Sunday Email – Page 29 – Topcliffe and Asenby Sunday Email

Posted on 7 January 20242 October 2026 by Doug Allan

Sunday Email: Issue 192

Welcome to the first Sunday Email of 2024.

Village Quiz
TONIGHT: Sunday 7 January – The first quiz of the New Year is on at 8pm in the Village Hall. All welcome.

St Columba’s Services

TODAY – Sunday (7 January) at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong for Epiphany
Sunday 14 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
Sunday 21 January at 10.45am – Choral Matins
Sunday 28 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
Sunday 5 February at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong

Everyone is most welcome to come along for any of these services. Refreshments are served after every Sunday morning service.

Grants for local initiatives
Final reminder: The newly elected councillor for Sowerby & Topcliffe division on North Yorkshire Council is looking for projects that could get funds from his local grants budget. Cllr Rev Dan Sladden has a budget of £5,200 to allocate to schemes he wishes to back and he is now inviting applications. The deadline is Saturday 14 January.

This link is to information about the grants scheme:
https://bit.ly/stlb23faq
This link is to an application form: https://bit.ly/stlb23

If you have any queries or wish to submit additional information in support of your application, contact Cllr Sladden via cllr.dan.sladden@northyorks.gov.uk

New Year benefits check
Billions of pounds worth of benefits go unclaimed every year yet it can take just a few minutes to check your entitlement. Try this website – www.entitledto.co.uk – to see if you are missing out. You only need to answer a series of very basic questions and then you’ll be advised of any benefits you might get and an estimate of their value. These include income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, council tax reduction, carer’s allowance and Universal Credit.

Although the benefits system is overly complex and confusing the official online tool (mentioned above) can check, in minutes if you are missing out on any financial help that you are entitled to. Even if you don’t think this is relevant to you, it’s still worth completing the check – you may be pleasantly surprised.

Weekly art classes
A new set of five art classes in the Village Hall starts tomorrow, Monday 8 January and runs through to Monday 5 February. The sessions, which are two hours long, from 10-12pm, are led by artist and teacher, Rebecca Jayne. She will guide participants with helpful tips and techniques and support you with in creating your own artwork.

And looking ahead to the spring
Start spring feeling more confident with drawing and sketching. Join this four-hour workshop from 10.30am to 2.30pm on Thursday 24 March at the Village Hall. Rebecca Jayne, will guide you with helpful tips and techniques and support you with creating your own drawing and sketches of a range of still life arrangements. All materials will be provided and refreshments are included. You can bring your own lunch or pay for a light lunch pre-ordered from a local caterers nearer the time.

Book online at https://rebeccajayneartist.co.uk/product-category/classes-workshops

Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Lucy Day is holding Vinyasa Flow yoga sessions at Rainton Village Hall every Saturday morning at 9am. If you are interested in attending, please email lucy@lucyoga.uk or call 07970 049928 for details.

Tiny Stars dance classes
Classes are again underway at Topcliffe & Asenby Village hall every Wednesday from 9.45 to 10.30am. These fun and friendly pre school sessions fled by qualified dance teacher, Miss Hazel, focus on dance and creative movement, visual storytelling and adventures, discovering music and singing and free play and creative crafts.

Parents or guardians are required to stay and welcome to join in or watch. The sessions are suitable for all pre-school ages (walking). The cost is £5 per session, billed half termly, or £7.50 per session pay as you go. The first session is free.

Email: tinystarsdance@gmail.com for more information or to book your place.

Warm Hub lunch
The Warm Hub lunch, on Wednesday 10 January, will be a one-off special two-course lunch consisting of either a chicken or beef dinner and a pudding. It will be provided by using some of the cash surplus from the Senior Citizens’ lunch held last Wednesday.

Only twenty-two meals were served at last Wednesday’s lunch, which was perhaps not surprising as the weather was poor and it was in the middle of the festive celebrations. Nonetheless, donations amounted to £73 of which £50 has gone to help support the cost of producing The Tattler, with the remainder used to pay hall rental.

Yoga with Alex
‘Yoga with Alex’ classes are held at two locations near Topcliffe – Thirsk Town Hall and Coronation Hall, Boroughbridge. See poster here for more details. These classes are suitable for anyone wishing to improve or regain their balance, strength and mental well-being. Call 07927 141616 or email Alex on yogawithalex2020@gmail.com

Thorp Perrow
The popular Arboretum is offering all visitors half price entrance until Friday 9 February 2024. So why not wrap up warm and enjoy a winter walk with friends and family…and maybe treat yourself to a hot chocolate and delicious food from the tea room?

Tickets can be pre booked their website – just enter the code ‘halfprice’ in the promotions box and click apply – https://booking.bookinghound.com/fe/booking?og=6d55784e-4d5c-46a6-9940-a8d09d48b8b2 Alternatively you can purchase tickets from the admission area upon arrival.

Some events coming up

24 January – Rose Pruning Workshop – The first session in the spring flower series. Learn all about the theory and techniques of rose pruning. Find out why pruning is essential for healthy growth before using your new-found knowledge and skills on specimens in the Arboretum.
7 February – A Literacy Celebration of Winter – Enjoy winter-inspired poetry and prose in this workshop of walking, talking and lively discussion. With well-known (and not so well-known) works of literature both historic and modern, see winter through the eyes of those with the right words in the right order in this casual workshop celebrating seasonal literature.
21 February – Snowdrop Workshop – The second in the spring flower series. A hands-on workshop where you will learn to identify different varieties of snowdrop (Galanthus), propagate the seeds, plant the bulbs ready to take home…and take part in some snowdrop conservation in the Arboretum.
6 March – Spring Pruning Workshop – Another in the spring flower series. Learn all about early spring pruning in this practical, hands-on workshop covering the fundamentals of what, when, where and how to prune before using your new-found skills in the Arboretum.

