Doug Allan - Page 50 - Topcliffe and Asenby Sunday Email

Posted on 2 January 20222 October 2026 by Doug Allan

Sunday Email: Issue 90

Welcome to the 90th issue of the Sunday Email – the first of 2022.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I sincerely wish you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

Doug
07785 223707

Next soup and sweet lunch
The fortnightly soup and sweet lunches at the Village hall start again on Wednesday 5 January at 12 noon. An announcement about which charity or organisation will benefit from the funds raised will be made on the day.

The last lunch of 2021 (22 December) raised £65 for Cancer Research.

Fish & chip van
The fish and chip van will not be visiting Topcliffe until Friday 28 January.

Volunteers needed for vaccination hubs
The NHS is calling for volunteers to help with a number of roles supporting the vaccination programme across North Yorkshire. The roles to be covered at the vaccination hubs include vaccinators, marshalling of cars and helping with administration (data entry skills would be useful). People interested in helping can apply via this website:https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/i-want-to-volunteer

Catton Kitchen winter opening hours

January – Friday and Sundays 10am to12 noon.
February – Closed – as the team are very busy getting everything seeded and prepped for spring!
March – Thursday 3 and Friday 4, 9am to 2pm; Saturday 5, 10am to 2pm; Sunday 6,10am to 2pm.

Opening times will be reviewed again in the spring.

Services at St Columba’s

TONIGHT! 2 January at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong for Epiphany
9 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
16 January at 10.45am – Choral Matins
23 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
30 January – No Service

Message from John Phillips
“Could I just say how wonderful it has been for us to be able to put on a full programme of Christmas services this year. This could not have happened without a lot of help from a lot of people, both seen and unseen. Those who helped to get the church cleaned, lit and beautifully decorated. Those who organised and prepared for services, rehearsed the choir, played the organ, and provided drinks and refreshments. A special thank you to the brass quartet that added a very special extra touch to carols around the village Christmas tree: John, Sarah and Martha Barber, plus John Hewlett. Thank you all for your generosity of time and hard work, and to everyone who was able to join in our celebrations. As for the coming year, may I wish you all a very happy, blessed and healthy 2022.”

Cross Talk
The latest edition of the local churches monthly online newsletter, Cross Talk, is out. You can read it on several church websites –http:// www.achurchnearyou.com/church/3447 and http://baldersbychurch.com

You can also have the newsletter emailed direct to your inbox. Just send a request to:kitnorris@live.co.uk

Parish Council meetings

Asenby Parish Council will meet at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January 2022 – http://www.asenby.net
Topcliffe Parish Council will meet at 7pm on Thursday 3 February 2022- http:// www.topcliffe.org

Village Hall Committee meeting

The next meeting will be at 7.15am on Tuesday 25 January 2022.

Both parish councils and the Village Hall Committee meet at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.

Why it’s important to action software updates
Owners of electronic devices regularly receive software updates from the companies that made the equipment, but how many of us activate these updates straight away? The fact is that software updates are an important part of staying secure online. As well as containing new features or performance improvements, they often include bug fixes and security improvements.

Out-of-date software and apps contain weaknesses, making them easier to hack. Companies fix the weaknesses by releasing updates so when you update your devices and software, this helps to keep hackers out.

Devices contain a lot of personal data that is highly valuable to fraudsters. The likelihood is your device will contain your full name, date of birth, address, bank details, passwords, as well as many other forms of personal data such as private photos or videos.

It can sometimes be annoying to remember to update devices every time a new update is released and that’s why it’s sensible to enable automatic updates, if they are available. That means you don’t have to manually install updates every time they’re released.

For more of the government’s latest advice on how to stay secure online, visit the Cyber Aware website: http://www.cyberaware.gov.uk

To Thursday 6 January – Ghostbusters: Afterlife – when a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.
Friday 7 to Thursday 13 January (with matinee Wednesday 12 January) – West Side Story – an adaptation of the 1957 musical, which explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.
Friday 14 to Thursday 20 January – Spider-Man: No Way Home – with Spider-Man’s identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
Friday 21 to Thursday 27 January – The Matrix Resurrections – return to the world of two realities; one, everyday life and the other, what lies behind it!

Important Notes:
1. Under the latest government instructions patrons over the age of 11 are asked to wear a face mask at all times, i.e. when both standing and seated. Patrons are thanked for their co-operation.

2. Normal adult/concession ticket pricing will be in operation on Monday nights. The upstairs seating will be closed; Downstairs seating only.

Please keep checking the website for the latest details – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

Events on at The Forum

To Saturday 22 January (various performance times) – The Northallerton Variety Company present the pantomime Cinderella – undoubtedly the best known and most popular panto of them all.
Wednesday 19 January at 7pm- Tosca – (live-streamed from The Royal Opera House) – into the romantic world of an idealistic painter Cavaradossi and his sensuous lover Tosca comes the malevolence of Baron Scarpia, Chief of Police, with fatal results.
Thursday 27 January at 7pm – Leopoldstadt – this new award winning play by Tom Stoppard is a passionate drama of love, family and endurance. (Live-streamed from the National Theatre).

Enquiries 01609 776230. Tickets online at http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall

Under the recently introduced Plan B rules, face masks must be worn by users of the village hall, except when eating, drinking or undertaking exercise.

1. Weekly Activities
Monday
Art classes – 10am to 12 noon.
My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm.
Boot Camp – 7 to 8pm.
Tuesday
Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Library – 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Squirrels – 5 to 6pm.
Beavers – 6.15 to 7.15pm.
Wednesday
Soup & Sweet lunch – 12 noon to 1pm (alternate Wednesdays).
Cubs – 6.45 to 7.45pm.
Thursday
Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm.
Indoor Carpet Bowls – 7.30 to 9.30pm.
Friday
Boot Camp – 6 to 7pm.
Scouts – 7.30 to 10pm.
Saturday
Salsa and Bachata dancing 6 – to 8pm (currently fortnightly).

2. Regular meetings and other events

Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January.
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.15pm – Tuesday 25 January.
Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7pm on Thursday, 3 February.

The Big Race Night and Challenge Quiz & Curry Night will hopefully be rescheduled in the spring.

Local traders
Most of these traders also have a Facebook page where you can check out latest information.

The Angel at Topcliffe – http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk
Asenbee Honey – http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
John Aston Flooring Ltd – info@johnastonflooring.co.uk – 01845 421111.
The Catton Kitchen – http://www.cattonkitchen.co.uk – 07747 083155.
Chip ‘n Dales – Closed until 28 January 2022.
The Elm Gallery – http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk – 01845 577316 or 07709 223920.
Fotiá Candles – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk – 07879 447953.
The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk 07793 775987.
The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ – 01845 400446.
Studio 18 Hairstylist – Nicola James, 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery). 07851 034815.
The Swan – h ttp://www.theswantopcliffe.co.uk – 01845 595185.
The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop.
Topcliffe Post Office – 01845 577517.

Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

Refuse – Monday 3 and 17 January.
Recycling – Thursday 13 and 27January.
Green waste – There’ll be a special one off green bin collection on 13 January to take Christmas trees. Trees must be cut and fully contained within the bin. Normal garden waste is accepted during this collection.

Harrogate (Asenby)

Recycling – Wednesday 5 January (changed due to a Bank Holiday) and Mondays 17 and 31 January.
Refuse – Tuesday 11 January (Changed for operational reasons) and Monday 24 January.
Green Waste – Subscriptions for 2022 will open in January. Watch out for an announcement soon!

Hambleton Green Waste 2022/23
Subscriptions for Hambleton District Council’s garden waste collections for 2022/23 are now open for residents. The cost has been held at £40 for the third year running. New and existing customers can now sign up at http://hambleton.gov.uk or call 01609 779977.

Garden waste collections will resume mid-February for those who have subscribed to the current year’s service which runs until March 2022.

LATEST INFORMATION & NEWS ABOUT COVID

The week’s Covid statistics

51.8 million first doses given. 47.4 million second doses. 90% of the population aged 12+ has now had the first jab and over 82.4% the second.
33.9 million have now had a booster or third jab. That’s over 59% of those eligible.
There have been more than 12.5 million confirmed cases of Covid in the UK.
There were 162,572 new Covid infections yesterday and 1.1 million people tested positive in the last week. That’s a 48% increase on the previous week.
9,937 people were admitted to hospital with Covid in the week to 27 December.
Up to 90% of Covid patients in intensive care have not had a booster jab
There were 154 deaths reported yesterday and 911 in the last seven days. An increase of 216 compared with the previous week.
The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at 148,778..
172,657 deaths registered in the UK had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
England has seen the majority of UK deaths since the pandemic began, with the total approaching 130,000.
Worldwide, the global death toll is 5,455,981.

Mask wearing in schools
Face masks are to be worn in secondary classrooms in England’s schools to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant, the government has announced. The temporary reintroduction of face coverings aims to address concerns about schools remaining open for face-to-face learning this coming term. Until now, England was the only one of the four UK nations where face masks were not recommended for pupils in classrooms. Teachers will not have to wear them under the new guidelines. The policy will be reviewed on 26 January.

