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Sunday Email: Issue 123

Welcome to the Sunday Email. I hope you are all enjoying the Bank Holiday weekend.
Doug
07785 223707
The 2022 Topcliffe and Asenby Produce Show
Next Saturday – 3 September at the Village Hall. Any resident of Topcliffe and Asenby, as well as individuals who grow produce on allotments within the boundaries of our two villages, can put entries in the show. There’ll be horticultural classes, as well as baking/preserves classes, floral classes, hobbies classes and classes just for children to enter. The full list of rules, categories and classes is available on both village websites – http://www.topcliffe.org.uk and http://www.asenby.net or from Produce Show Secretary Judith Lowe (577911).

  • Entries must be registered at the village hall between 9 and 11.30am on the day.
  • Entry fee of 50p per adult exhibit and 25p per child exhibit.
  • Judging between 12 noon and 2pm.
  • Public viewing from 2pm.
  • Presentation of trophies and raffle draw at 3pm.
The Topcliffe Big Race Night – Saturday 10 September at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall. Doors open at 7pm and the first race is off at 7.30pm.

Everything is in place. All that is needed now are people to buy their tickets and then they can look forward to a great fun evening. So, if you’re planning to attend, please get your ticket now so that the organisers can be confident about numbers for catering. Entry tickets are on sale at just £6 each from Topcliffe Post Office, Doug Allan (07785 223707) or Judith Lowe in Asenby (01845 577911).

  • There’ll be a cash bar serving draught beer (£3 per pint), lager (£2 per tin), wines (£12 per bottle) and soft drinks.
  • There’ll be eight races on the big screen and champagne for the winning owner.
  • Entry includes a beef in red wine and crispy dumplings supper or vegetarian alternative, which will be served at about 8.45pm.
  • Each entry ticket is numbered and will be entered in a draw, the winner of which will win a night’s bed and breakfast at Crab Manor Hotel.
  • There are some fantastic raffle prizes to be won.
St Columba’s services

  • TODAY- Sunday 28 August at 10.45am – will be Sung Matins (not Holy Communion as previously announced, due to the priest being called away elsewhere at the last minute)
  • Sunday 4 September at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong
  • Sunday 11 September at 10.45am – Holy Communion
  • Sunday 18 September at 10.45am – Said Matins
  • Sunday 25 September at 10.45am – Holy Communion
  • Sunday 2 October at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong with Harvest Festival, followed by supper. (Full details in due course).
  • All regular Sunday services conclude with refreshments.
An appeal for help with St Columba’s churchyard grass cutting – by John Phillips
"As people will have noticed members of the church congregation have not been able to cut the grass in the churchyard as regularly as they would have liked this year. Having already spent over £1,000 on grass and tree maintenance, they have decided to leave much of the yard ‘wild’ with, hopefully, an increased variety of meadow flowers.

"However, there are a few main areas and paths that will be cut regularly and I have recently started doing this. I will try to commit to cutting once or twice a month in season, but there will be times, such as the next three to four weeks, when I shall be unavailable. So I am hoping there might be a local volunteer or two who could offer help from time to time or even more regularly.

"At the moment, the church doesn’t have a lawn mower to offer, but there will be one for next season. So, for the remainder of this growing season any volunteer would need to bring their own machine. To give some idea of the scale of the task, the cut completed yesterday, with a trusty small Hayter (not self-propelled), took an hour and fifteen minutes, including collecting and removing the cuttings to the composting bins on the lower terraces. It is hoped that the time taken might be improved upon as more regular cutting takes place and eventually, with additional help it will be possible to open up additional paths."

Just a word of warning to potential mowers: cutting the grass above the church wall at the lower end of Church Street might be dangerous for some, so anyone with concerns about doing this safely, should not proceed, but just leave this area as it is.

