Category: Sunday Email

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

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

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

Best wishes
Doug
07785 223707

There will however be no service on 26 December 

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

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

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

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

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

Village Hall Committee meeting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
• Asenbee Honey – a local business selling honey but also making beeswax candles, a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
• John Aston Flooring Ltd – The Old Hatchery, Asenby. Carpets and flooring. Appointment only. 01845 421111 info@johnastonflooring.co.uk
• The Catton Kitchen – Thursday 23 Dec,10am to 12 noon; Fri 24 to Sun 26 Dec – closed; Thurs 30 Dec, 10am to 12 noon; Fri 31 Dec – closed; Saturday 1 Jan, 10am to 12 noon; Sunday 2 Jan – Closed. If anyone requires anything out of these times please call 07747 083155 and Amy & Hugo will try to help you.
•  If you would like to receive The Catton Kitchen’s weekly email about what’s on offer, please email Amy at hello@thecattonkitchen.co.uk Contacts: 07747 083155, Facebook page or http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk 
• Chip ‘n Dales – Closed until 28 January 2022.
• The Elm Gallery – Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920, check out the website at: http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
• Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing soy wax candles, wax melts and diffusers – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk or call 07879 447953. 
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – Kerry Parker runs this business supplying beautiful hampers containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. 07793 775987. http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Christmas opening hours – Tuesday 21, 9am to 5pm; Wednesday 26, 9am to 6pm; Thursday 23 8.30am to 6pm; Christmas Eve until Monday 3 January – Closed.. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ follow on Facebook  or call 01845 400446
• Studio 18 Hairstylist – unisex hairdressing salon run by Nicola James at 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery). Open Monday to Saturday. Male and female adults as well as children. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.
• The Swan – Providing traditional home-cooked food. Extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night. Take-away meals every day. Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm. On Saturdays, food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late. Bar times: Monday to Thursday 5pm to close; Friday 4pm to close; Saturday 3pm to close and Sunday 12 noon until close.
• The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop. 
• Topcliffe Post Office – Christmas Eve – 7am to 12 noon. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 27 and 28 December. On 29, 30 and 31 December 8am -12 noon. Closed New Year’s Day and 2 January. Normal opening from Monday 3 January.

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

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

Harrogate (Asenby)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Village Hall Committee meeting

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

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

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

• To Thursday 16 December (matinee Wednesday15 December) – Spencer – During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate, Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles.
• Friday 17 to Thursday 23 December (matinee Wednesday 22 December) – Gucci – When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel their legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately…murder.
• Monday 27 to Thursday 30 December (no matinees) – King Richard – A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after coaching from their father Richard Williams.

• Sunday 2 to Thursday 6 January (matinee Sunday 2 January and no evening performance) – Ghostbusters: Afterlife – When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

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

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

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

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

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

• The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
• Asenbee Honey – a local business selling honey but also making beeswax candles, a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
• John Aston Flooring Ltd – The Old Hatchery, Asenby. Carpets and flooring. Appointment only. 01845 421111 info@johnastonflooring.co.uk
• The Catton Kitchen – Breakfast baps available Thursday to Sunday each week and lunch options served Thursday to Saturday each week, all made from home grown produce where possible. If you would like to receive The Catton Kitchen’s weekly email about what’s on offer, please email Amy at hello@thecattonkitchen.co.uk Contacts: 07747 083155, Facebook page or http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk 
• Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
• The Elm Gallery – Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920, check out the website at: http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
• Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing soy wax candles, wax melts and diffusers – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk or call 07879 447953. 
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – Kerry Parker runs this business supplying beautiful hampers containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. 07793 775987. http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ follow on Facebook  or call 01845 400446
• Studio 18 Hairstylist – unisex hairdressing salon run by Nicola James at 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery). Open Monday to Saturday. Male and female adults as well as children. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.
• The Swan – Providing traditional home-cooked food. Extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night. Take-away meals every day. Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm. On Saturdays, food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late. Bar times: Monday to Thursday 5pm to close; Friday 4pm to close; Saturday 3pm to close and Sunday 12 noon until close.
• The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop. 
• Topcliffe Post Office – New opening times are: Shop sales, including newspapers – 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 12.30pm Saturday. Post Office services – 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12noon on Saturdays. New lines are being added every day so don’t forget to pop in for more than just your stamps or newspaper.

