Author: Doug Allan

Welcome to the 55th issue of this regular Sunday Email. As usual, do get in touch with me if you have any news or information that you think Topcliffe and Asenby residents might like to hear about.

Doug

07785 223707

The week’s Covid statistics

• The R number – which takes into account cases, hospitalisations and deaths – in England was between 0.8 and 1.0 last week.

• 33.5 million people have now had a first dose vaccination. And the number of second doses is over 12 million.

• There have been more than 4.4 million confirmed cases of Covid in the UK. The daily average number of new cases last week was 2,061.

• Over 7 million Covid tests were conducted last week.

• 132 people were admitted to hospital with Covid yesterday (1,113 in the week). Hospital admissions continue to fall week on week.

• There were 32 deaths reported in the UK yesterday. There were 159 in the seven-day period to Saturday.

• The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at over 127,400. Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have been over 151,000 deaths

registered in the UK where Covid was mentioned on the death certificate.

• Worldwide, the global death toll from Covid is almost 3.1 million people.

The Roadmap out of Lockdown

These are the current rules:

• We can meet outdoors with up to five other people from different households (that’s the Rule of 6), and two households totalling more than six people are also able to meet outdoors. We’re still not

allowed to meet others indoors.

• Outdoor sport and leisure can operate with any number of children and adults allowed to participate.

• Indoor leisure, including gyms and spas, can now open for use individually or within household groups.

• Children are allowed to attend indoor play activities, with up to 15 parents or guardians allowed to join them.

• All retail shops, as well as hairdressers, beauty salons and other ‘close contact services’ are now allowed to open.

• Restaurants and pub gardens are allowed to serve customers sitting outdoors. The requirement to order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) remains.

• Domestic holidays and overnight stays in the UK are now permitted, with self-contained accommodation able to reopen for use by members of the same household.

• Libraries, community centres, outdoor attractions, theme parks, zoos and drive-in cinemas can now reopen.

• Funerals (30 attendees), wakes, weddings and receptions (15 attendees) are able to take place.

• Rules on visits to care homes have been relaxed to allow two people indoors (children under two years of age can also visit).

• People should continue to work from home where they can.

• The advice is to minimise domestic travel…it’s a matter of personal judgment what is reasonable! International travel and holidays are still not allowed at this stage.

• We should maintain social distance, exercise hand hygiene and wear face coverings where required.

The next key set of relaxations to the restrictions will take place on 17 May. There’ll be more on the details nearer the date.

Covid no longer leading cause of death in England

Covid was not the leading cause of death in England last month for the first time since October. Office for National Statistics data shows Covid was the third leading cause of death that month, accounting for 9.2% of all fatalities registered in England. The leading cause of death in March was dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for 10.1% of all deaths registered that month.

The Covid Testing

Tests for people with symptoms

Testing sites in North Yorkshire are operated and managed by the Department of Health and Social Care/NHS and private contractors employed by them. People who don’t have access to the internet, or who have difficulty with the digital portals, can ring the 119 service to book their test. The permanent testing sites are open every day between 8am and 11:30am. The nearest permanent testing sites are:

• Harrogate – Dragon Road Car Park, Dragon Road, Harrogate, HG1 5DB (This testing centre will close on 1 June).

• Northallerton – The Forum, Bullamore Road, Northallerton, DL6 1LP

A full list of NHS Mobile testing sites can be viewed on the county council’s website at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/book-coronavirus-covid-19-test Mobile sites are open for testing from 8am to 8pm. Before you attend at either a permanent or mobile site you must book a test. Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before. If test sites are fully booked they will not appear on the government’s website. To book a test visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ Use North Yorkshire County Council’s website to request a home test – https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/home-testing

Tests if you live or work with a nursery/school/college student

If you live, work or are in a support bubble with nursery, primary or secondary school pupils or college students you should carry out lateral flow device tests at home twice a week. Testing kits can be collected from the two permanent sites listed above every day between 1pm and 8pm.

Lateral Flow Testing Kits

These tests are available to everyone – free of charge. Seen as a significant step forward, the test kits can be obtained by you and your family members to use twice a week. One in three people with Covid do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus unwittingly. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately. You can order here:

https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests?medium=email&source=GovDelivery

The Swiss Cheese Covid model

If you want to understand why simply getting your two jabs is simply not enough to stop Covid spreading take a look at this interesting presentation based on a Swiss cheese. It has been produced by the BBC’s Visual Journalism Team and it gives an easy to understand explanation as to why jabs alone will not be enough to prevent the spread of Covid and that other measures are still needed.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-40ac92b1-1750-4e86-9936-2cda6b0acb3f

Driving Tests restart

Learner drivers will be pleased that driving tests resumed last Thursday – but getting a date for the test is likely to be an ongoing problem. Apparently there have been considerable difficulties in securing a test date in most parts of the country. Tests were suspended in January due to Covid restrictions. Most centres are currently booked up until August, with a backlog of around 420,000 tests because of the pandemic. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said it was doing "all we can to provide as many tests as possible to help clear the backlog as quickly as we can". It added that it is offering an additional 2,500 car tests per month by using weekends and bank holidays. It’s also recruiting extra driving examiners across the country to deliver more tests to meet the demand.

Driving your own car in Europe

Now that we are getting closer to the day when we can go on holiday abroad, if you plan to take your own car into post-Brexit Europe there are things to start planning. You’ll need a valid driving licence, adequate insurance, a green card and a GB sticker. You might also need an international driving permit to drive in some EU countries and Norway. It’s always best to check the websites of the countries you plan to visit.

• Driving licence: You need to take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you to drive abroad.
• Insurance: All UK vehicle insurance policies provide the minimum third-party cover to drive in the EU (including Ireland), Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland. Check with your insurer to see if your policy has extra cover for things like theft or damage to your car abroad. You may also need additional insurance for your vehicle, trailer or caravan. Check the travel advice for the country or countries you are going to.
• Green Card: If you’re driving in most European countries you will need to carry a physical copy of a ‘green card’ to drive your vehicle. You can get a green card from your insurer. A green card is proof that you have vehicle insurance when driving abroad. Contact your insurer to get one for your vehicle. They’ll either post you one (allow up to 6 weeks) or tell you how to download a green card to print yourself. You will need to carry extra green cards if you’re towing a trailer or caravan (one for the towing vehicle and one for the trailer or caravan), you have two insurance policies covering your trip (one card for each policy) or if you have multi-car or fleet insurance (one for each vehicle on the policy). You must present your green card if you’re involved in an accident and you could be asked to produce one at the border when moving between countries or if you’re stopped by the police.
• GB Sticker: If your number plate includes the GB identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack), you do not need a GB sticker. But you will need to display a GB sticker clearly on the rear of your vehicle if your number plate has a Euro symbol, a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales or numbers and letters only. If you’re in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a GB sticker no matter what is on your number plate.
• International Driving Permit: You do not need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK. However, you might need an IDP to drive in some countries. Check here: https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit You can get IDPs over the counter at the Post Office for £5.50. You might need one for each country you’re visiting.

Thirsk Food Bank launches Topcliffe collection point

The Milk Churn Farm Shop is thrilled to be able to announce it is now a collection point for Thirsk Food Bank. Working in conjunction with Thirsk Rotary and Thirsk Community Works, the farm shop is now accepting donations of foodstuffs including tins, pasta, rice, biscuits, cereals, jars, crisps, juices, bottled products, soups, crisp breads, anything in packets. But please, no fresh products as there’s a risk they will go to waste.

International Dawn Chorus Day

Don’t forget that next Sunday (2 May) is International Dawn Chorus Day. The idea is that you go out into your garden, local fields or hedgerows at dawn to listen to the sounds of birds as they sing to greet the rising sun.

Bags2School

A massive thank you to everyone who donated to the Bags2School event last Friday at the Village Hall. Through your efforts 510kg of clothes and other items were recycled, raising £153 to be shared between the Village Hall and 1st Topcliffe Scout Group.

Warning for Owners of Motor Homes and Camper Vans

Police are warning motor home and campervan owners in North Yorkshire to take extra precautions after numerous reports of suspicious activity. Over the last few weeks reports have been received of ‘cold callers’ visiting homes where a motor home is parked on the drive and asking if the vehicle is for sale. The police are concerned that this activity could be linked to criminality and are urging owners to be vigilant and check the security of their vehicles. Owners are advised to double-check their security measures and watch out for suspicious people in their neighbourhood.

Some good advice:

• Use a permanent marker pen to write your vehicle identification number (VIN) in several hidden places within the camper van (eg the underside of drawers, in cupboards, and on wooden surfaces. Etch the VIN onto the windows using a diamond tipped engraver. This makes the vehicle easy to identify if it’s stolen.

• Always lock all doors and windows every time you leave your motor home or campervan. Check and lock your roof light and gas compartment as well.

• Don’t leave personal or valuable items on display inside the vehicle. Consider forensic and security marking for your personal items. In particular never leave vehicle registration documents inside the vehicle – they can help a thief to sell it on.

• Fix lock nuts or wheel clamps to the wheels. Block in your motor home or campervan behind a locked gate, or with another vehicle parked in front of it.

• Fit a tracking device and an alarm and switch this on every time you leave your vehicle – even if it’s just for a short time. Keep your keys with you at all times.

Call police on 101 to report suspicious people appearing to take an interest in motor homes, campervans or other high-value vehicles. If a crime is in progress, dial 999.