Get tested…but there are few test kits available!
In the weeks after the government urged everyone to regularly test for Covid, particularly if they were planning to gather together to celebrate, it has been difficult to get access to testing appointments and home testing kits.

During much of last week there were no walk-in or drive-through PCR Covid test appointments available across all of England and home lateral flow tests and PCR tests were also unavailable online for the general public and essential workers. Pharmacies also voiced concerns over demand outstripping supply with chemists running out of lateral flow tests to handover at the counter.

Not surprisingly, the government is under massive pressure to rapidly up the capacity of Covid testing.

Omicron forces new look at Nightingales
The rate of infection from the Omicron variant of Covid has broken all records during the last week and daily totals continue to top recent highs. The situation is impacting hospitals to such an extent that the NHS is now setting up eight new Nightingale “surge hubs”, each with a capacity of 100 patients, at hospitals across England. Further sites could be identified to add a further 4,000 “super surge” beds at a later date. Hospitals are already being forced to use hotels, hospices and care homes to safely discharge as many people who are medically fit to leave as possible – freeing up beds for those who need them most.

Self-isolation rules – a reminder of what is required
People with Covid in England can now stop self-isolating up to three days early – if they test negative twice. You must self-isolate as soon as your symptoms start, or when a positive test is taken if you do not have symptoms. You are now only required to self-isolate on the following seven days, instead of 10.

Two negative lateral flow tests are needed to end self-isolating – the first no earlier than day six of isolation and a second 24 hours later. If both tests are negative – and you do not have a high temperature – you can stop self-isolating immediately (on day seven). If the first tests are positive, further tests can be taken on other days.

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

Posted on 19 December 20212 October 2026 by Doug Allan

Sunday Email: Issue 89

Welcome to the 89th issue of the Sunday Email.

We are now firmly in the midst of a further wave of Covid infection with the Omicron variant causing massive problems across the country. 90,418 confirmed cases were announced on Saturday, the highest number of daily cases since the pandemic began. The government has launched a major campaign to get as many people as possible booster-jabbed, but although there hasn’t been a significant rise in the number of deaths, hospitals are again under huge pressure and face perhaps the biggest test of the pandemic. Things are again looking extremely bad as we approach the festive season and the government has left us to make our own choices about how we act, particularly in terms of partying and other gatherings.

Whatever you decide to do I hope you keep safe and well. Despite the problems and uncertainty, I hope you have a really good Christmas and a much-improved new year.

I will be taking a break from producing a Sunday Email on Boxing Day. The next email will be circulated on Sunday 2 January.

Best wishes
Doug
07785 223707

Christmas lunch went down well!
The over 65s Christmas lunch held in the Village Hall last Wednesday was a tremendous success with over 30 lunches being served. Guests had a welcome Bucks Fizz, prawn cocktail starter, turkey dinner and Christmas pudding, followed by coffee and mince pies. Talented magician, Matthew Cope, entertained diners with amazing card tricks at their tables and later gave a wonderful performance with more tricks and skilled juggling.

A big thank you to all the residents who came along to the lunch, to Judith Lowe who organised the event, and the team who prepared the hall, cooked and served the meal and did the washing up afterwards – Karen and Malcolm Morley, Linda Carver, Peter Lowe, Liz Hall, Clare Phillips, Chris Wiggins, Vicki Moores and Doug Allan.

Spring bulbs planted
Thanks to the few keen volunteers who turned out yesterday to help plant crocus bulbs in the grass verge opposite the Surgery on Long Street in Topcliffe. It was wet and cold but that didn’t stop Karen and Malcolm Morley, Martin Hexter, John Pearson and his children Jake and Amelia, and myself from getting around 1,500 bulbs into the ground. We look forward to a carpet of colour in the spring.

Next soup and sweet lunch
Don’t forget that the last soup and sweet lunch of 2021 will be on Wednesday, 22 December at 12 noon. Money raised at this lunch will be donated to Cancer Research. The fortnightly lunches will continue in the new year starting Wednesday 5 January.

Festive break for fish & chip van
Just a reminder that the fish and chip van will not be visiting Topcliffe until Friday 28 January.

Feoffees deliver festive cheer
The trustees of the Charities of Topcliffe – known as Feoffees – have decided who will benefit from a share of this year’s investment surplus and those selected can expect a little bit of festive cheer in the run up to Christmas.

8th edition of Asenby News
Young Oliver Robertson has produced the 8th edition of his colourful newsletter for Asenby. Oliver, aged 9, who was recently honoured as a Hambleton Hero, a special honour usually reserved just for Hambleton residents but given to Oliver for his regular newsletter (which is enjoyed by both Topcliffe and Asenby residents) has filled his latest edition with lots of facts, jokes and Christmas stories…and even included a story written by his younger sister Evelyn, aged five. Read it here

Christmas at St Columba’s
There’s to be a full range of Christmas services and events at St Columba’s this year, though the Parochial Church Council will always have an eye to adapting them if Covid considerations make that necessary. It’s hoped that there’s something on the agenda to suit most people and everyone will be most welcome.

► This evening – Sunday 19 December at 6.30pm – Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. The traditional telling of the Christmas story with an abundance of congregational and choir carols. St Columba’s Choir led by Linda Hewlett, Organist Matthew Atherton. Followed by refreshments including wine and finger food.
► Wednesday 22 December at 7pm – ‘Come and Sing’ carols for all, around the Christmas tree, accompanied by a small group of brass instrument players. Meet outside the Village Hall to start singing at 7pm. Followed by mince pies and mulled wine inside the hall.
► Christmas Eve Crib Service, Friday 24 December at 2pm, with an informal telling of the Christmas story. For all the family, especially those with young children.
► Christmas Eve Midnight Mass – Friday 24 December at 11.30pm – The First Christmas Eucharist to bring you into Christmas Day, with choir and carols.
► Christmas Day, Saturday 25 December at 9am. An informal Christmas Day service for all the family.

There will however be no service on 26 December

The Elm Gallery at Topcliffe
This information may be of particular interest to customers who need to be extra careful at the current time and need to avoid contact with other people as far as possible. The Elm Gallery will be open normal hours up to and including Christmas Eve. But for anyone who would like to come to the gallery on Monday and Tuesday when they are closed, Liz and Dave are prepared to open the gallery at a mutually convenient time. If you wish to bring friends or other family members, that is fine. Liz and Dave will also arrange to open by prior arrangement any evening up to Christmas. They live in the building so they say it is no trouble at all. Contact them via Messenger, email (lizanddave@the-elm-gallery.co.uk) or phone 01845 577316.

Christmas at the Farm Shop
It’s getting very close to Christmas and the Milk Churn Farm Shop has now closed its orders book and is concentrating on packing items ready for deliveries during the coming week. If there’s anyone out there who hasn’t yet purchased a Christmas tree, then don’t despair as the Farm Shop has half a dozen left on sale.

The full range of produce will be available throughout this week, alongside some Christmassy items such as pigs in blankets. And the cafe is open as normal.

The Farm Shop is open for longer on Wednesday, 22 December – 9am-6pm – and on Thursday 23 from 8.30am-6pm (though the cafe hours remain 10am to 4pm). Closed Christmas Eve through to 4 January. Check out the Milk Churn Facebook page or website –
http://Christmas | Milkchurn (milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk)

Topcliffe Post Office – festive openings
Christmas Eve – 7am to 12 lunchtime. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day.and 27 and 28 December. On 29, 30 and 31 December 8am to 12 noon. Closed New Year’s Day and 2 January. Normal opening from Monday 3 January.

The Angel – Christmas & New Year festivities
The Angel at Topcliffe has lined up a few treats to enhance your Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Festive Menus – evenings to 24 December – Monday to Saturday – 3 courses for the price of 2. Similar deal for lunches Monday to Thursday.
Christmas Day – two sittings for a festive lunch – between 12 noon and 4.30pm.
Boxing Day – lunch from 12 noon until 4pm
New Year’s Eve – 12 to 2.30pm – the last lunch of 2021.
New Year’s Eve – Big Charity Party Night raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Tickets only £20 to include entry and buffet.
New Year’s Eve – Dinner – 5 until 9pm – with DJ in the bar area and festivities until late.
New Year’s Day – Brunch – 11am until 5pm.

Call 01845 578000 or visit the website http://theangelattopcliffe.co.uk: for more details and bookings.

Thirsk Garden Centre
The Garden Centre and Coffee Shop will be closed over the Christmas period Apparently, this gesture to staff is part of the owner’s thank you for the loyalty and extra effort given throughout the pandemic. So the centre is open 9 until 2pm on Christmas Eve and then closed through to 10am on Sunday 2 January.

The centre would like to wish all of its customers an enjoyable Christmas and New Year and offer a big thank you for the continued support and custom throughout 2021

Parish Council meetings

Asenby Parish Council will meet at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January 2022 – http://www.asenby.net
Topcliffe Parish Council will meet at 7pm on Thursday 3 February 2022- http:// www.topcliffe.org.