If you have a mower and can help in September please get in touch with John at johnphillips05 and also do let him know if you might be able to help next year when there is an on-site mower.
Newburgh Priory Plant Fair
TOMORROW – Monday 29 August from 11am to 4pm – Go along and be enchanted at the plant fair held within the beautiful gardens and grounds of Newburgh Priory. There will be select plant growers presenting a huge selection of plants for sale. Afterwards enjoy home-made savouries and cakes in the old Refectory Cafe. Last entry 3pm. Tickets £4 per adult, children free. On the gate or in advance from https://www.flowerpowerfairs.co.uk
Events at The Angel

  • TOMORROW – 29 August – 12noon until 5pm, BBQ, children’s games and lots of fun! Free entry.
  • Tuesday 6 September – Hilarity Bites Comedy Club – Doors open at 7.30pm, show starts at 8pm.
  • Saturday 1 October – 2pm until late – Oktoberfest – wide range of German beers, BBQ and live bands. Free entry.
  • More information and tickets from the venue or online at https://theangelattopcliffe.co.uk/
A Thank You
Nikki, Sam, Georgina and Edward Key wish to thank all those who attended Garry’s funeral last Wednesday afternoon and for the very generous donations to Herriot Hospice Homecare.
Great support for Ukraine
Last Wednesday was Ukraine Independence Day. Ukraine is in turmoil and people are experiencing huge problems because of the war. To mark the day locally and to raise some funds for the Disasters’ Emergency Committee (DEC), which is undertaking some valuable work in the country, Sahra Rayner of Willow View Farm in Topcliffe placed vases of sunflowers on the forecourt of The Elm Gallery and invited people to take some in exchange for a donation. Gallery owner Liz Marsh baked some sunflower buns and provided a cup of tea or coffee to all visitors. On the day an amazing £175 was raised. A huge thank you to Sahra and Liz…and to all who supported this wonderful event.
Asenby News – 10th edition
Young Oliver Robertson has published the 10th edition of his popular newsletter for residents of Asenby. You can read a copy here.
Tesco Petrol Station, Thirsk
The petrol station will be closed for refurbishment from Tuesday 30 August to Saturday 10 September.
Yard Sale
There’s to be a yard sale in Topcliffe on Sunday 25 September. Sally Machen is behind the idea and she held a ballot on Top Residents to find the preferred date. Anyone can join in and its free to participate. All you have to do is set up a stall outside your home from which you can offer for sale all the bits and pieces that you want to get rid of. It’s a great way to raise a bit of extra cash and meet friends and neighbours. There are only a few basic rules: please don’t block pavements with stalls, chairs or queues and no selling business products.
Children’s summer holiday events
A wide range of children’s activities is being held at Thirsk Community Library over the school holidays.

  • Tuesday 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 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.
Soup & sweet lunch
The next soup and sweet lunch will be held at the Village Hall on Wednesday 31 August at 12 noon. Cash raised at this lunch will be donated to the Boot Shop charity in Easingwold.
Yorkshire Water Hosepipe Ban
There’s a drought officially declared in Yorkshire and last Friday saw the start of a temporary hosepipe ban. It is now against the law to use a hosepipe to water gardens, clean cars or boats, fill ponds, hot tubs or pools, wash buildings or clean paths or patios. Anyone breaking the ban faces a fine of up to £1,000.
Closure of Sutton Bank
North Yorkshire County Council has announced that Sutton Bank on the A170 between Helmsley and Thirsk will be closed from 7am on Sunday, 11 September until 7pm on Sunday, 2 October to allow for the most extensive maintenance programme in its recent history. The highways team will be surveying the entire slope, stabilising the south hairpin bend to prevent landslips and carrying out essential maintenance on the rock face to prevent any falls. The work will ensure that the bank remains structurally sound and hopefully reduce the need for longer closures in the future.

The official diversion will not follow the caravan route and instead the route will be – A19 south from Thirsk to York Ring Road, east along York Ring Road to junction with A64, or north on A64, joining A169 to Pickering, and back onto the A170. Access to homes on Sutton Bank will be maintained whenever possible. However, due to the nature of the works there may be times when access is restricted.

On 21 and 22 September, road maintenance will also take place on the A170 Sutton Road between Felixkirk Road and Moor Lane. Access to Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe will be maintained, but road users are being warned of delays. Apologies for any inconvenience during both closures.
Topcliffe Post Office
Don’t forget that the Post Office shop (not the Post Office itself) is opening late on Thursday and Friday evenings to see if the extra hours are helpful for customers. The shop will stay open until 7pm. Lottery tickets will be available during these evening openings. If the trial works well, the longer hours may be extended to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday openings.

