Category: Sunday Email

Since the start of the pandemic there’s been 62,624 positive cases of Covid in North Yorkshire. The weekly rolling average of new cases is 327 cases per day. The seven-day rate for the county was 434 cases per 100,000 people, still slightly higher than the England seven-day rate of 331.

Some patients may have already received texts or emails inviting them to book their Covid booster vaccine via the NHS vaccine national booking service. Appointments booked in this way are likely to be at vaccination centres which are further afield, such as Knaresborough, Darlington or York. But only the booster jab will be available at these appointments – not the flu vaccination.

If you wish, you can ignore the NHS invitation and await an invitation via the surgery, so that you can have both jabs together. You will be contacted when it’s your turn, starting with over 75s. Please let the surgery know if you are over 75 and have already received your Covid booster jab through the national booking service but still require a flu jab.

The UK now has one of the highest rates of Covid infection in Europe. Most of the big nations have significantly lower numbers, with only Serbia and Romania being higher.

If you are fully vaccinated:

• You no longer have to take a pre-departure test before travelling to the UK
• You do not have to self-isolate upon your return
• You must take a day two PCR test after arriving back in the UK (will be replaced by a lateral flow test later in October)

If you are not fully vaccinated:

• You must still take a pre-departure test (PCR or lateral flow) within three days before travelling to the UK
• You must self-isolate for 10 days upon your arrival
• You must take a day two and day eight PCR test
• You may take an additional day five PCR test and be released from isolation early if you test negative.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The government is failing to publicise which countries are putting the UK on their red lists. As our infection rates remain stubbornly high and our vaccination programme slows down, many countries are seeing travellers from the UK as the real danger. You only find out about potential restrictions when you try to book travel to these countries. But be warned, the UK is being red-listed by more and more nations.

• Test and Trace – For details about Test and Trace and how it works go to Test and Trace
• Anyone who is showing coronavirus symptoms is eligible to book a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to find out if they have the virus. You can also book a PCR test if you are self-isolating after being in contact with someone who has tested positive. Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before. If test sites are fully booked they will not appear on the government’s website. 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 PCR test.
• Lateral Flow Testing Kits – are available free of charge to everyone. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately. You can order here

Get ready for the big Topcliffe Tidy Up Day. It’s on the morning of Saturday 16 October. Parish councillors Ben Collard and Malcolm Morley are leading on this project and they hope that a few community-minded residents might join them to tackle a few jobs that need attention in the village, including:

• Litter picking on all streets and alleyways
• Maintenance of hedges and ivy around Jubilee Gardens
• Painting of the long fence between the Swan and the school (paint supplied by the parish council)
• Weeding and litter removal on paths close to Topcliffe bridge
• Cleaning of road signs around the village
• General tidy up of Long Street near the Post Office
• Removal of nettles along the playing fields entrance track
• Removal of damaged fence panels and picnic table near play area at the playing field.

Would volunteers please meet at the Village Hall 8.45am for coffee and to be allocated to working parties. Bacon sandwiches will be served by Karen Morley at around 11 to 11.15am. All helpers should wear long sleeves and protective/gardening gloves. Hi-vis vests and plastic bags are being provided by Hambleton District Council. If anyone would be able to bring their own gardening tools, that would be much appreciated.

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.

Newspaper vouchers.are now being accepted. New lines already in the shop include frozen foods, a selection of cleaning products, tinned food items and lots more. The range of items will continue to be added to and it is anticipated that alcohol sales will be available before too long.

The Bags2school textile recycling event was held last Thursday and around 150 bags were collected. The weight of the bags was 650kg and £195 was raised, which will be shared between the Village Hall and 1st Topcliffe Scouts. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the event

The Shed Project is a campaign to raise cash to replace a dilapidated storage shed in which the nursery stores equipment. Around £1,000 is needed for a new shed and so far over £300 has been raised within the village.

Outdated plant equipment has been replaced with greener, more environmentally sustainable equipment, the building now has a much-needed new roof and the reception area has been transformed into a light and airy modern space.

Leader of the Council Councillor Mark Robson said: “The £4 million investment made to improve this essential community facility shows the council’s commitment to improving and developing our area. It’s never been more important for people to have easy access to facilities that can benefit their health and wellbeing and the new look leisure centre will offer just that. The leisure centre is looking fantastic, and I hope people will come along and enjoy the new facilities.”

• TODAY! Sunday 10 October
• Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 October

Timed sessions from 9.30am through to 3.30pm. Tickets only – available online. http://www.spilmans.co.uk

Seed count!
Have you had a go at guessing the number of seeds in the jar at the Milk Churn Farm Shop? There’s a few spaces left – – just £1 a go – and the winner will get a special food hamper as a prize. The ‘rafflle’ is raising cash for the Shed Project at the Seedlings Nursery.

The event at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall on Saturday 13 November will have a wide range of interesting stalls, including crafts, lampshades, crocheted items, Christmas cards, calendars, decoupage, upcycling, gift wrap and coasters. There should be lots of great ideas for Christmas presents.

Linda and Karen will be providing two stalls themselves – one selling home-baked cakes and another selling homemade produce. They would welcome any donations from the many talented bakers and preserves bottlers in the village. Refreshments including, sausage sandwiches, will be on sale.

• Autumn Garland making, with Sahra Rayner of Willow View Farm, Topcliffe – Saturday 23 October 2-4pm. £25 per person. Arrive at 1.30pm for tea/coffee and cake, which is included in the price.
• Christmas wreath making – Sunday 5 December 3.30 to 5.30pm (An extra class to cope with demand). £30 per person. Arrive at 3pm for mulled wine and mince pie (included in the price).
• Please note that the three other wreath making sessions on 2, 4 and 5 December are fully booked.

See contact details in Traders section below.

• TODAY: Sunday 10 October, 10.45am – Holy Communion with hymns.
• Sunday 17 October, 10.45am – Choral Matins (Book of Common Prayer) with hymns and readings
• Sunday 24 October, 10.45am – Holy Communion with hymns.
• Sunday 31 October – No Service
• 2 November 7.30pm, Choral Requiem Mass for the Feast of All Souls. November is the season of Remembrance and on the 2nd we are invited to remember those known to us who have died. The service is open to all, of any denomination or none, and provides the space and tranquillity to reflect on and give thanks for the lives of family and friends we see no more. During the service there will be the opportunity to remember people by name or, if preferred, silently by the placing of names on the altar. As we emerge from the Covid pandemic this will be particularly relevant and poignant.
• Sunday 7 November, 10.45am – Holy Communion with hymns.
• 14 November, Remembrance Sunday 10.45am, Holy Communion with Act of Remembrance. With the cancellation of this service last year, it will be good to see it return to our calendar once again, particularly as we remember the sacrifices our forces have endured in Afghanistan over the past twenty years. We hope that service personnel from Alanbrooke Barracks will join us and participate in the laying of wreaths.

There are some great events coming to The Forum in Northallerton in the coming months, including

• TONIGHT! Sunday 10 October at 7.30pm – An evening with Julian Norton, the North Yorkshire vet.
• Friday 15 October at 7.30pm – An evening with John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols.
• Re-scheduled – Friday 5 November at 7.30pm (was Saturday 28 August) – The Unravelling Wilburys perform songs of the super-group The Traveling Wilburys.