Village Hall Committee meeting

The next meeting will be at 7.15am on Tuesday 25 January 2022.

Both parish councils and the Village Hall Committee meet at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.

Important Note: Under the latest government instructions patrons over the age of 11 are asked to wear a face mask at all times, i.e. when both standing and seated. Patrons are thanked for their co-operation.

To Thursday 23 December (matinee Wednesday 22 December) – Gucci – When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel their legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately…murder.
Monday 27 to Thursday 30 December (no matinees) – King Richard – A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after coaching from their father Richard Williams.
Sunday 2 to Thursday 6 January (matinee Sunday 2 January and no evening performance) – Ghostbusters: Afterlife – When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

The cinema will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Please keep checking the website for the latest details – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

Events on at The Forum

Monday 20 to Friday 24 December – multiple performances each day – a magical family pantomime, The Nice List.
Sunday 16 to Saturday 22 January (various performance times) – The Northallerton Variety Company present the pantomime Cinderella – undoubtedly the best known and most popular panto of them all.

Enquiries 01609 776230. Tickets online at http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall

Under the recently introduced Plan B rules, face masks must be worn by users of the village hall, except when eating, drinking or undertaking exercise.

1. Weekly Activities
Monday
Art classes – 10am to 12 noon.
My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm.
Boot Camp – 7 to 8pm.
Tuesday
Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Library – 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Squirrels – 5 to 6pm.
Beavers – 6.15 to 7.15pm.
Wednesday
Soup & Sweet lunch – 12 noon to 1pm (alternate Wednesdays).
Cubs – 6.45 to 7.45pm.
Thursday
Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm.
Indoor Carpet Bowls – 7.30 to 9.30pm.
Friday
Boot Camp – 6 to 7pm.
Scouts – 7.30 to 10pm.
Saturday
Salsa and Bachata dancing – 6 to 8pm (currently fortnightly).

2. Regular meetings and other events

Carols at the village Christmas tree – 7pm Wednesday 22 December. Led by members of St Columba’s Choir accompanied by a few brass instrument musicians. Mulled wine and mince pies afterwards in the Village Hall.
Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January.
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.15pm – Tuesday 25 January.
Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7pm on Thursday, 3 February.

To encourage existing and new group activities, use of the Village Hall is being offered free of charge until 31 December (this does not include commercial one-off or private hires for parties and social functions). The Big Race Night and Challenge Quiz & Curry Night will hopefully be rescheduled early in 2022.

Local traders

All the businesses in the Topcliffe and Asenby area would like to wish their customers a merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year.

The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
Asenbee Honey – a local business selling honey but also making beeswax candles, a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
John Aston Flooring Ltd – The Old Hatchery, Asenby. Carpets and flooring. Appointment only. 01845 421111 info@johnastonflooring.co.uk
The Catton Kitchen – Thursday 23 Dec,10am to 12 noon; Fri 24 to Sun 26 Dec – closed; Thurs 30 Dec, 10am to 12 noon; Fri 31 Dec – closed; Saturday 1 Jan, 10am to 12 noon; Sunday 2 Jan – Closed. If anyone requires anything out of these times please call 07747 083155 and Amy & Hugo will try to help you.
If you would like to receive The Catton Kitchen’s weekly email about what’s on offer, please email Amy at hello@thecattonkitchen.co.uk Contacts: 07747 083155, Facebook page or http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk
Chip ‘n Dales – Closed until 28 January 2022.
The Elm Gallery – Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920, check out the website at: http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing soy wax candles, wax melts and diffusers – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk or call 07879 447953.
The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – Kerry Parker runs this business supplying beautiful hampers containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. 07793 775987. http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Christmas opening hours – Tuesday 21, 9am to 5pm; Wednesday 26, 9am to 6pm; Thursday 23 8.30am to 6pm; Christmas Eve until Monday 3 January – Closed.. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ follow on Facebook or call 01845 400446
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. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.
The Swan – Providing traditional home-cooked food. Extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night. Take-away meals every day. Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm. On Saturdays, food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late. Bar times: Monday to Thursday 5pm to close; Friday 4pm to close; Saturday 3pm to close and Sunday 12 noon until close.
The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop.
Topcliffe Post Office – Christmas Eve – 7am to 12 noon. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 27 and 28 December. On 29, 30 and 31 December 8am -12 noon. Closed New Year’s Day and 2 January. Normal opening from Monday 3 January.

Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):
There are no changes to refuse and recycling collections due to the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

Refuse – Monday 20 December and 3 January 2022
Recycling – Thursday 30 December and 13 January 2022
Green waste – There’ll also be a special one off collection on 13 January to take Christmas trees. Normal garden waste is accepted during this collection. Bin lids must be closed.

Harrogate (Asenby)

Recycling	Sat 18 Dec 2021 Changed due to operational reasons
Refuse	Fri 24 Dec 2021 Changed due to a bank holiday
Recycling	Wed 5 Jan 2022 Changed due to a bank holiday
Refuse	Tue 11 Jan 2022 Changed due to operational reasons
Recycling	Mon 17 Jan 2022
Refuse	Mon 24 Jan 2022
Recycling	Mon 31 Jan 2022

LATEST INFORMATION & NEWS ABOUT COVID

The week’s Covid statistics

51.4 million first doses given. 46.9 million second doses. 89.4% of the population aged 12+ has now had the first jab and over 81.7% the second.
27.2 million have now had a booster or third jab. That’s over 47.2% of those eligible.
There were 97,418 new Covid infections yesterday and 513,574 people tested positive in the last week. That’s a 44% increase on the previous week.
6,056 people were admitted to hospital with Covid in the week to 13 December.
There were 125 deaths reported yesterday and 787 in the last seven days.
The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at 147,173..
170,911 deaths registered in the UK had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
Worldwide, the global death toll is 5,368,305..

Vaccination Centre – Northallerton

This message from Dr Mark Duggleby was initially posted on the Northallerton Noticeboard Facebook page last week and has subsequently been mentioned on several other local Facebook pages. The Grammar School vaccination centre is also operated by our own surgery in Topcliffe.

Good morning all,

As one of the lead GPs at the vaccination centre at the Grammar School in Northallerton I would like to let you all know what the plan is going forward. The centre will remain open every day apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day until the end of the year. It will be open for 12 hours each day 8am to 8pm apart from Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve when it will be open for 6 hours in the morning 8am to 2pm.

As of Saturday 18 December we are offering boosters to those under 50. We will be aiming to provide 1,200 booked appointments per day. We will not have capacity to offer walk in appointments in the first instance. Booking an appointment will be in response to receiving a text from your GP practice. This is different to receiving a text or letter from the NHS that allows you to book through the National Booking System. We potentially have 22,000 vaccines to deliver so everyone cannot be done in the first few days so please bear with us.

If people are unable to wait they can access the national system but will not be able to book for Northallerton. Anyone can still attend the advertised drop in clinics in other areas.

Please bear in mind staffing of the vaccine centre is all being done by local practices and volunteers. This will mean a reduction of services at your GP for this time. Please can I ask you to recognize this and only contact surgeries with urgent problems. Also can I please ask everyone to be respectful of the staff and volunteers at the centre. Many are giving up their own holiday time to staff the programme.

Hopefully this will give the population of Hambleton a chance to get vaccinated locally and allow us in General Practice to complete the job we started in December 2020.

Thanks
Dr Mark Duggleby, GP Stokesley, Clinical lead PCN vaccination centre

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

Posted on 12 December 20212 October 2026 by Doug Allan

Sunday Email: Issue 88

Welcome to the 88th issue of the Sunday Email.
Doug
07785 223707

Recognition for two more heroes
Two weeks ago I reported that Karen Morley and Linda Carver had been presented with Hambleton Hero Awards in recognition of their work in the community, specifically organising the fortnightly Soup & Sweet lunches at the Village Hall which have raised well over a thousand pounds for local charities.

Now there is news of two more Hambleton Heroes recognised for their contribution to community life in our villages. The first goes to Charles Collinson who designs the quarterly Tattler newsletter and for many years provided and maintained the Topcliffe website. He has never charged a penny for either task. His behind-the-scenes work, especially with Tattler, has been essential in ensuring the two villages of Topcliffe and Asenby have what must be one of the best community newsletters in North Yorkshire.

The fourth award is unusual, if not unique, in terms of Hambleton Hero Awards. The council decided to make a special award to a youngster who lives outside of Hambleton but who has nonetheless shown the qualities of a Hambleton Hero. That’s nine-year-old Oliver Robertson of Asenby who throughout the pandemic has published his own village newsletters, which have featured in Topcliffe publications, including The Tattler and the Sunday Email.

Congratulations to all four heroes. You are all a credit to your community.

