St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 26 October at 10.45am – Holy Communion
- Thursday 30 October at 11am – Morning Prayer service.
- Sunday 2 November at 8.30am – BCP Holy Communion led by Rev Dawn Ward.
Sunday 2 November, Feast of All Souls at 6.30pm – Choral Requiem Mass. Everyone is invited to remember and give thanks for the lives of departed family and friends at this beautiful and uplifting service set to the music of Caspar Ett (1788-1847). There is an opportunity for loved ones to be remembered by name and also to light a candle in their memory during the service. Names to be remembered can be added to the list before the service or, if preferred, emailed to John Phillips (johnphillips05@gmail.com) or Chris Hewlett (celhewlett@outlook.com ).
- Remembrance Sunday 9 November at 10.45am – A special service which will include a two minutes silence at 11am and the laying of wreaths at the village war memorials in church. A group representing the 4th Regiment (Royal Artillery) will be attending.
- Armistice Day – Tuesday 11 November at 10.45am – The 4th Regiment (Royal Artillery) will hold their Remembrance Service at St Columba’s led by their Chaplain the Rev Dr Henry Afful CF. All service personnel in camp on the day are expected to be present, led by their Commanding Officer Colonel Harry Waller RA. Children from both Alanbrooke Academy and Topcliffe C of E Academy will also attend and both academies will be involved in parts of the service as well as others from our village community. The CO particularly hopes that this service will foster a stronger bond of relationship between the barracks and the communities of Topcliffe and Asenby and that as many as possible will be able to attend.
- Thursday 13 November at 11am- Morning Prayer service
- Sunday 16 November at 10.45am – Sung Matins
- Thursday 20 November at 11am – Morning Prayer service
- Sunday 23 November at 10.45am – Holy Communion
- Thursday 27 November at 11am – Morning Prayer service.
A huge thank you to everyone who came to support the school Harvest Service in St Columba’s on Wednesday. Topcliffe Church of England Academy were in wonderful voice with their harvest songs and also led the prayers, so thank you to pupils and staff.
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Army Manoeuvres in Topcliffe
The 4th Regiment (Royal Artillery) will undertake a rehearsal march from Alanbrooke Barracks to St Columba’s Church in Topcliffe on Friday 7 November starting at 10am. Around 150 personnel will turn right out of the barracks onto Station Road, turning left onto Catton Moor Lane after approximately 600m. They will then proceed along Catton Lane into Topcliffe (near The Swan), turning right along Church Street to the church. After taking refreshments, around 120 personnel will march back to Alanbrooke Barracks via Long Street, Front Street and Catton Lane. Motorists are asked to be aware of these manoeuvres, take extra care and exercise some patience.
Thirty personnel will spend a few hours at the churchyard undertaking some maintenance to the grounds and helping to make sure it looks its best for Armistice Day.
The above rehearsal aims to ensure that the army’ is well prepared for its involvement in Topcliffe’s Armistice Day on Tuesday 11 November. On that day the route march will be repeated starting at 9am, with the parade arriving at St Columba’s Church at 9.45am, in good time for the Armistice Day service starting at 10.45am. Afterwards, at around 11.30pm, the army personnel will again form up for the march back to Alanbrooke Barracks via Long Street, Front Street, Catton Lane, Catton Moor Lane and Station Road. Again motorists are asked to be aware of these manoeuvres.
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TONIGHT: Sunday 26 October – the quiz will take place at 8pm this evening in the Village Hall. All welcome.
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Last Sunday’s excellent quiz was set by Sheila and the winners were Bob, Irene and Andrew. Well done everyone else who took part.
Knowing that many readers like to test their knowledge and enjoy the challenge, the number of quiz questions each week is being increased to ten. See the answers at the end of today’s email.