Deer Shed 2021 cancelled

There’s bad news this week for those in our two villages who have always enjoyed the popular Deer Shed Festival at Baldersby Park. The organisers have announced that they are having to postpone the festival until 2022 because they have been unable to obtain Covid cancellation insurance. But there’s also some good news! Subject to the Covid relaxations continuing as planned, there’s a back-up plan for summer 2021 as a smaller event, Base Camp Plus, will be staged. It will be along the lines as last year’s hugely successful Base Camp, but with extra bits. The idea is to create a safe camping weekend, with plenty of space, loads of camping extras including your own loo, parking next to your own pitch, bookings so that you can be close to your families and mates’ pitches. There’ll be live music and comedy performances, food, drink, partying, campfires, workshops, theatre, well-being, swingballs and anything else the organisers dream up. Find out more on the Deer Shed website at www.deershedfestival.com/dsf11postponement/

Dalton development

Lots of Topcliffe and Asenby are sufficiently concerned about the planned industrial development at Dalton that they have lodged their comments on Hambleton Council’s planning website. So far thirty individuals and the two parish councils have registered their views. That’s a fairly good number, but the villages could be even more influential if more residents added their views. It’s likely that most people will be in favour of any acceptable development that creates new jobs and gives a boost to the local economy…and that’s fine! But local campaigners are arguing for protection for our villages against increased traffic and nuisance. There are already too many HGVs travelling through Topcliffe and past Asenby and many, if not most, of these are breaking the weight restriction law. The developer says 1,000 jobs will be created. That’s 1,000 workers who will mostly drive cars and it’s likely many of these will drive through our villages each day.

Our parish councils are pressing the developer and the council for better traffic management schemes that will mitigate the damage from existing and potential traffic through to our communities. They are asking for better public transport, car share and cycle schemes, much improved sign posting and planning conditions to restrict (and enforce) routes that HGVs can take.

In early May, parish councillors have secured a meeting with the developers and then afterwards with Hambleton District Council planners to look at the responses to consultation and how to the issues raised should be addressed. So clearly to have maximum impact on what happens to the plans and to our villages there is a ‘time’ imperative to express views as soon as possible. You can add your views to the planning application at: https://planning.hambleton.gov.uk/online-applications/caseDetails.do?caseType=Application&keyVal=QO7ZETHUHHI00 Insert the reference number 21/00331/HYB in the search box. You might want to use the key points listed in the “Make sure your voice is heard” attachment to construct your comment.

Parish Council meetings

• Topcliffe Parish Council – the AGM will be held online on Thursday, 6 May 2021. Check out the website at www.topcliffe.org.uk

• Asenby Parish Council – the Annual Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on 19 May 2021 in the Village Hall. Covid safety arrangements will be in place. For more information go to www.asenby.net

May Election

The Police and Crime Commissioner election will take place next Thursday, 6 May 2021. The Village Hall will be the Polling Station in Topcliffe. Asenby residents will have to travel to Rainton Village Hall to vote.

The Village Hall Reopens…soon

The Village Hall will reopen for existing hirers (those that were hiring sessions prior to the pandemic) from Monday 17 May. New bookings for events such as parties will not be possible until 21 June. The use of the hall for polling purposes on 6 May is a special one-off booking. The Committee has been in touch with all existing hirers to check their plans for restarting their activities and to advise them about the Covid safety arrangements that will be in place when activities recommence.

St Columba’s Church

The annual meeting of the Parochial Church Council held last Monday passed uneventfully with the PCC being re-elected for another year. Chris Hewlett was also re-elected as Church Warden, with thanks being expressed for all he has done to keep the church safely open for worship as much as possible during the pandemic. Roz Norris was re-elected as Secretary and Liz Green as Treasurer, with thanks also offered for all that they do in those roles.

Services planned are:

• Today, Sunday 25 April, 10.45am – Holy Communion – This will be Reverend Terry Dyer’s last service at St Columba’s.

• Sunday, 2 May, 6.30pm – Choral Evensong

• Sunday, 9 May, 10.45am – Holy Communion (Communion will be led from this service onwards by a variety of visiting priests).

• Sunday, 16 May, 10.45am – Sung Matins

• Sunday, 23 May, 10.45am – Holy Communion

• Sunday 30 May – As is usual, there will be no service on the fifth Sunday of the month.

The PCC continually assesses the Covid risks and it operates a ‘track and trace’ arrangement. All the usual precautions apply – please bring a face covering with you – and we will provide hand sanitiser for use before and after each service. Most importantly, for everyone’s sake, if you have any suspicion you might have contracted Covid, please don’t join us on that particular occasion.

Local Traders

• Topcliffe Post Office – Opening hours are: Shop – weekdays 7am to 5pm and Saturday 7 to 11.30am. Post Office – weekdays 8.30am to 5pm and Saturday 8.30 to 11.30am. Both closed on Sundays.

• Chip ‘n Dales – The Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.

• Studio 18 Hairstylist – unisex hairdressing salon run by Nicola James at 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery). Open Monday to Saturday. Male and female adults as well as children. Only one customer at a time can be in the salon so business will be a little slower than normal. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.

• The Elm Gallery – the gallery is now back to its normal opening times: Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm; Sunday, 12noon to 5.30pm; Monday and Tuesday – closed. Two people or two households are allowed in the gallery at the same time, keeping a safe distance from each other. If the gallery already has two lots of people in, a sign at the door will ask newly arriving customers to wait until someone exits. Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920 or check out the website at: www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk

• The Milk Churn Farm Shop – Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9-5pm. Thursday and Saturday 9-1pm. The shop is operating on the basis of two customers in the shop at any one time. There are many new lines in fresh and frozen foods. Takeaway teas and coffees with cake have resumed. Why not enjoy a walk and call in for a freshly made hot chocolate or other hot drinks…or for an ice cream? Or order in advance on 01845 400446. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ Thirsk Food Bank is collecting food at the Farm Shop and there’s a box into which your donations can be placed.

• The Swan – now open for drinks and food in an outdoor setting. There’s a reduced menu available and the take-away service is again on offer.

• John Aston Flooring Ltd – this new flooring centre based in Asenby is operating from a unit at The Old Hatchery in Asenby. The unit has a large selection of carpets and flooring to suit all tastes. Viewing is by appointment only. 01845 421111 – info

• The Angel at Topcliffe – The Angel’s garden is now taking bookings for outdoor dining and drinking. Tables are available for up to six people and there are marquees over each table to protect customers from inclement weather. Don’t forget your coat or your blanket. Garden dining will see a limited food menu including burgers, skewers, steak pies etc as well as lunchtime sandwiches, sharers and daily specials. Temporary openings times are: Wednesday – Thursday 12 noon – 9pm (food served 12 noon – 2.30pm and 5 – 8pm); Friday 12 noon – 10.30pm (food served 12 noon – 2.30pm and 5 – 8pm); Saturday 12 noon to 10.30pm (food served 12 noon – 8pm); Sunday 12 noon – 9pm (food served 12 noon – 7pm). Closed Mondays and Tuesdays until 16 May. The regular ‘Dine at Home’ takeaway service menu has been changed. It’s also on The Angel’s website. Take away times are Wednesday to Saturday, 4.30-8pm, with orders taken from 3.30pm, and Sundays 12-6pm, with orders taken from 11am. Call 01845 578000 to place an order or book a time slot in advance (phones are only monitored Wednesday to Saturday 3.30-8pm and 11am-6pm on Sundays). Check out the details at www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow The Angel on Facebook to get regular updates.

Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Refuse – Mondays 26 April and 10 and 24 May.

• Recycling & green waste – Friday 7 (one day later than usual) and Thursday 20 May

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Recycling – Mondays 26 April and 10 and 24 May

• Refuse – Tuesday 4 May (one day later than usual) and Monday 17 May

• Garden waste – Friday 7 May (one day later than normal) and Thursday 20 May

That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.

Make sure your voice is heard.docx

Welcome to the 54th issue of this regular Sunday Email. As usual, do get in touch with me if you have any news or information that you think Topcliffe and Asenby residents might like to hear about.

Doug

07785 223707

The week’s Covid statistics

• The R number – which takes into account cases, hospitalisations and deaths – was between 0.7 and 0.9 last week.

• 32.6 million people have now had a first dose vaccination. And the number of second doses is nearly 9.5 million.

• There have been more than 4.38 million confirmed cases of Covid in the UK. Yesterday 2,206 cases were confirmed (17,735 in seven days).

• Over 6 million Covid tests were conducted last week. That’s nearly a million each day.

• 221 people were admitted to hospital with Covid yesterday (1,409 in the week).

• There were 35 deaths reported in the UK yesterday. There were 180 in the seven-day period to Saturday.

• The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at over 127,260. Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have been 151,000 deaths

registered in the UK where Covid was mentioned on the death certificate.

• Worldwide, the global death toll from Covid has topped 3 million people amid repeated setbacks to vaccination campaigns and a deepening crisis in places such as Brazil, India and France.

The Roadmap out of Lockdown

Currently we are able to meet outdoors with up to five other people from different households (that’s the Rule of 6), and two households totalling more than six people are also able to meet outdoors. We’re still not allowed to meet others indoors. Outdoor sport and leisure can operate with any number of children and adults allowed to participate. At all times the advice is that we maintain social distance, exercise hand hygiene and wear face coverings where required.

Last Monday (12 April) the following additional relaxations came into force:

• All retail shops, as well as hairdressers, beauty salons and other ‘close contact services’ are now allowed to open.

• Indoor leisure, including gyms and spas, can now open for use individually or within household groups.

• Restaurants and pub gardens are allowed to serve customers sitting outdoors. The requirement to order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) remain.

• Domestic holidays and overnight stays in the UK are now permitted, with self-contained accommodation able to reopen for use by members of the same household.

• Children are allowed to attend indoor play activities, with up to 15 parents or guardians allowed to join them.

• Libraries, community centres, outdoor attractions, theme parks, zoos and drive-in cinemas can now reopen.

• Funerals (30 attendees), wakes, weddings and receptions (15 attendees) are able to take place.

• Rules on visits to care homes have been relaxed to allow two people indoors (children under two years of age can also visit).

• People should continue to work from home where they can.

• The advice is to minimise domestic travel…it’s a matter of personal judgment what is reasonable! International travel and holidays are still not allowed at this stage.