The December Tattler
The Christmas/Winter edition of The Tattler is out! Households in Topcliffe and Asenby should have had their copy through the door during the week. If you haven’t received a copy, please get in touch. And if you don’t live in either village and would like a copy via email, please let me know – doug@dougallan.co.uk

Christmas lunch this Wednesday
The over 65s Christmas lunch will be held this coming Wednesday (15 December) at the Village Hall. Guests are invited to arrive for a pre-lunch drink from 12 noon onwards. There are just a few places still available for anyone who hasn’t added their name to the list. Anyone from Topcliffe or Asenby aged 65 and over is very welcome to join in. It costs just £10. Call Judith Lowe on 01845 577911 to confirm a place.

Help needed to plant spring bulbs
Are you available for an hour next Saturday morning (18 December) to help plant a few crocus bulbs in the grass verges along Long Street in Topcliffe? Weather permitting, it’s intended that volunteers will meet at 10.30am outside the Surgery. Karen Morley and Linda Carver have purchased around 1500 bulbs using cash raised at the recent Christmas fayre in the village. Planting bulbs is just the first of a few plans Karen and Linda have for village improvements.

Next soup and sweet lunch
The next soup and sweet lunch will be on Wednesday, 22 December at 12 noon. Money raised at this lunch will be donated to Cancer Research.

Festive break for fish & chip van
Paul and Karen have announced that they are taking an extended break in December and much of January. The van will not be visiting Topcliffe until Friday 28 January. Paul and Karen wish all of their customers a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Post Office gets busy at Christmas
As Christmas gets closer it’s starting to get busier and busier day by day at Topcliffe Post Office. To cope with the demand for parcel and mail postings, opening times have been brought forward to 7.30am so that those heading to work can make their postings on route.

This extra time will also aid couriers who drop off parcels for customers to collect. But an appeal has been issued to those due to collect packages to please collect their items on schedule as storage space is a bit tight! Because of the potential of the Post Office being totally overwhelmed with parcels, as well as Post Office rules, it is possible that parcels left unclaimed will have to be returned to their sender.

Post Mistress, Debbie Roberts says she is planning to have an extension built on the building, which will considerably increase the space available, but unfortunately that won’t be until sometime next year.

Last Call for Over 80s to make themselves known to Feoffees
The trustees of the Charities of Topcliffe – known as Feoffees – are aiming to deliver a small Christmas surprise to residents in Topcliffe and Asenby who are aged over 80 years of age. The Feoffees representing both villages believe they have the names of the majority of residents who qualify for the gift…but they would be happy to hear from anyone who qualifies and hasn’t in previous years received a gift. All details will be treated in strict confidence. Please get in touch and supply your contact details (name, age, address, telephone number) to either:

Asenby Feoffee – Carole Ford on 01845 577718
Topcliffe Feoffees – Anne-Marie Barningham 07740 175311 or Doug Allan 07785 223707

Christmas at St Columba’s
There’s to be a full range of Christmas services and events at St Columba’s this year, though the Parochial Church Council will always have an eye to adapting them if Covid considerations make that necessary. It’s hoped that there’s something on the agenda to suit most people and everyone will be most welcome.

► Sunday 19 December at 6.30pm – Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. The traditional telling of the Christmas story with an abundance of congregational and choir carols. St Columba’s Choir led by Linda Hewlett, Organist Matthew Atherton. Followed by refreshments including wine and finger food.
► Wednesday 22 December at 7pm – ‘Come and Sing’ carols for all, around the Christmas tree, accompanied by a small group of brass instrument players. Meet outside the Village Hall to start singing at 7pm. Followed by mince pies and mulled wine inside the hall.
► Christmas Eve Crib Service, Friday 24 December at 2pm, with an informal telling of the Christmas story. For all the family, especially those with young children.
► Christmas Eve Midnight Mass – Friday 24 December at 11.30pm – The First Christmas Eucharist to bring you into Christmas Day, with choir and carols.
► Christmas Day, Saturday 25 December at 9am. An informal Christmas Day service for all the family.

In addition, the usual Sunday services continue as follows;

12 December 10.45am, Holy Communion
19 December 10.45am, Matins
There will however be no service on 26 December

School goes in to bat!
Topcliffe Academy is the joint winner of a Facebook competition and has won a full junior cricket set for pupils to use. The competition was launched by local cricketing coach Pete Keighley who invited parents to vote if they wanted their children’s school to win a fabulous cricket set. Lots of parents must have voted as Topcliffe Academy and South Kilvington Primary attracted so much support that Pete decided they’d both get a set.

Thirsk Community Library – Lego Club
The library’s activities coordinator is calling Lego fans who might like to join a weekly after-school Lego Club. Since September the library has run a weekly club for primary school children during term time which is proving to be extremely popular. In fact, so many youngsters wanted to join in that a waiting list had to be opened. There’s now just about enough interest to start a second club, but there’s space for a few more youngsters.

A volunteer is required to run the weekly sessions – with help from a small support team. If you are interested, as a participant or volunteer, please contact Helen Ashworth at the Library. You can email: helen@communityworks.uk or phone 07826 335255.

Zoom with Zoe
Zoë Metcalfe, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire and York, will host her first advice surgery between 5 and 6.30pm on Tuesday 14 December and is inviting the public to make an appointment if they have a policing, fire or community safety issue they want to discuss. The Commissioner is planning on hosting regular advice surgeries, street surgeries and meetings in towns and villages across North Yorkshire in the months and years ahead, but due to current Covid restrictions the first surgery will be held online.
You can book an appointment:
online at: http://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/advicesurgery
by email info@northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk
or telephone 01423 569 562.

An evening of poetry
BBC Radio York’s poet laureate Olivia Mulligan will be making a special appearance at Thirsk Hall at 6.30pm on Friday 17 December. Tickets for the evening of poetry are on sale at £10 and all proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Herriot Hospice and the Lambert Hospital. Includes a welcoming drink on arrival. Other refreshments will be on sale. Limited space available so early booking advised.
http://www.thirskhall.com/tickets/p/an-evening-of-poetry

Christmas at the Farm Shop
Here’s a reminder of what’s in store this Christmas at the Milk Churn Farm Shop in Topcliffe.

Christmas trees are now on sale. Buy local and support your local shop.
Fresh free range turkeys from Pollards of Thirkelby. From 4kg upwards. Orders now being taken.
Other meat and poultry such as goose, chicken and pork plus special meat boxes from Johnson’s of Thirsk – please check website for details.
The Farm Shop is preparing bespoke fruit and vegetable boxes with all the essentials for the festive season. Order by 14 December and collect to suit.
Milk Churn Hampers – a range of delicious treats carefully packaged and hand-wrapped in an Emma Bridgewater tin.
Christmas treats from the cafe – gingerbread latte topped with whipped cream, cinnamon and a gingerbread man or white hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, sprinkles and mini candy cane.

Check out the Milk Churn Facebook page or website –
http://Christmas | Milkchurn (milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk)

Christmas & New Year at The Angel
Everyone deserves something special for the festive season so The Angel at Topcliffe has lined up a few treats to enhance your Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Festive Menus – evenings to 24 December – Monday to Saturday – 3 courses for the price of 2. Similar deal for lunches Monday to Thursday.
Christmas Day – two sittings for a festive lunch – between 12 noon and 4.30pm.
Boxing Day – lunch from 12 noon until 4pm
New Year’s Eve – 12 to 2.30pm – the last lunch of 2021.
New Year’s Eve – Big Charity Party Night raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Tickets only £20 to include entry and buffet.
New Year’s Eve – Dinner – 5 until 9pm – with DJ in the bar area and festivities until late.
New Year’s Day – Brunch – 11am until 5pm.

Call 01845 578000 or visit the website http://theangelattopcliffe.co.uk: for more details and bookings.

Parish Council meetings

Asenby Parish Council will meet at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January 2022 – http://www.asenby.net
Topcliffe Parish Council will meet at 7pm on Thursday 3 February 2022- http:// www.topcliffe.org.

Village Hall Committee meeting

The next meeting will be at 7.15am on Tuesday 25 January 2022.

Both parish councils and the Village Hall Committee meet at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.

Northallerton Male Voice Choir – Christmas Concert
Last chance to order tickets for the Northallerton Male Voice Choir’s Christmas concert on Saturday 18 December. It’s on at the Forum in Northallerton and there’ll be two performances – 3pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 and you book via the Forum website at http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

To Thursday 16 December (matinee Wednesday15 December) – Spencer – During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate, Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles.
Friday 17 to Thursday 23 December (matinee Wednesday 22 December) – Gucci – When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel their legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately…murder.
Monday 27 to Thursday 30 December (no matinees) – King Richard – A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after coaching from their father Richard Williams.
Sunday 2 to Thursday 6 January (matinee Sunday 2 January and no evening performance) – Ghostbusters: Afterlife – When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

The cinema will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas day, Boxing Day,, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Please keep checking the website for the latest details – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

Events on at The Forum

Saturday 18 December – 3pm and 7.30pm – Northallerton Male Voice Choir present their Christmas concert, with special guests, the Easington Colliery Band.
Monday 20 to Friday 24 December – multiple performances each day – a magical family pantomime, The Nice List.
Sunday 16 to Saturday 22 January (various performance times) – The Northallerton Variety Company present the pantomime Cinderella – undoubtedly the best known and most popular panto of them all.