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

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

Harrogate (Asenby)

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

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

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

Under Plan B the following rules will apply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Village Hall Committee meeting

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

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

Northallerton Male Voice Choir – Christmas Concert

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

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

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

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

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

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

• The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
• Asenbee Honey – a local business selling honey but also making beeswax candles, a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
• John Aston Flooring Ltd – The Old Hatchery, Asenby. Carpets and flooring. Appointment only. 01845 421111 info@johnastonflooring.co.uk
• The Catton Kitchen – Breakfast baps available Thursday to Sunday each week and lunch options served Thursday to Saturday each week, all made from home grown produce where possible. If you would like to receive The Catton Kitchen’s weekly email about what’s on offer, please email Amy at hello@thecattonkitchen.co.uk Contacts: 07747 083155, Facebook page or http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk 
• Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
• The Elm Gallery – Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920, check out the website at: http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
• Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing soy wax candles, wax melts and diffusers – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk or call 07879 447953. 
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – Kerry Parker runs this business supplying beautiful hampers containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. 07793 775987. http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Trees and turkeys – you can now place your order for Christmas.  https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ follow on Facebook  or call 01845 400446
• Studio 18 Hairstylist – unisex hairdressing salon run by Nicola James at 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery). Open Monday to Saturday. Male and female adults as well as children. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.
• The Swan – Providing traditional home-cooked food. Extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night. Take-away meals every day. Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm. On Saturdays, food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late. Bar times: Monday to Thursday 5pm to close; Friday 4pm to close; Saturday 3pm to close and Sunday 12 noon until close.
• The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop. 
• Topcliffe Post Office – New opening times are: Shop sales, including newspapers – 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 12.30pm Saturday. Post Office services – 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12noon on Saturdays. New lines are being added every day so don’t forget to pop in for more than just your stamps or newspaper.

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

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

Harrogate (Asenby)

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

COVID NEWS IN BRIEF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Village Hall Committee meeting

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

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

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

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

• Gmail
• Yahoo
• Outlook
• AOL
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

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

Northallerton Male Voice Choir – Christmas Concert

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

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

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

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

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

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

• The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
• Asenbee Honey – a local business selling honey but also making beeswax candles, a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
• John Aston Flooring Ltd – The Old Hatchery, Asenby. Carpets and flooring. Appointment only. 01845 421111 info@johnastonflooring.co.uk
• The Catton Kitchen  –  07747 083155. Check out http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk or folllow on Facebook.
• Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
• The Elm Gallery – Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920, check out the website at: http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
• Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing soy wax candles, wax melts and diffusers – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk or call 07879 447953. 
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – Kerry Parker runs this business supplying beautiful hampers containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. 07793 775987. http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Trees and turkeys – you can now place your order for Christmas.  https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ follow on Facebook  or call 01845 400446
• Studio 18 Hairstylist – unisex hairdressing salon run by Nicola James at 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery). Open Monday to Saturday. Male and female adults as well as children. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.
• The Swan – Providing traditional home-cooked food. Extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night. Take-away meals every day. Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm. On Saturdays, food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late. Bar times: Monday to Thursday 5pm to close; Friday 4pm to close; Saturday 3pm to close and Sunday 12 noon until close.
• The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop. 
• Topcliffe Post Office – New opening times are: Shop sales, including newspapers – 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 12.30pm Saturday. Post Office services – 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12noon on Saturdays. New lines are being added every day so don’t forget to pop in for more than just your stamps or newspaper.