Enquiries to 01609 776230. Book tickets online http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

• The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be at 7.15pm on Thursday 4 November in the main hall of the Village Hall.http:// www.topcliffe.org.uk
• The next meeting of Asenby Parish Council will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 17 November in the main hall of the Village Hall. http://www.asenby.net

• Art classes – 10am to 12 noon each Monday to 18 November.
• My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm – every Monday.
• Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm every Tuesday. More participants welcome.
• Squirrels – 5 to 6pm every Tuesday.
• Beavers – 6.15 to 7.15pm every Tuesday.
• Soup & Sweet lunch – 12 noon to 1pm on alternate Wednesdays – next 13 October.
• Boot Camp – 6 to 7pm every Wednesday.
• Cubs – 7 to 8pm every Wednesday.
• Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm, every Thursday evening.
• Indoor Carpet Bowls – 7.30 to 9.30pm every Thursday.
• Boot Camp – 7 to 8pm every Friday.
• Scouts (from October onwards) – 7.30 to 10pm every Friday.
• Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7.15pm on Thursday, 4 November.
• Christmas Fayre – Saturday 13 November .
• Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 17 November.
• Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.30pm on Tuesday 23 November.

Group activities are being offered free use of the hall until 31 December (this does not include commercial one-off or private hires for parties and social functions). This is to encourage existing activities to get going again and new ones to be introduced. The Big Race Night and Challenge Quiz & Curry Night will hopefully be rescheduled before the end of the year or early in 2022.

• The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at info
• The Catton Kitchen Opening times are: Thursday and Fridays 8am to 2pm; Saturday 10am to 2pm; Sunday 10am to 12 noon. Bacon sandwiches served until 1pm most days – but only until 12 noon on a Sunday. Takeaway food or veg boxes can be pre-ordered – 07747 083155. Check out Info or 07879 447953.
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – run by Kerry Parker and based in Melmerby. Provides beautiful hampers for all occasions, containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. Telephone: 07793 775987. www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 3pm. Closed on Mondays. Takeaway teas and coffees with cake. Wheelchair access is available at the rear of the property. Trees and turkeys will again be provided to order this Christmas. Check out Facebook page for information about new lines in fresh and frozen foods. 01845 400446. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/
• 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 with a new menu and ‘specials board’. 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. Foodstuffs such as tins, pasta, rice, biscuits, cereals, jars, crisps, juices, bottled products, soups, crisp breads, anything in packets, are very welcome. But please, no fresh products as there’s a risk they will go to waste.
• 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. Closed on Sundays.

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Refuse – Mondays 11 and 25 October.
• Recycling & green waste – Thursdays 21 October and 4 November.

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Recycling – Mondays 11 and 25 October.
• Refuse – Mondays 18 October and 1 November.
• Garden waste – Thursdays 21 October and 4 November.

The final garden waste collections in Harrogate district this year will be the week commencing 15 November. The service doesn’t operate during the winter and will return in March. If you subscribed this year, 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.

Since the start of the pandemic there’s been 59,922 positive tests in North Yorkshire. There were 2,792 new cases reported last week. The weekly rolling average of new cases is 399 cases per day. The seven-day rate for the county was 471 cases per 100,000 people, still higher than the England seven-day rate of 332. The situation appears to be worsening week by week.

Flu vaccines will not be available via the Surgery this winter.

Some patients may have already received texts or emails inviting them to book their Covid booster vaccine via the NHS vaccine national booking service. Appointments booked in this way are likely to be at vaccination centres which are further afield, such as Knaresborough, Darlington or York. But only the booster jab will be available at these appointments – not the flu vaccination.

If you wish, you can ignore the NHS invitation and await an invitation via the Surgery, so that you can have both jabs together. Please don’t contact the Surgery at this stage. You will we contacted when it’s your turn.

• Test and Trace – For details about Test and Trace and how it works go to Test and Trace
• Anyone who is showing coronavirus symptoms is eligible to book a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to find out if they have the virus. You can also book a PCR test if you are self-isolating after being in contact with someone who has tested positive. Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before. If test sites are fully booked they will not appear on the government’s website. 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 PCR test.
• Lateral Flow Testing Kits – are available free of charge to everyone. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately. You can order here

The application for outline planning permission for Dalton Industrial Estate development was heard by Hambleton District Council Planning Committee on 24th September and approved after some discussion. The meeting was attended by members of Topcliffe and Asenby Parish Councils who were allowed time to express the concerns of both villages that the development without some degree of control/enforcement would lead to significantly increased traffic through both villages. This particularly applies to HGV traffic where North Yorkshire Highways and Trading Standards have failed to impose the current weight restrictions and show little interest in the impact of the development.

We received a lot of support from members of the Planning Committee for our position which was that the development should be approved with strict conditions imposed through a Section 106 legally binding agreement with the developer. The following conditions were agreed by the committee:
1. The developer would pay for new and significantly enhanced road signage showing the routes to and from the development and making the HGV enforcement zone around Topcliffe and Asenby clear. This would include signs further along both sides of the A168 highlighting the correct exit for Dalton and other signs saying “no access to the industrial estate” at the Crab and Lobster exit.
2. A traffic plan which the developer will make clear to new tenants.
3. A £50,000 bond to be lodged with Hambleton Council by the developer. The use of the bond would be triggered by the Parish Councils reporting increased HGV traffic in the villages:
a). In the first instance the bond would pay for surveillance to establish the extent of the traffic increase.
b) Step 2 would be to implement enforcement measures using the bond. For example, this could be used for automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras or surveillance teams.

There was support for installing cameras now but overall the feeling was that the traffic plan plus new signage should be effective and given time to work before cameras are installed. We (the two parish councils) do not share this view given the current lack of action on enforcement of the existing non HGV zone.

Further Actions
1. Continue to press Highways and Trading Standards to move the HGV enforcement zone near to Topcliffe.
2. Continue to press for enforcement action against illegal traffic.
3. Monitor traffic volumes as the development progresses.
4. Provide evidence of increased traffic/HGVs and trigger use of the bond..

CEO Paul Donovan met representatives of 15 regional organisations last week to discuss ‘Project Restore’, which is the company’s plan to restore services to all homes and help those who will still not have a full service once the big mast is switched on.

A dedicated call centre will open shortly, and a new online hub will be launched providing updated information and a place where people can register their postcodes and details to get support. Engineers will be sent out to help households that need extra support. At the outset, people aged over 65 and those who are either clinically vulnerable or vulnerable will be prioritised for support.

The company also announced that it was donating £150,000 to three regional charities who can support elderly and vulnerable people affected by the loss of their TV service.

"Topcliffe Parish Council has been identifying and blocking as many gaps as it can find along the hedge between the playing field and the sheep field. We have discussed the matter with the farmer, who has also been blocking gaps on his side of the hedge. We will be installing wires along the entry lane fence between the horizontal latts to reduce the space available for potential ‘escapees’.

"In the meantime, can we ask anyone using the playing fields to please shut the pedestrian gate on entry and exit. We will also be putting signage on the gate to request this.

"Unfortunately, sheep are quite adept at finding passages to greener pastures and we will need to have ongoing monitoring and checks on whether they have new escape routes!"

• Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October
• Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 October
• Saturday 16 and 17 October

Timed sessions from 9.30am through to 3.30pm. Tickets only – available online. http://www.spilmans.co.uk

https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/workshops/

Normal opening times are: Thursday and Fridays 8am to 2pm; Saturday 10am to 2pm; Sunday 10am to 12 noon. Bacon sandwiches served until 1pm most days – but only until 12 noon on a Sunday. Takeaway food or veg boxes can be pre-ordered – 07747 083155. Check out www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk

Catton Kitchen upcoming events:

• Autumn Garland making, with Sahra Rayner of Willow View Farm, Topcliffe – Saturday 23 October 2-4pm. £25 per person. Arrive at 1.30pm for tea/coffee and cake, which is included in the price.
• Christmas wreath making – Sunday 5 December 3,30 to 5.30pm (An extra class to cope with demand). £30 per person. Arrive at 3pm for mulled wine and mince pie (included in the price).
• Please note that the wreath making sessions on 2, 4 and 5 December are fully booked.

• TODAY Sunday 3 October, 6.30pm – Choral Evensong for Harvest Festival. A service with harvest hymns and readings, giving us time to thank God for his abundant goodness and to appreciate the rural farming community in which we live.
• Sunday 10 October, 10.45am – Holy Communion with hymns.
• Sunday 17 October, 10.45am – Choral Matins (Book of Common Prayer) with hymns and readings
• Sunday 24 October, 10.45am – Holy Communion with hymns.
• Sunday 31 October – No Service

Morning services are always followed by refreshments and a chat in the Percy Chapel.

Special seasonal services coming up:

2 November 7.30pm, Choral Requiem Mass for the Feast of All Souls. November is the season of Remembrance and on the 2nd we are invited to remember those known to us who have died. The service is open to all, of any denomination or none, and provides the space and tranquillity to reflect on and give thanks for the lives of family and friends we see no more. The unaccompanied choir sings the glorious and contemplative 1605 setting by Tomas Luis de Victoria composed in six-part harmony. During the service there will be the opportunity to remember people by name or, if preferred, silently by the placing of names on the altar. As we emerge from the Covid pandemic this will be particularly relevant and poignant.

14 November, Remembrance Sunday 10.45am, Holy Communion with Act of Remembrance. With the cancellation of this service last year, it will be good to see it return to our calendar once again, particularly as we remember the sacrifices our forces have endured in Afghanistan over the past twenty years. We hope that service personnel from Alanbrooke Barracks will join us and participate in the laying of wreaths.

The Bags2school textile recycling event will be held at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall this Thursday (7 October) between 8.30am and 12noon. Please bring bags of textiles along on the day. The proceeds of the event will be shared between the Village Hall and 1st Topcliffe Scouts.

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.

• The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be at 7.15pm on Thursday 7 October in the main hall of the Village Hall. www.topcliffe.org.uk
• The next meeting of Asenby Parish Council will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 17 November in the main hall of the Village Hall. www.asenby.net

An evening at Husthwaite Village Hall with Ian McMillan and Luke Carver Goss. Words, music, laughs, joy, thoughtfulness, singing and plenty of audience participation. Friday 8 October. Doors and bar open at 7pm. For tickets contact Andrew Coulthard on 01347 868130.

The Topcliffe big tidy up will take place on the morning of Saturday 16 October. Parish councillors Ben Collard and Malcolm Morley are leading on this project and they hope that a few community-minded residents might join them to tackle a few jobs that need attention in the village, including:

• Litter picking on all streets and alleyways
• Maintenance of hedges and ivy around Jubilee Gardens
• Painting of the long fence between the Swan and the school
• Weeding and litter removal on paths close to Topcliffe bridge
• Cleaning of road signs around the village
• General tidy up of Long Street near the Post Office
• Removal of nettles along the playing fields entrance track
• Removal of damaged fence panels and picnic table near play area at the playing field.

Would volunteers please meet at the Village Hall 8.45am for coffee and to be allocated to working parties. Bacon sandwiches will be served around 11 to 11.15am. All helpers should wear long sleeves and protective/gardening gloves. Hi-vis vests and most equipment will be supplied. If anyone would be able to bring their own gardening tools, that would be much appreciated.

There are some great events coming to The Forum in Northallerton in the coming months, including

• Tonight – Sunday 3 October at 7.30pm – Ed Byrne in his show ‘If I’m Honest’ a masterclass in observational comedy.
• Wednesday 6 October at 8pm – Comedian Mark Thomas presents ’50 Things About Us’ – using stand-up, storytelling, subversion and very well-researched material, Mark explains why we are where we are today.
• Friday 8 October at 7.30pm – Dom Jolly’s Holiday Snaps.
• Sunday 10 October at 7.30pm – An evening with Julian Norton, the North Yorkshire vet.
• Friday 15 October at 7.30pm – An evening with John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols.
• Re-scheduled – Friday 5 November at 7.30pm (was Saturday 28 August) – The Unravelling Wilburys perform songs of the super-group The Traveling Wilburys.

Enquiries to 01609 776230. Book tickets online http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

• Art classes – 10am to 12 noon each Monday to 18 November.
• My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm – every Monday.
• Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm every Tuesday. More participants welcome.
• Squirrels – 5 to 6pm every Tuesday.
• Beavers – 6.15 to 7.15pm every Tuesday.
• Soup & Sweet lunch – 12 noon to 1pm on alternate Wednesdays
• Boot Camp – 6 to 7pm every Wednesday.
• Cubs – 7 to 8pm every Wednesday.
• Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm, every Thursday evening.
• Indoor Carpet Bowls – 7.30 to 9.30pm every Thursday.
• Boot Camp – 7 to 8pm every Friday.
• Scouts (from October onwards) – 7.30 to 10pm every Friday.
• Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7.15pm on Thursday, 7 October.
• Christmas Fayre – Saturday 13 November .
• Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 17 November.
• Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.15pm on Wednesday 24 November.

Group activities are being offered free use of the hall until 31 December (this does not include commercial one-off or private hires for parties and social functions). This is to encourage existing activities to get going again and new ones to be introduced. The Big Race Night and Challenge Quiz & Curry Night will hopefully be rescheduled before the end of the year or early in 2022.

• The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at info
• Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
• The Elm Gallery – Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm; Sunday, 12noon to 5.30pm; Monday and Tuesday – closed. Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920 or check out the website at: Info or 07879 447953.
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – run by Kerry Parker and based in Melmerby. Provides beautiful hampers for all occasions, containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. Telephone: 07793 775987. www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 3pm. Closed on Mondays. Takeaway teas and coffees with cake. Wheelchair access is available at the rear of the property. Trees and turkeys will again be provided to order this Christmas. Check out Facebook page for information about new lines in fresh and frozen foods. 01845 400446. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/
• 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 with a new menu and ‘specials board’. 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. Foodstuffs such as tins, pasta, rice, biscuits, cereals, jars, crisps, juices, bottled products, soups, crisp breads, anything in packets, are very welcome. But please, no fresh products as there’s a risk they will go to waste.
• 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. Closed on Sundays.

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Recycling & green waste – Thursdays 7 and 21 October.
• Refuse – Mondays 11 and 25 October.

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Refuse – Mondays 4 and 18 October.
• Garden waste – Thursdays 7 and 21 October.
• Recycling – Mondays 11 and 25 October

The final garden waste collections in Harrogate district this year will be the week commencing 15 November. The service doesn’t operate during the winter and will return in March. If you subscribed this year, 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.