Enquiries 01609 776230. Tickets online at http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall

Under the recently introduced Plan B rules, face masks must be worn by users of the village hall, except when eating, drinking or undertaking exercise.

1. Weekly Activities
Monday
Art classes – 10am to 12 noon.
My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm.
Boot Camp – 7 to 8pm.
Tuesday
Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Library – 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Squirrels – 5 to 6pm.
Beavers – 6.15 to 7.15pm.
Wednesday
Soup & Sweet lunch – 12 noon to 1pm (alternate Wednesdays).
Cubs – 6.45 to 7.45pm.
Thursday
Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm.
Indoor Carpet Bowls – 7.30 to 9.30pm.
Friday
Boot Camp – 6 to 7pm.
Scouts – 7.30 to 10pm.
Saturday
Salsa and Bachata dancing – 6 to 8pm (currently fortnightly).

2. Regular meetings and other events

Over 65s Christmas Lunch – 12 noon – Wednesday 15 December
Carols at the village Christmas tree – 7pm Wednesday 22 December (led by members of St Columba’s Choir). Mulled wine and mince pies afterwards in the Village Hall.
Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January.
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.15pm – Tuesday 25 January.
Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7pm on Thursday, 3 February.

Local traders

The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
Asenbee Honey – a local business selling honey but also making beeswax candles, a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
John Aston Flooring Ltd – The Old Hatchery, Asenby. Carpets and flooring. Appointment only. 01845 421111 info@johnastonflooring.co.uk
The Catton Kitchen – Breakfast baps available Thursday to Sunday each week and lunch options served Thursday to Saturday each week, all made from home grown produce where possible. If you would like to receive The Catton Kitchen’s weekly email about what’s on offer, please email Amy at hello@thecattonkitchen.co.uk Contacts: 07747 083155, Facebook page or http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk
Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
The Elm Gallery – Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920, check out the website at: http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing soy wax candles, wax melts and diffusers – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk or call 07879 447953.
The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – Kerry Parker runs this business supplying beautiful hampers containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. 07793 775987. http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ follow on Facebook or call 01845 400446
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. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.
The Swan – Providing traditional home-cooked food. Extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night. Take-away meals every day. Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm. On Saturdays, food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late. Bar times: Monday to Thursday 5pm to close; Friday 4pm to close; Saturday 3pm to close and Sunday 12 noon until close.
The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop.
Topcliffe Post Office – New opening times are: Shop sales, including newspapers – 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 12.30pm Saturday. Post Office services – 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12noon on Saturdays. New lines are being added every day so don’t forget to pop in for more than just your stamps or newspaper.

Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

Refuse – Monday 20 December and 3 January 2022
Recycling & green waste – There’ll be a special one off collection on 13 January to take Christmas trees. Normal garden waste is accepted during this collection. Bin lids must be closed.

Harrogate (Asenby)

Refuse – Monday 13 and Friday 24 December (changed due to a bank holiday) and Tuesday 11 January ((changed for operational reasons).
Recycling – Saturday 18 December (changed for operational reasons) and Wednesday 5 January (changed due to a bank holiday).
Garden waste – no more collections until March.

LATEST INFORMATION & NEWS ABOUT COVID

The week’s Covid statistics

51.2 million first doses given. 46.7 million second doses. 89.1% of the population aged 12+ has now had the first jab and over 81.2% the second.
22.6 million have now had a booster or third jab. That’s over 39.3% of those eligible.
There were 54,073 new Covid infections yesterday and 355,618 people tested positive in the last week. That’s a 12.6% increase on the previous week.
5,556 people were admitted to hospital with Covid in the week to 6 December.
There were 132 deaths reported yesterday and 836 in the last seven days.
The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at 146,387.
170,001 deaths registered in the UK had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
Worldwide, the global death toll is 5,315,395.

Plan B rules now apply
England has moved to Plan B in a bid to tackle rising numbers of Covid cases as the Omicron variant continues to spread throughout the UK. So far, close to 2,000 cases of the variant, first reported in South Africa, have been identified in the UK, with that number expected to rise significantly in the coming days.

Thanks to the vaccination programme, the government has said that it should be possible to handle outbreaks with less damaging measures than the lockdowns used in the past. But the key message is that getting jabbed, and particularly getting the booster, is the best course of action.

Under Plan B the following rules will apply:

The mandatory wearing of face coverings is now required in more locations (in addition to public transport and shops). On Friday 9 December this was expanded to venues such as cinemas, theatres and places of worship…and even village halls. They won’t be needed when eating, drinking or exercising.
From Monday 13 December, people should work from home if they can.
Covid passports will be required from Wednesday 15 December in order to enter some indoor and larger outdoor venues, including nightclubs, music venues, festivals, sports stadiums. This will include proof of vaccination or proof of a negative lateral flow test. The NHS Covid pass will act as a certificate, with exemptions for those unable to get jabbed.

Currently anyone in close contact with someone who tests positive for Covid, but who is not in their household, should isolate and take a PCR test. If the test is negative, they can leave isolation – if they are double-vaccinated. However, if someone comes into contact with someone who has tested positive for the Omicron variant, they must self-isolate at home for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status. But the government has indicated that daily testing may be introduced instead of isolation for those who come into contact with Omicron infected people. No date for when this would start has been given.

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

Posted on 5 December 20212 October 2026 by Doug Allan

Sunday Email: Issue 87

Welcome to the 87th issue of the Sunday Email.
Doug
07785 223707

The December Tattler
The Christmas/Winter edition of The Tattler will be published and distributed door to door throughout the two villages next Wednesday (8 December).

Topcliffe Village Christmas tree
Topcliffe’s Christmas tree outside the Village Hall is now on display and lit each evening. A big thank you to everyone who helped get it put up and decorated last Sunday.

See the item about services at St Columba’s for details of a special Carols around the Christmas tree event on Wednesday 22 December.

Christmas lunch places going well
Thirty residents have so far put their name down for the Over 65s Christmas lunch on Wednesday 15 December, leaving only ten places left to be taken. Anyone wanting to join in should get in touch soon as it’s first come, first served. The three-course lunch is being held in the Village Hall and it’s only £10 per person. Anyone aged 65 and over is very welcome to add their name to the list by calling Judith Lowe on 01845 577911.

Next soup and sweet lunch
The next soup and sweet lunch will be on Wednesday, 8 December at 12 noon. Money raised at this lunch will again help subsidise the cost of the Over 65s Christmas lunch on 15 December.

Message from Linda Carver and Karen Morley
A big thank you to whoever it was that put us forward for Hambleton Hero awards. it was very kind of you, but it couldn’t have happened without the support of all those who made delicious soups and cakes…and all of those who have attended the lunches over the last few months. Many thanks to you all.

Farmers’ Market
TODAY! There’ll be a Farmers’ market in Thirsk Market Place. It’s on until 2pm. You’ll find lots of stalls displaying a fantastic selection of great products.

Shed fund reaches £1,500
In just over three months Topcliffe Academy pupils and the local community have managed to raise £1,500 for a new equipment storage shed for the school’s Seedlings Nursery. Various fundraising activities were organised within the village and children from the Seedlings Nursery themselves took part in a sponsored walk around Topcliffe. Then Topcliffe Parish Council stepped in and agreed to contribute the balance needed to buy the shed. Now that’s what you call a real community effort.

Christmas gift for over 80 year olds
The Feoffees (trustees) representing the Charities of Topcliffe are aiming to deliver a small Christmas surprise to residents in Topcliffe and Asenby who are aged over 80 years of age. The Feofees representing both villages believe they have the names of the majority of residents who qualify for the gift…but they would be happy to hear from anyone who qualifies and hasn’t in previous years received a gift. All details will be treated in strict confidence. Please get in touch and supply your contact details (name, age, address, telephone number) to either:

Asenby Feoffee – Carole Ford on 01845 577718 r
Topcliffe Feoffees – Anne-Marie Barningham 07740 175311 or Doug Allan 07785 223707

Cross Talk
Cross Talk is the monthly newsletter published by the parishes of Topcliffe, Baldersby, Dishforth, Dalton and Skipton on Swale. It contains information about church services at the various churches in the parishes and news and items of interest supplied by its readers. To receive a copy please contact kitnorris@live.co.uk It is issued by email and is also available on several websites – http://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/3447 and http://baldersbychurch.com

Handel’s – Messiah
A performance by Ripon Choral Society in the grandeur of Ripon Cathedral. on Saturday 11 December. Tickets: Cathedral shop or phone 07986 861332. http://riponchoralsociety.org.uk

Christmas at the Farm Shop
The Milk Churn Farm Shop is gearing up to ensure it can meet local demand for trees, meat and poultry, veg boxes and everything else you need to make the festive season go well.

