THE countdown is on to the fourth Glusburn Fallfest.

And this year’s music and arts festival will include the dedication of the new war memorial on Main Street, Cross Hills.

The festival will kick off next Friday, September 19, with a gig by local covers band The Big Bang, supported by indie/rock band Multiverse Theory.

It will take place in Glusburn Institute at 7.30pm.

Then, next Saturday, there will be live music, a farmers market running from 11am to 4pm and the second Fallfest Bake Off (all entries must be at the Fallfest Tearoom by 1pm).

The headline concert of the weekend - Last Night of the Proms - will take place at the institute on Saturday night and will feature the Airedale Symphony Orchestra and Opera North soprano Joanne Dexter.

“It is back by popular demand,” said organiser Sue Ingham. “It went down really well last year and this year’s programme is really exciting.”

It includes the Fantasy Suite from Pirates of The Caribbean and the premiere of a piece specially commissioned for Fallfest.

Next Sunday’s programme will be devoted to World War One commemorations, with the unveiling of the parish council’s new war memorial at noon.

“When we started, we thought there were 49 lads who died from this area,” said Sue. “But our research has shown there were actually 57. Their names will appear on a new plaque to be erected as part of the memorial.”

The unveiling will be followed by the formal opening of a free exhibition “What happened to local lads?” and a talk by Karyn Burnham, author of Courage of the Cowards, which tells untold stories of the Great War’s conscientious objectors.

The highly acclaimed film, War Horse, will be screened at 2.15pm and there will be an intermission entertainment from members of the Rock Up and Sing Choir.

Meanwhile Fallfest has been shortlisted for a £500 Grassroots grant by Skipton Building Society – and final beneficiaries are decided by public vote.

“We would ask people to support us,” said Sue. “Fallfest is put together by a small team of eight volunteers who work really hard all hard to make this community event happen.

“It is a not-for profit event so any money goes towards the following year. We need the support of local people if this event is going to continue and thrive.”

To vote for Fallfest, visit skiptongrg.co.uk/apply-for-funding/whos-applying/yorkshire-and-the-humber/fallfest/