Festival is ready for lift-off (From Gazette & Herald)

Festival is ready for lift-off

THE 2003 Thirsk Festival gets underway this weekend with a nine-day programme of events.

It all begins on Saturday with Sowerby Gala, at Manor Farm, Sowerby, between 10am and 5pm.

That evening, Thirsk Royal British Legion Band plays at St Oswald's Church in Sewerby, while Con and Dec - The Bachelors will perform at Thirsk Town Hall.

On Sunday, there is a model railway exhibition at East Thirsk Community Centre, open gardens at Holy Rood House and an open bridge competition at Thirsk Bridge Club. Meanwhile, in the evening, saxophone group Kintamarni plays at St Mary's Church in Thirsk.

Monday sees an antiques evening at the Golden Fleece Hotel in Thirsk Market Place, while on Tuesday night, the Eduardo Niebla Trio bring a touch of Spain to Thirsk Town Hall.

The Yorkshire Stompers jazz band hits the Thirsk Town Hall stage on the evening of Wednesday, July 9, while the Tin Pot Jig Band perform there on Thursday, July 10.

A flower festival will take place at Sowerby Methodist Church from Friday, July 11, to Sunday, July 13, with a performance by The Mowbray Singers on the Friday evening to kick things off.

The night of Friday, July 11, also sees a performance by The Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra at Thirsk Town Hall, though this is already sold out.

Sowerby Flatts will be the venue for a festival fair on Saturday, July 12, between noon and 5pm, with hot-air balloons, a fairground and sideshows, while there will be flypasts from three giants of Second World War aviation - a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane. That night will see a performance by Kesha at St Oswald's Church, in Sowerby.

Sowerby Flatts is again at the heart of things on Sunday, July 13, with a carnival taking place there. There will be a float procession, a tug of war, It's a Knockout competitions and, once again, hot-air balloons.

The curtain comes down on this year's event that evening at Sowerby Parochial Hall when Thirsk Youth Dance and Little Gems Ballet perform.

During next week, classic Ealing films will be shown at the Ritz Cinema in Thirsk, while Thirsk Museum will be open free of charge to locals.

It is vital to book tickets for the musical events as soon as possible. These are available from Thirsk information centre on (01845) 587382. For more information, ring (01845) 522672 or 501295. Alternatively, you could visit the website www.thirskfestival.org.

The festival is being promoted by The Rotary Club of Thirsk and proceeds will to go a number of good causes.

Updated: 11:58 Wednesday, July 02, 2003