Christmas trees are now on sale.
Fresh free range turkeys from Pollards of Thirkelby. From 4kg upwards. Orders now being taken.
Other meat and poultry such as goose, chicken and pork plus special meat boxes from Johnson’s of Thirsk – please check website for details.
The Farm Shop is preparing bespoke fruit and vegetable boxes with all the essentials for the festive season. Order by 14 December and collect to suit.
Milk Churn Hampers – a range of delicious treats carefully packaged and hand-wrapped in an Emma Bridgewater tin.
Christmas treats from the cafe – gingerbread latte topped with whipped cream, cinnamon and a gingerbread man or white hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, sprinkles and mini candy cane. Yummy!

Check out the Milk Churn Facebook page or website –
http://Christmas | Milkchurn (milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk)

Christmas at St Columba’s
There’s to be a full range of Christmas services and events at St Columba’s this year, though the Parochial Church Council will always have an eye to adapting them if Covid considerations make that necessary. It’s hoped that there’s something on the agenda to suit most people and everyone will be most welcome.

► Sunday 19 December at 6.30pm – Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. The traditional telling of the Christmas story with an abundance of congregational and choir carols. St Columba’s Choir led by Linda Hewlett, Organist Matthew Atherton. Followed by refreshments including wine and finger food.
► Wednesday 22 December at 7pm – ‘Come and Sing’ carols for all, around the Christmas tree, accompanied by a local brass band. Meet outside the Village Hall to start singing at 7pm. Followed by mince pies and mulled wine inside the hall.
► Christmas Eve Crib Service, Friday 24 December at 2pm, with an informal telling of the Christmas story. For all the family, especially those with young children.
► Christmas Eve Midnight Mass – Friday 24 December at 11.30pm – The First Christmas Eucharist to bring you into Christmas Day, with choir and carols.
► Christmas Day, Saturday 25 December at 9am. An informal Christmas Day service for all the family.

In addition, the usual Sunday services continue as follows;

TONIGHT! (5 December) 6.30pm – Choral Evensong
12 December 10.45am, Holy Communion
19 December 10.45am, Matins
26 December (No service)

A message from all at St Columba’s
We send our very best wishes to you all for a very happy and blessed Christmas and 2022. We would also like to thank everyone for their support and understanding as we have negotiated both the Covid pandemic and the lengthy period we have been without a vicar.

Festive Menus – evenings to 24 December – Monday to Saturday – 3 courses for the price of 2. Similar deal for lunches Monday to Thursday.
Party Nights – limited availability left on 3, 10 and 11 December.
Christmas Day – two sittings for a festive dinner – between 12 noon to 4.30pm.
Boxing Day – lunch from 12 noon until 4pm
New Year’s Eve – 12 to 2.30pm – the last lunch of 2021.
New Year’s Eve – Big Charity Party Night raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Tickets only £20 to include entry and buffet.
New Year’s Eve – Dinner – 5 until 9pm – with DJ in the bar area and festivities until late.
New Year’s Day – Brunch – 11am until 5pm.

Call 01845 578000 or visit the website http://theangelattopcliffe.co.uk: for more details and bookings.

How to keep safe when Christmas shopping online
This year more than ever before people will be doing their Christmas shopping online and avoiding visits to busy shops and malls. Most transactions will be fine but there are risks for the less wary, so here are a few simple tips that just might keep you safe from scammer cheats:

Do your research: if you’re looking for a specific item then make sure you have a good idea of what the RRP is. If you see it advertised at a dramatically reduced price then chances are it’s a scam.
Use secure websites: make sure any websites you use to buy items have the secure padlock icon in the web address bar and start ‘https’
Pay using a credit card or secure payment provider like paypal: Using a credit card gives you an extra layer of protection.
Be aware of spoofed websites: scammers can imitate popular websites so make sure the web address is correct and if in doubt don’t use it.
Check reviews: If you’re not familiar with a website or retailer then look for reviews before making any transactions. TrustPilot is a good source for this.

Finally, if something looks too good to be true then chances are it’s probably a scam!

Parish Council meetings

Asenby Parish Council will meet at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January 2022 – http://www.asenby.net
Topcliffe Parish Council will meet at 7.15pm on Thursday 3 February 2022- http:// www.topcliffe.org.

Village Hall Committee meeting

The next meeting will be at 7.15am on Tuesday 25 January 2022.

Both parish councils and the Village Hall Committee meet at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.

Northallerton Male Voice Choir – Christmas Concert

There’s a real treat in store this festive season when the excellent Northallerton Male Voice Choir, accompanied by their guest (the Easington Colliery Band), present their Christmas concert. It’s at the Forum in Northallerton and there’ll be two performances – 3pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 18 December. Tickets are £10 and you book via the Forum website at http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

To Thursday 9 December – Dune – Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel, about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.
Friday 10 to Thursday 16 December – Spencer – During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate, Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles.

There are no matinees on any of these films. Please keep checking the website for the latest details – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

Events on at The Forum

TONIGHT! Sunday 5 December at 7.30pm – ‘Anything Goes, the musical’ – Filmed live at the Barbican in London, this production features an all-star cast. A heart-warming romance with spectacular dance routines and some of theatre’s most memorable songs.
Tuesday 7 December at 7.30pm – Firefighters’ Carol Concert with the Lockwood Brass Band.
Thursday 9 December at 8m – An Evening with Shaun Ryder – As the frontman of The Happy Mondays and Black Grape, Shaun Ryder is part of the Madchester phenomenon that spread across the globe.
Friday 10 December at 7.30pm – Elvis the Legend – J D King impersonator extraordinaire!
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December at 7.30pm – Roy Chubby Brown.
Saturday 18 December – 3pm and 7.30pm – Northallerton Male Voice Choir present their Christmas concert, with special guests, the Easington Colliery Band.
Monday 20 to Friday 24 December – multiple performances each day – a magical family pantomime, The Nice List.
Sunday 16 to Saturday 22 January (various performance times) – The Northallerton Variety Company present the pantomime Cinderella – undoubtedly the best known and most popular panto of them all.

Enquiries 01609 776230. Tickets online at http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall
1. Weekly Activities
Monday
Art classes – 10am to 12 noon.
My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm.
Boot Camp – 7 to 8pm.
Tuesday
Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Library – 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Squirrels – 5 to 6pm.
Beavers – 6.15 to 7.15pm.
Wednesday
Soup & Sweet lunch – 12 noon to 1pm (alternate Wednesdays).
Cubs – 6.45 to 7.45pm.
Thursday
Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm.
Indoor Carpet Bowls – 7.30 to 9.30pm.
Friday
Boot Camp – 6 to 7pm.
Scouts – 7.30 to 10pm.
Saturday
Salsa and Bachata dancing – 6 to 8pm (currently fortnightly).

2. Regular meetings and other events

Elderly folks Christmas Lunch – 12 noon – Wednesday 15 December
Carols at the village Christmas tree – 7pm Wednesday 22 December (led by members of St Columba’s Choir). Mulled wine and mince pies afterwards in the Village Hall.
Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January.
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.15pm – Tuesday 25 January.
Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7.15pm on Thursday, 3 February.

Local traders

The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
Asenbee Honey – a local business selling honey but also making beeswax candles, a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
John Aston Flooring Ltd – The Old Hatchery, Asenby. Carpets and flooring. Appointment only. 01845 421111 info@johnastonflooring.co.uk
The Catton Kitchen – Breakfast baps available Thursday to Sunday each week and lunch options served Thursday to Saturday each week, all made from home grown produce where possible. If you would like to receive The Catton Kitchen’s weekly email about what’s on offer, please email Amy at hello@thecattonkitchen.co.uk Contacts: 07747 083155, Facebook page or http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk
Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
The Elm Gallery – Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920, check out the website at: http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing soy wax candles, wax melts and diffusers – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk or call 07879 447953.
The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – Kerry Parker runs this business supplying beautiful hampers containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. 07793 775987. http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Trees and turkeys – you can now place your order for Christmas. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ follow on Facebook or call 01845 400446
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. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.
The Swan – Providing traditional home-cooked food. Extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night. Take-away meals every day. Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm. On Saturdays, food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late. Bar times: Monday to Thursday 5pm to close; Friday 4pm to close; Saturday 3pm to close and Sunday 12 noon until close.
The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop.
Topcliffe Post Office – New opening times are: Shop sales, including newspapers – 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 12.30pm Saturday. Post Office services – 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12noon on Saturdays. New lines are being added every day so don’t forget to pop in for more than just your stamps or newspaper.

Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

Refuse – Mondays 6 and 20 December, 3 January.
Recycling & green waste – The garden waste collection on 2 December was the last regular collection until 24 February. However, there will be a one off collection on 13 January to take Christmas trees. Normal garden waste is accepted during this collection. Bin lids must be closed.

Harrogate (Asenby)

Recycling – Monday 6 and Saturday 18 December (changed for operational reasons) and Wednesday 5 January (changed due to a bank holiday).
Refuse – Monday 13 and Friday 24 December (changed due to a bank holiday) and Tuesday 11 January ((changed for operational reasons).
Garden waste – no more collections until March.

