Sunday Email: Issue 105

• TODAY – Sunday 24 April at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
• Sunday 1 May at 6.30am – Choral Evensong.

The scarecrow trail is being organised jointly by the Friends of Carlton Miniott School and the Friends of Topcliffe School. All you have to do is create a scarecrow or group of scarecrows with a royal theme and display them in front of your home or in your garden over the designated weekend. All the details about registering an entry, joining the scarecrow trail and fundraising can be viewed here.

In due course, more information and maps showing the location of all the scarecrows in all of the villages, will be available from Topcliffe Post Office and the Milk Churn Farm Shop.

"Please can you help with getting advice to elderly family members, neighbours and those in the community? We are seeing a resurgence in phone scams where fraudsters impersonate police officers claiming a bank card has been used fraudulently. The scammers ask the target, most often an elderly person, for bank details, or ask them to go to their bank and withdraw cash, or to transfer cash to a nominated account as their own account has been compromised. Elderly folk who are often not on social media are being targeted and it is a group that is difficult to get advice to… so word of mouth warnings are being sought. Please talk to anyone you know who may be at risk and advise them that the police would not contact individuals in this way and that this type of telephone request will undoubtedly be a scam. If in doubt call the101 helpline for advice."

• Monday, 25 April – Evening Racing – entry from 3pm with first race at 5.05pm.
• Saturday, 30 April – Thirsk Hunt Cup Day – entry from 11am with first race 1pm.

Book online at http://www.thirskracecourse.net

• 21 June – Silk printing
• 19 July – Fused glass

You can simply turn up on the day – it’s free to attend and materials are provided.

Just as a reminder, the following items are welcomed: men’s, ladies and children’s clothing – paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) – handbags – hats – bags – scarves and ties – jewelry – lingerie – socks – belts – soft toys – household linen – household curtains – household towels – household bedding (bed sheets, pillow-cases and duvet covers). We are unable to accept duvets and blankets, pillows and cushions, carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats), soiled, painted, ripped or wet clothing, school uniforms, corporate clothing and workwear or textile off cuts or yarns.

• To Thursday 28 April (Matinee on Wednesday 27 April) – Phantom of the Open – Maurice Flitcroft, a dreamer and unrelenting optimist, managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship Qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process.

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

• Throughout April – Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm – Cafe Artist of the Month – born and bred in Ryedale, artist Jennifer Weston’s recent work is part of the ‘Scenes from Scarborough’ public art commission and highlights the decline of marine life in the North Sea.
• Monday Makers – Every Monday to 23 May. 10am – 1.30pm. Develop your creative and business skills on this course for unemployed people.
• Friday 29 April at 7.30pm – The Brothers Gillespie – This renowned Northumbrian duo sing traditional and original songs with lyrical and visionary intensity.
• Wednesday 4 May, 10.30am to 12.30pm – Summer Collage with Ink and Pen – Bring pressed flowers, fabrics, found objects (such as feathers), buttons, train tickets, photographs, newspaper clippings that you would like to use, although a large selection of items will be available.
• Wednesday 11 May, 10.30am to 12.30pm – A Taste of Art: Decorative Bunting – All materials are provided.
• For more information and to book places, go to https://www.ruralarts.org/:

• The Angel at Topcliffe – info – 01845 421111.
• The Catton Kitchen – http://www.cattonkitchen.co.uk – 07747 083155.
• Chip ‘n Dales – Friday teatime – 5 until 7pm in Topcliffe.
• The Elm Gallery – http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk – 01845 577316 or 07709 223920.
• Fotiá Candles – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk – 07879 447953.
• Joanna’s Touch Photography – 07732 941758. Also on Facebook and Instagram.
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk 07793 775987.
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ – 01845 400446.
• Studio 18 Hairstylist – Nicola James, 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery). 07851 034815.
• The Swan – 01845 595185 The Swan, Topcliffe | Facebook
• The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop.
• Topcliffe Post Office – 01845 577517.

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Refuse – Monday 25 April.
• Recycling & Garden Waste – Friday 6 May (one day later than usual).

Harrogate (Asenby)

• Recycling – Monday 25 April.
• Refuse – Tuesday 3 May – changed due to Bank Holiday
• Garden waste – Friday 6 May – changed due to Bank Holiday

These figures are still incredibly high, so this isn’t the time to become complacent. It’s no longer government advice to wear a mask, but many experts recommend wearing the best quality mask you can afford, ideally FFP2 or FFP3, if you find yourself in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.