The Post Office is now an Amazon Hub, which means that Amazon parcels can be delivered to the Post Office and then collected…so there’s no need to miss a delivery or have your parcels left out in the rain! The service also includes parcel returns to Amazon.

The hot and cold food bar attached to the Post Office will be opening soon. Watch out for more details.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Industrial action update – On Wednesday 31 August there will be disruption to the delivery and collection of mail, the processing of cheques and services such as travel money on the above dates Royal Mail and Parcelforce have suspended all guarantees for timed delivery products eg Special Delivery. Banking services will, however, operate as normal.
The energy cost rises just get worse and worse
The bill that every household pays for gas and electricity is set to rise by 80% as the energy price cap lifts in October, the energy regulator Ofgem has announced. The average household’s annual bill will rise to £3,549 from 1 October 2022, up from the current cap of £1,971. The change means that householders on a typical default tariff will pay an extra £1,578 a year for their gas and electricity. This figure is based on average household usage – some will pay less than this, while others will pay more.
Music at Junction 50
Thursday 1 September at 7pm – Sirocco Winds – five young talented musicians of the highest quality will perform a wide range of music and will speak about the music they play and why it is important to them. £10 including refreshments. For tickets telephone01765 640624 or on the door on the day.
Sutton Bank Star Hub
Sutton Bank National Park Centre is holding a special astronomical treat – Milky Way Night and Summer Stars – on the night of Saturday 3 September. Local astronomer Richard Darn will be breaking out the big telescopes to go on a cosmic voyage, with targets including the beautiful Milky Way and summer
constellations. He’ll also reveal the most distant object you can see – the Andromeda galaxy – plus an interactive planetarium tour. Tickets online at http://tinyurl.com/milkywaynight
Horse Racing at Thirsk

  • Saturday 3 September – Ladies Day. Gates open at 11am.
  • Monday 12 September – Afternoon Racing & Season Finale. Gates open at 11am.

Book online at https://www.thirskracecourse.net
Thirsk Farmers’ Market
The next Northern Dales Farmers’ Market will be held in the Market Place on Sunday 4 September. It features hand-picked stallholders, so you can be sure that you’re buying from some of the very best food and drink producers in the country. And the best bit – they’re all local small independent family businesses.
http://northerndalesfarmersmarkets.com
Cycling Tour of Britain
Stage four of the Tour of Britain will take place between Redcar and Duncombe Park in Helmsley on Wednesday 7 September. It will be the first time the borough of Redcar & Cleveland has hosted the Tour of Britain, while the finish marks the race’s return to North Yorkshire after a thirteen year gap. Popular seaside towns such as Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Whitby will be raced through before the route heads into the North York Moors National Park. The unforgiving final 30km of this 150km stage will feature climbs up Carlton Bank (2km long, 9.8% average gradient) and Newgate Bank (2km long, 6% average gradient) before descending into the finish at Duncombe Park, one of Yorkshire’s finest historic houses and estates. For more information check out: http://tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-four
Knit and Natter
The next session will be at 1.30pm on Thursday 8 September in the TV lounge at The Angel. The cost for refreshments remains at £3 and everyone is welcome to attend, whether for a knit, just for a natter or both!
Ripley Decorative Home & Salvage Show
Friday 9 to Sunday 11 September – Three-day outdoor boutique style event aimed at those who love to source beautiful pieces for the home and garden. Laid out in marquees and shopping arcades and spilling out onto the lawns. Showcasing hand-picked exhibitors offering original French furniture, British industrial salvage, garden furniture and statuary, period home fixtures and fittings, textiles, and much more. Free parking, on-site catering, a licensed bar and plenty of space. It’s advised that you take cash and card (no cash machine) and your own carrier bags. Large purchases can be collected by vehicle.
Friday: 12 noon – 5pm £10 per person; Saturday: 10am – 5pm, £7.50 per person; Sunday: 10am – 5pm, £7.50 per person. Accompanied under 16s admitted free. Dogs on leads welcome.
Baldersby St James – Book Sale
The Book Sale is on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September – open from 10am to 5pm each day. If anyone has books to donate for the sale just drop them into the church. Lots of helpers are needed from Thursday 8th to put out books, and on Sunday 11th to tidy up. If you can help please email Susan Brown at c.b.brown398
North Yorkshire County Show
The annual show will be staged at Otterington Hall, South Otterington (DL7 9HW) on Sunday 11 September from 8am. £35 family, £12 adult, £9 child, under 5s free. Buy online or at various outlets, see website –
http://www.northyorkshireshow.co.uk
Asenby Parish Council
The next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday 12 September at 7pm at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.