More information and bookings: https://www.thorpperrow.com/

The RItz Cinema, Thirsk
The Ritz is closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

To Thursday 11 January – matinees on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 January – Wonka
Friday 12 to Thursday 18 January – no matinees – What Happens Later
Matinees Only – Sunday 14 and Wednesday 17 January – The Red Shoes
Friday 19 to Thursday 26 January – matinee on Wednesday 24 January – Ferrari
Friday 26 January to Thursday 1 February – matinee on Wednesday 31 January – Anyone But You

https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

Opening times: evenings – doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees – doors open at 2pm for 2.30pm.

Rural Arts in the New Year

Tuesday 9 to Saturday 20 January – ‘People and Places’ – an exhibition of work created by members of the Heart & Craft and the ArtBeat Community. Curated by Artist Jane Claire Wilson the exhibition celebrates the creativity and sociability of local people. 10am – 4pm. Free Entry.
Wednesday 17 January – ‘Print & Texture’ – Experiment with different inking effects to explore pattern, texture and mark
making. You will print your own unique artworks on different papers and fabrics. 10:30am – 12:30pm. £20.
Friday 19 January – ‘Mosaic Mirror’ – Learn how to accurately cut tiles, selecting from a wide range of designs, colours and materials. 10am. £65.

Visit Rural Art’s website – Home – Rural Arts for more details or to make a booking. Or just pop in if you’d prefer a face-to-face chat.

Bible talks at the Village Hall
The series of undenominational bible talks will continue in the New Year at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall. They will be held on Thursdays 11, 18 and 25 January from 7.30 to 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Madagascar Day
Pupils in the Silver Birch class at Topcliffe Academy will be holding a Madagascar Day on Friday, 12 January to raise much needed funds for the Madagascar Smile Project. On the day, children will be invited to wear something red, green or white – the colours of the country’s flag – in exchange for a £1 donation. There’ll also be a bake sale and pupils can purchase items for 50p. Parents and other village residents can also support the fund raising by leaving a cash donation at the school reception.

Thirsk Repair Cafe
Be greener by avoiding waste and save money by letting a team of dedicated and talented volunteers try to repair your broken or ‘worn-out’ items, such as phones, computers, clothes, appliances, tools (including sharpening) furniture and toys. The cost is a voluntary donation. It’s on Saturday 13 January between 10am and 1pm at Thirsk Library on Chapel Street. For further details or if you would like to volunteer, please email: thirskrepaircafe@gmail.com

Asenby Parish Council meeting
The next meeting is at 7pm on Thursday 18 January in the Upper Committee Room in Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall. All welcome.

Clerk to Asenby Parish Council
This job continues to be vacant. The role of the Clerk is to support parish councillors with administrative duties. It’s a paid post and previous experience whilst desirable is not essential as guidance and support will be available. For further information please email: asenbypc@gmail.com

Asenby Website
The Parish Council’s revamped website has information about the work of the Parish Council itself and lots of other village matters. It can be found at http://www.asenby.org

Chip ‘n Dales
The Chip ‘n Dales fish and chip van will not be in Topcliffe until Friday 19 January.

Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall
The next meeting of the village hall committee will be held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 23 January.

Five Loose Chippings
Some readers will remember the name and performance of the Thirsk-based group of musicians, the Five Loose Chippings, who a few years ago played at our Village Hall. Well, there’s another opportunity to see them locally when they perform at The Courthouse in Thirsk at 7.30pm on Friday 26 January. The band has made a name for themselves playing a variety of music from blues, country and bluegrass through to pop classics and western swing. No set entry charge: pay as you decide. Online at www.ruralarts.org

Big Garden Birdwatch
The RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch 2024 is fast approaching. It takes place between 26 and 28 January. It’s the UK’s biggest citizen science wildlife survey, and it’s so easy to take part.

Big Garden Birdwatch is fun, free and you don’t need to have a garden: any outdoor space near where you live will work just fine. So, join half a million nature lovers and help the RSPB understand how birds are faring.

To take part in Big Garden Birdwatch, you’ll need to put aside just one hour any time on the weekend 26 to 28 January, and count all the different birds you see in your garden, balcony or local park. When you’re done, go online and tell the RSPB what you saw. It’s that simple. For more information and to sign up for the birdwatch, go to http://bit.ly/2024-garden-birdwatch

Comedy Night at The Angel
The next Comedy Night at The Angel will be held on Thursday 25 January. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm. See poster here for details. More info and tickets from the venue or online at: https://hilaritybites.co.uk/show/topcliffe-january-25th-2024/ or call 01845 578000

Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish council will be held at 7pm on Thursday 1 February in the Village Hall.

The Catton Kitchen
The Shack’s first events of the year has been announced. Amy and Hugo are working with teams at our two local National Parks – Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, along with the Heritage Fund UK, to bring Dark Skies In The Vale events to Catton village. The dates are Friday 23 and Saturday 24 February from 6 to 8.30pm. So, if you fancy an evening under the stars with storytelling, nature walks, astronomers and a serving of some home grown/reared food, then get your free tickets now from www.ticketsource.co.uk/teesswale

And a reminder that the Catton Kitchen is open as normal over the winter months – Friday and Saturdays 10am to 2pm and Sundays 10am to 12noon.

Traders in Topcliffe, Asenby and surrounding area
There’s a wide range of small businesses operating in Topcliffe and Asenby and in close proximity to our two villages. Check them out when you need work doing or a service provided: it’s great to be able to support local! The list is here.

Bin Collections
This week readers are asked to check the council’s website to ensure they know the correct collection dates. https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste

Now that the festive decorations have been taken down, anyone can recycle their Christmas tree, free of charge, at any household waste recycling centre. The centre at Sowerby is open 8.30am to 4pm every day, apart from Wednesdays.

Topcliffe residents (but unfortunately not Asenby residents) can have their tree collected on 11 January, as part of the ‘Hambleton 2023/24’ garden waste subscribers service. Trees must be chopped up with the bin closed, trees left at the roadside will not be collected. Normal garden waste is accepted during this collection.