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Sunday Email

Topcliffe

Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3RQ

United Kingdom

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Since the start of the pandemic there’s been 56,708 positive tests in North Yorkshire. There were 1,599 new cases reported last week. The weekly rolling average of new cases is 228 cases per day. The seven-day rate for the county was 270 cases per 100,000 people, still higher than the England seven-day rate of 264.

At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the main distinguishing symptoms of Covid were thought to be fever, cough and loss of smell. Thanks to millions of health reports on the ZOE app more than 20 symptoms of Covid, including headache, runny nose, sneezing and sore throat, are listed.

Over the past 18 months the pattern of symptoms has changed as the virus has evolved and more people have been vaccinated. Many symptoms of Covid are now the same as a regular cold, especially for people who have received two doses of the vaccine, making it hard to tell the difference. Data shows that loss of smell or loss of taste are still the most important predictors of testing positive for Covid rather than a regular cold, so it’s an important symptom to look out for, whether you’ve been vaccinated or not.

Anyone feeling newly unwell, especially if suffering from any of the common Covid symptoms, should stay home and get a Covid test, even if fully vaccinated. This is particularly important if there’s any changes to your sense of taste or smell.

A positive result from a lateral flow test is highly likely to be true. However, a negative result from a lateral flow test is not reliable enough to be sure you’re definitely not infected, so if the symptoms persist it’s best to get a PCR test to be sure.

Flu vaccines will not be available via the Surgery this winter.

Some patients may have already received texts or emails inviting them to book their Covid booster vaccine via the NHS vaccine national booking service. Appointments booked in this way are likely to be at vaccination centres which are further afield, such as Knaresborough, Darlington or York. But only the booster jab will be available at these appointments – not the flu vaccination.

If you wish, you can ignore the NHS invitation and await an invitation via the Surgery, so that you can have both jabs together. Please don’t contact the Surgery at this stage. You will we contacted when it’s your turn.

• 4 October – travel rules simplified with the travel traffic light system being scrapped.
• also from 4 October, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to take a pre-departure test when returning from countries not on the red list. That includes all of Europe and many other popular destinations. They will still have to take a PCR test two days after arrival, but this will be replaced by a cheaper and simpler lateral flow test later in October.
• The rules will be reviewed every three weeks, but they are expected to remain the same at least until the New Year.
• Anyone who hasn’t been double-jabbed with a vaccination recognised under England’s travel rules, will still have to take a pre-departure test. They will also need a PCR test on days two and eight after arriving, and will have to self-isolate for 10 days on returning from a non-red list country.

To check the exact details and requirements please consult the government’s website at:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#new-rules.

• Accepting that some people want to carry on with social distancing.
• Helping people find their feet by looking out for neighbours and friends.
• Suggesting meeting outdoors in a quiet place for people who feel anxious.
• Helping people to go at their own pace and to seek support if they are lonely.
• Getting both doses of the vaccine, continue to test regularly and isolate if necessary.

• Test and Trace – For details about Test & Trace and how it works go to Test and Trace
• Anyone who is showing coronavirus symptoms is eligible to book a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to find out if they have the virus. You can also book a PCR test if you are self-isolating after being in contact with someone who has tested positive. Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before. If test sites are fully booked they will not appear on the government’s website. 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 PCR test.
• Lateral Flow Testing Kits – are available free of charge to everyone. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately. You can order here

John has been a constant presence in the village for many years, maintaining the Post Office and shop service for villagers, local businesses and people passing through. He deserves a big thank you for opening up early mornings, no matter what the weather, and we wish him every success in whatever he intends to do next.

In the longer term, Debbie has big plans for the internal layout of the Post Office in order to accommodate new business ideas, but for the time being she’ll be giving the shop front a freshen up, replacing some signs and installing a new door. Debbie says that both sites in the village will continue in business, but as one business enterprise. We wish her well in this new venture.

Open Thursday and Fridays 8am to 2pm; Saturday 10 to 2pm; Sunday 10 to 12 noon. Bacon sandwiches served until 1pm most days – but only until 12 noon on a Sunday. Takeaway food or veg boxes can be pre-ordered – 07747 083155. Check out www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk

Catton Kitchen upcoming events:

• Pizza night – 4.30-8pm – Thursday 30 September It’s a takeaway service and pre-ordering is essential.
• Autumn Garland making, with Sahra Rayner of Willow View Farm, Topcliffe – Saturday 23 October 2-4pm. £25 per person. Arrive at 1.30pm for tea/coffee and cake, which is included in the price.
• Christmas wreath making – Thursday 2 December 6-8pm. Fully Booked.
• Christmas wreath making – Saturday 4 December 2-4pm. Fully booked.
• Christmas wreath making – Sunday 5 December 2-4pm (An extra class to cope with demand). £30 per person. Arrive at 1.30pm for mulled wine.and mince pie (included in the price).

• 1st Sunday – Choral Evensong 6.30pm (3 Oct, 7 Nov, 5 Dec)
• 2nd Sunday – Holy Communion 10.45am (10 Oct, 14 Nov, 12 Dec)
• 3rd Sunday – Sung Matins 10.45am (17 Oct, 21 Nov, 19 Dec)
• 4th Sunday – Holy Communion 10.45am (26 Sept, 24 Oct, 28 Nov)
• 5th Sunday – No service (31 Oct)

Morning services are always followed by refreshments and a chat in the Percy Chapel. There are a number of special seasonal services coming up:

3 October 6.30pm, Choral Evensong for Harvest Festival. A service with harvest hymns and readings, giving us time to thank God for his abundant goodness and to appreciate the rural, farming community in which we live. This will be followed by a ‘finger buffet’ and drinks, including wine.
2 November 7.30pm, Choral Requiem Mass for the Feast of All Souls. November is the season of Remembrance and on the 2nd we are invited to remember those known to us who have died. The service is open to all, of any denomination or none, and provides the space and tranquillity to reflect on and give thanks for the lives of family and friends we see no more. The unaccompanied choir sing the glorious and contemplative 1605 setting by Tomas Luis de Victoria composed in six-part harmony. During the service there will be the opportunity to remember people by name, or, if preferred, silently by the placing of names on the altar. As we emerge from the Covid pandemic this will be particularly relevant and poignant.
14 November, Remembrance Sunday 10.45am, Holy Communion with Act of Remembrance. With the cancellation of this service last year, it will be good to see it return to our calendar once again, particularly as we remember the sacrifices our forces have endured in Afghanistan over the past twenty years. We hope that service personnel from Alanbrooke Barracks will join us and participate in the laying of wreaths.

Less that two weeks until the next Bags2school textile recycling event at Topcliffe Village Hall. It’s on Thursday, 7 October between 8.30am and 12noon. If you are having a clear out of cupboards and wardrobes please consider keeping bags of textiles for this charity collection. If you have trouble storing the bags, please let the organisers know and they will try to make arrangements for storage until the day. The proceeds of the event will be shared between the Village Hall and 1st Topcliffe Scouts. (Organisers: Donna Fleming 07591 438766 and Doug Allan 07785 223707).

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.

An evening at Husthwaite Village Hall with Ian McMillan and Luke Carver Goss. Words, music, laughs, joy, thoughtfulness, singing and plenty of audience participation. Friday 8 October. Doors and bar open at 7pm. For tickets contact Andrew Coulthard on 01347 868130.

