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Sunday Email: Issue 126

Welcome to the Sunday Email.

I will be unable to publish my regular Sunday Email next week – 25 September – but things will be back to normal on Sunday 2 October.

Doug
07785 223707
The Topcliffe Big Race Night
The Topcliffe Big Race Night on Saturday 10 September raised a whopping £1,675.69 for the Village Hall support fund. Thank you to everyone who helped make the night such an amazing success.
The Tattler – Autumn Issue
Every household in the two villages should have received a copy of The Tattler last week. If any recipient of the Sunday Email does not have a hardcopy of The Tattler delivered to their home, arrangements can be made to have one sent by email. Please contact the editor, doug@dougallan.co.uk, if you would like to be added to the email circulation.
A message from Siobhan Gifford – the main force behind the Asenby Bench Project.

‘To The Bench and Back’ has been my personal mantra since I had my knee replaced a week ago but I was just thinking how this would be the most perfectly poignant place to observe a one minute silent reflection on the life of our remarkable Queen Elizabeth at 8pm this evening.
The Elm Gallery
The gallery will be closed until Saturday 24 September.

Topcliffe Surgery – Bank Holiday Closure – Monday 19 September

Topcliffe Surgery will be closed on Monday 19 September to allow staff members to pay their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

If you have chest pains or breathing difficulty, please dial 999 immediately.

Some local pharmacies may also be closed on Monday – please ensure you check their open times directly before making the journey. If you require more urgent advice on Monday, please dial 111 who will be able to direct you to the most appropriate service for your needs.
St Columba’s

  • TODAY – 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.
St John’s Church, Skipton on Swale
TODAY – Sunday 18 September at 4pm – the final service before officially closing on 1 October. Bishop Paul Ferguson will be leading the service. Everyone is welcome to come along for one last service commemorating the life of the church. Refreshments will be served after the service.
The Post Office – late opening experiment
For the last month experimental late opening of the Post Office on Thursday and Friday evenings has been tried, but regretfully it has not proved as popular as it was hoped. The trial has now ended and the Post Office shop will again close at 5pm on Thursdays and Fridays from now on.

Exchange those old notes
Old paper notes are in the process of being replaced by polymer notes. The paper £50 and £20 notes will cease to be legal tender on 30 September. You can deposit
any old notes into a bank account at the Post Office…but you can’t exchange them for cash.
Warm Space for Topcliffe & Asenby
The idea of creating a ‘Warm Space’ this autumn and winter in Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall is gaining support in our community. Conscious of the huge impact of the cost of living crisis and the frighteningly high energy costs on the most vulnerable residents, the volunteers who organise the fortnightly soup and sweet lunch plan to increase the frequency of the popular event to weekly, and also extend the session to two hours. They are also considering home delivery of lunch to villagers who are unable to get to the hall.

At its meeting last Tuesday evening, the Village Hall Committee agreed to support the initiative by offering free use of the hall for ‘warm space’ purposes over the next six months. And both Asenby and Topcliffe Parish Councils, have indicated support in principle, subject to detailed consideration at their next meetings.

Any scheme to help villagers to keep warm will only work if there are sufficient volunteers to help out. Can you help? If so, please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426.
Dog poo problem worsening
Every now and again the problem of dog poo on our footpaths, lanes and verges gets to a point where law abiding individuals – often dog owners themselves – feel obliged to take action to clear up other people’s dog mess. That was the case on Friday when Topcliffe resident Pam Bruce and her daughter Charlotte, who lives in Asenby, were out on their regular walk along Catton Lane past the Mill. The amount of poo was disgraceful and they decided something had to be done to clean up the area. This picture shows what they collected. There was more but they ran out of poo bags!