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

This email is proudly sponsored by Faro Finance

Posted on 31 December 20232 October 2026 by Doug Allan

Sunday Email: Issue 191

Welcome to the Sunday Email. I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and I would like to wish you a happy and peaceful New Year.

Doug
07785 223707

Village Quiz
The quiz will not be held tonight (31 December). In the New Year the quiz will start again on Sunday 7 January.

St Columba’s Services

TODAY – (Sunday 31 December) – no service today (5th Sunday in the month)
Sunday 7 January at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong for Epiphany
Sunday 14 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
Sunday 21 January at 10.45am – Choral Matins
Sunday 28 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
Sunday 5 February at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong

Everyone is most welcome to come along for any of these services. Refreshments are served after every Sunday morning service.

The Catton Kitchen

TODAY – New Year’s Eve, 31 December, 10am to 12 noon.
New Year’s Day, 1 January 2024, 10am to 12 noon (or when they are finished serving).

Baldersby St James Carol Service
TODAY: The village carol service planned for Christmas Eve had to be cancelled due to a power failure so a later than normal Candlelit Carol Service will be held in the church at 4.30pm today Sunday 31 December). Everyone is welcome to attend.

New Year’s Eve in Ripon
TONIGHT: The town’s New Year’s Eve celebrations start at 9.15pm in the Market Square with live music from a steel band and culminate in a firework display at midnight. There’ll be a Watchnight service at the cathedral followed by a torchlight procession to the Market Square in time for ringing in the New Year at midnight.

The Swan’s holiday opening hours
The Swan’s opening hours over next couple of days are;

Sunday 31 December – 5pm until close (no food served)
Monday 1 January – Closed
Tuesday 2 January – bar only 5 until 7pm
Wednesday 3 January – normal hours.

Post Office opening hours
Topcliffe Post Office’s hours of business over the next few days are:

Sunday 31 December – closed
Monday 1 January – closed
Tuesday 2 January – normal hours.

Topcliffe Surgery
The surgery will be closed on New Year’s day – 1 January. Anyone needing medical attention when the surgery is closed should call NHS 111 service (or 999 in an emergency).

Sunday lunch at The Angel Inn
Sunday lunches are served in the conservatory and function room. Booking is recommended. Menus can be viewed here. Please call 01845 578000 to make a booking or for more information.

Cross Talk newsletter
The January edition of the local church newsletter, Cross Talk, is now out and you can read it here. Cross Talk is published monthly by email. To receive a copy direct please contact kitnorris@live.co.uk

Barclay’s Bank closure
It has been announced that Barclay’s Bank in Northallerton will close on Thursday 14 March. This follows the recent closure of its Thirsk, Easingwold and Ripon branches.

Those looking for alternative banking arrangements may wish to consider transferring to the Nationwide Bank in Thirsk, though it has limited opening hours – Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

There’s now only three ATMs (cash withdrawal machines) in the Market Place – they’re at the Co-op supermarket, Heron Foods and HSBC Bank. There’s also a couple of machines at Tesco. All have no withdrawal charges and accept most bank cards.

Queen Mary’s School
Congratulations to Queen Mary’s School for being recognised as one of the top six fee-paying schools (without a sixth form) in The Sunday Times 2024 Parent Power Schools’ Guide.

Grants for local initiatives
The newly elected councillor for Sowerby & Topcliffe division on North Yorkshire Council is looking for projects that could get funds from his local grants budget. Cllr Rev Dan Sladden has a budget of £5,200 to allocate to schemes he wishes to back and he is now inviting applications. The deadline is Saturday 14 January.

This link is to information about the grants scheme:
https://bit.ly/stlb23faq
This link is to an application form: https://bit.ly/stlb23

If you have any queries or wish to submit additional information in support of your application, contact Cllr Sladden via cllr.dan.sladden@northyorks.gov.uk

Knit & Natter
The weekly Knit & Natter sessions start again on Thursday 4 January at 1.30pm in the Village Hall rear committee room. All welcome.

Weekly art classes
A new set of five art classes in the Village Hall starts on Monday 8 January and runs through to Monday 5 February. The sessions, which are two hours long, from 10-12pm, are led by artist and teacher, Rebecca Jayne. She will guide you with helpful tips and techniques and support you with in creating your own artwork.

And looking ahead to the spring
Start spring feeling more confident with drawing and sketching! Join this four-hour workshop from 10.30am to 2.30pm on Thursday 24 March at the Village Hall. Rebecca Jayne, will guide you with helpful tips and techniques and support you with creating your own drawing and sketches of a range of still life arrangements. All materials provided and refreshments are included. You can bring your own lunch or pay for a light lunch pre-ordered from a local caterers nearer the time.

Book online at https://rebeccajayneartist.co.uk/product-category/classes-workshops

Twenty-two meals were served at last Wednesday’s lunch, which was maybe not surprising as the weather was atrocious and it was in the middle of the festive celebrations. Nonetheless, donations amounted to £73 of which £50 has gone to help support the cost of producing The Tattler with the remainder used to pay hall rental.

Thorp Perrow
The popular Arboretum is offering all visitors half price entrance between Monday 1 January and Friday 9 February 2024. So why not wrap up warm and enjoy a winter walk with friends and family…and maybe treat yourself to a hot chocolate and delicious food from the tea room?

Some events coming up

24 January – Rose Pruning Workshop – The first session in the spring flower series. Learn all about the theory and techniques of rose pruning. Find out why pruning is essential for healthy growth before using your new-found knowledge and skills on specimens in the Arboretum.
7 February – A Literacy Celebration of Winter – Enjoy winter-inspired poetry and prose in this workshop of walking, talking and lively discussion. With well-known (and not so well-known) works of literature both historic and modern, see winter through the eyes of those with the right words in the right order in this casual workshop celebrating seasonal literature.
21 February – Snowdrop Workshop – The second in the spring flower series. A hands-on workshop where you will learn to identify different varieties of snowdrop (Galanthus), propagate the seeds, plant the bulbs ready to take home…and take part in some snowdrop conservation in the Arboretum.
6 March – Spring Pruning Workshop – Another in the spring flower series. Learn all about early spring pruning in this practical, hands-on workshop covering the fundamentals of what, when, where and how to prune before using your new-found skills in the Arboretum.