The Topcliffe big tidy up will take place on the morning of Saturday 16 October. Parish councillors Ben Collard and Malcolm Morley are preparing a list of small projects to be tackled and more details will be revealed in next week’s Sunday Email. Anyone interested in helping out is asked to note the date in their diary.

There are some great events coming to The Forum in Northallerton in the coming months, including

• Friday 1 October at 7.30pm – Britain’s Got Talent 2020 finalist, comedian, juggler and variety star Steve Royle presents his Royle Variety Performance – a fun-filled evening for all the family!
• Saturday 2 October at 7.30pm – Almost the Bee Gees – a great tribute to one of the best bands ever.
• Sunday 3 October at 7.30pm – Ed Byrne in his show ‘If I’m Honest …’ a masterclass in observational comedy.
• Friday 8 October at 7.30pm – Dom Jolly’s Holiday Snaps.
• Sunday 10 October at 7.30pm – An evening with Julian Norton, the North Yorkshire vet.
• Friday 15 October at 7.30pm – An evening with John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols.
• Re-scheduled – Friday 5 November at 7.30pm (was Saturday 28 August) – The Unravelling Wilburys perform songs of the super-group The Traveling Wilburys.

Enquiries to 01609 776230. Book tickets online http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

• Art classes – 10am to 12 noon each Monday to 18 November.
• My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm – every Monday.
• Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm every Tuesday. More participants welcome.
• Squirrels – 5 to 6pm every Tuesday
• Beavers – 6.15 to 7.15pm every Tuesday
• Soup & Sweet lunch – 12 noon to 1pm on alternate Wednesdays
• Boot Camp – 6 to 7pm every Wednesday.
• Cubs – 7 to 8pm every Wednesday.
• Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm, every Thursday evening.
• Indoor Carpet Bowls – 7.30 to 9.30pm every Thursday.
• Boot Camp – 7 to 8pm every Friday.
• Scouts (from October onwards) – 7.30 to 10pm every Friday.
• Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.15pm Wednesday 29 September.
• Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7.15pm on Thursday, 7 October.
• Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 17 November.

Group activities are being offered free use of the hall until 31 December (this does not include commercial one-off or private hires for parties and social functions). This is to encourage existing activities to get going again and new ones to be introduced. The Big Race Night and Challenge Quiz & Curry Night will hopefully be rescheduled before the end of the year or early in 2022.

• The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at info
• Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
• The Elm Gallery – Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm; Sunday, 12noon to 5.30pm; Monday and Tuesday – closed. Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920 or check out the website at: Info or 07879 447953.
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – run by Kerry Parker and based in Melmerby. Provides beautiful hampers for all occasions, containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. Telephone: 07793 775987. www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 3pm. Closed on Mondays. Takeaway teas and coffees with cake. Wheelchair access is available at the rear of the property. Trees and turkeys will again be provided to order this Christmas. Check out Facebook page for information about new lines in fresh and frozen foods. 01845 400446. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/
• 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 with a new menu and ‘specials board’. 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.
• The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop. Foodstuffs such as tins, pasta, rice, biscuits, cereals, jars, crisps, juices, bottled products, soups, crisp breads, anything in packets, are very welcome. But please, no fresh products as there’s a risk they will go to waste.
• 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. Closed on Sundays.

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Refuse – Mondays 27 September and 11 and 25 October.
• Recycling & green waste – Thursdays 7 and 21 October.

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Recycling – Mondays 27 September and 11 October.
• Refuse – Mondays 4 and 18 October.
• Garden waste – Thursdays 7 and 21 October.

Our mailing address is:

Sunday Email

Topcliffe

Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3RQ

United Kingdom

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Since the start of the pandemic there’s been 55,121 positive tests in North Yorkshire. There were 1,553 new cases reported last week. The weekly rolling average of new cases is 222 cases per day. The seven-day rate for the county was 318 cases per 100,000 people, considerably higher than the England seven-day rate of 296

Plan A will:

• encourage the unvaccinated to be jabbed
• offer vaccines to 12 to 15-year-olds
• begin a booster jab programme for millions
• continued testing, tracing of cases and self-isolation for those who catch the virus’

Plan B will:

• urge us to act more cautiously
• mean mandatory vaccine passports could be used for mass events and other settings
• mean face coverings could be legally mandated in some places
• mean guidance on working from home may also be issued

Plan A will move to the stricter Plan B if the risks and state of the disease intensify.

The recommendation from the JCVI comes amid concern about waning immunity. If current levels are sustained throughout winter, the NHS will struggle, and it’s believed that even a small dip in vaccine effectiveness could make a big difference to hospital admissions. However, the good news is that big surges in infection levels are probably behind us, given the amount of immunity built up in the population.

The announcement about booster jabs comes after the government confirmed that all children aged 12 to 15 in England would be offered one dose of the Pfizer jab, with invitations going immediately. It follows advice from the UK’s chief medical officers, who say the jab will help reduce disruption to education.

Following the government’s Covid booster announcement on 14 September, Topcliffe Surgery plans to work with other Hambleton GP Practices to co-administer Covid boosters and flu vaccines from a site in Northallerton. 1st and 2nd vaccines, as well as 3rd doses for those who are severely immunosuppressed, will also be available. The most vulnerable will be called for vaccination first. Please don’t contact the surgery at this stage as everyone will be contacted when it’s their turn. Check out the surgery website for updates.

As part of the changes, eight countries – Turkey, Pakistan, the Maldives, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh and Kenya – will be removed from the red list from next Wednesday, 22 September. People returning from these destinations will no longer have to stay in hotel quarantine.

From 4 October, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to take a pre-departure test when returning from countries not on the red list. That includes all of Europe and many other popular destinations.

They will still have to take a PCR test two days after arrival, but this will be replaced by a cheaper and simpler lateral flow test later in October.

The government will continue to review the rules for each country every three weeks, but they are expected to remain the same at least until the New Year.

Anyone who hasn’t been double-jabbed with a vaccination recognised under England’s travel rules, will still have to take a pre-departure test. They will also need a PCR test on days two and eight after arriving, and will have to self-isolate for 10 days on returning from a non-red list country.

To check the exact details and requirements please consult the government’s website at:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#new-rules.

• Test and Trace – For details about Test & Trace and how it works go to Test and Trace
• Anyone who is showing coronavirus symptoms is eligible to book a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to find out if they have the virus. You can also book a PCR test if you are self-isolating after being in contact with someone who has tested positive. Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before. If test sites are fully booked they will not appear on the government’s website. 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 PCR test.
• Lateral Flow Testing Kits – are available free of charge to everyone. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately. You can order here

The Catton Kitchen is open Thursday and Fridays 8am to 2pm; Saturday 10 to 2pm; Sunday 10 to 12 noon. Bacon sandwiches served until 1pm most days – but only until 12 noon on a Sunday. Takeaway food or veg boxes can be pre-ordered – 07747 083155. Check out www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk

• Pizza night – 4.30-8pm NOW Thursday 30 September (not 23rd as previously advertised). It’s a takeaway service and pre-ordering is essential.
• Autumn Garland making, with Sahra Rayner of Willow View Farm, Topcliffe – Saturday 23 October 2-4pm. £25 per person. Arrive at 1.30pm for tea/coffee and cake, which is included in the price.
• Christmas wreath making – Thursday 2 December 6-8pm. Fully Booked.
• Christmas wreath making – Saturday 4 December 2-4pm. Fully booked.
• Christmas wreath making – An extra class to cope with demand! – Sunday 5 December 2-4pm £30 per person. Arrive at 1.30pm for mulled wine.and mince pie, which is included in the price.