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

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

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

Harrogate (Asenby)

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

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

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

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

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

PS If anyone in the village(s) has any spare decorations they would be prepared to contribute, please contact Doug Allan on 07785 223707.

• Fresh free range turkeys from Pollards of Thirkelby. From 4kg upwards. Orders now being taken. 
• Other meat and poultry such as goose, chicken and pork plus special meat boxes from Johnson’s of Thirsk – please check website for details.
• The Farm Shop is preparing bespoke fruit and vegetable boxes with all the essentials for the festive season. Order by 14 December and collect to suit.
• Christmas trees of many sizes will be available on site from Saturday 27 November. Pre-orders can be made any time before then.
• Milk Churn Hampers – a range of delicious treats carefully packaged and hand-wrapped in an Emma Bridgewater tin.
• Christmas treats – gingerbread latte topped with whipped cream, cinnamon and a gingerbread man or white hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, sprinkles and mini candy cane. Yummy!

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

• TODAY! – Sunday 21 November, 10.45am – Choral Matins with hymns and readings.
• Sunday 28 November, 10.45am – Holy Communion with hymns.
• Sunday 5 December, 6.30pm – Choral Evensong
• Sunday 12 December, 10.45am – Holy Communion.

Services planned for the Christmas period will be listed soon.

Amazon to stop accepting payment by Visa credit card
Online retail giant Amazon will stop accepting payment via UK-issued Visa credit cards from 19 January 2022. Customers will still be able to use Visa debit cards and non-Visa credit cards, but the decision to bar UK Visa credit cards will affect millions of shoppers. Many commentators are suggesting that Brexit is behind the issue. Back in 2015 Brussels capped cross-border fees for transactions inside the EU but the limit no longer applies to payments here now that the UK is no longer a member. Since Brexit, Visa has raised its transaction fees beyond the EU level and that is what is thought to have caused Amazon’s action.

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

• Cyprus, Eastern Europe, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Turkey – Friday, 26 November
• Western Europe – Monday, 29 November
• Airmail to Operational HM Forces – Monday, 29 November
• Airmail to Static HM Forces – Monday, 6 December
• UK 2nd Class – Saturday, 18 December 
• UK 1st Class – Tuesday, 21 December

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

Northallerton Male Voice Choir – Christmas Concert

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

• To Thursday 25 November – The French Dispatch – A love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional twentieth century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in “The French Dispatch Magazine”.
• Friday 26 November to Thursday 2 December – The Last Duel – King Charles VI declares that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel.
• Friday 3 to Thursday 9 December – Dune – Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel, about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.
• Friday 10 to Thursday 16 December – Spencer – During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate, Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles.

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

• Friday 26 November at 7.30pm – The UK Rock Show – Get ready to be transported back to the 80s heyday of classic rock, combining the feel of a rock festival with the atmosphere of a top end rock arena tour. 
• Sunday 28 November at 7.30pm – Comedy with Gary in Punderland – get ready to dive into a rabbit hole of the best jokes in the world from Apollo sensation Gary Delaney.
• Thursday 2 December at 7.30pm – Jenny Eclair: Sixty! Having hit 60 (but still a year younger than Madonna), Jenny Eclair confronts a new decade of decrepitude.
• Saturday 4 December at 7.30pm – The Upbeat Beatles – This is a rockin’ band with tight  musicianship and powerhouse vocals! You’ll be jumping from the word go! 
• Sunday 5 December at 7.30pm – ‘Anything Goes, the musical’ – Filmed live at the Barbican in London, this production features an all-star cast. A heart-warming romance with spectacular dance routines and some of theatre’s most memorable songs.
• Saturday 18 December – 3pm and 7.30pm – Northallerton Male Voice Choir present their Christmas concert, with special guests, the Easington Colliery Band.