There should be no ambiguity about this: all dog owners have a responsibility to clean up after their pets. And it’s not just on pavements in the villages, but anywhere that people might walk. Please do the right thing and keep Asenby and Topcliffe clean and tidy.
A168 Topcliffe junction on southbound carriageway
The Highways Agency has announced that there will be works on the southbound carriageway of the A168 which will require the closure of the slip road into Topcliffe. The works will take place over three nights between 9pm and 5am from Wednesday 5 October. A diversion into Topcliffe from the A168 will be shown.
New Rock Choir
A Rock Choir is being set up in Thirsk and people from in and around the town are being invited to join. Its leader will be renowned choir leader Steve Brown. It will meet on Monday nights from 7pm at The Thirsk Methodist Church, St James Green YO7 1AQ. All you have to do is sign up for a free taster session on Monday 19 September. There is no need to audition and no requirement to read music! Check out – http://www.rockchoir.com
Phone and card theft
Recent advice from Action Fraud, the group that fights against fraudsters and scammers, is that you should not carry a bank card in the back of your mobile phone case or have your phone and bank cards together in a handbag or wallet. Apparently, thieves are stealing phones and bank cards together, so that they can more easily steal money online. Once thieves have a phone and a card, they register the card on the relevant bank’s app on their own phone or computer. Since it is the first time that card will have been used on the new device, a one-off security passcode is demanded and a verification passcode is sent by the bank to the stolen phone. The code flashes up on the locked screen of the stolen phone, leaving the thief to tap it into their own device. Once accepted, they have control of the bank account. They can transfer money, buy goods or change access to the account.

Thieves have also been targeting lockers in gyms, even going to the extent of selecting people by the car they drive or jewellery they are wearing. If you use gym or any other public lockers, it’s advisable that you do not keep your phone and card in there together.
Covid booster jab
People can now apply to have their autumn Covid booster jab. Health bosses are predicting a resurgence of Covid and flu this autumn and winter so are urging those eligible to protect themselves from serious illness by getting vaccines against both.

Topcliffe Surgery will be offering flu jabs from next Tuesday, 20 September. It plans to administer the flu and Covid booster jabs at the same time, but this is highly dependent on the national supply of Covid vaccinations. Patients may be given only a flu jab if there is any problem with the supply of Covid vaccinations – but they will still get their Covid booster, just at another appointment. The following are eligible for the Covid booster jab: under 65s in clinical risk groups, pregnant women, all over 65s, carers and care home residents, close contacts of immunosuppressed individuals and health and social care staff.

All healthy 50-64 year-olds, including those that turn 50 before March 2023, will be eligible after 15 October, once those listed above have been prioritised.

If you are eligible, please contact the Surgery to book your appointment. Where possible, please do this in person or via the ‘contact us’ form on our website so that ‘phone lines are kept free for patients requiring more urgent assistance.

The NHS has started texting eligible people and inviting them to book a booster jab online. This normally means travelling to Northallerton to receive the vaccination. This is fine, but you will still need to book a flu jab at Topcliffe Surgery.
Yoga with Lucy
Lucy’s yoga classes at The Catton Kitchen have stopped now as it is getting too chilly for outdoor sessions, but you can join her Vinyasa Flow yoga class at Rainton Village Hall on Saturday mornings at 9.30am. It offers mobilising drills, stretching and strengthening all wrapped up in a flow. Each class ends with quiet relaxation to absorb the benefits of the session. The cost is just £9 per session. To book email lucy
Closure of Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank on the A170 between Helmsley and Thirsk is closed for maintenance until 7pm on Sunday, 2 October.
Knit and Natter
The next session will be at 1.30pm on Thursday 22 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!
Down the Herriot Line
The Wensleydale Railway has announced details of a fun-filled family event, ‘Down the Herriot Line’, an interactive on-train performance based on the All Creatures Great & Small books by James Herriot. Trains travel from Leeming Bar to Leyburn and back and you’ll be accompanied on your journey by a collection of actors who will play out a number of cameos based on the All creatures Great & Small books. This is a very interactive event with actors in period dress and a collection of animals to pet and have your photo taken with.

The dates are 22 and 23 October and trains leave Leeming Bar at 10:30, 13:00 & 15:30. Numbers are limited so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment. The full trip takes just under 2 hours and refreshments will be available at both Leeming and Leyburn.

