, Flaxpits Lane, Winterbourne, or on the gate subject to availability.

What was the Battle of the Somme?

In the summer of 1916, British and French armies launched a joint offensive against German forces in the Somme region.  General Sir Douglas Haig had hoped to break German lines and bring the deadlock of trench warfare to an end. So on 1 July 1916, British troops rose from their trenches and advanced across no man’s land. But this ‘Big Push’ was ineffective and advancing soldiers were met by a hail of German gunfire. On that day alone the British Army suffered 57,470 casualties with 19,240 deaths, making it the bloodiest day in British military history.

The Battle of the Somme continued for 141 days to 18th November 1916, by which time British casualties had risen to 419,654, and total casualties on all sides reached more than one million. It was a pivotal battle, with tanks being deployed by the British Army for the first time, and crucial military lessons were learned which contributed to the eventual allied victory in 1918. But the Battle will forever be remembered for its devastating death toll and appalling human cost.  For many families, it remains the most painful and devastating battle of the First World War.

Winterbourne Medieval Barn has won the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and South Glos has just appointed a Project Manager and a Funding Consultant with HLF money, to steer a bid for £1M from the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring the Medieval Barn into full community use. As part of this bid for funding, the Barn itself has to raise £400,000 by December 2017.  It is a unique historical building and we hope that all South Glos residents will be able to appreciate its amazing architecture.

More information is available on their website www.winterbournebarn.org.uk