Sunday Email: Issue 116

It is with heavy hearts that we have decided that we can no longer keep The Milk Churn Farm Shop running as a viable business and so, in the not too distant future, we will be closing the doors for good.

Running a business in times like we are experiencing is a massive challenge but we have found it amazingly rewarding, with just a few disappointments along the way. We have met some fantastic customers who have become firm friends and so having to make the decision to close has been particularly painful and difficult.

Opening during the pandemic was always a gamble, but along with austerity, huge electric tariffs still rising, cost of foods at wholesale increasing hugely and for personal reasons, it is no longer viable to remain open.

It has truly been an honour to serve the local community. Our philosophy was to provide fresh food but shop local it seems for us, is becoming a thing of the past as food prices rise and people need to search for a deal in order to put food on the table. We cannot compete with the supermarkets who buy in bulk to reach cheaper prices.

All the staff will still remain with us as we will soon be opening the sandwich shop as an attachment to the Post Office. Following a few alterations the farm shop, with the council’s help, will return back into a home and be sold. We will be continuing our local products online and our fresh foods are earmarked for a new exciting venture.

We have no set date at the moment for closure but it won’t be too far away.

Thank you to all our customers for your support this last few years, it has meant the world to us. Onwards and upwards whilst new ideas are formulating and we will keep you posted.

Best Wishes
Debbie, Hannah and Rob

John hangs up his gavel for the last time

Time has been called on the annual Attic Auction, an event which has been staged at the Village Hall for around 25 years. The decision was taken at last week’s Parochial Church Council where auctioneer John Phillips reported that it was time for him to retire from the event.

He said: "Unfortunately, despite so much help from people around the village, the principal burden still falls on me and, not being quite as young as I was, my ability to prepare and catalogue the sale and then conduct it all in the same day is beginning to fade!

"We have had these auctions every year since the mid-1990s, apart from 2020 when it had to be cancelled due to Covid. It has been a great run and always a pleasure for the organisers and villagers alike. I would prefer to step down while that is still the case – things were starting to creak a bit last year!

"So, I shall be hanging up my gavel at long last! I would, though, like to thank my ever enthusiastic and long suffering team of helpers both from the church and the village, as well as the generous donors providing things to sell, without whom nothing would have happened. It has always been fun and sometimes even hilarious and we have great memories to look back on."

Editor’s Note: I am sure that everyone in Topcliffe and Asenby will wish to thank John for the many years service as a brilliant auctioneer and fundraiser. He was always part of a team, but the heaviest burden always fell on his shoulders. It was always a joy to see and hear him in action and his performances and the Attic Auction itself, will be sadly missed.

"Thank you for your latest enquiry concerning the improvement works at Topcliffe Bridge. Unfortunately it hasn’t been possible to progress the work as quickly as intended due to awaiting approvals from Historic England and the Environment Agency and a recent technical matter concerning the masonry. I’m pleased to say, however, that all approvals are now in place. Efforts have been made to include in the delivery of this work a broader procurement package of works for the Safer Roads Fund project, but, due to its more specialist nature, we are having to procure separately which has also extended the delivery time. Please be assured that the delivery of this work remains a priority and I am meeting with colleagues next week to finalise details and will contact you again following that meeting to provide a further update."

There’ll be a further update next week.

The Hallmaster booking pages can be found at: http://www.topcliffe.org.uk Anyone experiencing any difficulty making a booking, should call 07857 836332.

The 2020 race night had to be cancelled at the last meeting due to Covid. Those who had paid £5 to name a horse at that time can be confident their payment is still valid and their choice of name is on the Race Card for September’s event. If anyone wants to check their purchase and chosen horse name they can call 07785 223707 or email doug@dougallan.co.uk). There’s a few horses still left to be named and they are available on a first come, first served basis.

Tickets for the event are now on sale at £6 each. Entry includes a beef in red wine and crispy dumplings supper (or veggie alternative). Each ticket will be numbered and there’ll be a draw, the winner of which will win a night’s accommodation at The Crab Manor Hotel. You can buy tickets from Monday onwards from Topcliffe Post Office, Doug Allan (07785 223707) or Judith Lowe in Asenby (01845 577911).

Cash raised at the last two lunches – £188.50 in total – has been donated to help meet the increasing costs associated with printing the The Tattler newsletter.

• TODAY- Sunday 10 July at 10.45am – Holy Communion
• Sunday 17 July at 10.45am – Choral Matins
• Sunday 24 July at 10.45am – Holy Communion
• Sunday 31 July – the Fifth Sunday in the month – No Service

All services conclude with refreshments and time to linger.

