Hi
I hope that you are keeping well and keeping safe during these unprecedented times. I have brought together a few bits and pieces that might be of interest to you whilst we are all in isolation and lockdown.
There are other ways of keeping in touch but I think email communication might prove to be a useful additional method of spreading information, advice and news. There are about 150 villagers on this system so it has a significant reach. Ask your friends and neighbours in our two villages if they are recipients and if they aren’t, but would like to be, get them to drop me an email asking to be added to the circulation.
Unless there’s disagreement, I would suggest a weekly message might be beneficial.
I would like to thank all local residents who supplied information to make this newsletter possible. I’ve done what I can to make sure everything included is accurate, but if there’s anything wrong I hope you’ll forgive me: things seem to be moving and changing so fast.
Doug
07785 223707
- Coronavirus Health Information
Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. You should only leave the house for very limited purposes:
- shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
- one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
- any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home.
Important – These reasons are exceptions – even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.
There is separate advice online about staying at home if you’re at high risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus or you or someone you live with has symptoms of coronavirus.
Do not leave your home if you have either:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
- Pharmacies – Opening Times Over Bank Holidays
See the attachment for details of opening hours at local pharmacies.
- Village Events
When I last circulated an email on 17 March I indicated that two planned events were still in the diary but subject to review nearer the date. These were the VE Day celebrations on 8 June and the Heritage Weekend on 13 and 14 June. I can now confirm that on government advice all VE Day celebrations on 8 June 2020 have been postponed. However, in the hope that our lives revert to some sort of normality in a few months’ time, this event is being re-scheduled for Sunday 16 August starting at 11.30am. the structure of the event will remain the same, starting prayers and laying of a wreath at the World War Two memorial in the Village Hall entrance lobby, followed by a soup & sandwich lunch and entertainment courtesy of the Dishforth Military Wives Choir. Naturally I will confirm details nearer the day. The Heritage & Columba Weekend, 12 to 14 June 2020, has not yet been cancelled. A final decision will be made nearer the day and will be subject to government advice.
- Topcliffe Facebook Group
A big thank you is due to Anne-Marie Mulley who recently set up a new village group – Top Residents – a site which shares information that might be useful to us all whilst we are restricted in our movements.
Among the information shared in the last couple of days is:
- The Greengrocers in Thirsk have agreed to deliver boxes to Topcliffe every Monday. You can put in an order any time before the delivery day. 01845 527899.
- Johnson’s the Butchers, also based in Thirsk, are also delivering.
- Carl’s Fruit & Veg. Orders only by Facebook.
- K E Bland of Ripon are offering a daily home delivery service and can supply milk, yoghurt, cream, bread, oil, water, fruit and vegetables. Ring 01765 603049.
- Minskip Farm Shop – 01423 329063.
Carl’s Fruit and Veg require payment by Bacs, but in all other cases payment can be made on delivery, although payment by card over the telephone is preferred.
I’ve also been asked to give a great big thank you to Louise Bumby who has been cooking and baking for those in need, and to Annemarie Barningham who has been delivering meals and treats to elderly folk in Topcliffe. Well done, Louise and Annemarie. If you know an elderly person who would benefit, please call Annemarie on 07740 175311 or Jenny Bumby on 01845 577483.
- Asenby Support Group
Residents of Asenby are being assisted by a team of volunteers coordinated by Peter Palmer (01845 578057) and Judith Lowe (01845 577911). Any resident who needs help with shopping or collection of medicines….or maybe just wants a chat on the phone, can contact Peter or Judy. There’s also a group called What’s App Asenby where information is shared.
- Community Works
Community Works is one of 23 community support organisations working with North Yorkshire County Council. Its advice to anyone self-isolating is to ask for help from family, friends, neighbours and trusted local groups. But anyone who meets the criteria listed below who doesn’t have someone they can call on for help can ring Community Works on 01845 523115 for help with shopping, meals on wheels, food parcels, prescriptions or caring for pets. It can also arrange regular telephone calls to anyone who would like them.
Community Works is able to help if: • You are 70 years old or over • You have a long-term condition • You are pregnant • You have a weakened immune system • You have been made temporarily or permanently unemployed as a result of Covid-19 • You are not entitled to statutory sick pay • You are waiting for a new benefit claim to be processed or you are waiting for your first Universal Credit payment
- Take Away Food
There’s a whole host of places offering take away food. Some even deliver! Here’s a few:
- The Bay Horse, Rainton – 01845 578697 – on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Wide range of meals on offer.
- Regency Pizza, Thirsk Industrial Estate – 01845 522331
- Racha Thai Bistro, Thirsk – 01845 524265
- Pizza Pronto, Catterick Garrison – 01748 833777
- Mozzarelli’s, Ripon 01765 603333
But check on the internet because supply details are always subject to change.
- Topcliffe Post Office (01845 577517)
John Mulley is managing to keep the Post Office operating but from Monday 6 April the opening times will be reduced – 7.30am to 2pm. All post offices services are available as well as the sale of newspapers. Most of the usual products are generally available, but some are proving difficult to obtain from suppliers.
- Garden Plants
As Easter approaches many locals will be wanting to be out sorting their gardens. You can get plants delivered by Adam Jackson Plants of Sessay. But check out Adam’s Facebook page to see availability.
- Alcohol Handwash
Debora Roberts, who runs the Little Yorkshire Hamper Company, and her business partner, Kerry Parker, tell me that one of their suppliers has agreed to make alcohol hand wash for local villagers. Debora and Kerry had to agree to make a cash donation to our Local NHS services to get this underway. Now Debora and Kerry are making the handwash available free of charge to high risk residents in Topcliffe, Asenby and Rainton, as well as for those doing the shopping and medicine pick-ups for these vulnerable people. If there are any left, John Mulley has kindly offered to sell them in the Post Office and funds will be given to our local NHS services.
- Looking after our mental health
Looking after our mental health during the coronavirus pandemic is more important than ever. If you want any advice and guidance during this period go to:
- Parish Councils
Our two Parish Councils are not meeting during the crisis but Parish Councillors and our Parish Clerks remain available to deal with any urgent matters. Details are on the two parish council websites – www.topcliffe.org.uk and www.asenby .net
- Teddy Bears
The idea of putting a Teddy Bear in your window is apparently catching on in Topcliffe. The idea is a bit like the one that saw people putting rainbows in their window. Youngsters out for their daily exercise have started searching for Teddies in windows so if you have one, why not join in the fun and give the youngsters something to keep them entertained?
- Josh Barningham
Here’s a shout out (a thank you) to Josh Barningham who has been out undertaking his duties keeping Topcliffe grass neat and tidy. He’s been kind enough to undertake extra jobs on behalf of residents as he’s traversed the village. Well do, Josh. Josh is also preparing logs and kindling which he is happy to deliver to homes in Topcliffe and Asenby.
- Book of Anagrams
Some of you will remember that as part of the Millennium Celebrations (yes all of twenty years ago) Asenby resident, John Phillips, published a book called “A Tour of Yorkshire Ridings: An Anagram Entertainment”, which is a fun guide to beautiful parts of God’s own country. He has about thirty books left and these are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis from a box at his gate at Asenby Hall.