The next key date for implementation of the roadmap out of lockdown is 17 May. There’ll be more on the details nearer the date.

New Variants of Concern

New Covid variants appear are an increasing worry, with the latest figures showing a doubling in cases of the South African mutation in the UK in the last month. Data from Public Health England reveals that there are now 600 cases of the South African variant in the UK – up from around 300 a month ago. Officials have embarked on the largest surge testing programme to date amid concern that a number of the infections in London involve people who had already been vaccinated.

Meanwhile, 77 cases of a separate variant from India – which it is also feared may resist vaccines – have now been found in the UK. Health officials said these were geographically well spread, meaning surge testing would not be used in an attempt to contain the mutation. Scientists are worried about the arrival of the new Indian variant as it has a double mutation in the spike protein that may make it more able to evade the body’s immune responses. It currently has the label of ‘variant under investigation’ but could be designated a ‘variant of concern’ if it is found to be more infectious or resistant to vaccines.

Message to North Yorkshire Residents (from Richard Flinton, CEO North Yorkshire County Council)

This week has been a critical one in the government’s roadmap out of the pandemic. Last Monday, we saw the easement of some restrictions allowing the reopening of outdoor hospitality, more shops, gyms, hairdressers and beauty therapy businesses and so on. As a result, our communities and high streets have blossomed in the spring sunshine. It is heart-warming and so welcome to see communities becoming lively and vibrant again – there is a sense of relief and excitement that we have managed to get to this point. It’s an achievement you should all be extremely proud of. Your collective efforts over an extended and most challenging period of time have delivered us some of those freedoms we have missed. We can now enjoy the company of others in more outdoors places and shop safely in our high streets. Every day sees more progress in the steps towards recovery and we must continue to nurture this delicate balance. The virus has not gone, but you have played your part in suppressing it. So, to everyone who has stuck to the rules, taken up the offer of a vaccination and supported their local businesses during the three lockdowns – North Yorkshire thanks you and your selfless team spirit.

The Covid transmission rates in North Yorkshire are, overall, below the England average and the lowest we have seen for six months. However, they remain higher than we saw here last summer. To keep us on the right path, this coming week the county council will launch a campaign across North Yorkshire called ‘Unlock Summer’. We hope you will support this as an individual, a business, a school, organisation or community. Because by following the messages, which come straight from our Director of Public Health, that is exactly what we hope to do together – ‘Unlock Summer’. By working together to unlock the next steps we will help avoid a third wave of coronavirus and keep those hard-earned freedoms. So please look out for the ‘Unlock Summer’ messages in our high streets and retail centres, listen out for the radio adverts, which are voiced by local people from across North Yorkshire, help to share the posts across your social media feeds. Most of all, please stick to the hands, face, space and let fresh air in rules.

Holidays abroad

At the moment, foreign holidays are banned, and returning travellers have to quarantine on arrival. According to the roadmap, holidays abroad will be allowed from 17 May, as long as there is no significant setback in the UK Covid statistics or problems in holiday destinations. The plan is that when international travel resumes, countries will be ranked by the Covid risk they pose – in a traffic light system. Details of where countries will be placed in the new traffic light system are not expected until early May. For England, destination countries will be in one of three categories:

• Green: Passengers will not need to quarantine on return, but must take a pre-departure test, as well as a PCR test on return to the UK.
• Amber: Travellers will need to quarantine for 10 days, as well as taking a pre-departure test and two PCR tests.
• Red: Passengers will have to pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests.

About 40 countries are on the current "red list". It is anticipated the new ratings will be based on vaccinations, infection rate, how common Covid variants of concern are and testing and sequencing capacity.

There will also be a ‘green watchlist’, to give people notice if a country is about to move to amber, or red.

Consumer group Which? estimates that each PCR test – which is just one of the tests needed and which travellers themselves will have to pay for – could cost about £120 per person.

Progress with vaccination programme

More than 32.6 million people have now received a first dose of a vaccine and 9.5 million people have had a second jab. Phase two of the priority programme – groups 10 to 12 – covers all adults aged between 18 and 49. Last week, all over 45s were invited to make an appointment for their first jab. It’s still intended that everyone over 18 will be offered a first dose by the end of July. Before then most people in phase one will have been called for that all-important second dose.

More than 247,000 people in North Yorkshire have had a first dose and 57,000 have received a second one. But 35,000 people who have been offered a dose failed to take it up. If you are one of them, please seek advice from the local NHS teams. If you know someone who is reluctant to be vaccinated, please tell them that there is advice and support available and try to persuade them to seek it out.

Booster jabs are likely

It’s now becoming clear that we’ll all need booster jabs later this year…and probably every year thereafter. This week the Pfizer vaccine boss Albert Bourla said that people will likely require booster shots within 12 months of getting fully vaccinated. He said it will be important to suppress the pool of people that can be susceptible to the virus and battling contagious variants that develop. The thinking is that Covid infections probably won’t ever disappear, so vaccine manufacturers have been hard at work developing boosters to combat new variants or provide protection once immunity to existing shots wears out. Updated results from late-stage trials showed that people who received the Pfizer vaccine still had immunity to the virus at least six months after getting their shots. Moderna’s vaccine has also proved to be highly protective after six months, but researchers still aren’t sure exactly how long this immunity will last. Many experts suspect vaccines will become a yearly routine, similar to flu shots.

Of particular concern is how vaccines respond to the South African variant. Research suggests that shots from Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca are all significantly less effective against the variant — but those studies looked at only immune protection from antibodies. A new study indicates that T cells — a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in our immune systems — can also recognise variants, including those that partially evade vaccine-induced antibodies. Both Pfizer and Moderna are developing and testing booster shots to protect against the South African variant and it’s hoped that by the summer these new vaccines will be authorised for use. An updated version of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be available for the autumn. Nadhim Zahawi, the minister leading the UK’s vaccine rollout said that vaccinated people would likely need to return to clinics for another jab in late 2021.

The Covid Testing

Tests for people with symptoms

Testing sites in North Yorkshire are operated and managed by the Department of Health and Social Care/NHS and private contractors employed by them. People who don’t have access to the internet, or who have difficulty with the digital portals, can ring the 119 service to book their test. The permanent testing sites are open every day for between 8am and 11:30am. The nearest permanent testing sites are:

• Harrogate – Dragon Road Car Park, Dragon Road, Harrogate, HG1 5DB (Interestingly, this coronavirus testing centre will close on 1 June).

• Northallerton – The Forum, Bullamore Road, Northallerton, DL6 1LP

A full list of NHS Mobile testing sites can be viewed on the county council’s website at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/book-coronavirus-covid-19-test Mobile sites are open for testing from 8am to 8pm. Before you attend at either a permanent or mobile site you must book a test. Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before. If test sites are fully booked they will not appear on the government’s website. To book a test visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ Use North Yorkshire County Council’s website to request a home test – https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/home-testing

Tests if you live or work with a nursery/school/college student

If you live, work or are in a support bubble with nursery, primary or secondary school pupils or college students you should carry out lateral flow device tests at home twice a week. Testing kits can be collected from the two permanent sites listed above every day between 1pm and 8pm.

Lateral Flow Testing Kits now available to everyone – free of charge

Everyone is now able to access free, regular, rapid coronavirus testing. Seen as a significant step forward, the test kits can be obtained you and your family members to use twice a week. Rapid testing has so far been available to those most at risk and people who need to leave home for work, including frontline NHS workers, care home staff and residents, and schoolchildren and their families. Now testing is available to everyone, we are encouraged to take regular tests to help prevent outbreaks and reclaim a more normal way of life. One in three people with Covid do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus unwittingly. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately. Since rapid testing was introduced, over 120,000 positive cases that would not have been found otherwise have been identified. By making rapid tests available to everyone, more cases will be detected, breaking chains of transmission and saving lives.

International Dawn Chorus Day

This year’s International Dawn Chorus Day is on Sunday, 2 May. This is the perfect opportunity for nature lovers to gather at dawn to listen to the sounds of birds as they sing to greet the rising sun .Already many migrant birds have arrived back on our shores and in our gardens, hedgerows and woodlands and the early morning air is already filling up with a glorious chorus of cheeps, peeps and trills. Many birds are also singing right through the day, and if you’re out for a walk, you may have heard a few new notes mixed in with the familiar blackbirds and song thrushes. The first swallow of the year was seen in Essex on 30 March. That’s quite early, but due to climate change, apparently swallows are now arriving around 15 days earlier than they did in the 1950s.

Bird feeders are back!

Bird lovers and especially those who walk across up Winn Lane and across the A168 bridge, will be pleased to hear that the bird feeders have been replaced following the wanton destruction of previous feeders by some local idiots. Malc and Karen Morley have fixed those that could be salvaged and purchased a few new ones. They even report that someone who wished to remain anonymous has put a fiver through their letterbox to help meet the cost of replacements. Well done, whoever you are.

Textile recycling event in Topcliffe

This is the last call for donations to the Bags2School recycling event being held next Friday 23 April outside the Village Hall in Topcliffe. The organisers are hoping that villagers have started their spring clean and have sorted out lots of textiles to donate. If you’re sorting out your cupboards and wardrobes, please bag your unwanted items and bring them to the Village Hall between 8.30am and 12 noon. The proceeds of the event will be shared between the Village Hall and 1st Topcliffe Scout Group.

The following items are welcomed: men’s, ladies and children’s clothing – paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) – handbags – hats – bags – scarves and ties – jewellery – lingerie – socks – belts – soft toys – household linen – household curtains – household towels – household bedding (bed sheets, pillow-cases and duvet covers). We are unable to accept duvets and blankets, pillows and cushions, carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats), soiled, painted, ripped or wet clothing, school uniforms, corporate clothing and workwear or textile off cuts or yarns.