1. In which country did the first Starbucks open outside of North America?
2. What kind of bulbs were once used as currency?
3. How old was Rose when she was recounting her experiences in the film Titanic?
4. Who was the oldest actor to play James Bond?
5. Which is the only continent without a volcano?
6. Which bird has a tongue so long that it wraps it round its skull when not in use?
7. What is believed to be the closest living relative to a T-Rex?
8. Name the two countries that do not allow citizens to have tattoos?
9. What is the largest land carnivore?
10. Which search engine was originally called Backrub?
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Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch
Names are now being taken for the Christmas lunch which will be held on Wednesday 10 December in the Village Hall. Places are limited, so to ensure your place make sure you get a ticket as soon as possible.
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An introduction to Vic and Col
In the next couple of months Topcliffe Post Office will have new owners and they’ve already moved into the village and are settling in well.
Vic and Col Troupe are taking over the Post Office from Debbie and Rob and the transfer will take place as soon as formalities are completed.
In a message on the Top Residents’ Facebook page Vic said: “I know a lot of residents have been asking to know who we are, which is understandable. We are originally from Skipton, where I ran a business for the last ten years.
“We have been coming to Topcliffe for the last five years as my mum and stepdad have a caravan on the Swaleside site. We loved the area immediately and have been talking of moving up here for the last couple of years. We wanted a new challenge and when we saw that the Post Office was for sale, we thought buying it would be an ideal opportunity.
“We moved into the village two weeks ago and have settled in well. Everybody is lovely and very welcoming.
“Although we haven’t taken over just yet, residents will start to see me on odd days in the shop and maybe see Col at weekends. We look forward to meeting everyone.
“Finally, for now, we’d just like to give a massive thank you to Debbie and Rob for being amazing throughout this sale process. We now live next door to them and we couldn’t have wished for better neighbours and new lifelong friends.”
We’ll keep everyone informed about how things are progressing.
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CPR and Defibrillator training
Right now, Topcliffe and Asenby just might be the safest place in North Yorkshire to have a cardiac arrest! That’s because thirty-three residents of our two villages yesterday attended a CPR and defibrillator training in the Village Hall.
The training was organised by Asenby Parish Council and led by Jenny Ellerker and her daughter, Lucy, who together run Davis Training Consultants based in Huby, near York.
Jenny and Lucy are daughter and grand-daughter of Steve and Jane Gallon who live in Asenby, and they presented the session without charge for the benefit of local residents.
It was a fantastic turnout and those attending were very appreciative of the potentially life-saving skills that they gained, but hopefully will never need to put to use.
There’s a few more photographs of residents actively getting involved in the training – 1, 2, 3 and 4. There’s some useful guidance for everyone here.
And as a reminder, Topcliffe’s defibrillator is attached to the wall of Topcliffe Surgery and Asenby’s is in the Library Bus Stop.
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Magical Christmas Photo-sessions
Joanna Brierley, who runs Touch Photography in Topcliffe, is offering festive photo sessions throughout November for children, couples or families in her garden studio which she has turned into a Christmas Wonderland.
If you want to capture the joy and sparkle of the festive season or maybe gift someone a few photos that truly mean something, then get in touch with Joanne to book an appointment. Spaces are limited – it’s a very small, cosy studio. Book here:
https://koalendar.com/e/Christmas-mini-photosessions-Joannas-Touch?month=2025-10&duration=30&date=2025-10-27
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Asenby Village footpath repairs and roadworks
- This week short sections of pavement sealing work will be carried out in Asenby. The work is programmed between Monday 27 and Friday 31 October. Local buses should continue to run as normal during the works as only ‘soft’ road closures are required for this work. Access for residents will be maintained.
- Notification has been received by the parish council about some telecoms works in the village that will require road restrictions. There’ll be excavations to install approximately 160m of telecoms cable to link into existing telecoms apparatus as part of the ‘fibre to the home’ scheme. The restriction will be in place for a period of 5 days between Thursday 6 and Monday 10 November.
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Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall – bookings and hire
The Village Hall is available for hire to local organisations, businesses and individuals. It is a superb venue with fully equipped kitchen – an ideal place for family parties. Book online for your event by scanning the QR code or visiting either the Topcliffe or Asenby village websites.