LATEST INFORMATION & NEWS ABOUT COVID

The week’s Covid statistics

51.1 million first doses given. 46.5 million second doses. 88.8% of the population aged 12+ has now had the first jab and over 80.8% the second.
19.8 million have now had a booster or third jab. That’s over 34.4% of those eligible.
There were 42,848 new Covid infections yesterday and 315,731 people tested positive in the last week. That’s a 2.5% increase on the previous week.
5,388 people were admitted to hospital with Covid in the week to 30 November.
There were 127 deaths reported yesterday and 827 in the last seven days.
The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at 145,551
169,020 deaths registered in the UK had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
Worldwide, the global death toll is 5,262,728

COVID NEWS IN BRIEF

The average number of daily confirmed cases has bounced around since mid-July and has been rising again since early November. A further 53,945 confirmed cases were announced on Thursday, the highest daily total since July, when the Euro 2020 football matches were being played.
The emergence of the new Omicron variant , which has so far been detected in 30 countries, means new temporary measures are now in force in this country as a precaution. These include the compulsory use of face coverings in shops and on public transport. Anyone entering the UK is required to take a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival and must self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
A booster campaign, for people aged over 40, has been extended to all over-18s. Every adult will be offered a booster jab by the end of January, in an attempt to stop a potential wave of cases driven by the new Omicron variant.
Experts say there is good reason to believe the vaccines will provide some protection against the new Omicron variant so if you are boosted your response is likely to be stronger. That means it’s more vital than ever that people get their jabs.
Booster jabs can now be given three months after a second dose (or third, if you have a weakened immune system). Vulnerable people will be contacted first, followed by older age groups, then younger ones.
A UK trial has shown that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines give the best overall booster response.
Jabs will be rolled out at 1,500 community pharmacy sites and extra hospital hubs.
Five to 11 year olds could be the next age group to be offered a Covid jab with ministers now taking advice on the impact of vaccinating primary-school-age children.
People are likely to need to have annual Covid vaccinations for many years to come, according to the CEO of Pfizer.
If you have any questions about the new rules and impact of Omicron, you may find the BBC’s questions and answers useful – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-51176409

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

Posted on 29 November 20212 October 2026 by Doug Allan

Sunday Email: Issue 86

Welcome to the 85th issue of the Sunday Email.
Doug
07785 223707

Surprise award for two Hambleton Heroes
There was a surprise in store for two Topcliffe residents – Karen Morley and Linda Carver – who have organised the fortnightly soup and sweet lunches at the Village Hall since July. During last Wednesday’s lunch Mark Robson, the leader of Hambleton District Council, and our local district councillor, popped in to present special Hambleton Hero awards to the pair to mark their amazing contribution to community life in Topcliffe. Since launching the regular lunches Karen and Linda have created a great opportunity for locals to meet together and also raised around a thousand pounds for local charities. A great achievement and congratulations to you both.

Next soup and sweet lunch
The next soup and sweet lunch will be on Wednesday, 8 December at 12 noon. Money raised at this lunch will help subsidise the cost of the Over 65s Christmas lunch on 15 December.

The lunch on 24 November raised £71.50 and this too will be used to subsidise the Christmas lunch.

Get your kids a letter from Santa
Christmas may still be a four weeks away, but Santa’s grotto is now open to receive letters from children. They could then receive a personalised reply from the man himself closer to Christmas. This service is free and comes courtesy of Royal Mail. The deadline is 11.59pm on Friday 10 December, but you are advised to write as soon as possible to stand a good chance of getting a reply. Technically, it isn’t 100% free as you’ll need to post your letter to Santa with a stamp (85p first class, 66p second). Just remember to include full names and addresses, so Santa knows where to send his reply. Write to:

Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ

Free festive parking at Hambleton Council sites
Hambleton District Council is giving the local economy a massive festive boost by making car parking free for four weeks from next Wednesday. Parking in every district council car park will be free through to 4 January. That includes Thirsk and Northallerton, as well as Stokesley, Bedale, Great Ayton and Easingwold.

It’s hoped that suspending parking charges for a month in the build up to and immediately after Christmas will encourage shoppers to use the shops, restaurants and cafes in the district’s market towns, and support local businesses as they emerge from the pandemic.

The free festive parking will apply to over 900 car parking bays across the district council’s car parks. The district council no longer manages Crosby Road car park in Northallerton, therefore this car park is not subject to free parking.

New Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elected
Conservative candidate Zoe Metcalfe won 41,760 of the first and second-preference votes in the by-election held last Thursday. The ballot was triggered after the previous commissioner, Philip Allott, resigned following criticism of comments he made about the murder of Sarah Everard. Ms Metcalfe said in order to regain trust in the office following Mr Allott’s resignation she would be “open, visible and transparent in promoting her work and will focus on improving safety for women and girls across North Yorkshire, supporting victims of crime and tackling serious and organised crime.”

Labour’s Emma Scott-Spivey got a total of 26,895 votes, putting her in second place. 86,973 votes were cast from an electorate of 623,821 in North Yorkshire, a turnout of just 13.94%. Three other candidates were knocked out in the first round, with independent Keith Tordoff gaining 14,988 votes, Liberal Democrat James Barker 9,499 and Sarah Barham-Brown of the Women’s Equality Party 8,837.

Avian Influenza Prevention Zone
On 21 November, a new Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was declared in parts of North Yorkshire, including the districts of Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire. Until further notice it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers in these areas to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict bio-security measures to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease. Additional bird housing measures, as well as necessary disease control and prevention, must be taken to help minimise the risk from wild birds and other sources, both at the perimeter of properties and within the premises to prevent disease being spread between different bird houses.

LATEST NEWS! As from 00:01 on Monday 29 November the Poultry Housing Order under which the above AIPZ was established, is extended to cover all poultry in England.

The December Tattler
The Christmas/Winter edition of The Tattler will be published on Wednesday 8 December.

Topcliffe Village Christmas tree (Sunday 28 November)
This evening Topcliffe’s Christmas tree will be lit for the first time. During the course of today, volunteer residents will put up the tree and make sure it’s ready before dusk. The lights will be on every night of the festive season. Once again the village tree has kindly been donated by Debbie Roberts and Hannah Alderson of the Farm Shop and Post Office. A big thank you to Tara Kniveton of Allanbrooke Barracks for the huge bag of tree decorations she has donated.

Christmas lunch places going well
Twenty five residents have so far put their name down for the Over 65s Christmas lunch on Wednesday 15 December, leaving only fifteen places left to be taken. Anyone wanting to join in should get in touch soon as it’s first come, first served. The three-course lunch is being held in the Village Hall and it’s only £10 per person. Anyone aged 65 and over is very welcome to add their name to the list by calling Judith Lowe on 01845 577911.

Take to the floor for Salsa and Bachata
Eighteen dancers attended the first Salsa and Bachata class at the Village Hall on 20th November and were taken through the steps by a professional tutor. There are further sessions planned for 11 and 18 December…with more in the new year if interest is maintained.

There are still places available and you don’t need to be experienced as everything is broken down into steps to make sure everyone can follow. The two-hour session includes an hour of salsa and an hour of bachata. You can stay for both or just one. It’s £5 for an hour or £7.25 for the two-our session. For more information and to book a place, call Joanne Brierley on 07732 941758.

Christmas at the Farm Shop
As Christmas rapidly approaches, the Milk Churn Farm Shop is gearing up to ensure it can meet local demand for trees, meat and poultry, veg boxes and everything else you need to make the festive season go well.

Christmas trees delayed! Because of the atrocious weather we have been having, the display and sale of Christmas trees has been held over until Tuesday 30 November. There’ll be many sizes of tree available and pre-orders can be made.
Fresh free range turkeys from Pollards of Thirkelby. From 4kg upwards. Orders now being taken.
Other meat and poultry such as goose, chicken and pork plus special meat boxes from Johnson’s of Thirsk – please check website for details.
The Farm Shop is preparing bespoke fruit and vegetable boxes with all the essentials for the festive season. Order by 14 December and collect to suit.
Milk Churn Hampers – a range of delicious treats carefully packaged and hand-wrapped in an Emma Bridgewater tin.
Christmas treats from the cafe – gingerbread latte topped with whipped cream, cinnamon and a gingerbread man or white hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, sprinkles and mini candy cane. Yummy!

Check out the Milk Churn Facebook page or website –
http://Christmas | Milkchurn (milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk)

Services at St Columba’s

TODAY! Sunday 28 November, 10.45am – Holy Communion with hymns.
Sunday 5 December, 6.30pm – Choral Evensong
Sunday 12 December, 10.45am – Holy Communion.

Services planned for the Christmas period will be listed in December emails.

Festive Menus – evenings from 1 to 24 December – Monday to Saturday – 3 courses for the price of 2. Similar deal for lunches Monday to Thursday.
Party Nights – limited availability left on 3, 10 and 11 December.
Christmas Day – two sittings for a festive dinner – between 12 noon to 4.30pm.
Boxing Day – lunch from 12 noon until 4pm
New Year’s Eve – 12 to 2.30pm – the last lunch of 2021.
New Year’s Eve – Big Charity Party Night raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Tickets only £20 to include entry and buffet.
New Year’s Eve – Dinner – 5 until 9pm – with DJ in the bar area and festivities until late.
New Year’s Day – Brunch – 11am until 5pm.