More information and bookings: https://www.thorpperrow.com/

The RItz Cinema, Thirsk
The Ritz is closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

To Thursday 4 January with a matinee on Wednesday 3 January – Wish
Friday 5 to Thursday 11 January – matinees on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 January – Wonka
Friday 12 to Thursday 18 January – no matinees – What Happens Later
Matinees Only – Sunday 14 and Wednesday 17 January – The Red Shoes
Friday 19 to Thursday 26 January – matinee on Wednesday 24 January – Ferrari
Friday 26 January to Thursday 1 February – matinee on Wednesday 31 January – Anyone But You

https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

Opening times: evenings – doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. Matineess – doors open at 2pm for 2.30pm.

Rural Arts in the New Year

Tuesday 9 to Saturday 20 January – ‘People and Places’ – an exhibition of work created by members of the Heart & Craft and the ArtBeat Community. Curated by Artist Jane Claire Wilson the exhibition celebrates the creativity and sociability of local people. 10am – 4pm. Free Entry.
Wednesday 17 January – ‘Print & Texture’ – Experiment with different inking effects to explore pattern, texture and mark
making. You will print your own unique artworks on different papers and fabrics. 10:30am – 12:30pm. £20.
Friday 19 January – ‘Mosaic Mirror’ – Learn how to accurately cut tiles, selecting from a wide range of designs, colours and materials. 10am. £65.

Visit Rural Art’s website – Home – Rural Arts for more details or to make a booking. Or just pop in if you’d prefer a face-to-face chat.

Madagascar Day
Pupils in the Silver Birch class at Topcliffe Academy will be holding a Madagascar Day on Friday, 12 January to raise much needed funds for the Madagascar Smile Project. On the day children will be invited to wear something red, green or white – the colours of the country’s flag – in exchange for a £1 donation. There’ll also be a bake sale and pupils can purchase items for 50p. Parents and other village residents can also support the fund raising by leaving a cash donation at the school reception.

Asenby Parish Council meeting
The next meeting is at 7pm on Thursday 18 January in the Upper Committee Room in Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall. All welcome.

Clerk to Asenby Parish Council
It would be wonderful if, as we start the New Year, someone would step forward to take on the role of Clerk to the Parish Council. The job is currently being done on a temporary basis by former council chairman Peter Palmer, but he has made it clear that he won’t continue to do the job for much longer. A Clerk is needed to support parish councillors with administrative duties. It’s a paid post and previous experience whilst desirable is not essential as guidance and support will be available. For further information please email: asenbypc@gmail.com

Asenby Website
Don’t forget to check out the Parish Council’s revamped website which has information about the work of the Parish Council itself and lots of other village matters. It can be found at http://www.asenby.org

Chip ‘n Dales
The Chip ‘n Dales fish and chip van will not be in Topcliffe until Friday 19 January.

Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall
The next meeting of the village hall committee will be held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 23 January.

Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish council will be held at 7pm on Thursday 1 February in the Village Hall.

Bin Collections
Over the New Year holiday period readers are asked to check the council’s website to ensure they know the correct collection dates. https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste

After the festive season you can recycle your Christmas tree, free of charge, at all household waste recycling centres.

The household waste recycling centre at Sowerby is open 8.30am to 4pm every day, apart from Wednesdays. It will be closed on New Year’s Day and 3 January.

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

This email is proudly sponsored by Faro Finance

Posted on 24 December 20232 October 2026 by Doug Allan

Sunday Email: Issue 190

Welcome to the Sunday Email.

I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Doug
07785 223707

Christmas quiz and party
It was a full house at last Sunday’s bumper Christmas quiz and there was a real party atmosphere with lots of drinks poured and a fantastic buffet supplied by the quizzers themselves. The quiz – which consisted of 140 questions, – was put together by Jim Shaw and Doug Allan. Everyone present was a winner…but the team in first place was Susan & Derek Sykes and Phil Haley. Congratulations and well done.

Village Quiz – dates
The quiz will not be held over the festive period – tonight (24 December) and next week, Sunday 31 December. In the New Year the quiz will start again on Sunday 7 January.

Carol Services
Asenby: The evening of carol singing in Asenby on Wednesday last went very well with sixteen carollers in total, including members of St Columba’s choir some local parents and children talking part. many people were on the look out for the carol singers passing by, and some commenting that they had missed the singing in recent years! The evening finished with mulled wine and mince pies at Asenby Hall and a very respectable £126.72 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Care.

Topcliffe: The carol service at the Christmas tree outside the Village Hall on Thursday evening also went really well. There were around 30 adults and chidren…and they were all in good voice. Afterwards everyone enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies in the hall. Thanks to all of those who turned out on a cold night. You made it all worthwhile. Sorry there are no photographs; we were all too busy singing to have thought about taking any!

St Columba’s Services

TODAY – Christmas Eve – No morning service. TONIGHT at 11.30pm – Midnight Mass and Eucharist led by Rev’d Robert Williams.
Christmas Day, Monday 25 December – No Service.

Everyone is most welcome to come along for any of these services. Refreshments are served after every Sunday morning service.

Christmas Day at Maple Park
The operators of the Maple Park Cafe are inviting people who might be alone or lonely on Christmas Day to pop in between 10am and 12 noon for refreshments and company. The cafe is part of the Maple Park crematorium complex on the A61, just west of Busby Stoop. See promotional leaflet here.

Christmas in Ripon
TODAY (24 December) – Festival of Lessons and Carols: The Christmas Story told in readings and music from the Ripon Cathedral Choir. At the cathedral at 5.30pm.

TONIGHT – Midnight Mass: At the cathedral at 11pm.

Christmas Eucharist: Christmas day service and communion at the cathedral. 10.30am on Monday 25 December.