There’s still time to submit views on the proposed Dalton development

There’s a growing concern among residents of Topcliffe and Asenby about the impacts that planned major commercial development on the Dalton Industrial Estate is likely to have on our communities. So far over 20 individuals, as well as the two parish councils, have submitted comments to Hambleton District Council, which will decide on the proposed plans.

Last week it was reported that the District Council has extended the consultation period giving more villagers an opportunity to have their say. And having your say is extremely important. It’s no good complaining in the future that traffic on our streets has increased and our children, elderly relatives and even our pets face danger from being knocked over and injured as they cross the roads, if we don’t shout out loud to protect our villages now. The authorities have suggested that they need to see evidence that a sufficient number of residents are concerned, so it is extremely important that as many of us as possible express a view.

It’s likely that most people will be in favour of any acceptable development that creates new jobs and gives a boost to the local economy. But developments must only proceed if every action possible is taken to protect our villages from increased traffic and nuisance. There’s already a high level of traffic, including too many HGVs , travelling through Topcliffe and past Asenby. New developments inevitably bring more cars and many more commercial vehicles so, if development plans are approved, they must be accompanied by enforceable safeguards. The developer estimates that the proposed Dalton site will attract 1,000 new jobs. They suggest that most employees will drive to work and that 35% of car journeys to and from the new site will be through Topcliffe village. That forecast means that 700 more car journeys a day will be made through Topcliffe, at all hours of the day and night. That’s the equivalent of an extra car coming through the village every two minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. But in reality they will come in ‘rush periods’ when shift changes happen, making our roads much more treacherous than they already are.

That’s hardly the sort of environment we want locally. So it’s up to us to make our voices heard. Our parish councils are pressing for better schemes from the developer and the planners which will minimise the cars and mitigate the potential damage to our communities. They are asking for better public transport, car share and cycle schemes, much improved signposting and planning conditions to restrict and enforce local traffic only schemes in Topcliffe. If you object to more HGVs, cars, noise and smells polluting our villages please take action now in support of your parish councils. The sooner people respond the better chance we have of influencing the developer to change the plans to reflect our concerns.

You can add your views to the planning application at: https://planning.hambleton.gov.uk/online-applications/caseDetails.do?caseType=Application&keyVal=QO7ZETHUHHI00 This link will take you straight to the planning application. The reference number is 21/00331/HYB, which can be inserted in the search box. To help you construct your comment you’ll find key points listed in the attachment. It’s always best to write in your own words, but use the pointers as a checklist.

Parish Council meetings

• Topcliffe Parish Council – the AGM will be on Thursday 6 May 2021 and it will also be online. Check out the website at www.topcliffe.org.uk

• Asenby Parish Council – the Annual Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on 19 May 2021. Check out details on www.asenby.net Details of the venue will be announced in due course.

May Election

The Police and Crime Commissioner election will take place on 6 May 2021. The Village Hall will be the Polling Station in Topcliffe. Asenby residents will have to travel to Rainton Village Hall to vote.

The Village Hall

It has been decided that the Village Hall will reopen for existing hirers (those that were hiring sessions prior to the pandemic) from Monday 17 May. New bookings for events such as parties will not be possible until 21 June. The use of the hall for polling purposes on 6 May is a special one-off booking.

St Columba’s services

The commemoration service held on Friday evening went very well with the church almost as full as restrictions would allow. The congregation heard a truly wonderful sermon on the life and times of Prince Philip from Canon Punshon.

Services planned are:

• Sunday, 18 April, 10.45am – Sung Matins

• Sunday, 25 April, 10.45am – Holy Communion – This will be the Reverend Terry Dyer’s last service at St Columba’s as he looks to reduce his Sunday commitments. The PCC offers its heartfelt thanks for all

the support he has given St Columba’s over the past year whilst the parish has been without its own vicar.

• Sunday, 2 May, 6.30pm – Choral Evensong

• Sunday, 9 May, 10.45am – Holy Communion (Communion will be led from this service onwards by a variety of visiting priests).

• Sunday, 16 May, 10.45am – Sung Matins

• Sunday, 23 May, 10.45am – Holy Communion

• Sunday 30 May – No Service

The PCC continually assesses the Covid risks and it operates a ‘track and trace’ arrangement. All the usual precautions apply – please bring a face covering with you – and we will provide hand sanitiser for use before and after each service. Most importantly, for everyone’s sake, if you have any suspicion you might have contracted Covid, please don’t join us on that particular occasion.

Plans for St Columba’s Heritage Weekend on 12 and 13 June are still to be confirmed.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)

On Monday 19 May at 7.30pm the Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be held in St Columba’s church. There’ll be reports on the past year and election of Church Warden(s). It is open to all on the local church or civil electoral rolls, so please feel free to pop along. There is also a Parochial Church Council meeting at 6pm immediately preceding the APCM which should not delay the start of the latter, but apologies in advance should it run longer than expected.

Local Traders

• Topcliffe Post Office – Opening hours are: Shop – weekdays 7am to 5pm and Saturday 7 to 11.30am. Post Office – weekdays 8.30am to 5pm and Saturday 8.30 to 11.30am. Both closed on Sundays.

• Chip ‘n Dales – The Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.

• Studio 18 Hairstylist – unisex hairdressing salon run by Nicola James from a well- equipped unit at the rear of 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery) opens Monday to Saturday. Male and female adults as

well as children. Initially only one customer at a time can be in the salon so business will be a little slower than normal. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.

• The Elm Gallery – the gallery has been open every day for the past week and Liz and Dave have really enjoyed seeing both new and old customers. The gallery is now going back to its normal opening times: Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm; Sunday, 12noon to 5.30pm; Monday and Tuesday – closed.

Two people or two households are allowed in the gallery at the same time, keeping a safe distance from each other. If the gallery already has two lots of people in, a sign at the door will ask newly arriving customers to wait until someone exits. Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920 or check out the website at:

www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk

• The Milk Churn Farm Shop – OpenMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9-5pm. Thursday and Saturday 9-1pm. The shop is operating on the basis of two customers in the shop at any one time.

There are many new lines in fresh and frozen foods. Takeaway teas and coffees with cake have resumed. Why not enjoy a walk and call in for a freshly made hot chocolate or other hot drinks…or for an ice

cream? Or order in advance on 01845 400446. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ Thirsk Food Bank is now collecting food and there’s a box at the Farm Shop into which your donations can be

placed.

• The Swan – now open for drinks and food in an outdoor setting. There’s a reduced menu available and the take-away service is again on offer.

• John Aston Flooring Ltd – this new flooring centre based in Asenby has been operating for just one week from a unit at The Old Hatchery in Asenby. The unit has a large selection of carpets and

flooring to suit all tastes. Viewing is by appointment only. 01845 421111 – info

• The Angel at Topcliffe – The Angel’s garden is now taking bookings for outdoor dining and drinking. Tables are available for up to six people and there are marquees over each table to protect customers from inclement weather. Don’t forget your coat or your blanket. Garden dining will see a limited food menu including burgers, skewers, steak pies etc as well as lunchtime sandwiches, sharers and daily specials. Temporary openings times are: Wednesday – Thursday 12 noon – 9pm (food served 12 noon – 2.30pm and 5 – 8pm); Friday 12 noon – 10.30pm (food served 12 noon – 2.30pm and 5 – 8pm); Saturday 12 noon to 10.30pm (food served 12 noon – 8pm); Sunday 12 noon – 9pm (food served 12 noon – 7pm). Closed Mondays and Tuesdays until 16 May. The regular ‘Dine at Home’ takeaway service menu has been changed. It’s also on The Angel’s website. Take away times are Wednesday to Saturday, 4.30-8pm, with orders taken from 3.30pm, and Sundays 12-6pm, with orders taken from 11am. Call 01845 578000 to place an order or book a time slot in advance (phones are only monitored Wednesday to Saturday 3.30-8pm and 11am-6pm on Sundays). Check out the details at www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow The Angel on Facebook to get regular updates.

Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Recycling & green waste – Thursday 22 April.

• Refuse – Monday 26 April.

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Refuse – Monday 19 April.

• Garden waste – Thursday 22 April.

• Recycling – Monday 26 April.

That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.

Welcome to the 53rd issue of this regular Sunday email. As usual, do get in touch with me if you have any news or information that you think Topcliffe and Asenby residents might like to hear about.

Doug

07785 223707

The week’s Covid statistics

• The R number – which takes into account cases, hospitalisations and deaths – remains between 0.7 and 0.8.

• Over 32 million people have now had a first dose vaccination. And the number of second doses is 7 million. On Friday the largest number of second doses was administered – 450,135 jabs.

• There have been more than 4.37 million confirmed cases of Covid in the UK. Yesterday 2,589 cases were confirmed (18,970 in seven days).

• Over 5 million Covid tests were conducted last week. That’s two million down on the week before.

• 221 people were admitted to hospital yesterday (1,606 in the week). The number of Covid patients in hospital dropped again, week on week, to a new low of 3,124 (3,536 last week).

• Yesterday 40 UK deaths were reported. There were 254 in the seven-day period to Saturday (that’s the same number as the week before).

• The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at over 127,080. Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have been 150,000 deaths

registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. Worldwide, the number of deaths now exceeds 2.9 million.

The Roadmap out of Lockdown

Currently we are able to meet outdoors with up to five other people from different households, and two households totalling more than six people are also now able to meet outdoors. We’re still not allowed to meet others indoors. Outdoor sport and leisure facilities have reopened, with any number of children and adults allowed to participate. Formally organised outdoor parent and child groups with up to 15 parents have again started to operate. We are advised to continue to minimise travel – it’s up to our own judgement what is reasonable. And there’s definitely no holidays yet. At all times the advice is that we maintain social distance, exercise hand hygiene and wear face coverings where required. On 12 April the following relaxations come into force:

• All retail shops, as well as hairdressers, beauty salons and other ‘close contact services’ will be allowed to open.