A new village Facebook group has been set up and all residents are invited to join it: https://www.facebook.com/groups/457016899263420/?ref=share_group_link

You can contact Asenby Parish Council at asenbypc or via the Facebook page.
Topcliffe Village Hall Committee Meeting
The next meeting of Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee will be on Tuesday 13 September at 7.30pm.
The Repair Cafe
On Saturday, 17 September, you can get your broken items repaired, learn how things are made and chat over a cup of tea or coffee at The Repair Cafe. It’s at the rear of the Community Works re-use store in Thirsk. Be greener by avoiding creating waste and also saving money by letting a team of dedicated and talented volunteers try to repair your broken or ‘worn out’ items.10.30am to 12.30pm. Voluntary donation for repairs undertaken – https://www.repaircafe.org/en
Helperby Beer Festival
It’s been three years since the last beer festival in Helperby…but it’s back on Saturday 17 September starting 12.30pm. It’ll be better than ever with a huge choice of amazing and cool beers and lagers, wine bar, prosecco & gin bar, and food. There’ll be a great music line up including Rory Hoy, Chu Ma Shu, The Bootleggers, Borderline, All the King’s Men, The Feds, What the Duck and Mark Stevenson.

Check out the festival Facebook page for more details. https://www.facebook.com/HelperbyBeerFest/

Tickets and vouchers for food and drink are available online now.
New Fitness Class in Village Hall
Fitness Instructor Lianne Ayling will launch an indoor class at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall on Tuesday 4 October. She’ll be starting a programme that rotates on a three-weekly basis between Bodyblast (small handweights), Kettlehiit (using Kettlebells) and Legs, Bums and Tums. These classes are child/buggy friendly so parents can come along with their children.

Contact can be made via her Facebook page. If you would like to join this class or for any others Lianne provides, use the link below and use the code FIRSTCLASS50 for 50% off! Link- https://linktr.ee/lianneayling
Christmas Fayre
This year the Christmas Fayre will be held at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall on Saturday 12 November. Bookings for stalls now are being taken. They’re just £5 each – that’s much cheaper than the price stallholders have to pay at other Christmas events in our area. There’ll be more about this event nearer the date.
St James Coffee and Chat
The weekly coffee and chat session is at the church in Baldersby St James Tuesday mornings between 10am and 12 noon. A popular morning to meet friends old and new…and to swap your books at the same time.
What’s on at The RItz

  • DC League of Super Pets – Friday 26 August to Thursday 1 September (Matinees on Saturday 27, Sunday 28 and Wednesday 31 August).
  • Bullet Train – Friday 2 to Thursday 8 September (No matinees).
  • Fisherman’s Friends: One And All – Friday 9 to Thursday 15 September (Matinee on Wednesday 14 September).
  • Nope – Friday 16 to Thursday 22 September (No Matinees).
  • Three Thousand Years of Longing – Friday 23 to Thursday 29 September (Matinee on Wednesday 28 September).

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

  • Yoga classes are held each Sunday morning between 9am until 10am. 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, ring the number below.
  • Check out the range of ready meals using homegrown vegetables and home-reared meat.

Check out Facebook and Instagram for more information.
Or call 07747 083155 http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk
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 30 August (one day later than usual) and Mondays 12 and 26 September.
  • Recycling & Garden Waste – Thursdays 8 and 22 September.

Harrogate (Asenby):

  • Recycling – Tuesday 30 August (one day later than usual) and Mondays 12 and 26 September.
  • Refuse – Mondays 5 and 19 September.
  • Garden waste – Thursdays 8 and 22 September.
That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.