Boxing Day Eucharist and Pilgrimage: St Stephen’s Day communion service at the cathedral at 9.30am on 26 December. Followed by a pilgrimage to Fountains Abbey.

New Year’s Eve in Ripon: The town’s New Year’s Eve celebrations start at 9.15pm in the Market Square with live music from a steel band and culminate in a firework display at midnight. There’ll be a Watchnight service at the cathedral followed by a torchlight procession to the Market Square in time for ringing in the New Year at midnight

See more festive events in Ripon by visiting http://www.christmasin ripon.co.uk

The Catton Kitchen
Opening hours over the festive season are as follows:

TODAY – Christmas Eve – 10am to 12 noon.
Friday 29 December, 10am to 2pm
Saturday 30 December, 10am to 2pm
New Years Eve, 31 December, 10am to 12 noon.
New Years Day, 1 January 2024, 10am to 12 noon.

Christmas and New Year orders can be collected during these times or by special arrangement at other times.

The Swan’s festive opening hours
See the attached leaflet here for The Swan’s opening hours and when food is being served over the holiday period..

Post Office opening hours
Topcliffe Post Office’s opening hours over the holiday period are shown on the poster here.

Thirsk Garden Centre
The garden centre’s opening hours over Christmas and New Year are shown here.

Deer Shed wins Festival of the Year award
The popular family orientated Deer Shed festival which is held at Baldersby Park each year has won the Festival of the Year award in the The LIVE Awards.

The LIVE Awards, which recognise the leading companies and individuals in the £4.5bn UK live music business, were presented on 12 December in London, in front of an invited industry audience.

The Christmas nativity – A Midwife Crisis

Topcliffe Academy’s reception classes – Willow and Ash – performed an amazing nativity play last week and lots of parents and other residents of the village popped along to enjoy it. ‘A Midwife Crisis’ carried the message of Christmas and filled the audience with festive cheer. It was so lovely for the children to have the opportunity to perform on stage and work collectively to achieve such a high quality performance and showcase some talented individuals.

Be safe and secure over Christmas
North Yorkshire Police have issued some timely advice about how we can stay safe and keep our homes secure over the festive period. They suggest that spending just a few minutes doing a few simple checks can mean our homes stay safe and secure

Always lock your doors – both front and rear – especially when going out but even when you are at home. The police say that most burglaries happen via unlocked doors as opportunistic thieves seek out any opening that they can take advantage of.
Shut your curtains on an evening, and if you are going out leave lights and a radio on to give the impression you are home.
Keep your keys and valuables out of sight, and not within reach of windows or letterboxes. The most common items taken in a burglary are car keys, cash and bank cards, so especially keep these items out of sight.
Be careful how you dispose of boxes that contained expensive Christmas presents. Take them to the recycling centre: leaving them in your blue bin may be a great way for an opportunist to know what you have inside the house.
Double check your vehicles, sheds and garages are locked.

Community Messaging
Did you know that North Yorkshire Police operate a Community Messaging service? It’s a free email alert system that anyone can join. Local police teams use the system to let people know what’s happening in their area and to offer details about such things as burglary prevention and property marking events, plus information about crime appeals.
https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wsi/watch-schemes-initiatives/as/ny/north-yorkshire-community-messaging/

Football Success
Topcliffe Academy’s Year 5/6 girls football team had amazing success in the area finals of the recent competition held at Thirsk School and Sixth Form College. They came away as winners and will now compete in the North Yorkshire Girls’ Football Finals to be held on Thursday, 18 January at York College.

The team – Beth, Ava C, Ava S, Matilda, Kensie, Gabi, Lilly, Amelia, Millie and Honour have so far had an outstanding competition, winning every single one of their games. Congratulations to all.

Warm Hub lunch
The next regular lunch will be on Wednesday 27 December.

The following lunch, on Wednesday 10 January, will be a one-off special two-course lunch consisting of either a chicken or beef dinner and a pudding. It will be provided by using some of the cash surplus from the Senior Citizens’ lunch held last Wednesday.

Events at The Angel Inn

Sunday lunches: Sunday lunches are served in the conservatory and function room. Booking is recommended. Menus can be viewed here.

Christmas: Opening for food on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day (booking essential). There’ll be no food served on Christmas day, however drinks will be served from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

Comedy Night: Yes it’s back! The regular Stand-Up Comedy Night is returning to The Angel Inn on Thursday 28 December. Doors open at 7.30pm. Show starts at 8pm. Tickets £10 pre-paid or £12 on the night.

New Year’s Eve: a fantastic New Year’s Eve party with buffet and music from The Doubtful Bottle. Starts 8pm. Tickets £25 per person.

Please call 01845 578000 for more information.

Rural Arts in the New Year

There’s a comprehensive and interesting variety of bright and bold workshops, exhibitions, performance and screenings for the January – April period. With almost 200 creative events and activities there’s something for everyone.

A few examples are:

Tuesday 9 to Saturday 20 January – ‘People and Places’ – an exhibition of work created by members of the Heart & Craft and the ArtBeat Community. Curated by Artist Jane Claire Wilson the exhibition celebrates the creativity and sociability of local people. 10am – 4pm. Free Entry.
Wednesday 17 January – ‘Print & Texture’ – Experiment with different inking effects to explore pattern, texture and mark
making. You will print your own unique artworks on different papers and fabrics. 10:30am – 12:30pm. £20.
Friday 19 January – ‘Mosaic Mirror’ – Learn how to accurately cut tiles, selecting from a wide range of designs, colours and materials. 10am. £65.

Visit Rural Art’s website – Home – Rural Arts for more details or to make a booking. Or just pop in if you’d prefer a face-to-face chat.

The RItz Cinema, Thirsk
The Ritz is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 December – Matinee on Wednesday 27 December and Friday 29 December to Thursday 4 January with matinees on Saturday 30 December and Wednesday 3 January – Wish
Friday 5 to Thursday 11 January – matinees on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 January – Wonka

Opening times: evenings – doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees – doors open at 2pm for 2.30pm. https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

Chip ‘n Dales
The Chip ‘n Dales fish and chip van will not be in Topcliffe until Friday 19 January.