• Indoor leisure, including gyms and spas, can reopen for use individually or within household groups.

• Restaurants and pub gardens will be allowed to serve customers sitting outdoors. The requirement to order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) will remain.

• Domestic holidays and overnight stays in the UK will be permitted, with self-contained accommodation able to reopen for use by members of the same household.

• Children allowed to attend indoor play activities, with up to 15 parents or guardians allowed to join them.

• Libraries, community centres, outdoor attractions, theme parks, zoos and drive-in cinemas can reopen.

• Funerals (30 attendees), wakes, weddings and receptions (15 attendees) will be able to take place.

• Rules on visits to care homes will be relaxed to allow two people indoors (children under two years of age can also visit).

The ‘rule of 6’ or two households mixing outdoors will still apply… and still no household mixing indoors. People should continue to work from home where they can and the advice is to minimise domestic travel. International holidays are still not allowed at this stage.

Covid passport controversy

Controversy over vaccine passports burst into the open last week after an official government paper confirmed that they are ‘likely to become a feature of our lives’ and made clear that a national scheme is being drawn up for their possible use to access nightclubs, theatres, festivals and sporting events, as well as international travel after the end of lockdown on 21 June. The document indicated that passports might be optional for pubs and restaurants but ruled out asking people to prove their Covid status to use public transport or enter “essential’ retail premises. But it did not spell out exactly which shops would be exempt and later it became clear that Downing Street is considering making them mandatory for clothes shoppers. That caused anguish among the industry and many MPs. Trials of vaccine passports and other Covid security measures are to be carried out at clubs, cinemas and sports events over the coming weeks, culminating in a bid to allow 20,000 football fans into Wembley for the FA Cup Final on 15 May and a full house at The Snooker World Championships in Sheffield on 3 May. No final decision on whether to go ahead is expected before these pilots are complete, with the crucial vote likely to come as late as June.

Progress with vaccination programme

• Over 32 million people have now received a first dose of a vaccine and 7 million people have had a second jab. Phase two of the priority programme – groups 10 to 12 – covers all adults aged between 18 and 49 and it’s still intended they will be offered a first dose by the end of July. Before then most people in phase one will have been called for that all-important second dose.
• It was always known that the vaccination programme would slow down in April, but over the Easter holidays the reduction in numbers was much greater than anyone anticipated. On Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday the lowest daily rate of jabs were given since the start of the programme in January. Things have picked up again since then.
• The vaccination programme has prevented the deaths of some 10,400 older people in England since it began, new analysis suggests. According to its estimates, 9,100 deaths were prevented in those aged 80 and over, 1,200 were avoided in those aged 70 to 79, and 100 lives were saved in those aged 60 to 69.
• A trial of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine on children has been paused while a rare link with blood clots is investigated. Regulators are carrying out a review into reports that a very small number of recently-immunised people suffered an extremely rare form of blood clot, called a cerebral sinus vein thrombosis (CSVT). Seven people who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK have died from unusual blood clots – though a total of 18.1 million doses of the jab were administered up to and including 24 March. Experts continue to state that the benefits of the jab far outweigh the risks One expert said: “It’s not so much about looking at the absolute risk, it’s weighing up the risk and benefit. In the context of a pandemic – you’ve got to be clear the vaccine is going to reduce the chances of you becoming sick."
• There’s now a third vaccine being administered in the UK. Last week the first dose of the Moderna vaccine was given in Wales and it will now be available throughout the UK. A total of 17 million doses of Moderna have been ordered by the government.
• Here’s an odd snippet spotted the other day: the Knaresborough vaccine centre had 210 ‘no shows’ over two days. That is a truly terrible situation and if that level of no shows is repeated at other centres, that’s an appalling waste of appointments and NHS time. We have to hope that the authorities are tackling the problem.

International travel still up in the air

An interim review into the restart of international travel concluded that for the moment people should not book summer holidays abroad yet, but instead wait until the picture is clearer. Given the state of the pandemic abroad, and the progress of vaccination programmes in other countries, our government is not yet in a position to confirm that non-essential international travel can resume from 17 May, the date pencilled in the roadmap. Taking into account the latest situation with variants and the evidence about the efficacy of vaccines against them, Ministers appear unwilling to confirm in advance whether non-essential international travel can resume as initially planned, or whether there’ll be more delay before the outbound travel restriction is lifted. At last Monday’s press conference it was confirmed that the UK ban on international travel, when lifted, will be replaced with a traffic light system that designates countries either green, amber, or red. While returnees from red and amber countries will need to comply with quarantine rules, those arriving from green countries will be able to avoid a period of self-isolation if they pay for coronavirus tests. The plan has raised concerns that the cost of holidaying will sky-rocket unless away is found to make the tests affordable. Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said he will be looking at why these tests cost so much in the UK compared with other countries. He added that the ‘colour’ of countries in the traffic light system will be announced early May.

The Covid Testing

Lateral Flow Tests

Anyone, even those without symptoms, are now able to take a free rapid lateral flow test twice a week. Test kits are available from various designated sites and pharmacies or through a home ordering service. If someone returns a positive test, they will need to take a more accurate PCR test.

Tests for people with symptoms

Testing sites in North Yorkshire are operated and managed by the Department of Health and Social Care/NHS and private contractors employed by them. People who don’t have access to the internet, or who have difficulty with the digital portals, can ring the 119 service to book their test. The permanent testing sites are open every day for between 8am and 11:30am. The nearest permanent testing sites are:

• Harrogate – Dragon Road Car Park, Dragon Road, Harrogate, HG1 5DB (Interestingly, this coronavirus testing centre will close on 1 June).

• Northallerton – The Forum, Bullamore Road, Northallerton, DL6 1LP

A full list of NHS Mobile testing sites can be viewed on the county council’s website at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/book-coronavirus-covid-19-test Mobile sites are open for testing from 8am to 8pm. Before you attend at either a permanent or mobile site you must book a test. Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before. If test sites are fully booked they will not appear on the government’s website. To book a test visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ Use North Yorkshire County Council’s website to request a home test – https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/home-testing

Tests if you live or work with a nursery/school/college student

If you live, work or are in a support bubble with nursery, primary or secondary school pupils or college students you should carry out lateral flow device tests at home twice a week. Testing kits can be collected from the two permanent sites listed above every day between 1pm and 8pm.

His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh

Funeral preparations are under way for Prince Philip who died on Friday aged 99. The ceremonial royal funeral will be held at St George’s Chapel, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, at 3pm on Saturday, 17 April. The event will be televised. The duke will have a ceremonial funeral, rather than a state funeral. There is a subtle difference – state funerals are usually reserved for monarchs, although wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill was given a state funeral. Regardless of protocol, Prince Philip asked for minimum fuss and indicated he did not want to lie in state.

St Columba’s Church

The church will be open for private reflection and the lighting on candles from 2pm to 6.30pm today (Sunday). Everyone is very welcome to come along. There will be stewards to direct as necessary. As always covid rules apply. Plans are afoot to hold a special service of Choral Evensong in memory of Prince Philip next Friday, 16 April (on the Eve of his funeral) at 6.30pm. There’ll be an extra email distributed later this week to confirm details. (See service details in later entry).

Books of Remembrance

Because of the continuing covid restrictions, St Columba’s will be not have a book of condolence to sign. However, the Church of England has an online book of condolence at https://www.churchofengland.org/remembering-his-royal-highness-prince-philip In addition, you add a message of condolence on this Royal site https://www.royal.uk/condolence A selection of messages will be passed onto members of the Royal Family, and may be held in the Royal Archives for posterity.

Asenby Bus Stop Library

Heather and David Allon have expressed their thanks to all of those who have given support to the Bus Stop Library over the last year or so. Although local libraries will be opening this month it is intended to continue with the Bus Stop Library for as long as residents continue to use it.

Bird Feeders of Topcliffe

Last year in one of these Sunday Emails it was mentioned that Malc and Karen Morley had set up bird feeders at several points across the bridge along Winn Lane. They took care of the feeders, filled them every day and were pleased that they were attracting all sorts of interesting birds. What a great story. Problem is that this week the news is that someone has destroyed the bird feeders. Karen and Malc are obviously very upset that somebody could smash the feeders and deprive villagers out on their walks from enjoying the birdlife. And of course, the birds have been deprived of their daily meals too…at least until the feeders are replaced. Why anyone would do this is a complete mystery and if anyone involved has a conscience, they may want to tell the police who did it.

And vandalism at the Playing Field

Whilst we are on the subject of vandalism, somebody must know who is systematically destroying the roof of the climbing frame/play equipment on the playing field. The equipment is being torn apart bit by bit and before long it will be unsuitable for use by local children. Could people please keep an eye out for any wanton vandalism? It’s the minority who are trying to spoil things for everyone else.

Bags2School textile recycling

The next Bags2School recycling event will be held outside the Village Hall on Front Street, Topcliffe on Friday 23 April. The organisers are hoping that villagers have started their spring clean and have sorted out lots of textiles to donate. If you’re sorting out your cupboards and wardrobes, please bag your unwanted items and bring the Village Hall a week Friday between 8.30am and 12 noon. The proceeds of the event will be shared between the Village Hall and Scouts’ Association.

The following items are welcomed: men’s, ladies and children’s clothing – paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) – handbags – hats – bags – scarves and ties – jewellery – lingerie – socks – belts – soft toys – household linen – household curtains – household towels – household bedding (bed sheets, pillow-cases and duvet covers). We are unable to accept duvets and blankets, pillows and cushions, carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats), soiled, painted, ripped or wet clothing, school uniforms, corporate clothing and workwear or textile off cuts or yarns.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance benefits from coffee and crepes

Dozens of people enjoyed coffee and crepes from Van Chaud (Hot Van) on Bank Holiday Monday, raising over £400 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Jen Gould, who lives at The Granary on the Topcliffe Mill site is launching a new catering business from her classic 1969 Citroen van and she served coffee and crepes to anyone passing by. It was a bit of a test run for Jen, her partner Andy and daughters Issy and Lucy, before launching out to cater at private functions, garden parties, local markets and festivals. But throughout the afternoon lots of people ambled by and stopped for refreshments…and in so doing giving the catering team some excellent practice and experience, as well as raising much-needed funding for the Air Ambulance.

