Category: Sunday Email

Doug
07785 223707

Tickets, which are £12 and include a sausage and mash supper, are already selling fast so to avoid disappointment, reserve or buy yours now. They are available from Doug Allan (07785 223707) or Topcliffe Post Office. 

• TODAY at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong.
• Sunday 12 February at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
• Sunday 19 February at 10.45am – Choral Matins
• Sunday 26 February 10.45am Holy Communion.

Covid booster jab appeal
Healthy 16 to 49 year olds have just over a week left to take up the NHS offer of a Covid booster jab. The top-up dose of vaccine can help protect against severe illness, even if you have caught Covid before.  Anyone aged 16 or over, or an at-risk child aged 12 to 15, who has had both primary jabs is eligible for this booster, which has been available for more than a year.

According to the latest figures, more than 151m Covid vaccine doses have been administered in the UK – 53.8m first doses, 50.8m second doses and 40.4m booster or third doses. The latest publicity campaign is designed to attract any of the 10 million people who opted to stop after having had two vaccinations.

Appointments are available up to and including Sunday 12 February and you can book online at: 
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Everyone knows that responsible dog owners carry poo bags with them and clean up after their pet…but there are some people in our community who obviously think the law doesn’t apply to them! But it does and if offenders are identified they will be reported to Hambleton Council, which will prosecute whenever it can.

Anyone can report dog fouling to the council. You can do it here:
Report It! (arcgis.com)  The more reports made, the likelier that action will be taken.

Neolithic history on our doorstep
The three huge Neolithic monuments at Thornborough, just across the A1 from here, have been gifted to the nation by two local companies and will now be managed by English Heritage and open free to the public.

The Thornborough Henges complex, which have been described as ‘the Stonehenge of the North’ date back to around 3500BC to 2500BC and consist of three 656ft (200m) wide circular earthworks.

The henges are said to be the most important single ancient site between Stonehenge and the Orkney Islands. The central and southern circles were placed on the Heritage at Risk register in 2009 due to damage caused by livestock and rabbits.

Archaeological finds around the site suggest the henges were probably built as ceremonial or ritual centres and may also have served as trading centres and meeting places. Evidence also indicated they may have been covered in gypsum and would have glowed white for miles around.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/thornborough-henges/#beforeyougo

BBC Radio York: Make a Difference Awards 

BBC Radio York is again on the lookout for community groups or individuals who have gone the extra mile to help in their local community. They are wanting to hear about people who are going above and beyond to make a difference where they live. The awards are a chance to say ‘thank you’ and show recognition and appreciation for people who love to make life better for others.

Nominations close Sunday 5 March 2023 at 11:00pm. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and awards will be given in each category, across each local BBC radio station. BBC – Make a Difference

Last week was another very busy week – thought to be the busiest so far, with 53 meals served overall between the hall and deliveries to homes in the villages. A total of £150 was raised of which £50 has been donated to the local branch of Animal Rescue Crew, with the remainder going into the Community Warm-up fund.

If you can donate any prepared food or ingredients or would like to help in some way, please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426 or Linda Carver on 01845 578014.

• To Thursday 9 February (matinee on Wednesday 8 February) – Empire of Light.
• Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February – Matinees only – Matilda – The Musical (Singalong version).
• Friday 10 to Thursday 16 February – No matinees – Till.
• Saturday 11, Sunday 12 and Wednesday 15 February – Matinees only – Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. 
• Friday 17 to Thursday 23 February –  No matinees – Tár. 
• Friday 24 to Thursday 2 March – No matinees – The Fabelmans.
• Friday 3 to Thursday 9 March – Matinees on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March – Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Prices: Adult – £6, concession – £5 (14 and under, over 60s and matinees). 
Opening times: evenings – doors open 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees doors open 2pm for 2.30pm.
Updates: Please check the cinema website for the latest information – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

• Jumble Sale – TODAY from 10.30am until 1pm. The proceeds will be for Rose Dawson’s owl fund. Rose, who lives in Thirsk, has spent years rescuing and rehabilitating injured owls. The proceeds will help with food and vet’s bills.
• Family Race Night – Saturday 18 February at 6.30pm. Entry is free of charge
• Domino Drive – Saturday 25 February at 7pm. Admission is £2, with £1 for 5 raffle tickets. Tea and biscuits are served at the interval. The proceeds of this event will be for the village hall funds. All ages are welcome.