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

• Art classes – 10am to 12 noon each Monday to 6 December.
• My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm – every Monday.
• Boot Camp – 7 to 8pm – Mondays
• Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm every Tuesday. More participants welcome
• Library – 1.30 to 3.30pm every Tuesday (access at other times with agreement of activity leaders.
• 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 is on 10 November
• Cubs – 6.45 to 7.45pm every Wednesday. 
• Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm, every Thursday evening.
• Indoor Carpet Bowls – 7.30 to 9.30pm every Thursday.
• Boot Camp – 6 to 7pm every Friday.
• Scouts – 7.30 to 10pm every Friday.
• Salsa and Bachata dancing – Saturdays – 6 to 8pm.
• Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.30pm on Tuesday 23 November.
• Election for new Police , Fire & Crime Commissioner – all day Thursday 25 November.
• Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7.15pm on Thursday, 2 December
• Elderly folks Christmas Lunch – 12 noon – Wednesday 15 December
• Carols at the village Christmas tree – 7pm Wednesday 22 December (led by members of St Columba’s Choir). Mulled wine and mince pies afterwards in the Village Hall.
• Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19 January

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

• The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
• Asenbee Honey – a local business selling honey but also making beeswax candles, a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
• John Aston Flooring Ltd – The Old Hatchery, Asenby. Carpets and flooring. Appointment only. 01845 421111 info@johnastonflooring.co.uk
• The Catton Kitchen  –  07747 083155. Check out http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk or folllow on Facebook.
• Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
• The Elm Gallery – Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920, check out the website at: http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
• Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing soy wax candles, wax melts and diffusers – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk or call 07879 447953. 
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – Kerry Parker runs this business supplying beautiful hampers containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. 07793 775987. http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Trees and turkeys – you can now place your order for Christmas.  https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ follow on Facebook  or call 01845 400446
• Studio 18 Hairstylist – unisex hairdressing salon run by Nicola James at 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery). Open Monday to Saturday. Male and female adults as well as children. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.
• The Swan – Providing traditional home-cooked food. Extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night. Take-away meals every day. Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm. On Saturdays, food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late. Bar times: Monday to Thursday 5pm to close; Friday 4pm to close; Saturday 3pm to close and Sunday 12 noon until close.
• The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop. 
• Topcliffe Post Office – New opening times are: Shop sales, including newspapers – 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 12.30pm Saturday. Post Office services – 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12noon on Saturdays. New lines are being added every day so don’t forget to pop in for more than just your stamps or newspaper.

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Recycling & green waste – Thursday 2 December.
• Refuse – Mondays 22 November and 6 December

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

Harrogate (Asenby)

• Recycling – Mondays 22 November and 6 December.
• Refuse – Mondays 29 November and 13 December
• Garden waste – no more collections until March.

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

• Bookings for the Covid booster jab are opening this week for people aged 40 and over. Sixteen and 17-year-olds will also be able to book in for their second jab from tomorrow. People eligible for a booster can get the top-up jab from six months after having their second dose. But they can book their appointment from 7am on Monday when the National Booking Service opens.
• Austria, which has a relatively low vaccination rate, has imposed a lockdown on the unvaccinated, agreed a full national Covid-19 lockdown starting on Monday and announced mandatory vaccination in the New Year. The Austrian Chancellor expressed his anger at the anti-vaxers saying: “Too many people have been incited into not getting the jab by too many political forces, flimsy vaccination opponents and fake news. 
• Germany saw several days of record infections last week and Ministers are talking about a national emergency that requires a combined national effort. Restrictions are already in place for unvaccinated people in areas with high hospital admissions and people need to show Covid passes on buses and trains, and in workplaces. In Bavaria Christmas markets have been cancelled.
• Violent scenes have erupted in The Netherlands as hundreds of protesters gathered to oppose Covid measures in the country. A three-week partial lockdown was introduced earlier this month. 
• Demonstrations are also set to take place in Switzerland, Croatia and Italy, as nations in mainland Europe struggle to contain coronavirus outbreaks.
• The organisers of the Australian Open tournament has confirmed that unvaccinated players will not be allowed to compete in next January’s tournament in Melbourne.