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Sunday Email: Issue 111

Welcome to the 111th issue of the Sunday Email which arrives later in the day than usual, but the delay is to accommodate photographs and announcements about competition winners made at this morning’s hugely successful Sunday Brunch. The village has been buzzing over the whole celebration weekend. It has beena wonderful coming together of the communities of Topcliffe and Asenby. Congratulations to all who helped organise the various events and a big thank you to everyone who joined in the fun.

And, I am sure everyone in both Topcliffe and Asenby will wish to join me in offering their warmest congratulations to HM The Queen on this very special occasion.

Doug
07785 223707
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
Our celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee have been a huge success and it has been a truly amazing weekend.

The majority of villagers embraced the Jubilee event and transformed Topcliffe and Asenby into a brightly decorated royal wonderland with bunting, flags and other decorations. Yesterday independent judges toured Topcliffe and Asenby and selected a the best decorated house from each village. The prize winners are:

  • Topcliffe: Pauline Hand, Deans Square
  • Asenby: The Robertson Family, The Old Barn.

Yesterday’s Party in the Park – the main event of the weekend – was held on the Playing Field in Topcliffe and dozens of families joined in the fun and games…and enjoyed a picnic, live music and ice creams. Here are a few pictures taken during the day:

A big thank you to all the parents who gave up their time to plan and organise the event and to Wendy and Louise Bumby who prepared 80 afternoon teas for those who preferred not to have to make up their own picnic.

Children were invited to attend the picnic wearing their own homemade monarch’s crown and the best efforts were awarded prizes. The winner was:

  • Teddy McLean of Half Moon House, Topcliffe
  • The second and third places went to Evelyn and Connie Robertson
  • All the competitors are pictured here

Throughout Saturday afternoon visitors had the opportunity to climb up the tower of St Columba’s Church to see how the village looked from above in its Platinum Jubilee colours.

This morning, around 100 villagers attended the Sunday Brunch at the Village Hall, making it one the best attended brunches ever organised. A big thank you to the team in the kitchen – Judith Lowe, Malcolm and Karen Morley, Linda Robinson, Chris Wiggins and Lynne Mee (and anyone else who helped).

Royalty-themed paintings prepared by children attending Topcliffe Academy were on display at the brunch. The artwork was judged earlier in the week and the judges chose the following winners:

  • Nursery & Reception: Amy Foster, Shaila Rahman and Louis Desquesnoe
  • Dragons (Years 1 and 2): Annabelle Bumby, Rose Davis and Isla Burke
  • Knights Coats of Arms – (Years 3 & 4): Tyler Dawson, Oliver Robertson and Ava Clark
  • Queen’s Images – (Years 5 & 6) Marilyn Wright, Grace Butma and Lewis Clark.

TONIGHT
This evening at 6.30pm the community’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations will close with a Choral Evensong at St Columba’s Church. The service will be followed by refreshments. It’s hoped that our two villages might find this a nice way to close the extended weekend’s celebrations. Everyone is warmly invited to attend.
St Columba’s services

  • TONIGHT – Sunday 5 June at 6.30pm – Jubilee Service of Choral Evensong
  • Sunday 12 June at 10.45am – Holy Communion
  • Sunday 19 June at 10.45am – Choral Matins
  • Sunday 26 June at 10.45am – Holy Communion.

All services conclude with refreshments and time to linger.
St. Columba’s – our very own saint
St Columba’s Day is celebrated on the 9 June. St Columba was known as the ‘Apostle to the Picts’ and was the founder of the Christian centre of Iona. He was of royal birth in Ireland, was a poet and a learned man and a monk.

Much of the story of his early life in Ireland is disputed but he seems to have been involved in the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne in 561, during which many men were killed. A synod of clerics and scholars threatened to excommunicate him for these deaths, but eventually, the process was deemed a miscarriage of justice. However, Columba’s own conscience was uneasy, and on the advice of an aged hermit, Molaise, he resolved to deal with his uneasiness by leaving Ireland and moving to, in 563, to Scotland.

According to legend he first landed on the Kintyre Peninsula. However, being still in sight of his native land, he moved farther north up the west coast of Scotland. The island of Iona was given to him by his kinsman Conall mac Comgaill, King of Dál Riata, who perhaps had invited him to go to Scotland in the first place.
Columba subsequently played a major role in the politics of the country. He was very energetic in his work as a missionary and he founded several churches in the Hebrides. He also worked to turn his monastery at Iona into a school for missionaries. He was a renowned man of letters, having written several hymns and being credited with having transcribed 300 books.

According to traditional sources, Columba died on Iona on Sunday, 9 June 597, and was buried by his monks in the abbey he created. Columba’s relics were finally removed in 849 and divided between Scotland and Ireland.
New organist or pianist required
Theorganist at St James’ Church, Baldersby St James is leaving in August and the search is on for someone who would like to play either the organ or piano on two Sundays each month. apparently the church has wonderful acoustics. If you’re interested and would like to try out the instruments, please get in touch with Rosemarie Carter, the Church Warden on 01765 640360 or email carter-stuart
Have you ordered your repeat prescription for July?
Those who get medications from Topcliffe Surgery are reminded that major system changes being introduced next month mean that any meds needed in July should be ordered as soon as possible in June.