David Gibb’s Family Jukebox
At school half-term give your family a musical experience to remember! Join David and his magical music Jukebox as he takes you on a trip through his hilarious and often surreal imagination, where wolves roam the school corridors, dragons live under the bed and teddy bears dance the night away at the disco. This Rural Arts performance is on at The Courthouse, Westgate, Thirsk on Friday 17 February at 3pm. Adults £8 and concession £6. Age guidance 3+. http://www.ruralarts.org 

• 23 February – Performance by students from Leeds University.
• 2 March – Charlotte Harper, Soprano.
• 9 march – Keith Dale on the organ.
• 16 March – Performance by students from Leeds University.
• 23 March – Ed Jones on the organ.
• 30 March – Prima Musica students.

• Thursday 30 March – 10.30am to 1pm – Spring Flowers and Garden Birds painted in oils.
• Thursday 27 April – 10.30am to 1pm – Escape to the Sea – paint a seascape in oils.

These art class are for artists of every level of experience…or none! Expert guidance is offered throughout the sessions. Equipment and paint provided. Refreshments included. Price £25/£28. More information and online booking at http://www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk

A list of local traders in Topcliffe and Asenby can be viewed here.

• Recycling – Thursdays 9 and 23 February.
• Refuse – Mondays 13 and 27 February 
• Subscriptions for the 2023/24 garden waste service will be available March 2023. There is still no indication of the price that will be charged from 1 April 2023.

Harrogate (Asenby)

• Refuse – Mondays 6 and 20 February.
• Recycling – Mondays 13  and 27th February.
• Subscriptions for the 2023 garden waste service are now open and the cost is £43.50 for 19 fortnightly collections starting mid March. http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/garden-waste-subscription-service

Doug
07785 223707

Independent Thirsk Traders is a trading group holding craft fairs throughout the year. Most of its traders hand craft their individual creations which include jewellery, cards, cushions, bags, crystals, pictures, sweet hampers, wood turned clocks, floral display pieces and many more. They are all local people bringing their talents to share with others in villages around Thirsk.

• Sunday 29 January – there is no service today
• Sunday 5 February at 6,30pm – Choral Evensong
• Sunday 12 February at 10.45am – Holy Communion
• Sunday 19 February at 10.45am – Choral Matins
• Sunday 26 February 10.45am Holy Communion.

There’ll be another textiles collection on Friday 6 October, so please keep in black bags and store any items you sort out.

And a reassuring response was received from Traffic Engineering Team Leader, Mr David Kirkpatrick, who said: “I had intended to contact you given recent progress, so your email is timely. I can confirm that the procurement process did result in a contractor being appointed and the contract is in the process of being issued and signed. It is expected that work will commence on site in the near future and I will contact you again once we have an agreed start date. The project remains on track to be completed this financial year.”

When it was launched, highway engineers erected signs on the main road past Asenby, but at the time they neglected to place appropriate signs at the entry to the village off Whaites Lane (the southern end of the village). This meant that HGVs could quite legitimately enter Asenby village and by-pass restrictions, and be able to argue that they hadn’t passed any weight limit signs. The situation was ridiculous and years of lobbying by the Parish Council to get extra signs followed.

The good news is that now, almost five years later, two brand new 7.5 tonne weight restriction signs have been installed. The recent and ongoing Topcliffe/Asenby HGV saga may have had some influence but a big thank you is due to the intervention of Councillor Nick Brown – Asenby’s representative on North Yorkshire County Council. 

Monk Park Farm is closed January and February but will reopen in March. For more details see https://www.monkparkfarm.co.uk/

If any eligible resident is interested in being co-opted (rather than elected) to the Parish Council, please get in touch with the Acting Parish Clerk, Peter Palmer 01845 578057.

Last week there were so many people present that the organisers lost count of how many meals were served in the hall and delivered to homes in the villages. But it was certainly the busiest lunch so far and there was no food left over. An amazing £170 was raised of which £50 was donated to the local branch of Cancer Research, with the remainder going into the Community Warm Up fund.

If you can donate any prepared food or ingredients or would like to help in some way, please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426 or Linda Carver on 01845 578014.

Here are some ideas that you could look at:

• Citizens’ Advice offers advice on a variety of topics including debt. Advice can be sought at Citizens’ Advice centres, over the telephone or via their excellent website offering a number of self-help guides.
• Debt Advice Foundation has developed a useful range of educational material aimed at schoolchildren and it also has a free helpline.
• National Debtline offers free advice over the telephone. Specialist advice is backed up with a range of self-help material.
• PayPlan helps to clear debt by offering free impartial advice either online or over the telephone. It can work with debt creditors to help reach a solution and offer personalised debt repayment plans based on individual circumstances.
• StepChange – a charity helping around 650,000 people a year with money advice and ways to avoid debt.
• Business Debtline offers free and confidential advice for small businesses with a broad selection of self-help guides.