The Milk Churn Farm Shop will shortly be getting in pumpkins for Halloween. The owners are also planning a pumpkin painting competition for children in the run up to Halloween. It aims to be a fun afternoon painting pumpkins under the watchful eye of Sally Machen. Watch out for more details soon.

Trees and Turkeys
This Christmas, trees and turkeys will again be provided to order by the Milk Churn Farm Shop.

It’s a couple of weeks since Asenby Parish Council announced it is looking for a replacement councillor following the resignation of Don Crompton – but so far no one has come forward. If the parish is to continue to operate for the benefit of villagers, it is imperative that volunteers come forward to serve the community. Any Asenby resident interested in joining the parish council should contact parish council chairman Peter Palmer on 578057.

The charity is also looking for helpers who can drive a van used for collecting and delivering furniture to and from the Reuse Store. There are always two van hands to help with the lifting and carrying so if you can’t do that that is fine. Van drivers are required Monday to Thursday. There is great comraderie and a lot of banter involved too. If you are interested or know someone who could help please contact Helen Ashworth, Volunteer Coordinator on 01845 524494 or email: helen

• 1st Sunday – Choral Evensong 6.30pm (3 Oct, 7 Nov, 5 Dec)
• 2nd Sunday – Holy Communion 10.45am (10 Oct, 14 Nov, 12 Dec)
• 3rd Sunday – Sung Matins 10.45am (19 Sept, 17 Oct, 21 Nov, 19 Dec)
• 4th Sunday – Holy Communion 10.45am (26 Sept, 24 Oct, 28 Nov)
• 5th Sunday – No service (31 Oct)

Morning services are always followed by refreshments and a chat in the Percy Chapel. There are a number of special seasonal services coming up:

3 October 6.30pm, Choral Evensong for Harvest Festival. A service with harvest hymns and readings, giving us time to thank God for his abundant goodness and to appreciate the rural, farming community in which we live. This will be followed by a ‘finger buffet’ and drinks, including wine.
2 November 7.30pm, Choral Requiem Mass for the Feast of All Souls. November is the season of Remembrance and on the 2nd we are invited to remember those known to us who have died. The service is open to all, of any denomination or none, and provides the space and tranquillity to reflect on and give thanks for the lives of family and friends we see no more. The unaccompanied choir sing the glorious and contemplative 1605 setting by Tomas Luis de Victoria composed in six-part harmony. During the service there will be the opportunity to remember people by name, or, if preferred, silently by the placing of names on the altar. As we emerge from the Covid pandemic this will be particularly relevant and poignant.
14 November, Remembrance Sunday 10.45am, Holy Communion with Act of Remembrance. With the cancellation of this service last year, it will be good to see it return to our calendar once again, particularly as we remember the sacrifices our forces have endured in Afghanistan over the past twenty years. We hope that service personnel from Alanbrooke Barracks will join us and participate in the laying of wreaths.

People across the UK are being invited to take part in the annual hunt for the country’s ‘Neighbour of the Year’ and ‘Young Neighbour of the Year’ – a nationwide search undertaken in partnership by Co-op Insurance and Neighbourhood Watch. 2021 also sees the introduction of a new category: Community of the Year. This award will celebrate the nation’s most outstanding community (could be a street, a sports club, village hall, a faith collective, or anything in between) and the lengths its members have gone to to support others and make a real difference. To nominate your choice and to find out more about these awards please visit coop.co.uk/noty.

The next lunch will be held on Wednesday 29 September at 12 noon. Rather than having a set price for lunch, customers are asked to make a small donation. Any surplus will be donated to Blue Cross animal rescue centre in Topcliffe.

Between Thursday 23 and Sunday 26 September. You can ride behind one of the guest locomotives or home fleet engines, with services calling at stops along the line. Online booking – www.nymr.co.uk

This popular sheep and old-time fair will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 25 and 26 September. Check out: www.mashamsheepfair.com

It’s only four weeks until the next Bags2school textile recycling event at Topcliffe Village Hall. It’s on Thursday 7 October between 8.30am and 12noon. If you are having a clear out of cupboards and wardrobes please consider keeping bags of textiles for this charity collection. If you have trouble storing the bags, please let the organisers know and they will try to make arrangements for storage until the day. The proceeds of the event will be shared between the Village Hall and 1st Topcliffe Scouts. (Organisers: Donna Fleming 07591 438766 and Doug Allan 07785 223707).

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.

An evening at Husthwaite Village Hall with Ian McMillan and Luke Carver Goss. Words, music, laughs, joy, thoughtfulness, singing and plenty of audience participation. Friday 8 October. Doors and bar open at 7pm. For tickets contact Andrew Coulthard on 01347 868130.

There’s to be a village tidy up day in Topcliffe on the morning of Saturday 16 October. There’ll be more details in future Sunday Emails, but anyone interested in helping out is asked to note the date in their diary.

There are some great events coming to The Forum in Northallerton in the coming months, including:

• Thursday 23 September at 7.30pm – Comedian Pete Firman, one of the UK’s most popular magicians, is back on the road.
• Friday 24 September at 7.30pm – The Rod Stewart Songbook – an amazing tribute band plays Rod’s best songs from the last 50 years.
• Saturday 25 September at 7.30pm – Comedian and musician Jon Courtenay, the first ever Golden Buzzer act to win Britain’s Got Talent.
• Friday 1 October at 7.30pm – Britain’s Got Talent 2020 finalist, comedian, juggler and variety star Steve Royle presents his Royle Variety Performance – a fun-filled evening for all the family!
• Saturday 2 October at 7.30pm – Almost the Bee Gees – a great tribute to one of the best bands ever.
• Sunday 3 October at 7.30pm – Ed Byrne in his show ‘If I’m Honest …’ a masterclass in observational comedy.
• Re-scheduled – Friday 5 November at 7.30pm (was Saturday 28 August) – The Unravelling Wilburys perform songs of the super-group The Traveling Wilburys.

Enquiries to 01609 776230. Book tickets online http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

• Art classes – 10am to 12 noon each Monday to 18 November.
• My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm – every Monday.
• Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm every Tuesday. More participants welcome.
• Squirrels – 5 to 6pm every Tuesday
• Beavers – 6.15 to 7.15pm every Tuesday
• Soup & Sweet lunch – 12 noon to 1pm on alternate Wednesdays
• Boot Camp – 6 to 7pm every Wednesday.
• Cubs – 7 to 8pm every Wednesday.
• Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm, every Thursday evening.
• Indoor Carpet Bowls – 7.30 to 9.30pm every Thursday.
• Boot Camp – 7 to 8pm every Friday.
• Scouts (from October onwards) – 7.30 to 10pm every Friday.
• Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.15pm Wednesday 29 September.
• Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7.15pm on Thursday, 7 October.
• Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 17 November.

Group activities are being offered free use of the hall until 31 December (this does not include commercial one-off or private hires for parties and social functions). This is to encourage existing activities to get going again and new ones to be introduced. The Big Race Night and Challenge Quiz & Curry Night will hopefully be rescheduled before the end of the year or early in 2022.