Bin Collections
It was mentioned last week that there was a statement on North Yorkshire Council’s website announcing that dates of collections are subject to change. Well, annoyingly, they did change after the Sunday Email was published so some readers may have recorded dates that are now incorrect. I don’t like publishing incorrect information, so over Christmas and New Year it will be best if readers check the council’s website to ensure they know the correct collection dates. https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste

After the festive season you can recycle your Christmas tree, free of charge, at all household waste recycling centres.

The household waste recycling centre at Sowerby is open 8.30am to 4pm every day, apart from Wednesdays. This year they will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, 27 December, New Year’s Day and 3 January

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

This email is proudly sponsored by Faro Finance

Posted on 17 December 20232 October 2026 by Doug Allan

Sunday Email: Issue 189

Welcome to the Sunday Email.
Doug
07785 223707

St Columba’s Services

TODAY – (17 December) at 10.45am Matins and at 6.30pm a traditional carol service of Nine Lessons and carols with the St Columba Choir led by Linda Hewlett and accompanied by organist Matthew Atherton, followed by a delicious finger buffet and wine.
Saturday 23 December at 3pm – informal family crib service and carols led by Rev’d Dawn Ward.
Christmas Eve, Sunday 24 December – No morning service.
Christmas Eve, Sunday 24 December at 11.30pm – Midnight Mass and Eucharist led by Rev’d Robert Williams.
Christmas Day, Monday 25 December – No Service.

Everyone is most welcome to come along for any of these services. Refreshments are served after every Sunday morning service.

Artisan Market
TODAY: (17 December) – Thirsk Market Place between 10am and 3pm. Locally-produced arts and crafts, food and drink. A diverse, quality, shopping experience that celebrates independent producers and makers. For more information check out: http://www.littlebirdmade.com

Village Quiz

Photograph shows last week’s winning team – The Long Street Mafia with quizmaster Charles standing behind.

The quiz will not be held over the festive period on Sunday 24 and Sunday 31 December. In the New Year the quiz will start again on Sunday 7 January.

Last dates for Christmas mail
There’s not much time left for posting cards and parcels if you want any chance of them arriving at their destination before Christmas. Tomorrow Monday 18 December is the last day for 2nd class mail and Wednesday 20 December is the final day for 1st class.

Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch
The senior citizens’ Christmas lunch held last Wednesday was a great success with well nearly 50 villagers having a traditional Christmas lunch and drinks. The entertainment was provided by Anne-Marie Mulley’s family members and friends – known as The Coffin Dodgers – who sang Christmas carols and a number of great sing-along numbers. Richard Byas, who retired as a local vet last year, gave a fascinating and funny talk about his experiences when training to become a vet and when practicing in this area for many years.

A big thank you is owed to organiser Judith Lowe and all the volunteers who helped prepare and serve the food and drinks, including Karen Morley (who was ill on the day but had done lots of preparation), Malcolm Morley, Linda Carver, Linda Robinson, Chris Bailie, Steve and Liz Hall, Clare Phillips, Chris Wiggins, Richard Byas, Peter Lowe and Doug Allan.

Warm Hub lunch
The next regular lunch will be on Wednesday 27 December.

The following lunch, on Wednesday 10 January, will be a one-off two-course lunch consisting of either a chicken or beef dinner and a pudding. It will be provided by using some of the cash surplus from the Senior Citizens’ lunch held last Wednesday.

Free Parking in Thirsk & Northallerton
North Yorkshire Council is allowing free Christmas car parking every Thursday in December and every day from Monday 25 Dec to Monday 1 January in local town centres, including Applegarth short and long stay car park, the Forum short and long stay car parks and Thirsk Market Place short stay, Millgate car park, Marage car park & Nursery car park.

Parking time limits still apply in the dedicated ‘short stay only’ car parks at Market Place Thirsk, Applegarth short stay and Forum short in stay in Northallerton.

The Catton Kitchen
The Kitchen is open TODAY (Sunday 17 December) between 10am-12noon.

Opening hours over the festive season are as follows:

Friday 22 December, 10am to 2pm
Saturday 23 December, 10am to 2pm.
Christmas Eve – 24 December, 10am to 12 noon.
Friday 29 December, 10am to 2pm
Saturday 30 December, 10am to 2pm
New Years Eve, 31 December, 10am to 12 noon.
New Years Day, 1 January 2024, 10am to 12 noon.

Christmas and New Year orders can be collected during these times or by special arrangement at other times.

Paper collection
Linzi, a member of staff in Topcliffe Post Office who is a volunteer at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary is collecting old newspapers for animal bedding. If you can help please bag them up and drop them off at the Post Office. Thank you.

Events at The Angel Inn

Sunday lunches: Sunday lunches are served in the conservatory and function room. Booking is recommended. Menus can be viewed here.

Christmas: Opening for food on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day (booking essential). There’ll be no food served on Christmas day, however drinks will be served from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

New Year’s Eve: a fantastic New Year’s Eve party with buffet and music from The Doubtful Bottle. Starts 8pm. Tickets £25 per person.

Please call 01845 578000 for more information.

Rural Arts in the New Year

A few examples are:

Tuesday 9 to Saturday 20 January – ‘People and Places’ – an exhibition of work created by members of the Heart & Craft and the ArtBeat Community. Curated by Artist Jane Claire Wilson the exhibition celebrates the creativity and sociability of local people. 10am – 4pm. Free Entry.
Wednesday 17 January – ‘Print & Texture’ – Experiment with different inking effects to explore pattern, texture and mark
making. You will print your own unique artworks on different papers and fabrics. 10:30am – 12:30pm. £20.
Friday 19 January – ‘Mosaic Mirror’ – Learn how to accurately cut tiles, selecting from a wide range of designs, colours and materials. 10am. £65.