School Holiday and training days – North Yorkshire
Parents may wish to make a note of these dates on their calendar:

• Half term holiday: Monday 13 February to Friday 17 February.
• Easter holiday: Monday 3 April to Friday 14 April.
• Professional development training day: Monday 17 April.
• Bank holiday: 1 May.
• Bank holiday: 8 May.
• Half term: Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June.
• Term ends: Tuesday 25 July 2023
• Summer holidays: Tuesday 25 July to Monday 4 September.
• Professional development training day: Monday 4 September.
• Half term holiday: Monday 30 October to Friday 3 November.
• Christmas holiday: Monday 25 December to Friday 5 January.

• To Thursday 2 February (matinee on Wednesday 1 February) – Tom Hanks is ‘A Man Called Otto‘. 
• Friday 3 to Thursday 9 February (matinee on Wednesday 8 February) – Empire of Light.
• Matinees only on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February –  Matilda – The Musical (Singalong version).

Prices: Adult – £6, concession – £5 (14 and under, over 60s and matinees). 
Opening times: evenings – doors open 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees doors open 2pm for 2.30pm.
Updates: Please check the cinema website for the latest information – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

• Domino Drive – Saturday 4 February at 7pm in aid of The Herriot Hospice and Saturday 25 February at 7pm. Admission is £2, with £1 for 5 raffle tickets. Tea and biscuits are served at the interval. The proceeds of this event will be for the village hall funds. All ages are welcome.
• Jumble Sale – Sunday 5 February from 10.30am until 1pm. The proceeds will be for Rose Dawson’s owl fund. Rose, who lives in Thirsk, has spent years rescuing and rehabilitating injured owls. The proceeds will help with food and vet’s bills.
• Family Race Night – Saturday 18 February at 6.30pm. Entry is free of charge.

David Gibb’s Family Jukebox
At school half-term give your family a musical experience to remember! Join David and his magical music Jukebox as he takes you on a trip through his hilarious and often surreal imagination, where wolves roam the school corridors, dragons live under the bed and teddy bears dance the night away at the disco. This Rural Arts performance is on at The Courthouse, Westgate, Thirsk on Friday 17 February at 3pm. Adults £8 and concession £6. Age guidance 3+. http://www.ruralarts.org 

• 23 February – Performance by students from Leeds University.
• 2 March – Charlotte Harper, Soprano.
• 9 march – Keith Dale on the organ.
• 16 March – Performance by students from Leeds University.
• 23 March – Ed Jones on the organ.
• 30 March – Prima Musica students.

• Thursday 30 March – 10.30am to 1pm – Spring Flowers and Garden Birds painted in oils.
• Thursday 27 April – 10.30am to 1pm – Escape to the Sea – paint a seascape in oils.

These art class are for artists of every level of experience…or none! Expert guidance is offered throughout the sessions. Equipment and paint provided. Refreshments included. Price £25/£28. More information and online booking at http://www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk

A list of local traders in Topcliffe and Asenby can be viewed here.

• Refuse – Mondays 30 January and 13 February.
• Recycling – Thursdays 9 and 23 February.
• Subscriptions for the 2023/24 garden waste service will be available March 2023. There is still no indication of the price that will be charged from 1 April 2023.

Harrogate (Asenby)

• Recycling – Mondays 30 January and 13 February.
• Refuse – Mondays 6 and 20 February.. 
• Subscriptions for the 2023 garden waste service are now open and the cost is £43.50 for 19 fortnightly collections starting mid March. http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/garden-waste-subscription-service

Doug
07785 223707

Other community-based Facebook pages in our two villages are:

• Top Residents
• Asenby Residents
• Alanbrooke Barracks

• TODAY – at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
• 29 January – No service (5th Sunday).

If any eligible resident is interested in being co-opted (rather than elected) to the Parish Council, please get in touch with the Acting Parish Clerk, Peter Palmer 01845 578057.

Last week 46 meals were served and £119 was raised of which £50 was donated to help fund The Tattler newsletter, with the remainder going into the Community Warm Up fund.

If you can donate any prepared food or ingredients or would like to help in some way, please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426 or Linda Carver on 01845 578014.