Patients will be unable to order their regular prescription whilst the changeover is taking place in July so that month’s prescription should be requested early so that requests can be fulfilled ahead of the change.

As a result of the computer systems update, patients will need to take action to ensure they can access medical services via their Apps. The Patient Access app will soon stop working altogether and instead everyone should download and use the NHS App to order their medication. However, patients are advised that they won’t be able to order medication on the NHS app unless they also link their app to the Surgery. Help about how to do this can be found at https://help.login.nhs.uk
Is it third time lucky for Asenby?
Harrogate Borough Council has announced that it will try for a third time to get some nominations for the five seats on Asenby Parish Council. Two previous attempts have drawn a blank but rather than appoint Borough councillors to manage village affairs, the Returning Officer is hoping that a few villagers will step forward to take on the role. Nominations must be lodged by Friday 10 June. Here’s the notice published by the Borough this week.
St James Coffee and Chat
Held at the church in Baldersby St James every Tuesday morning between 10 and 12 noon. A popular morning to meet friends old and new…and to swap your books at the same time.
Village Hall meeting
The AGM and an Ordinary Meeting of the Village Hall Committee will be held consecutively starting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7 June in the Village Hall – www.topcliffe.org.uk/village-hall/
Comedy Night at The Angel
The next Hilarity Bites Comedy Club will be held at The Angel on Tuesday 7 June. Doors open 7.30pm and show starts at 8pm. Tickets £10 in advance and £12 on day of the show. Call 01845 578000.
Soup & sweet lunch
The next soup and sweet lunch will be held at the Village Hall next Wednesday (8 June) at 12 noon.
Knit and Natter
There’ll be a Knit & Natter session at the Milk Churn Farm Shop is on Wednesday 15 June between 1.30 and 3.30pm. pop along and enjoy an afternoon chatting and maybe trying something different whilst making new friends, or meeting old ones. A drink and cake is included in the price of £3. Bring your knitting or crocheting and share your knowledge or just come along to natter. Please ring the shop to confirm your seat 01845 400446.
The Ritz Cinema

  • To Thursday 9 June – The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
  • Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 June (Matinees only) – Sonic the Hedgehog 2
  • Friday 10 to Thursday 16 June – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (This film contains flashing images which may affect viewers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy)

Updates
Please keep checking the website for the latest details – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/
Rural Arts classes
The next Rural Arts ‘Hearts and Crafts’ class will be held at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall at 10am on Tuesday 21 June. The subject is silk printing. The final class in this series will be held on Tuesday 19 July, when the topic will be fused glass. You can simply turn up on the day – it’s free to attend and materials are provided.
Ripon Theatre Festival
The popular festival in Ripon is set to take place from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 June and will host more than 40 performances for all ages, many of them free. Children and families will be spoilt for choice across the whole weekend. Ripon Library welcomes back Hoglets Theatre with a twilight show for little ones and Story Craft Theatre will bring an afternoon of crafty tales around the Heading into Space theme. Full information and tickets are available via the festival website at https://www.ripontogether.com/ripon-theatre-festival/
Music at Junction 50
The first concert in this year’s ‘Music at Junction 50’ series takes place on Wednesday 29 June at 7pm. It features two very talented young artists – Tara Viscardi on the harp and Robert Finegan playing the saxaphone.
Tickets available from Sue Brown c.b.brown398 (07840 381558) or Colin Reid – colinreid97 (07770 620897) or at the door on the night.
Rugby summer taster sessions
The remaining two rugby taster sessions at Thirsk Athletics Club will be held on Sunday 10 July and Sunday 14 August between 9.30 and 11.30am. The aim is to give youngsters aged 2 to 17 an introduction to the game. The club is based in Newsham Road (YO7 1QP). Check out the club at http:// thirskrufc.co.uk
The Great Yorkshire Show
Tuesday 12 to Friday 15 July and entry is by pre-paid ticket only. Local vet Peter Wright will appear every day, whilst Adam Henson will be there on Tuesday 12 July; J B Gill on Wednesday 13 July; Matt Baker on Thursday 14 July and Amanda Owen on Friday 15 July. Tickets from http://www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk
Deer Shed Festival
The 12th Deer Shed Festival, Baldersby Park is taking place between 29 and 31 July. Full ticket details are available at http://deershedfestival.com
Rural Arts events at The Courthouse, Thirsk
For information on classes and workshops, and to book places, go to https://www.ruralarts.org/:
Local traders
Most of these traders also have a Facebook page where you can check out latest information.
Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

  • Refuse – Tuesday 7 June (one day later than usual) and Monday 20 June.
  • Recycling & Garden Waste – Thursdays 16 June and 30 June.

Harrogate (Asenby):

  • Recycling – Monday 6 and 20 June.
  • Refuse – Monday 13 and 27 June
  • Garden waste – Thursday 16 and 30 June.
The week’s UK Covid statistics
• For the fourth week in a row, the R number range remains at 0.7 to 0.9 meaning that on average every 10 people infected will infect between 7 and 9 other people.
• There have been 177,977 UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test and 195,962 deaths that had Covid mentioned on the death certificate.
That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.