There is already quite a few stalls taken but organisers Karen Morley and Linda Carver are keen to hear from anyone else who would like to hire a table for £5 to sell their wares or promote something. There’ll also be raffles and tombolas to support specific charities.

On the day, from 11am to 12 noon, tea/coffee will be served with a choice of cake for £2 per head. Then from midday through to 3pm, afternoon teas will be served. You’ll get sandwiches, savouries, scones, cakes, plus tea, coffee or soft drink, all for just £5 per adult and £2.50 for children. If it’s a nice day the hall’s recently acquired marquee will be erected so that tea can be enjoyed in the garden.

APPEAL FOR HELP: Last time help with baking was sought there was a tremendous response from kind villagers who were happy to help by baking cakes, buns, quiches or sausage rolls. Once again any help would be much appreciated on this occasion. Please contact Karen (01845 577426) or Linda (01845 578014) if you can assist.

• Lucy Day is holding a yoga class from 9am until 10am each Sunday. It doesn’t matter what level you are at as this class will teach you along the way. Everybody is welcome. £9 for the hour (children free). If you are interested, contact details are below.
• Thursday 21 July – Pizza night with Cozy P’s Woodfired Pizza. Go along to the market garden to enjoy your pizza where there will be a bar or pop in and collect your food to enjoy at home.

Check out Facebook and Instagram for more information. Or call 07747 083155
http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk

It’s hoping the Knit & Natter gathering will find a new home in which to meet once the Milk Churn Farm Shop closes.

• ABBA Sensation – 23 July.
• Flash! A tribute to Queen – 26 August.

Gates open at 7.30pm. Performance starts at 8.30pm and ends at 10.45pm. Picnics can be taken in, but there’s also hot and cold food and drinks on sale. Tickets via the website at: https://booking.bookinghound.com/fe/booking?og=6d55784e-4d5c-46a6-9940-a8d09d48b8b2&fbclid=IwAR01QMlm69xQRsBRlrMmwvYHigPc3mAGkdQ8zDeOlNPFfbRZkMMyp7XOiPg

• Saturday 23 July and Saturday 6 August – Clean and Tune up your bike workshop. 10am to 12.30pm. Children aged 7+ accompanied by an adult. Bring your bike to learn how to check it’s safe to ride. £2 per child. Booking essential.
• Wednesday 27 July and Thursday 1 September – Aquatic Fanatic live animals workshop. 2 to 3pm. Children aged 4+ accompanied by an adult. £3 per child or £5 per family. Booking essential.
• Thursday 28 July and Thursday 11 August – Young Gadgeteers, 2 to 3pm for 4-7 year olds. 3.15 to 4.15pm for 7 years+ age group. Become a mechanical engineer for the afternoon. £2 per child. Booking essential.
• Tuesdays 2, 16 and 30 August – Lego and Duplo drop in. 2 to 4pm. Come and make your own creations. All ages welcome and under 8s need to be accompanied by an adult. Just turn up. Free.
• Friday 5 August and Monday 15 August – Young Gadgeteers. 2 to 3pm for 4-7 year olds. 3.15 to 4.15pm for 7 years+ age group. Become an electronic engineer for the afternoon. £2 per child. Booking essential.
• Thursday 25 August – Pin Ups. 2 to 3pm. Join local artist Chris Jeeson to create your own pin up and pop-up books. Children aged 5+ years. £2 per child. Booking essential.
• Friday 2 September – Warhammer War Gaming taster session. 10.30 to 11.30am. Free session to find out what war gaming is all about. Suitable for children 7+ and no booking needed. Just turn up.

Pre-booking is required for some activities: Telephone 01609 534589 or call into the library.

• To Thursday 14 July (No Matinees) – Jurassic World: Dominion
• Friday 15 to Thu 21 July (Matinees – Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July) – Lightyear
• Friday 22 to Thursday 28 July (Matinee Wednesday 27 July – Elvis
• Friday 29 to Thursday 4 August (Matinees – Saturday 30 July, Sunday 31 July, Wednesday 3 Aug) – Minions 2: Rise of Gru

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

• 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. https://www.chipndales.co.uk
• 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):

• Recycling & Garden Waste – Thursdays 14 and 28 July
• Refuse – Mondays 18 July. and 1 August

Harrogate (Asenby):

• Refuse – Mondays 11 and 25 July
• Garden waste – Thursdays 14 and 28 July
• Recycling – Mondays 18 July and 1 August