Easter Trail a great success

The Easter egg trail through Topcliffe and Asenby was an enormous success with dozens of families looking for eggs over the Easter break. A big thank you to The Milk Churn Farm Shop for organising the distribution and collection of forms. The event raised £85 for The Friends of Topcliffe School. The winner of the Easter Bunny Chocolate hamper was Natalie Henfrey.

Planning deadline extended…local views on traffic just might be getting through!

The consultation on the major Dalton industrial development, which was initially due to end last Friday, has now been extended until for a few weeks. It’s apparent that the council understands the importance of this application and its potential impacts on our two villages. So far over 20 residents have added their comments to the planning application, indicating that there is significant concern locally. Now there is time for more residents to have their say. It is extremely important that as many as possible let the authorities know that developments should only proceed if every action possible is taken to protect our villages from increased traffic and nuisance. We all live with very high levels of traffic, including too many HGVs which are breaking existing weight restrictions and damaging the conservation area in Topcliffe. New developments bring more cars and many more commercial vehicles so, if development plans are approved, they must be accompanied by enforceable safeguards. If you object to more HGVs, cars, noise and smells polluting our villages please take action now.

Please have your say on this major planning application as soon as possible. Unless villagers act now to have the application changed, or planning conditions applied, we will experience many more heavy lorries, hundreds of extra cars each day, and noise, light and odour pollution in our villages. The greater the number of people that respond, the more impact we will have. If we stay silent it will be too late. The sooner people respond the better chance of getting influencing the developer to change the plans. Please take some time over the next few days to respond to the consultation and comment on the plan. You can add your views to the planning application at: https://planning.hambleton.gov.uk/online-applications/caseDetails.do?caseType=Application&keyVal=QO7ZETHUHHI00 This link will take you straight to the planning application. But if for any reason it does not work for you, simply Google Hambleton Council’s website, look for ‘Planning’ and ‘Applications’, and follow the instructions on how to find an individual application. The reference number is 21/00331/HYB, which can be inserted in the search box. To help you construct your comment you’ll find key points listed in the attachment. It’s always best to write in your own words, but use the pointers as a checklist.

A little bit of good news

Last week there was some indication that our concerns about the Dalton development may have struck a chord with the developer. Having noted local concerns about a possible increase in HGV movements through Topcliffe and Asenby, and the impact this would have on the villages and communities, the developer’s agents Johnson Mowatt checked existing directional signage on the local road network and concluded that there are elements of possible ambiguity and deficiency which could result in ‘less appropriate’ routes being taken by commercial vehicles. They have drawn up a scheme of improved signage which the company believes will improve this situation and presented it to Hambleton District Council , with a copy to North Yorkshire County Council highways. Johnson Mowatt has indicated that the developer will fund a signage scheme as a planning obligation should permission be granted and the development proceeds. The signage scheme is available to view on the Hambleton planning application website (application ref. 21/00331/HYB). It’s a welcome start, though the scheme isn’t as comprehensive as it needs to be. Nonetheless the scheme shows good faith and shows a willingness to listen and act upon residents’ concerns.

Parish Council meetings

• Topcliffe Parish Council – the AGM will be on Thursday 6 May 2021 and it will also be online. Check out the website at www.topcliffe.org.uk

• Asenby Parish Council – the Annual Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on 19 May 2021. Check out details on www.asenby.net Details of the venue will be announced in due course.

May Election

The Police and Crime Commissioner election will take place on 6 May 2021. The Village Hall will be the Polling Station in Topcliffe. Asenby residents will have to travel to Rainton Village Hall to vote.

The Village Hall

The Village Hall Committee met online last Thursday evening to consider the government’s roadmap out of lockdown and set a date for the restart of activities in the hall. It has been decided that plans will be made to reopen the hall for existing hirers (those that were hiring sessions prior to the pandemic) from Monday 17 May. New bookings for events such as parties will not be possible until 21 June. The use of the hall for polling purposes on 6 May is a special one-off booking.

Some Pleasure & Leisure

• Kipling Hall & Gardens – now open six days a week (closed on Thursdays) 10am-5pm. There will be takeaway refreshments served from the tearoom menu. There is a one-way system and toilets are open.

The Hall itself remains closed for the time being. Tel: 01748 818178. You can just turn up, tickets not necessary.

• Newby Hall & Gardens – the gardens, playground, restaurant (outdoor) are ow open. The miniature railway and river boat will open from 14 April. The House, Dolls House exhibition and Teddy Bear House

will open on 19 May, but the dancing water jets (Tarantella) are likely to remain closed until 23 June. Telephone 01423 322583 or checkout the website at https://www.newbyhall.com

• Lightwater Valley – will re-open to visitors on Saturday 17 April. In order to manage numbers and ensure social distancing guidelines are maintained, the theme park will initially be operating with reduced

capacity. Telephone 01765 635321. Book tickets online https://www.lightwatervalley.co.uk

• Mother Shipton’s Cave at Knaresborough is open but online booking is essential. 10.00am – 5.30pm. Telephone 01423 864600 Tickets: Online www.mothershipton.co.uk

• HowStean Gorge – visitors can explore natural caves, walk through flowing ravines, climb up rocks, participate in a high wire adventure, and more! Reopens on the Monday 12 April for the gorge and caves

attraction, outdoor activities and cafe (eat out only). www.howstean.co.uk

• Dalby Forest – key facilities have remained open and Forestry England is now working to fully reopen safely. Please plan your trip to avoid crowding. Park responsibly, legally and not blocking gates. Stick to

marked trails and forest tracks. No fires or BBQs.

• Castle Howard – 1000 acres of parkland and sweeping vistas, lakeside terraces, woodlands, temples, statues and formal gardens. The Coffee Shop is open daily 9am-5pm and the Boathouse Café 10am-3pm

Monday – Friday) and from 10am-4pm on weekends, both offering a grab-and-go takeaway offer. Castle Howard Farm Shop and Garden Centre are open daily from 10am-5pm. www.castlehoward.co.uk

• Thorp Perrow Arboretum – one of the largest collections of shrubs and trees in the North of England, including the national collections of Ash, Lime, Laburnum, Walnut and Cotinus. The Arboretum is near

Bedale. The playground and garden centre are open. The Tearoom offers a takeaway service for food and drink, with outdoor seating. The bird of prey and mammal centre is not yet open. Mobility

scooters can be pre-booked by phoning 01677 427203. Open daily from 10am-4pm. All visitors, including season ticket holders, must pre-book their tickets at www.thorpperrow.com

• Sutton Bank Visitor Centre – the National Park centre will open for retail only on Monday 12 April, 10am-4.30pm daily. The café will be operating a limited takeaway service at their Grab-and-Go Express

hatch (10am-4pm daily). The exhibition area, children’s craft table and seating at the bird watching area remain closed for the time being. www.northyorkmoors.org.uk

• Rievaulx Abbey – escape to this tranquil valley of the North York Moors and discover the impressive ruins of one of England’s most powerful Cistercian monasteries. The grounds of Rievaulx Abbey are

open. Takeaway catering is available but all indoor areas remain closed. You need to book your visit in advance. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rievaulx-abbey

• Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal – this World Heritage site’s abbey and water garden as well as the Studley deer park are open. The visitor centre restaurant, Studley tea-room and Mill kiosk are open for

takeaway but the shop remains closed. Please book a ticket online before setting off. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey-and-studley-royal-water-garden

St Columba’s services

• Today, Sunday, 11 April, 10.45am – Holy Communion (Rev Terry Dyer)

• Friday, 16 April (on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral) – A special Evensong at 6.30pm.

• Sunday, 18 April, 10.45am – Matins

• Sunday, 25 April, 10.45am – Holy Communion – (Rev Terry Dyer)

The PCC continually assesses the Covid risks and it operates ‘track and trace’ arrangement. All the usual precautions apply – please bring a face covering with you – and we will provide hand sanitiser for use before and after each service. Most importantly, for everyone’s sake, if you have any suspicion you might have contracted Covid, please don’t join us on that particular occasion.

New flooring centre based in Asenby

There’s a new flooring outlet opening in Asenby this coming week The location may be new, but the business owner started as a carpet fitter nearly 40 years ago and more recently has been operating from units in Carlisle and Stockton-on-Tees. Trading under the name John Ashton Flooring Ltd, the business is starting a local showroom at The Old Hatchery in Asenby. The unit will have a large selection of carpets and flooring to suit all tastes. Viewing will be by appointment only. John Aston Flooring Ltd – 01845 421111 – info

Studio 18 Hairstylist

A unisex hairdressing salon will be launched in Topcliffe tomorrow, 12 April. It’s such a popular idea that bookings are already filling the April calendar. The business, Studio 18, will be run by Nicola James from a well- equipped unit at the rear of 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery) and will be open Monday to Saturday. Nicola has years of experience as a hairstylist and can style the hair of male and female adults as well as children. Initially only one customer at a time can be in the salon so business will be a little slower than normal. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.