Wanted: maintenance volunteers at Byland Abbey
Byland Abbey, which has a rich history and sits within the heart of North Yorkshire, is looking for volunteers to assist with general caretaking and maintenance. This is the first time English Heritage is offering volunteer opportunities at the site. Maintenance Volunteers will be part of a team helping to protect and preserve the site for the future. The majority of tasks will be small-scale maintenance such as fixing new signage in place, repairing existing fixings, painting small items, repairing fencing and gates, pruning branches (normally to make signs visible), lubricating joints/hinges on doors, gates and windows and renewing gravel/soil areas where puddles form. While on-site, volunteers are likely to meet visitors who may wish to chat about jobs underway and why volunteering is so important. There are no set hours and volunteers can fit the their volunteering around their life, giving their time as and when is convenient. Go to Portal Community First Yorkshire to learn more and apply.

Here’s a final reminder of the items that are welcomed: men’s, ladies and children’s clothing – paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) – handbags – hats – bags – scarves and ties – jewelry – lingerie – socks – belts – soft toys – household linen – household curtains – household towels – household bedding (bed sheets, pillow-cases and duvet covers).

The following items can’t be accepted: 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.

• 26 January – Alex Woodrow on the organ.
• 23 February – Performance by students from Leeds University.
• 2 March – Charlotte Harper, Soprano.
• 9 march – Keith Dale on the organ.
• 16 March – Performance by students from Leeds University.
• 23 March – Ed Jones on the organ.
• 30 March – Prima Musica students.

It’s easy! Simply count the birds you see from your garden, balcony or local park for an hour, then go online to tell the RSPB what you saw. You can watch from inside with a cuppa or wrap up warm and sit quietly with the birds outside.

Independent Thirsk Traders is a trading group holding craft fairs throughout the year. Most of its traders hand craft their individual creations which include jewellery, cards, cushions, bags, crystals, pictures, sweet hampers, wood turned clocks, floral display pieces and many more. They are all local people bringing their talents to share with others in villages around Thirsk.

• Saturday 28 January – 10.30am to 1pm – Painting on Fabric – Just bring your fabric item – denim jacket, purse, bag, baseball boots, cushion cover, table runner or other item. 
• Thursday 30 March – 10.30am to 1pm – Spring Flowers and Garden Birds painted in oils.
• Thursday 27 April – 10.30am to 1pm – Escape to the Sea – paint a seascape in oils.

These art class are for artists of every level of experience…or none! Expert guidance is offered throughout the sessions. Equipment and paint provided. Refreshments included. Price £25/£28. More information and online booking at http://www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk

• To Thursday 26 January (on matinee Wednesday 25 January) – I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
• Friday 27 January to Thursday 2 February (matinee on Wednesday 1 February) – Tom Hanks is ‘A Man Called Otto‘. 
• Friday 3 to Thursday 9 February (matinee on Wednesday 8 February) – Empire of Light.
• Matinees only on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February –  Matilda – The Musical (Singalong version).

Prices: Adult – £6, concession – £5 (14 and under, over 60s and matinees). 
Opening times: evenings – doors open 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees doors open 2pm for 2.30pm.
Updates: Please check the cinema website for the latest information – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

A list of local traders in Topcliffe and Asenby can be viewed here.

• Recycling – Thursday 26 January.
• Refuse – Mondays 30 January and 13 February.
• Subscriptions for the 2023/24 garden waste service will be available March 2023. There is still no indication of the price that will be charged from 1 April 2023.

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Refuse – Monday 23 January. 
• Recycling – Mondays 30 January and 13 February.
• Subscriptions for the 2023 garden waste service are now open and the cost is £43.50 for 19 fortnightly collections starting mid March. http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/garden-waste-subscription-service

Doug
07785 223707

• TODAY – 15 January at 10.45am – Choral Matins.
• 22 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
• 29 January – No service (5th Sunday).

Harrogate Borough Council will determine if and when another advertisement for parish nominations will be placed. Until then the three remaining councillors will do their best to manage village business. In the meantime, if any eligible resident is interested in being co-opted (rather than elected) to the Parish Council, please get in touch with the Acting Parish Clerk, Peter Palmer 01845 578057.

Last week 43 meals were served and £170 was raised of which £50 was donated to the Thirsk branch of the British Legion, with the remainder going into the Community Warm Up fund.

If you can donate any prepared food or ingredients or would like to help in some way, please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426 or Linda Carver on 01845 578014.