• The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at info
• Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
• The Elm Gallery – Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm; Sunday, 12noon to 5.30pm; Monday and Tuesday – closed. Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920 or check out the website at: Info or 07879 447953.
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – run by Kerry Parker and based in Melmerby. Provides beautiful hampers for all occasions, containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. Telephone: 07793 775987. www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday (but see notice re closure on 7 September), Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 3pm. Closed on Mondays. Takeaway teas and coffees with cake. Wheelchair access is available at the rear of the property. Check out Facebook page for information about new lines in fresh and frozen foods. 01845 400446. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/
• 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 with a new menu and ‘specials board’. 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.
• The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop. Foodstuffs such as tins, pasta, rice, biscuits, cereals, jars, crisps, juices, bottled products, soups, crisp breads, anything in packets, are very welcome. But please, no fresh products as there’s a risk they will go to waste.
• 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. Closed on Sundays.

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Recycling & green waste – Thursdays 23 September 7 and 21 October.
• Refuse – Mondays 27 September and 11 and 25 October

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Refuse – Mondays 20 September & 4 and 18 October
• Garden waste – Thursdays 23 September and 7 October
• Recycling – Mondays 27 September.and 11 October

Doug
07785 223707

The week’s Covid statistics
• The R number for England as a whole is 0.9 to 1.1. It means that on average every 10 people infected will infect between 9 and 11 other people.
• 48.4 million first doses given. 43.9 million second doses. 89% of the population aged 16+ has now had the first jab and over 80.8% the second.
• There were 29,547 new infections yesterday and 259,849 people tested positive for Covid in the last week. That’s a 5.9% increase on the previous week.
• 6,831 people were admitted to hospital with Covid between 31 August and 6 September. That’s a 3.6% increase on the previous week.
• There were 156 deaths reported yesterday and 983 in the last seven days.
• The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at 134,144.
• Over 156,888 deaths registered in the UK had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
• Worldwide, the global death toll is 4,634,570.

North Yorkshire Covid Situation
So far, there have been 53,195 positive tests in North Yorkshire since 3 March 2020, or roughly the start of the pandemic. There were 2,012 new cases reported in the past week. The weekly rolling average of new cases is 287 per day. The seven-day rate for the county was 353.7 cases per 100,000 people, again higher than the England seven-day rate of 328.6.

Covid Winter Plan
The Prime Minister will announce the government’s Covid Winter Plan for England on Tuesday (14 September). It will include contingency measures that would be implemented if the NHS was at risk of becoming overwhelmed and outline plans for booster jabs. Officials are looking at measures that could be needed if cases rose steeply, but government sources have said further lockdowns were not being considered. The Times newspaper reported last week that mandatory face coverings and working from home will be brought back in if there is a winter surge in infections.

Consultation on mandatory jabs for health workers begins
A six-week consultation is about to start on whether Covid and flu jabs should be made compulsory for frontline NHS and care workers. Plans are already in place to make it mandatory for care home workers to be fully vaccinated. But some unions and care organisations have warned making the jabs mandatory will lead to staff shortages. About 88% of NHS trust staff have received two Covid doses but in some trusts that falls to 78%. About 90% of care home staff have been double vaccinated.

Covid Testing
• Test and Trace – For details about Test & Trace and how it works go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
• Anyone who is showing coronavirus symptoms is eligible to book a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to find out if they have the virus. You can also book a PCR test if you are self-isolating after being in contact with someone who has tested positive. Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before. If test sites are fully booked they will not appear on the government’s website. https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test 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 PCR test.
• Lateral Flow Testing Kits – are available free of charge to everyone. 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 Tattler – September 2021
The next edition of The Tattler will be distributed door to door in Topcliffe and Asenby this week.

Snooker Club
Topcliffe Snooker Club fees will remain unchanged for the next twelve months. At the club’s annual general meeting last Sunday, it was decided that membership fees will remain at £25 per annum. Fees are due now. Existing and new members are asked to get in touch with Dave Bowman on 577843 to make
arrangements to renew their subscription. If you don’t intend to renew your subscription, please return your key to David Bowman as soon as possible.

The Catton Kitchen
The Catton Kitchen is open Thursday and Fridays 8am to 2pm; Saturday 10 to 2pm; Sunday 10 to 12 noon. Bacon sarnies served until 1pm most days – but only until 12 noon on a Sunday. Takeaway food or veg boxes can be pre-ordered – 07747 083155. Check out www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk
Catton Kitchen upcoming events:
• Pizza night – 4.30-8pm Thursday 23 September. It’s a takeaway service and pre-ordering is essential.
• Autumn Garland making, with Sahra Rayner of Willow View Farm, Topcliffe – Saturday 23 October 2-4pm. £25 per person. Arrive at 1.30pm for tea/coffee and cake, which is included in the price.
• Christmas wreath making – Thursday 2 December 6-8pm. £30 per person. Arrive at 5.30pm for mulled wine and mince pie, which is included in the price.
• Christmas wreath making – Saturday 4 December 2-4pm £30 per person. Arrive at 1.30pm for mulled wine and mince pie, which is included in the price.

Asenby parish councillor needed
Following the resignation of Councillor Don Crompton, Asenby Parish Council is looking for a replacement councillor. Any Asenby resident interested in joining the parish council should contact parish council chairman Peter Palmer on 578057.

Road closure in Asenby
Here’s a reminder that the main road through Asenby village, near the entrance to Jamesville Way, will be closed for three days between 15 and 17 September. Then, on the following three days there’ll be carriageway works to allow Northern Powergrid to complete a new customer connection.

All Creatures Great and Small
The second series of the re-make of All Creatures Great and Small will air on Thursday 16 September at 9pm on Channel 5. It will consist of six episodes and a
Christmas special. The programme, which includes scenes in Thirsk, was filmed earlier this year.

Art Classes start again tomorrow
Art classes start tomorrow, Monday 13 September, at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall. They are on between 10am and12 noon. People of all abilities and experience are very welcome to attend. Attendees are asked to take their own materials. A full list of what might be required is available. Participants can choose to work in whatever medium they prefer. Refreshments are provided. Places need to be pre-booked. The two-hour classes cost £12.50 weekly or all five sessions can be booked in advance at an early bird offer of £60. Please contact Rebecca on 07704 819806 or email on rebeccajayneartanddesign
If you would like to check out her website go to www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk

The Boccia Club
It’s odd that the Boccia Club is finding it difficult to recruit new members despite the fact that our two villages have relatively high numbers of elderly residents. The club, which meets Tuesdays between 1.30 to 3.30pm at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall, offers a great opportunity for a bit of gentle exercise and a great deal of fun and conversation. Anyone interested can just turn up on the day or if you want more information ring organiser Judith Lowe on 577911. As usual, it’s a matter of use it or lose it!

St Columba’s Church
Today, Sunday 12 September, 10.45am – Holy Communion.
Sunday 19 September, 10.45am – Sung Matins.
Sunday 26 September, 10.45am – Holy Communion.
There will be congregational hymn singing at all services. The wearing of masks and social distancing is still expected.