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Well done the Falcons
Thirsk Falcons Men’s Walking Football team recently played a number of friendly matches against Easingwold Wanderers to help prepare for a tournament in early December. Against a team which has been together for over ten years, the Falcons performed really well and won one game. Well done and good luck in the upcoming tournament.
The team – which has members from Asenby, Topcliffe and Thirsk – has room for more players and would love to hear from anyone who might like to join. More details from Steve Gallon on 07366 419416.
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Warm Hub Lunch
There’s always a warm welcome for friends and neighbours new and old at the fortnightly Warm Hub lunch at the Village Hall. Throughout the autumn and winter months the dedicated team of volunteers will be serving hot meals followed by a choice of hot puddings with custard. The next Warm Hub lunch is on Wednesday 29 October. All lunches are served between 11.30am and 12.45pm. There is no set charge but customers are asked to make a donation to help towards unavoidable costs.
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Topcliffe Academy – other important dates this term
- Monday, 3 November – Staff Training Day
- Tuesday, 4 November – School re-opens for 2nd half of autumn term
- Friday, 7 November – Children’s Service of Remembrance at Ripon Cathedral
- Wednesday, 17 December – Carol Service at St Columba’s Church, 2.15pm
- Friday, 19 December – Break up for Christmas, 3.15pm
- Monday, 5 January – Staff Training Day
- Tuesday, 6 January – School re-opens for start of Spring Term.
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Comedy at The Angel Inn
The Hilarity Bites Comedy Club returns to The Angel at Topcliffe on Thursday 6 November for a night of top laughs. Three top comedians will be on stage – Sam Avery, (“Quick wit and painfully funny” – Metro); David Eagle – “(a comic tour de force”- The Guardian); and Carl Jones – (“Very funny… a breezily entertaining half-hour from a likeable comic” – Chortle). This show will also feature a newer act in the middle of the programme. Doors at 7.30pm and show starts at 8pm. Tickets are £12 per person in advance from reception, or £15 on the door. More info online at http://hilaritybites.co.uk/show/topcliffe-november-6th-2025
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Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee
The next meeting of the Village Hall Committee will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11 November in the Village Hall.
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Art classes at the Village Hall
Book early for these special art classes coming up at the Village Hall.
- Thursday 13 November – Autumn Scenes in soft pastels – a three-hour class from 10am to 1pm. For beginners and those with artistic experience. All materials provided and refreshments are included. If you already love working in pastels, please do take your own sets too. £40.
- Thursday 4 December – Paint an Enchanted Forest or a Festive Scene – another three- hour session from 10am to 1pm. For beginners and more experienced artists. All materials provided and refreshments are included. £35.
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Village Hall Christmas Fair
This year’s Christmas Fair will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 15 November between 10am and 2pm. There will be lots of stalls, mostly selling items associated with the festive season, so it’s a great opportunity to get some early presents or decorations.
Organiser Karen Morley says she will be serving a hot brunch – bacon or sausage or egg rolls, plus tea and coffee. There’ll be a selection of cakes for those who just want light refreshments.
All available stalls have now been reserved, but a ‘reserve list’ has been opened if anyone wants to be considered should any of the bookings be withdrawn. Call Karen on 01845 577426.
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Festive Workshops at The Angel
A range of festive workshops are planned at The Angel Inn, Topcliffe. Similar events last year proved very popular and it’s likely that places again will be snapped up quickly.
- Fabric Lantern Workshop – Wednesday 26 November, 12noon to 2.30pm and 7 to 9.30pm. Tickets £45.
- Wreath Making Workshop – Wednesday 3 December, 12 noon to 2pm and 6.30 to 8.30pm. Tickets £50.
- Macrame Garland Workshop – Wednesday 10 December, 10.30am to 12:30pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £25.
- Botanical Clay Casting Workshop – Wednesday 17 December, 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3pm. Tickets £45.