More information: https://wensleydale-railway.co.uk/leeming-bar-and-leyburn-timetable-with-herriot-autumn/

Tickets: https://tickets.tygit.com/shop/dates/pk/b453521950b798572d8b69799329c56b/groupId/5456
What’s on at The RItz

  • Nope – 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/
Dalton Events
Here are details of a few events coming up in Dalton village:

  • Pop-Up Cafe – Saturday 24 September from 9.30am until 11.30am in the Village Hall. There will be bacon and sausage sandwiches and cups of tea and coffee on sale. As an extra, there will be a free training session on the use of the defibrillator taking place in the committee room.
  • Domino Drive – Saturday 24 September at 7pm – In the Village Hall. All welcome. Proceeds will be in aid of church funds.
  • 80s Evening – Saturday 1 October from 7pm – an 80s evening with disco and fancy dress in the Village Hall. Tickets are £5 on the door.
Masham Sheep Fair
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September – Sheep showing, sheep racing, craft market, Bishop Blaize procession, fleece stalls, sheepdog demonstrations, hand bell ringers, Morris dancers, art exhibition and tours of the Theakstons and Black Sheep breweries, as well as a small fair for children. 10am-4pm. Check out – www.mashamsheepfair.com
Yard Sale
There’s to be a yard sale in Topcliffe next Sunday 25 September. 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.
Soup & sweet lunch
The next soup and sweet lunch will be held at the Village Hall on Wednesday 28 September at 12 noon. Cash raised at this lunch will be donated to the local Salvation Army. The last lunch raised £60 for Herriot Hospice.
Events at The Angel

  • 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/
Thirsk Farmers’ Market
Sunday 2 October – Northern Dales Farmers’ Market in the Market Place, Thirsk. 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
An evening with Jonathan Moseley
Well-known floral designer and horticultural expert Jonathan Moseley will be giving a talk and demonstration at Baldersby St James’s church at 7.30pm on Tuesday 4 October. Tickets are £10 and refreshments are included. Contact rebecca.foster757@btinternet.com
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
Spooktaculars at Thorp Perrow
The Arboretum at Thorp Perrow is organising a Spooky season with a Halloween trail, which will run from 8 October until 1 November. So, put on your cloak, grab your broomstick and head out into the Arboretum in search of spooky creatures. You’ll stumble across tombs and skeletons and many more Halloween frights. Trail sheets can be pre-booked or purchased on the day for £2.50 and a free gift is included. Standard entry applies. Pre-booking is strongly recommended and a discount is offered for all pre-booked tickets.
Art classes with Becky Thompson
Several art classes led by talented artist and teacher, Becky Thompson, are scheduled to take place at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall in the coming months.

  • Thursday 20 October – How to paint an autumn-inspired landscape in oils.
  • Thursday 15 December – How to paint a hare, fox or owl in a moonlit winter landscape using acrylics.

These classes are for artists of every level of experience…or of none! Expert guidance is offered throughout the session. Classes are £25 and this includes all materials needed to complete your masterpiece. Refreshments are served. Times: 10.30am to 1pm. More information and online booking at http://www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk
Christmas Fayre
This year the Christmas Fayre will be held at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall on Saturday 12 November. All stalls have now been reserved and no further bookings can be taken. There’ll be more about this event nearer the date.
Thirsk Community Library – Autumn Events
Thirsk Community Library has prepared a comprehensive range of activities for kids during the autumn term. They include:

Warhammer Wargames Club- Mondays weekly term time 3.45 – 4.45pm for 8 – 14 year old children. Cost £2 per child. Booking essential.

Lego Club – Tuesdays and Thursdays weekly term time 3.45 – 4.45pm. Suitable for children aged 5 and over. Lego is provided and each week there’ll be a different theme. Cost £1 per child. Booking essential.

Storytime Mondays – Weekly 1.30 – 2.15pm during term time. All pre-school children welcome. Free. Enjoy stories, rhymes and songs and activities for young children in the library. Just turn up, no booking required.

Construction Play – Every Friday from 10.30am until 4pm. All pre-school children welcome and it’s free. Just turn up!

Bookings via library or phone 01609 534589.

At the end of September, the Library is starting an adults games club that will be free, including refreshments. It’ll be an ideal place to go on the darker, colder days and nights, especially as energy bills go sky high! The library will be a good place to go to keep warm and have a cuppa. Check out the flyer here.
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.
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):

  • Recycling & Garden Waste – Friday 23 September (one day later than normal due to the special Bank Holiday)
  • Refuse – Mondays 26 September and 10 October.

Harrogate (Asenby):

  • Refuse – Tuesday 20 September. (one day later than normal due to the special Bank Holiday).
  • Garden waste – Friday 23 September (one day later than normal due to the special Bank Holiday).
  • Recycling – Mondays 26 September and 10 October.
That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.