The Angel at Topcliffe

The Angel’s garden is reopening on Thursday 15 April now taking bookings for outdoor dining and drinking. Tables are available for up to six people and there’ll be marquees erected over each table to protect customers from inclement weather. There’s limited space, so you’re advised to book early. Call 01845 578000 (phones are only monitored Wednesday to Saturday 3.30-8pm and 11am-6pm on Sundays). Don’t forget your coat or your blanket. Garden dining will see a limited food menu including burgers, skewers, steak pies etc as well as lunchtime sandwiches, sharers and daily specials. Temporary openings times are: Wednesday – Thursday 12 noon – 9pm (food served 12 noon – 2.30pm and 5 – 8pm); Friday 12 noon – 10.30pm (food served 12 noon – 2.30pm and 5 – 8pm); Saturday 12 noon to 10.30pm (food served 12 noon – 8pm); Sunday 12 noon – 9pm (food served 12 noon – 7pm). Closed Mondays and Tuesdays until 16 May. The regular ‘Dine at Home’ takeaway service menu has been changed. It’s also on The Angel’s website. Take away times are Wednesday to Saturday, 4.30-8pm, with orders taken from 3.30pm, and Sundays 12-6pm, with orders taken from 11am. Call 01845 578000 to place an order or book a time slot in advance. Check out the details at www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow The Angel on Facebook to get regular updates.

The Swan

The Swan will reopen tomorrow – Monday 12 April for drinks and food in an outdoor setting. George, Jane and the team are really looking forward to welcoming back customers old and new. There’ll be a reduced menu available and the take-away service will again be on offer.

The Milk Churn Farm Shop

Current opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9-5pm. Thursday and Saturday 9-1pm. The shop is operating on the basis of two customers in the shop at any one time. This is to protect customers and staff. There are many new lines in fresh and frozen foods. Takeaway teas and coffees with cake have resumed. Why not enjoy a walk and call in for a freshly made hot chocolate or other hot drinks…or for an ice cream? Or order in advance by calling 01845 400446. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ Thirsk Food Bank is now collecting food and there’s a box at the Farm Shop into which your donations can be placed.

The Elm Gallery

The Elm Gallery is opening tomorrow (12 April). For the first week the gallery will be open every day from 10am to 5.30pm. After that it will revert to the normal opening times and will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Two people or two households are allowed in the gallery at the same time, keeping a safe distance from each other. When there are two people/groups in the gallery, there will be a notice on the inside door asking people to wait until someone comes out. Liz and Dave have been very busy during lockdown creating new paintings and the new originals will be on display. Liz has also been busy making lots of new bags, so there will be plenty to see. Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920 or check out the website at: www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk

Other Local Traders

• Topcliffe Post Office – Opening hours are: Shop – weekdays 7am to 5pm and Saturday 7 to 11.30am. Post Office – weekdays 8.30am to 5pm and Saturday 8.30 to 11.30am. Both closed on Sundays.

• Chip ‘n Dales – The Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.

Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Refuse – Mondays 12 & 26 April.

• Recycling & green waste – Thursday 22 April.

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Recycling – Mondays 12 and 26 April.

• Refuse – Monday 19 April.

• Garden waste – Thursday 22 April.

That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.

Make sure your voice is heard.docx

I’d like to wish all readers a very Happy Easter. Welcome to the 52nd issue of this regular Sunday email. We’ve reached that amazing milestone of one year’s worth of emails. Who would have thought that the pandemic would still be going on or these emails being issued after all this time? I get the distinct impression that these messages have been helpful and appreciated, so I am happy to have played my part in helping to keep residents informed about the Covid situation and village matters.

As usual, do get in touch with me if you have any news or information that you think Topcliffe and Asenby residents might like to hear about.

Doug

07785 223707

The week’s Covid statistics

• The R number – which takes into account cases, hospitalisations and deaths – remains between 0.7 and 0.9.

• Nearly 31.4 million people have now had a first dose vaccination. And the number of second doses now exceeds 5.2 million – that’s 10% of adults and 50% of over 80s have had the second jab,

• There have been more than 4.33 million confirmed cases of Covid in the UK. Yesterday 3,423 cases were confirmed.

• Over 7 million Covid tests were conducted last week.

• 273 people were admitted to hospital yesterday (2,245in the week). The number of Covid patients in hospital dropped again, week on week, to a new low of 3,536 (4,560 last week).

• Yesterday only 10 UK deaths were reported. That’s the lowest daily number since last September. There were 254 in the seven-day period to Saturday. Deaths from Covid have fallen by 43% in a week.

• The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at over 126,826. Worldwide, the number of deaths is now almost 2.85 million.

The Roadmap out of Lockdown

Since last Monday we’ve had a range of freedoms returned to us including being able to meet outdoors with up to five other people from different households. Two households totalling more than six people have also been able to meet outdoors – giving greater flexibility for friends and families. We’re still not allowed to meet others indoors and at all times the advice is that we maintain social distance, exercise hand hygiene and wear face coverings where required. On a wider front, outdoor sport and leisure facilities have reopened, with any number of children and adults allowed to participate. Formally organised outdoor parent and child groups with up to 15 parents have again started to operate. We are advised to continue to minimise travel – it’s up to our own judgement what is reasonable. And there’s definitely no holidays yet.

As long as the four tests that govern the relaxation of rules are met, we can now look forward to 12 April which i the next key date on the roadmap. On that day:

• All retail shops, as well as hairdressers, beauty salons and other ‘close contact services’ will be allowed to open.

• Indoor leisure, including gyms and spas, can reopen for use individually or within household groups.

• Restaurants and pub gardens will be allowed to serve customers sitting outdoors. The requirement to order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) will remain.

• Domestic holidays and overnight stays in the UK will be permitted, with self-contained accommodation able to reopen for use by members of the same household.

• Children allowed to attend indoor play activities, with up to 15 parents or guardians allowed to join them.

• Libraries, community centres, outdoor attractions, theme parks, zoos and drive-in cinemas can reopen.

• Funerals (30 attendees), wakes, weddings and receptions (15 attendees) will be able to take place.

• Rules on visits to care homes will be relaxed to allow two people indoors (children under two years of age can also visit).

The ‘rule of 6’ or two households mixing outdoors will still apply… and still no household mixing indoors. People should continue to work from home where they can and the advice is to minimise domestic travel. International holidays are still not allowed at this stage.

Update on Monday

It’s understood that the Prime Minister will give an update on the Covid situation tomorrow. According to media sources, he is expected to confirm that data suggests the next stage of lockdown will be able to ease as planned on 12 April. Another suggestion is that he could announce a traffic light system for foreign travel, with countries being categorised as red, amber or green. However, a restart for international travel is not on the cards until 17 May at the earliest.

Progress with vaccination programme

Over 31.4 million people have now received a first dose of a vaccine and more than 5.2 million people have had a second jab. Priority groups 1-9 of the first phase of the vaccination programme is very nearly complete. Phase two – groups 10 to 12 – covers all adults aged between 18 and 49 and they will be offered a first dose by the end of July. Before then most people in phase one will have been called for that all-important second dose…and as you can see, the numbers are rising rapidly week on week. Closer to home the vaccination roll-out is equally impressive with 410,000 people across North Yorkshire and York having had their first vaccine and 48,000 a second dose. The county is on course to meet all of the government’s vaccination targets, so by July all adults over 18 will have had their Covid jab. The vaccination take-up so far in the county is 88.5 per cent. That means 47,000 are still to take up their vaccine offer. The authorities are asking friends, neighbours and family to encourage anyone they know who has not so far had a jab to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Are Covid passports on the cards?

The government has said that no final decision has been made about the idea of launching Covid passports or certificates. The Daily Telegraph has reported that a series of pilot tests for Covid passports were being planned as part of a review into whether such a system could help to boost the economy. The report suggests that theatres and stadiums will be involved in the first vaccine certificates rollout, with pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas possibly taking it up later on. Speaking during a visit to Middlesbrough on Thursday, the Prime Minister said: “There’s definitely going to be a world in which international travel will use vaccine passports. You can see already that other countries, and the aviation industry, are interested in this and there’s a logic to that.” But not everyone is in favour of introducing passports. More than 70 cross-party MPs and peers have launched a campaign opposing Covid passports, stating that any demand to prove vaccination status to access jobs, businesses or services would be divisive and discriminatory.

The Covid Testing

Tests for people with symptoms

Testing sites in North Yorkshire are operated and managed by the Department of Health and Social Care/NHS and private contractors employed by them. People who don’t have access to the internet, or who have difficulty with the digital portals, can ring the 119 service to book their test. The permanent testing sites are open every day for between 8am and 11:30am. The nearest permanent testing sites are:

• Harrogate – Dragon Road Car Park, Dragon Road, Harrogate, HG1 5DB

• Northallerton – The Forum, Bullamore Road, Northallerton, DL6 1LP

A full list of NHS Mobile testing sites can be viewed on the county council’s website at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/book-coronavirus-covid-19-test Mobile sites are open for testing from 8am to 8pm. Before you attend at either a permanent or mobile site you must book a test. Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before. If test sites are fully booked they will not appear on the government’s website. To book a test visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ There’s a link on the North Yorkshire County Council website to request a home test – https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/home-testing

Tests if you live or work with a nursery/school/college student

If you live, work or are in a support bubble with nursery, primary or secondary school pupils or college students you should carry out lateral flow device tests at home twice a week. Testing kits can be collected from the two permanent sites listed above every day between 1pm and 8pm.

Sweet and Savoury Crepes

Now here’s a special treat for anyone who happens to be planning a walk down Catton Lane past Topcliffe Mill on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (5 April). Jen Gould will have her classic 1969 Citroen catering van parked up at The Mill car park between 12 noon and 4pm and she’ll be serving coffee and crepes for free (or more precisely free unless you’d be happy to make a donation to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance!). It’s a test run for Jen so she’ll also be looking for constructive suggestions/criticisms/seals of approval before she takes her van out to events during the summer. Looking at the weather forecast it might not be the best of days but Jen will go ahead unless gale force winds and snow drifts prevent her from doing so.

