A concert originally performed in the 19th century in Lockeridge village school in aid of the rebuilding of Overton church is to be re-enacted at the Kennet Valley Hall.

The idea came from local history researcher Ruth Lamdin after she came across a report of the concert on April 16, 1878, in the old Marlborough Times archives at the Wiltshire History Centre in Chippenham.

Mrs Lamdin said she was researching other matters relating to the Kennet Valley villages when she came across a review of the concert promoted by architect Charles Ponting who designed the new St Michael and All Angel’s Church.

The concert comprised piano music which will be played by Jean Burrow, of Devizes, who will be accompanied by Mrs Lamdin for some duets.

Singers for the concert will come from the Kennet Valley, Swindon and Devizes, but not all of the original songs will be sung because, said Mrs Lamdin, “some were a bit grim” and she said the concert went on for too long by modern standards.

Mrs Lamdin said: “I have sourced the music, mainly from the British Library and have done some research on the performers, who were mostly from the principal farming families in the district.”

The concert is on Sunday, October 28, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 and can be reserved on (01672) 861550 or purchased on the door. Like the original concert, any proceeds will go to the church.