All workshops include a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. For more details and to book please call The Angel reception team on 01845 578000.
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Wreath-making at The Catton Kitchen
The Catton Kitchen is holding a wreath-making event with a difference. This year participants will forage in the gardens, woodland and hedges at The Catton Kitchen for everything they require. The workshops are on Saturday 29 November between 2 and 4pm and Sunday 30 November between 1 and 3pm. The cost is £50 per person and the price includes all materials and some festive treats and mulled wine.
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Asenby Parish Council
The next meeting of Asenby parish Council will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 3 December in Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall. The meeting after that will be held Wednesday 4 March 2026.
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Christmas extravaganza planned in Asenby
Get ready to kick off the festive season with a magical evening of community cheer at Asenby Community Park. The Parish Council is planning this Christmas extravaganza on Friday 12 December starting at 6pm.
You’re invited to bring the whole family for carols and songs led by the local children’s choir, refreshments courtesy of The Angel Inn at Topcliffe and to visit Santa in his grotto to share their Christmas wish list and capture a festive photograph.
Tickets are on sale at just £2 per person, which includes refreshments and a gift from Santa for all children.
PS. Join Santa at 5.45pm on his journey from Asenby’s jubilee bench through the village to the Community Park at the end of Jamesville Way. Glow bands will be handed out to all children joining the procession or watching from the roadside.
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Christmas Party Nights at The Angel Inn
Bookings are now being taken for the ever-popular Christmas Party Nights at The Angel. Great opportunities to celebrate the festive season with your friends, family, neighbours or work colleagues. There are two dates and two different different experiences!
Classic Party Night – Friday 12 December
Tickets: £55 per person. Welcome drink on arrival. Set 3-course festive menu (a fixed menu will be served with no choices available, dietary requirement will be catered for). DJ to keep the party going. Dress code semi-formal ((no trainers or tracksuit pants). Prize from The Angel Inn for the Best Dressed Guest.
The Festive Affair – Saturday 13 December
Tickets: £75 per person. Welcome drink on arrival. 3-course festive menu (guests will be asked to pre-order their choice of dishes in advance – no more than 14 days after the booking has been confirmed). Illusionist, DJ and Saxophonist Ali Adair. Dress code formal (no jeans, trainers or tracksuit pants). Prize from The Angel Inn for the Best Dressed Guest.
Book early to ensure you don’t miss out. For more details and to book please call The Angel reception team on 01845 578000.
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Carols around the Christmas Tree
The date is set for this year’s carol singing at the Christmas tree that will be placed outside the Village Hall. make a note in your diary -.Friday 19 December at 7pm. Refreshments afterwards in the hall. Further details will be announced nearer the date.
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Chip ‘n’ Dales
The fish and chip van is in Topcliffe every Friday from 5 – 7pm.
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Local traders and businesses
See here for a list of businesses and traders based in or close to Topcliffe.
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EVENTS ON IN THE WIDER AREA
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The Ritz Cinema
- Dead of Winter – to Thursday 30 October – no matinees.
- Roofman – Friday 31 October to Thursday 6 November – no matinees.
- The Choral – Friday 7 to Thursday 13 November – matinee on Wednesday 12 November.
- Wicked: For Good – Friday 14 to Thursday 20 November.
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Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange
The Coffee and Chatter Group that meets in St James’ Church at Baldersby St James will be holding jigsaw puzzle exchanges on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The next ‘exchange’ is on Tuesday 28 October between 10am and 12 noon. Please take along any puzzles that you would like to swap. This is a great opportunity to obtain new ones without having to buy them.
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Bonfires & Fireworks
The following bonfire and fireworks displays are taking place in our area on the dates indicated.
- Bedale Park, from 5.15pm, fireworks from 7pm on Saturday 1 November.
- Millfields Park, Easingwold. Gates open at 6pm, fireworks at 7:30pm on Sunday 2 November.
- The Applegarth, Northallerton, from 6pm, bonfire and fireworks on Wednesday 5 November.