The Ritz Cinema, Thirsk
The popular Ritz cinema will be reopening on Friday 24 September. Audience members must wear a face covering or mask at all times whenever they are not seated. The first film to be shown will be ‘The Last Bus’ (12A) – a heart-warming tale of Tom (Timothy Spall), a pensioner whose wife, Mary (Phyllis Logan), has just passed away, who travels from Britain’s most northerly point, John O’Groats, to his original hometown at its most southerly point, Land’s End, using his
free bus pass. From Friday 1 October the film will be the drama/romance ‘The Last Letter from Your Lover’ (12A). This has a pair of interwoven stories set in the
past and present following an ambitious journalist determined to solve the mystery of a forbidden love affair at the centre of a trove of secret love letters from 1965. Check out all showings at www.ritzcinema.co.uk

Baldersby St James Book Fair
The annual book fair is on until Monday at St James’ Church, Baldersby St James. Today and Monday you can visit between 10am-5pm.

Soup and sweet lunch – Wednesday 15 September
The next soup and sweet lunch will be held on Wednesday 15 September at 12 noon. Rather than having a set price for lunch, customers are asked to make a small donation. Any surplus will be donated to Animal Rescue Crew.

Annual Steam Gala on the North York Moors Railway
There will be up to 13 locomotives in steam at this steam gala being staged between Thursday 23 and Sunday 26 September. You can ride behind one of the guest locomotives or home fleet engines, with services calling at Pickering, Levisham, Newtondale Halt (by request), Goathland, Grosmont and Whitby stations. Online booking – www.nymr.co.uk

The Duncombe Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair
Nationally known antiques & fine art dealers will be exhibiting furniture, porcelain, jewellery, clocks, silver, sculpture, glass, paintings, treen, objets de vertu, antique maps and prints. Refreshments – Car Parking. Friday 24 and Saturday 25 September 10.30am to 5pm and Sunday 26 September 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Tickets: www.gallowayfairs.co.uk

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Support
• The Parker family is organising a coffee ‘morning’ at their home at Meadow View, Asenby between 1 and 3pm on Saturday 25 September.
• The Hooker family is holding a coffee ‘morning’ between 11am and 2pm on Sunday 26 September at their home at 17 Manor Close, Topcliffe.
Everyone’s invited to pop along to one or both of these events to help raise some cash for an excellent cause.

Masham Sheep Fair
This popular sheep and old-time fair will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 25 and 26 September. Check out: www.mashamsheepfair.com

Textile recycling collection day
It’s only four weeks until the next Bags2school textile recycling event at the Village Hall. It’s on Thursday 7 October between 8.30am and 12noon. If you are having a clear out of cupboards and wardrobes please consider keeping bags of textiles for this charity collection. If you have trouble storing the bags, please let the organisers know and they will try to make arrangements for storage until the day. The proceeds of the event will be shared between the Village Hall and 1st Topcliffe Scouts. (Organisers: Donna Fleming 07591 438766 and Doug Allan 07785 223707).

Ian McMillan – Yorkshire Poet
An evening at Husthwaite Village Hall with Ian McMillan and Luke Carver Goss. Words, music, laughs, joy, thoughtfulness, singing and plenty of audience participation. Friday 8 October. Doors and bar open at 7pm. For tickets contact Andrew Coulthard on 01347 868130.

Village Tidy Up Day
There’s to be a village tidy up day in Topcliffe on the morning of Saturday 16 October. There’ll be more details in future Sunday Emails, but anyone interested in helping out is asked to note the date in their diary.

Events on at The Forum
There are some great events coming to The Forum in Northallerton in the coming months, including:
• Thursday 23 September at 7.30pm – Comedian Pete Firman, one of the UK’s most popular magicians, is back on the road.
• Friday 24 September at 7.30pm – The Rod Stewart Songbook – an amazing tribute band plays Rod’s best songs from the last 50 years.
• Saturday 25 September at 7.30pm – Comedian and musician Jon Courtenay, the first ever Golden Buzzer act to win Britain’s Got Talent.
• Friday 1 October at 7.30pm – Britain’s Got Talent 2020 finalist, comedian, juggler and variety star Steve Royle presents his Royle Variety Performance – a fun-filled evening for all the family!
• Saturday 2 October at 7.30pm – Almost the Bee Gees – a great tribute to one of the best bands ever.
• Sunday 3 October at 7.30pm – Ed Byrne in his show ‘If I’m Honest …’ a masterclass in observational comedy.
• Re-scheduled – Friday 5 November at 7.30pm (was Saturday 28 August) – The Unravelling Wilburys perform songs of the super-group The Traveling Wilburys.

Enquiries to 01609 776230. Book tickets online http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

Parish Council meetings
• The next meeting of Asenby Parish Council will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 15 September 2021 at the Village Hall. www.asenby.net
• The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be at 7.15pm on Thursday 7 October in the main hall at the Village Hall. www.topcliffe.org.uk

Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall
• Art classes – the next series of art classes starts tomorrow, Monday 13 September.
• My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm – every Monday.
• Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm every Tuesday. More participants welcome. Please come along.
• Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm, every Thursday evening.
• Boot Camp – every Tuesday and Friday evening, 7 – 8pm.
• Soup and sweet lunch – 12 noon Wednesday 15 September.
• Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 15 September.
• Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – Wednesday 29 September.
• Indoor Carpet Bowls – Thursdays 7.30 to 9.30pm. If you are interested in joining the group, please call Mel Arkley 01845 578728.
• Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7.15pm on Thursday, 7 October.

To encourage existing activities to get going again – and new ones to be introduced – group activities are being offered free use of the hall 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 before the end of the year.

Local traders
• The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow The Angel on Facebook to get regular updates.
• Asenbee Honey – a local business selling honey but also making beeswax candles, a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
• John Aston Flooring Ltd – The Old Hatchery, Asenby. Big selection of carpets and flooring. Appointment only. 01845 421111 info
• Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
• The Elm Gallery – Opening times are Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm; Sunday, 12noon to 5.30pm; Monday and Tuesday – closed. Covid safety arrangements remain in place. Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920 or check out the website at: www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk
• Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing hand poured soy wax candles, wax melts and reed diffusers. Perfect gift ideas. Bespoke orders for special occasions such as wedding favours. Info or 07879 447953.
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – run by Kerry Parker and based in Melmerby. Provides beautiful hampers for all occasions, containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. Telephone: 07793 775987. www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Customers continue to be asked to wear a mask/face covering (unless exempt) and also to maintain social distancing. This is out of respect for staff and more vulnerable customers. At both doors, there is hand sanitiser provided. Opening hours: Tuesday (but see notice re closure on 7 September), Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 3pm. Closed on Mondays. Takeaway teas and coffees with cake is still available. Wheelchair access is available at the rear of the property. Check out Facebook page for information about new lines in fresh and frozen foods. 01845 400446. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/
• 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 with a new menu and ‘specials board’. 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.
• The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop. Foodstuffs such as tins, pasta, rice, biscuits, cereals, jars, crisps, juices, bottled products, soups, crisp breads, anything in packets, are very welcome. But please, no fresh products as there’s a risk they will go to waste.
• 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. Closed on Sundays.

Bin Collections
Hambleton (Topcliffe):
• Refuse – Monday 13 September.
• Recycling & green waste – Thursday 23 September.
Harrogate (Asenby):
• Recycling – Monday 13 September.
• Refuse – Monday 20 September.
• Garden waste – Thursdays 23 September.

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