But unfortunately, there can only be three events in each area of the county and the demo planned locally in Thirsk on Thursday 26 January is 100 per cent over-subscribed. The Stronger Communities unit has been asked if it will stage a slow cooker event in Topcliffe and it has agreed to keep the village in mind if extra funding can be found to organise more demonstrations. 

Because I never entirely cancelled my involvement, I continue to receive occasional newsletters from the Neighbourhood Watch and starting today I intend to include them in the Sunday Email so that those who have an interest in protecting their own property and watching out for their neighbours, can get the latest information and advice.

This edition covers articles on the new government emergency alerts system, some advice on preventing burglary, how to protect yourself and friends from romance fraud, understanding how to ‘secure by design’, how to avoid Amazon scams, and how to find a trusted locksmith.

The January newsletter can be viewed here – https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2023-01/Jan%202023%20OUR%20NEWS.pdf

Here’s a reminder of the items that are welcomed: men’s, ladies and children’s clothing – paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) – handbags – hats – bags – scarves and ties – jewelry – lingerie – socks – belts – soft toys – household linen – household curtains – household towels – household bedding (bed sheets, pillow-cases and duvet covers).

The following items can’t be accepted: 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.

It’s easy! Simply count the birds you see from your garden, balcony or local park for an hour, then go online to tell the RSPB what you saw. You can watch from inside with a cuppa or wrap up warm and sit quietly with the birds outside.

Independent Thirsk Traders is a trading group holding craft fairs throughout the year. Most of its traders hand craft their individual creations which include jewellery, cards, cushions, bags, crystals, pictures, sweet hampers, wood turned clocks, floral display pieces and many more. They are all local people bringing their talents to share with others in villages around Thirsk.

• Saturday 28 January – 10.30am to 1pm – Painting on Fabric – Just bring your fabric item – denim jacket, purse, bag, baseball boots, cushion cover, table runner or other item. 
• Thursday 30 March – 10.30am to 1pm – Spring Flowers and Garden Birds painted in oils.
• Thursday 27 April – 10.30am to 1pm – Escape to the Sea – paint a seascape in oils.

These art class are for artists of every level of experience…or none! Expert guidance is offered throughout the sessions. Equipment and paint provided. Refreshments included. Price £25/£28. More information and online booking at http://www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk

• To Thursday 19 January – (No matinees) – Avatar: The Way of Water.
• Friday 20 to Thursday 26 January (on matinee Wednesday 25 January) – I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
• Friday 27 January to Thursday 2 February (matinee on Wednesday 1 February) – Tom Hanks is ‘A Man Called Otto‘. 
• Friday 3 to Thursday 9 February (matinee on Wednesday 8 February) – Empire of Light.
• Matinees only on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February –  Matilda – The Musical (Singalong version).

Prices: Adult – £6, concession – £5 (14 and under, over 60s and matinees). 
Opening times: evenings – doors open 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees doors open 2pm for 2.30pm.
Updates: Please check the cinema website for the latest information – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

A list of local traders in Topcliffe and Asenby can be viewed here.

• Refuse – Mondays 16 and 30 January
• Recycling – Thursday 26 January.
• Subscriptions for the 2023/24 garden waste service will be available March 2023. There is still no indication of the price that will be charged from 1 April 2023.

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Recycling – Mondays 16 and 30 January.
• Refuse – Monday 23 January. 
• Subscriptions for the 2023 garden waste service are now open and the cost is £43.50 for 19 fortnightly collections starting mid March. http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/garden-waste-subscription-service

Doug
07785 223707

• TODAY – 10.45am- Holy Communion and at 6.30pm Choral Evensong for Epiphany.
• 15 January at 10.45am – Choral Matins.
• 22 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
• 29 January – No service (5th Sunday).

Since highlighting this problem (but really not claiming any credit) there has been a big improvement: in the week Friday 30 December to 5 January, the practice had only ten appointments wasted due to non-attendance. Still far too many, but much better than previous weeks. 

Surgery managers realise that In an ever-busy world, there will be occasions when it’s impossible to keep to an arranged time and date, but they appeal to anyone who can’t keep an appointment to let the surgery know. This enables staff to offer the slot to another patient.

1. Meeting cancelled
The meeting of the Parish Council scheduled for tomorrow, 9 January has been cancelled because of illness. The unavailability of one of the three remaining members of the council means the meeting would be inquorate. 