- Monk Park Farm, Bagby, Thirsk 5pm-8pm, bonfire and fireworks on Friday 8 November.
- Ripon Racecourse, from 5.30pm, bonfire and fireworks on Friday 7 November.
- Masham Recreation Ground from 5.30pm, bonfire and fireworks on Saturday 8 November.
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Ride on Locomotion No. 1
This month and next, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway will host Locomotion No. 1, a replica of the pioneering 1825 steam engine by George and Robert Stephenson. The visits celebrate 200 years of UK rail history. Built in 1975, the replica offers a nostalgic 15–20 minutes return journey from Pickering Station to New Bridge Crossing – daily until Wednesday 29 October and Saturday 1 to Sunday 9 November. Trains depart daily at 10:10 am. Tickets cost £10 for adults (16+), £5 for children (3–15), and are free for under-3s on a guardian’s lap.
A must-see for railway enthusiasts and families alike, this event brings the spirit of early passenger travel to life. Book online at http://www.nymr.co.uk/events
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Haunted Thirsk Halloween Walks
Join the Historic Experiences team for their Haunted Tour this Halloween around the ancient streets of Thirsk at the most haunted time of the year. Thursday 30 October at 6.30pm (tickets 310) and Friday 31 October at 4.30pm and 6.30pm (tickets £13). Concessions available. Email tina@historicexperiences.com for advance tickets or call 07876 010835.
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Pumpkins
- Pick your own pumpkins at Spilman’s, The Church Farm, Sessay – daily until Friday 31 October. 125,000 pumpkins of different varieties to choose from. Ticket includes entrance to watch the new ‘Spilmans Got Talent: Spooky Spectacular’ show plus a new Halloween fancy dress disco with Skelebones, carving tent, tractor & trailer rides, corn cannon, pumpkin sling s shot and spooky walk. From £16. Book online http://www.spilmans.co.uk
- Pop down to our pumpkin picking farm at Pumpkin Patch, Lodge Farm, Cundall where there’s 53 varieties to pick from – from ones that fit in your hand, to ones that fill a wheelbarrow! Also a bale mountain, toy tractors, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin noughts and crosses, vintage tractor, homemade refreshments, hot and cold drinks and a horse box pizza van. Daily until Friday 31 October (please check specific dates on website). £2.10 each entry, £6.30 max total. Tickets online at http://www.yorkshirepumpkins.com
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Painting, Pint, Pie & Peas
Pints and painting – meet pies and peas at this special Halloween night event at Rural Arts in Thirsk on Friday 31 October between 7 and 9pm. Delicious food, drinks and a creative night of autumnal art with friends. Soft drinks available. Age 16+. £20. Book online http://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
On the Market Place in Thirsk on Sunday 2 November between 9am and 2pm. All stallholders are local independent businesses who grow, rear or produce the food or drink on their stall. They’re passionate about what they do and it shows.
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Concerts and Events at Ripon Cathedral
- 80s Anthems by candlelight – Saturday 8 November at 7.30pm.
- Christmas by Candlelight – a festive spectacular – Friday 5 December at 7.30pm.
- G4 Christmas Concert – yuletide magic with mesmerising harmonies – Saturday 6 December at 7.30pm.
- The Eagles by Candlelight – Saturday 10 January 2026 at 7.30pm.
Book online at https://riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
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Carols at The Golden Fleece, Thirsk
There’ll be carol singing in the Courtyard at The Golden Fleece in Thirsk on Thursday 18 December at 7pm. The courtyard will come alive with festive cheer as the Thirsk Royal British Legion fills the air with beautiful Christmas carols. Free event with mince pies and mulled wine or hot chocolate. All welcome.
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Quiz answers
1. Japan
2. Tulips
3. 100 years old
4. Roger Moore
5. Australia
6 Woodpecker
7. Chicken
8. Japan and Iran
9. Polar Bear
10. Google (Backrub was thought to be unmarketable).
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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