Bags2School textile recycling

It’s only two weeks until the next bags2School recycling event is staged at the front gates of the Village Hall on Front Street, Topcliffe. Have you started to undertake a spring clean yet? If you’re sorting out your cupboards and wardrobes, please bag your unwanted items and bring the Village Hall on Friday 23 April 2021 between 8.30am and 12 noon. The proceeds of the event will be shared between the Village Hall and Scouts’ Association.

The following items are welcomed: men’s, ladies and children’s clothing – paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) – handbags – hats – bags – scarves and ties – jewellery – lingerie – socks – belts – soft toys – household linen – household curtains – household towels – household bedding (bed sheets, pillow-cases and duvet covers). We are unable to accept duvets and blankets, pillows and cushions, carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats), soiled, painted, ripped or wet clothing, school uniforms, corporate clothing and workwear or textile off cuts or yarns.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: Have your say on Dalton planning application…and make sure our villages are protected from further traffic congestion

Do you want more lorries, more cars, more noise and more smells in our villages – 24 hours a day, seven days a week? If not, you need to act NOW and have your say on a major new planning application currently being considered by Hambleton District Council. Unless everyone acts now to have the application changed, or planning conditions applied, we will experience many more heavy lorries, hundreds of extra cars each day, and noise, light and odour pollution in our villages.

The proposal is for a 43-acre site mixed industrial and distribution centre development just over Dalton Bridge. This is much closer to Topcliffe and Asenby than the current Industrial Estate. It will clearly bring many more HGVs. It is forecast to bring an additional 1,000 jobs to the site, which is good news on thew employment front, but that means many more cars will be going through our two villages as people drive to and from work.

The developers, North Yorkshire County Council’s highways department and Hambleton District Council planners have already indicated a willingness to hear and address our concerns. The developer has recently offered some changes in response to what villagers have already said. So, it is worth speaking up. We need to make our voices heard and shout about the worries we have. We must do this NOW so that our concerns can be addressed during the planning process. Once the plan is approved it is too late!

The greater the number of people that respond, the more impact we will have. If we stay silent it will be too late. Please take some time over the next few days to respond to the consultation and comment on the plan. You can add your views to the planning application at: https://planning.hambleton.gov.uk/online-applications/caseDetails.do?caseType=Application&keyVal=QO7ZETHUHHI00 This link will take you straight to the planning application. But if for any reason it does not work for you, simply Google Hambleton Council’s website, look for ‘Planning’ and ‘Applications’, and follow the instructions on how to find an individual application. The reference number is 21/00331/HYB, which can be inserted in the search box. The closing date for comments is Friday, 9 April 2021.

Parish Councillors have met with Hambleton Councils planners and district and county councillors. They have said that the best way to have our voice heard and concerns addressed is for as many individuals as possible to respond to the consultation. Please act NOW. You should set out as briefly as possible what your concerns are. If you are requesting a particular solution (e.g., better road signs) state that too. It is important that you respond in your own words. You can use the following checklist to ensure that you have covered the main points:

• It is best to register your response as ‘Neutral’ and say you support the application in principle, subject to your concerns being addressed.

• You might wish to welcome any new jobs the development may bring.

• Flag up concerns about additional HGV traffic in our villages, noting this is already a problem from existing businesses at Dalton.

• Mention that the existing road signage is totally inadequate and that enforcement of weight limit restrictions is extremely poor.

• State that the developer’s assumptions that traffic will all use the A168 for access and egress, and not come through our two villages, is not our reality.

• Refer to concerns about additional light traffic and cars in the villages, with up to 1,000 extra employees going to and from work on site.

• Express your concerns about proposed operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the impact of traffic movements, HGVs and cars, through the villages.

• You can ask for improvements to direction signs, weight limit signs, weight limit enforcement and for planning conditions to be applied specifying vehicle routes to and from the site avoiding Topcliffe and

Asenby, limiting access/egress times, etc.). You can also ask for other solutions you have in mind.

• Add reference to concerns about potential additional noise, light and odours as this development is very close to Topcliffe, may operate 24/7, and food production odours are already a problem.

• Request that the developer and the council’s planners work closely with Topcliffe and Asenby Parish Councils in considering this application.

Protect your car – Locked, Lit and Empty campaign

Car crime is a real problem in the UK. Alarmingly, one car is stolen every ten minutes. With Covid-19 and the recent lockdowns, many people aren’t driving or checking on their cars as much as they used to. That’s why Neighbourhood Watch, is reminding car owners to remain vigilant about where and how they park their cars, in order to keep them safe. Apparently, most car crimes happen because cars are left unlocked. There is a misconception that some cars are auto-locking and lock themselves if left unattended after a period of time. This isn’t always correct. Another misconception is that a car is too old and no one will bother stealing it. This is also incorrect – both new and old cars are at risk. Having a car stolen or broken into is more than simply a hassle, it can impact on people’s livelihoods. The good news is that there are simple steps everyone can take to help reduce the risk to their car. With only a 46% recovery rate Neighbourhood Watch is reminding everyone to leave their car locked, lit and empty.

• Locked – a simple mistake that can prove calamitous: 44% of cars are broken into via an unlocked door.
• Lit – 80% of car crime occurs during the evening or at night. Parking near street lights or in a busy area can deter thieves.
• Empty (or with no items on show) – owners often forget that personal belongings within the car are at as much risk of being stolen as the car itself.

Take a look at this video for more information: www.ourwatch.org.uk/protectyourcar

Parish Council meetings

• Topcliffe Parish Council met online last Thursday and in due course the minutes will be available to read on the village website at www.topcliffe.org.uk The next meeting on Thursday 6 May 2021 will be the Parish Council’s Annual Meeting and it will also be online.

• Asenby Parish Council’s Annual Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on 19 May 2021. Check out details on www.asenby.net Details of the venue will be announced in due course.

Local Government Reorganisation

There’s a consultation underway about the planned reorganisation of local government in North Yorkshire. The last date for comments is Monday, 19 April 2021. You can express a view at https://consult.communities.gov.uk/governance-reform-and-democracy/northyorkshire/

May Election

The Police and Crime Commissioner election will take place on 6 May 2021. The Village Hall will be the Polling Station in Topcliffe. Asenby residents will have to travel to Rainton Village Hall to vote.

Services at St Columba’s Church

• Sunday, 11 April, 10.45am – Holy Communion (Rev Terry Dyer)

• Sunday, 18 April, 10.45am – Matins

• Sunday, 25 April, 10.45am – Holy Communion – (Rev Terry Dyer)

The PCC continually assesses the Covid risks and it operates ‘track and trace’ arrangement. All the usual precautions apply – please bring a face covering with you – and we will provide hand sanitiser for use before and after each service. Most importantly, for everyone’s sake, if you have any suspicion you might have contracted Covid, please don’t join us on that particular occasion.

The Angel at Topcliffe

The Angel is now taking bookings for outdoor dining and drinking from 15 April. Tables are available for up to six people and there’ll be marquees erected over each table to protect customers from inclement weather. There’s limited space, so you’re advised to book early. Call 01845 578000 (phones are only monitored Wednesday to Saturday 3.30-8pm and 11am-6pm on Sundays). Don’t forget your coat or your blanket. Garden dining will see a limited food menu including burgers, skewers, steak pies etc as well as lunchtime sandwiches, sharers and daily specials. Temporary openings times are: Wednesday – Thursday 12 noon – 9pm (food served 12 noon – 2.30pm and 5 – 8pm); Friday 12 noon – 10.30pm (food served 12 noon – 2.30pm and 5 – 8pm); Saturday 12 noon to 10.30pm (food served 12 noon – 8pm); Sunday 12 noon – 9pm (food served 12 noon – 7pm). Closed Mondays and Tuesdays until 16 May. The regular ‘Dine at Home’ takeaway service menu has been changed. It’s also on The Angel’s website. Take away times are Wednesday to Saturday, 4.30-8pm, with orders taken from 3.30pm, and Sundays 12-6pm, with orders taken from 11am. Call 01845 578000 to place an order or book a time slot in advance. Check out the details at www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow The Angel on Facebook to get regular updates.

The Elm Gallery

Liz and Dave are looking forward to reopening The Elm Gallery on Monday the 12 of April. The gallery will be open every day from 10am to 5.30pm in the first week then it will revert to the normal opening times and will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It will now be possible for two people or two households to be in the gallery at the same time, keeping a safe distance from each other. When there are two people/groups in the gallery, there will be a notice on the inside door asking people to wait until someone comes out. Liz and Dave have been very busy during lockdown creating new paintings and the new originals will be on display. Liz has also been busy making lots of new bags, so there will be plenty to see. Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920 or check out the website at: www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk

Other Local Traders

• Topcliffe Post Office – Opening hours are: Shop – weekdays 7am to 5pm and Saturday 7 to 11.30am. Post Office – weekdays 8.30am to 5pm and Saturday 8.30 to 11.30am. Both closed on Sundays.

• Chip ‘n Dales – The Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.

• The Milk Churn Farm Shop – Current opening times are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9-5pm. Thursday and Saturday 9-1pm. Once lockdown has been lifted, Saturday openings will return to

9 to 5pm. The shop is still operating a one out, one in system to protect customers and staff. Ring 01845 400446. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ Takeaway teas and coffees with cake have

resumed. Why not enjoy a walk and call in for a freshly made hot chocolate or other hot drinks…or for an ice cream?

• The Swan – The Swan remains closed for now but is planning to reopen on Monday 14 April. George, Jane and their staff look forward to welcoming everyone.

Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Recycling & green waste – Friday 9 April (one day later than normal due to Bank Holiday) and Thursday 22 April.

• Refuse – Mondays 12 & 26 April.

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Refuse – Tuesday 6 April (one day later than normal due to Bank Holiday) and Monday 19 April.

• Garden waste – Friday 9 April (one day later than normal due to Bank Holiday) and Thursday 22 April.

• Recycling – Mondays 12 and 26 April.

That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.