2. Parish Council vacancies
As reported in recent Sunday Emails, there are two vacancies on Asenby Parish Council. The formal closing date for nominations is 5pm Monday 9 January. It’s hoped that eligible village residents will put their names forward by the closing date. If two eligible persons apply to join the Parish Council they would be automatically ‘elected’, but if more than two step forward, an election would be held no later than 14 March 2023.

If nobody puts their name forward, eligible residents can be co-opted onto the council…but right now no potential co-optees’ names have been put forward.

Bus fares capped at £2
Passengers using local buses should see a maximum fare of £2 charged until the end of March. Most bus operators, including Reliance, have joined the Get Around initiative to promote the government-subsidised fare. This includes these services: 19, 19M, 29, 30, 30X, 30SE, 31X, 40 and 70. Fares lower than £2 and free concession passes are unchanged.

The scheme will help families, commuters and other passengers save money this winter, backed by £60 million of government investment to cap single tickets at £2 until 31 March. The scheme seeks to get more commuters on buses and help to reduce emissions and congestion by taking an estimated 2 million cars off the roads.

Full government information on this and other Yorkshire bus companies’ £2 fares is at http:// https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap#yorkshire-and-the-humber

Last week’s lunch raised £101.50 of which £50 was donated to The Blue Cross animal rescue service in Topcliffe, with the remainder going into the Community Warm Up fund.

If you can donate any prepared food or ingredients for a forthcoming lunch or would like to help in some way, please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426 or Linda Carver on 01845 578014.

• Monday 9 January – a new series of the popular weekly art classes will start on 9 January and run until 7 February. 10am to 12 noon. Bring your own materials and create works of which you can be proud. 
• Saturday 30 January – 10am to 1pm – Painting on Fabric – helpful tips and techniques for creating your own vibrant painting on fabric. Equipment and paint provided. Refreshments included. Just bring your fabric item – denim jacket, purse, bag, baseball boots, cushion cover, table runner or other item. 

All of the advertised art classes are for artists of every level of experience…or none! Expert guidance is offered throughout the sessions. More information and online booking at http://www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk

It’s hoped that a new committee will be formed. Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a committee member is invited to ring Siobhan Gifford on 01845 578300 or 07966 228206.

There isn’t a similar special collection for Harrogate residents so those living in Asenby will have to make arrangements to dispose of their tree at a local Household Waste Recycling Centre. The nearest is located near Thirsk (Ox Moor Plantation Lane, Sowerby, Thirsk YO7 1FA) and it’s open everyday except Wednesdays.

Here’s a reminder of the items that are welcomed: men’s, ladies and children’s clothing – paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) – handbags – hats – bags – scarves and ties – jewelry – lingerie – socks – belts – soft toys – household linen – household curtains – household towels – household bedding (bed sheets, pillow-cases and duvet covers).

The following items can’t be accepted: 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.

Independent Thirsk Traders is a trading group holding craft fairs throughout the year. Most of its traders hand craft their individual creations which include jewellery, cards, cushions, bags, crystals, pictures, sweet hampers, wood turned clocks, floral display pieces and many more. They are all local people bringing their talents to share with others in villages around Thirsk.

It’s easy! Simply count the birds you see from your garden, balcony or local park for an hour, then go online to tell the RSPB what you saw. You can watch from inside with a cuppa or wrap up warm and sit quietly with the birds outside.

• To Thursday 12 January (matinee Wednesday 11 January) – Aftersun.
• Friday 13 to Thursday 19 January – (No matinees) – Avatar: The Way of Water.
• Friday 20 to Thursday 26 January (matinee Wednesday 25 January) – I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

Updates: Please check the cinema website for the latest information – 
https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

• The Flying Oysters rock and pop band will be performing at the Village Hall on Saturday 22 April. Tickets will go on sale soon. Reserve tickets on Top Residents Facebook page.
• The date of this year’s Deer Shed Festival has been announced. It’s on Friday 28 to Monday 31 July. 

A list of local traders in Topcliffe and Asenby can be viewed here.

• Recycling – Thursdays 12 and 26 January.
• Garden waste – the Christmas tree collection is on Thursday 12 January. Other green waste can be included.
• Refuse – Mondays 16 and 30 January
• Subscriptions for the 2023/24 garden waste service will be available March 2023.

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Refuse – Mondays 9 and 23 January. 
• Recycling – Mondays 16 and 30 January.
• Garden waste – no further collections until March 2023. 
• Subscriptions for the 2023 garden waste service open on Monday 9 January 2023.