Visit Rural Art’s website – Home – Rural Arts for more details or to make a booking. Or just pop in if you’d prefer a face-to-face chat.

Ripon at Christmas

Illuminated Winter Wonderland: TODAY – 17 December – Enjoy lights, decorations, snow machine, crafts and carol singing in Ripon Spa Gardens between 2 and 8pm. Free entry but donations welcomed.

Christmas Carol Concert: TODAY – 17 December – The cathedral choir sings with the renowned St Cecilia Orchestra in a spectacular concert in the nave at 5.30pm. Tickets £15 for adults and £5 for children (5-16) from www.riponcathedral.org.uk

Festival of Lessons and Carols: The Christmas Story told in readings and music from the Ripon Cathedral Choir. At the cathedral on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 December at 5.30pm.

Midnight Mass: At the cathedral at 11pm on Sunday 24 December.

Christmas Eucharist: Christmas day service and communion at the cathedral. 10.30am on Monday 25 December.

Boxing Day Eucharist and Pilgrimage: St Stephen’s Day communion service at the cathedral at 9.30am on 26 December. Followed by a pilgrimage to Fountains Abbey.

See more festive events in Ripon by visiting http://www.christmasin ripon.co.uk

Santa at Thirsk Garden Centre
Santa will be in his grotto at Thirsk garden Centre on weekends between 10am and 4pm until Christmas as follows:

TODAY – 17 December
23 December.

The cost is £6 per child, with all proceeds going to Thirsk Rotary and Herriot Hospice.

Carol singing in Asenby
On Wednesday 20 December at 6.30pm members of St Columba’s choir will lead the singing of carols around Asenby. Meet at Asenby Hall. Everyone is welcome to join in. A collection will be taken in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Carols round Topcliffe’s Christmas tree
Residents are invited to gather at the Christmas tree outside the Village Hall to sing carols at 7pm on Thursday 21 December. Sheets with the words of the carols…and a few other festive songs…will be provided, but you’ll need to bring a torch or a mobile phone to light your way!

Afterwards, mulled wine and mince pies will be served in the hall. There’ll be no set price, but donations will be welcome.

The RItz Cinema, Thirsk

To Thursday 21 December – matinee on Wednesday 20 December – Napoleon.
Friday 22, Saturday 23, Wednesday 27, Thursday 28, Friday 29, Saturday 30 December and Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 January 2024 – matinees on Wednesday 27, Saturday 30 December and Wednesday 3 January 2024 – Wish

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

Opening times: evenings – doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees – doors open at 2pm for 2.30pm. https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

Chip ‘n Dales
The Chip ‘n Dales fish and chip van will be in Topcliffe 5 to 7pm on Friday 22 December. After the opening that day the service will be closed until Friday 19 January.

NYMR Santa Specials
Santa and his team of elves will have returned to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this Christmas and they are offering magical journeys aboard the famous Santa Express. The final festive service is on Sunday 24 December. Visitors can climb on board and make some enchanting memories on a trip starting at Pickering. Book online atnymr.co.uk/santa-specials

Bin Collections
Topcliffe:

Refuse – Monday 18 December and Tuesday 2 January (one day later than normal).
Recycling – Friday 29 December (one day later than normal)

Asenby:

Recycling – Monday 18 December and Wednesday 3 January. (two days later than normal). Then Monday 15 January.
Refuse – Wednesday 27 December (two days later than normal). Then Tuesday 9 (one day later than normal) and Monday 22 January.

The council’s website states that these collection dates may change. You can check dates of collections at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/

You can recycle Christmas trees, free of charge, at all household waste recycling centres.

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

This email is proudly sponsored by Faro Finance

Posted on 10 December 20232 October 2026 by Doug Allan

Sunday Email: Issue 188

Welcome to the Sunday Email.
Doug
07785 223707

St Columba’s Services

TODAY (10 December) at 10.45am – Holy Communion
Sunday 17 December at 10.45am Matins
Sunday 17 December at 6.30pm – Carol Service – the traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols with the St Columba Choir led by Linda Hewlett and accompanied by organist Matthew Atherton, followed by a delicious finger buffet and wine.
Saturday 23 December at 3pm – informal family crib service and carols led by Rev’d Dawn Ward.
Christmas Eve, Sunday 24 December – No morning service.
Christmas Eve, Sunday 24 December at 11.30pm – Midnight Mass and Eucharist led by Rev’d Robert Williams.
Christmas Day, Monday 25 December – No Service.

Everyone is most welcome to come along for any of these services. Refreshments are served after every Sunday morning service.

Scruton Station Edwardian Christmas
TODAY: (10 December) – Wensleydale Railway is presenting an Edwardian Christmas celebration at the fully restored Scruton Railway Station between 2 and 4pm. The afternoon of festive fun includes mince pies and mulled wine for adults and juice, biscuits and Christmas activities for children. Adults £5, children £2. See poster here.

Quiz night at the Village Hall
TONIGHT – the Sunday quiz is on at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall at 8pm.

Photograph shows last week’s winning team – The Long Street Originals and quizmaster Phil Haley.

Christmas tree
Topcliffe’s Christmas tree has now been decorated and is lit up each evening from 4 to 11pm. A big thank you to the volunteers who turned out last Wednesday to get the tree ready. It was definitely a case of many hands make lights work!

Bridge closure
Drivers should take note that Skipton on Swale Bridge will be closed on Monday 11 December from 9:30am to 3pm.

Warm Hub lunch
There will not be the usual Warm Hub lunch on Wednesday 13 December as the Senior Citizens’ lunch is being held that day. Hopefully, most of the regulars will be attending that event anyway. The next regular lunch will be on Wednesday 27 December.

Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch
Last call to those who wish to attend the senior citizens’ Christmas lunch on Wednesday 13 December. It’s open to residents of Topcliffe & Asenby aged 65 and over and will be held at the Village Hall. The cost for a full seasonal three course dinner, drinks and entertainment is £15 per head. Ring Judith Lowe on 01845 577911.