Call 01845 578000 or visit the website http://theangelattopcliffe.co.uk: for more details and bookings.

Parish Council meetings

Topcliffe Parish Council will meet at 7.15pm on Thursday 2 December 2021 – http:// www.topcliffe.org.
Asenby Parish Council will meet at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January 2022 – http://www.asenby.net

Village Hall Committee meeting

The next meeting will be at 7.15am on Tuesday 25 January 2022.

Both parish councils and the Village Hall Committee meet at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.

Latest from Catton Kitchen

Breakfast baps available Thursday to Sunday each week and lunch options served Thursday to Saturday each week, all made from home grown produce where possible.
07747 083155 or check out http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk or Facebook.
If you would like to receive The Catton Kitchen’s weekly email about what’s on offer, please email Amy at hello@thecattonkitchen.co.uk

Thirsk Christmas Lights
Thirsk Yarnbombers are having a Christmas craft stall on Thirsk Market on Saturday 4 December.

2FA is good for you
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a way of strengthening the login security of your online accounts. It’s similar to how an ATM works – ie you need both your debit card (first factor) and your PIN (second factor) to get access your account and withdraw cash. The main objective is better security. If your card is stolen, they still need your PIN. If your PIN is stolen, they still need your card. Enabling 2FA will help to stop hackers from getting into your computer online accounts, even if they have your password.

Here are links you can use to enable 2FA on some of the most popular online services and apps:

For more of the government’s latest advice on how to stay secure online, visit the Cyber Aware website: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware

Dalton Christmas Fair
There’ll be a Christmas Fair at Dalton Village Hall on Saturday 4 December, 10am to 12 noon. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children (which includes a gift from Santa). There will be various stalls, a tombola, singing from Dalton Voices, and bacon sandwiches!

Farmers’ Market
There’ll be a Farmers’ market in Thirsk Market Place on Sunday 5 December between 9am and 2pm. You’ll find lots of stalls displaying a fantastic selection goodies!

Handel – Messiah
A performance by Ripon Choral Society in the grandeur of Ripon Cathedral. on Saturday 11 December. Tickets:
Cathedral shop or phone 07986 861332. http://riponchoralsociety.org.uk

Northallerton Male Voice Choir – Christmas Concert

To Thursday 2 December – The Last Duel – King Charles VI declares that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel.
Friday 3 to Thursday 9 December – Dune – Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel, about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.
Friday 10 to Thursday 16 December – Spencer – During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate, Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles.

There are no matinees on any of these films. Please keep checking the website for the latest details – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

Events on at The Forum

Thursday 2 December at 7.30pm – Jenny Eclair: Sixty! Having hit 60 (but still a year younger than Madonna), Jenny Eclair confronts a new decade of decrepitude.
Saturday 4 December at 7.30pm – The Upbeat Beatles – This is a rockin’ band with tight musicianship and powerhouse vocals. You’ll be jumping from the word go!
Sunday 5 December at 7.30pm – ‘Anything Goes, the musical’ – Filmed live at the Barbican in London, this production features an all-star cast. A heart-warming romance with spectacular dance routines and some of theatre’s most memorable songs.
Tuesday 7 December at 7.30pm – Firefighters’ Carol Concert with the Lockwood Brass Band.
Thursday 9 December at 8m – An Evening with Shaun Ryder – As the frontman of The Happy Mondays and Black Grape, Shaun Ryder is part of the Madchester phenomenon that spread across the globe.
Friday 10 December at 7.30pm – Elvis the Legend – J D King impersonator extraordinaire!
Friday 17 December at 7.30pm – Katey Brooks at The Forum – a rebellious songwriter and artist with sound blending folk, soul, blues and country.
Saturday 18 December – 3pm and 7.30pm – Northallerton Male Voice Choir present their Christmas concert, with special guests, the Easington Colliery Band.

Enquiries 01609 776230. Tickets online at http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7.15pm on Thursday, 2 December
Elderly folks Christmas Lunch – 12 noon – Wednesday 15 December
Carols at the village Christmas tree – 7pm Wednesday 22 December (led by members of St Columba’s Choir). Mulled wine and mince pies afterwards in the Village Hall.
Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January.
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.15pm – Tuesday 25 January.

Local traders

The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
Asenbee Honey – a local business selling honey but also making beeswax candles, a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
John Aston Flooring Ltd – The Old Hatchery, Asenby. Carpets and flooring. Appointment only. 01845 421111 info@johnastonflooring.co.uk
The Catton Kitchen – 07747 083155. Check out http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk or folllow on Facebook.
Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
The Elm Gallery – Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920, check out the website at: http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing soy wax candles, wax melts and diffusers – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk or call 07879 447953.
The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – Kerry Parker runs this business supplying beautiful hampers containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. 07793 775987. http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Trees and turkeys – you can now place your order for Christmas. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ follow on Facebook or call 01845 400446
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. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.
The Swan – Providing traditional home-cooked food. Extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night. Take-away meals every day. Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm. On Saturdays, food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late. Bar times: Monday to Thursday 5pm to close; Friday 4pm to close; Saturday 3pm to close and Sunday 12 noon until close.
The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop.
Topcliffe Post Office – New opening times are: Shop sales, including newspapers – 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 12.30pm Saturday. Post Office services – 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12noon on Saturdays. New lines are being added every day so don’t forget to pop in for more than just your stamps or newspaper.

Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

Refuse – Mondays 6 and 20 December
Recycling & green waste – Thursday 2 December.

The garden waste collection on 2 December will be the last regular collection until 24 February. However, there will be a one off collection on 13 January to take Christmas trees. Normal garden waste is accepted during this collection.

Harrogate (Asenby)

Refuse – Mondays 29 November and 13 December
Recycling – Mondays 6 and 20 December.
Garden waste – no more collections until March.

The council will be in touch in January to explain what you need to do if you want to have your garden waste taken away in 2022.

LATEST INFORMATION & NEWS ABOUT COVID

The week’s Covid statistics

50.9 million first doses given. 46.3 million second doses. 88.5% of the population aged 12+ has now had the first jab and over 80.5% the second.
17.1 million have now had a booster or third jab. That’s over 30% of those eligible.
There were 39,567 new Covid infections yesterday and 307,979 people tested positive in the last week. That’s a 8% increase on the previous week.
5,430 people were admitted to hospital with Covid in the week to 23 November.
There were 131 deaths reported yesterday and 858 in the last seven days.
The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at 144,742.
167,927 deaths registered in the UK had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
Worldwide, the global death toll is 5,214,945.

Omicron is the new Covid danger
The Covid pandemic rollercoaster took another dramatic twist this week with the news of a new variant called Omicron. It originated in Botswana and is rapidly taking a grip across south African countries. On Friday flights from six southern African countries were suspended and those nations have been added to the travel red list. From 4am this morning anyone arriving in the UK from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days at their own expense.

The Omicron variant has not yet been given the title ‘variant of concern’ in the UK, but one senior health expert said it is the worst variant we have seen so far. Having around twice as many mutations as the Delta variant it could potentially be more transmissible and resist the protection given by prior infection or vaccination. The emergence of this Omicron variant has triggered fears among some scientists that its significant number of mutations could be resistant to current vaccines, however this has not yet been proved.

Tougher guidance on Covid in run up to Christmas
Official guidance about Covid has been toughened to prevent a surge in cases before Christmas. The focus is on more rapid tests and home working. Around 1 in 3 people with Covid do not have symptoms and shed the virus onto others in the vicinity. People are now advised to take a Lateral Flow Test if they expect to be in a high risk situation that day, such as spending time in crowded and enclosed spaces and where there is limited fresh air.

It is important to check using a Lateral Flow Test. You can get a pack of seven from pharmacies or online from: https://tinyurl.com/getlateralflow

Cold and Covid symptoms are very similar
Research at London’s Kings College and Zoe Covid Study shows there’s more to Covid than the three classic symptoms, but many people remain unaware of all the symptoms they should be looking out for. They are: sneezing, headache, runny nose, loss of smell, cough, sore throat and fever. The problem is that the symptoms are similar to those of a cold, which leaves people at risk of wrongly believing they have a cold, when in fact they could have Covid..Check out this link: https://tinyurl.com/allsymptoms

Vaccination booster programme
Across the UK full vaccination is now three jabs for most people. If you are in one of the following groups you should
get the booster to maintain protection::
– You’re 40 or over
– You’re 16 or over, with a health condition that puts you at high risk from Covid
– You’re a front-line health or social care worker
– You’re an adult living with an immuno-suppressed person
You can pre-book your booster five months after your second dose. You will be offered an appointment six months after your second jab. Or, after six months, you can go to an NHS walk-in centre. Check details: https://tinyurl.com/boosternov2021

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