A ‘Thank You’ from St Columba’s to members of the Bowling Club
St Columba’s was recently very surprised and of course delighted to receive a most generous donation in excess of £1800 from Bowling Club funds and, in the absence now of any committee through which these feelings could be expressed, we hope that as many members as possible might pick this up through the Sunday Email. This gift will be most helpful in these difficult financial times and will be specially allocated for use either in the maintenance of the church fabric or for other projects solely within Topcliffe parish. So a huge thank you to all concerned from all at St Columba’s; and may we wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a good new year.

John Phillips Vice Chair Topcliffe PCC

Events at The Angel Inn

Sunday lunches: Sunday lunches are served in the conservatory and function room. Booking is recommended. Menus can be viewed here.

Christmas: Opening for food on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day (booking essential). There’ll be no food served on Christmas day, however drinks will be served from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

Comedy Night: Yes it’s back! The regular Stand-Up Comedy Night is returning to The Angel Inn on Thursday 28 December. Doors open at 7pm. Show 7.30 to 10.30pm. Tickets £10 pre-paid or £12 on the night. Event details on poster here.

New Year’s Eve: a fantastic New Year’s Eve party with buffet and music from The Doubtful Bottle. Starts 8pm. Tickets £25 per person.

Please call 01845 578000 for more information.

Chip ‘n Dales
The Chip ‘n Dales fish and chip van will be in Topcliffe 5 to 7pm on Fridays 15 and 22 December. After the opening on Friday 22 December the service will be closed until Friday 19 January.

Library festive opening hours
North Yorkshire Council libraries will be closed over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Most libraries will be closed from lunchtime on Saturday 23 December until Tuesday 2 January 2024.

Although the buildings themselves may be closed, they can still be used for free digital services. There are thousands of free eBooks and eAudio books, as well as eNewspapers, eMagazines and eComics available to borrow, and you can consult a wide range of free reference resources, day and night, throughout the holiday period.

Check out the council’s website: Libraries | North Yorkshire Council

Rural Arts in the New Year

There’s a comprehensive and interesting variety of bright and bold workshops, exhibitions, performance and screenings for the January – April period! With almost 200 creative events and activities there’s something for everyone.

Visit Rural Art’s website – Home – Rural Arts or more details or pop in for a face-to-face chat.

The RItz Cinema, Thirsk

To Thursday 14 December – no matinees – The Marvels.
Friday 15 to Thursday 21 December – matinee on Wednesday 20 December – Napoleon.
Friday 22, Saturday 23, Wednesday 27, Thursday 28, Friday 29, Saturday 30 December and Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 January 2024 – matinees on Wednesday 27, Saturday 30 December and Wednesday 3 January 2024 – Wish

The Ritz will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Opening times: evenings – doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees – doors open at 2pm for 2.30pm. https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

Ripon at Christmas

Illuminated Winter Wonderland: Enjoy lights, decorations, snow machine, crafts and carol singing in Ripon Spa Gardens between 2 and 8pm from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 December. Free entry but donations welcomed.

Christmas Carol Concert: The cathedral choir sings with the renowned St Cecilia Orchestra in a spectacular concert in the nave at 5.30pm on Sunday 17 December. Tickets £15 for adults and £5 for children (5-16) from www.riponcathedral.org.uk

Festival of Lessons and Carols: The Christmas Story told in readings and music from the Ripon Cathedral Choir. At the cathedral on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 December at 5.30pm.

Midnight Mass: At the cathedral at 11pm on Sunday 24 December.

Christmas Eucharist: Christmas day service and communion at the cathedral. 10.30am on Monday 25 December.

Boxing Day Eucharist and Pilgrimage: St Stephen’s Day communion service at the cathedral at 9.30am on 26 December. Followed by a pilgrimage to Fountains Abbey.

See more festive events in Ripon by visiting http://www.christmasin ripon.co.uk

NYMR Santa Specials
Santa and his team of elves will be returning to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this Christmas and they hope you will take one of their magical journeys aboard the famous Santa Express. The festive special services are running the weekends of 16 – 17 and 23 – 24 December. Visitors can climb on board and make some enchanting memories on a trip starting at Pickering. Santa will have a special gift for all the children on board – providing they’ve managed to stay on the nice list this year. Santa’s helpers will lead the fun and games. Book online atnymr.co.uk/santa-specials

Santa at Thirsk Garden Centre
Santa will be in his grotto at Thirsk garden Centre on weekends between 10am and 4pm until Christmas as follows:

16 and 17 December
23 December.

The cost is £6 per child, with all proceeds going to Thirsk Rotary and Herriot Hospice.

Christmas Cruise on Ripon Canal
Ripon Scenic Cruises is offering a special festive canal journey on the Pride of Ripon with choice of warm mulled wine, hot chocolate or fruit punch with a mince pie or chocolate brownie. There’ll also be an opportunity to visit a Makers’ Market in the canal basin. The dates are Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December. Book online at http://www.ripon-scenic-cruises.co.uk

Carols round Topcliffe’s Christmas tree
Residents are invited to gather at the Christmas tree outside the Village Hall to sing carols at 7pm on Thursday 21 December.

Sheets with the words of the carols…and a few other festive songs…will be provided, but you’ll need to bring a torch or a mobile phone to light your way!

Afterwards, mulled wine and mince pies will be served in the hall. There’ll be no set price, but donations will be welcome.

Bin Collections
Topcliffe:

Recycling – Thursday 14 December and Friday 29 December one day later than normal)
Refuse – Monday 18 December and Tuesday 2 January (one day later than normal).

Asenby:

Refuse – Monday 11 December and Wednesday 27 December (two days later than normal). Then Tuesday 9 and Monday 22 January.
Recycling – Monday 18 December and Wednesday 3 January. Then Monday 15 January.

You can recycle Christmas trees, free of charge, at all household waste recycling centres.

You can check dates of collections at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/

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

This email is proudly sponsored by Faro Finance