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Sunday Email: Issue 131

Welcome to your regular Sunday Email.

Don’t forget that at 2am this morning the clocks went back an hour, giving you an extra hour in bed and bringing to an end to British Summer Time.

Monday evening is trick or treat time so if you are planning to go door to door in our villages, please be considerate to others and take care.

Doug
07785 223707

Fred wins battle of the allotments
Asenby allotment land, off Carr Lane, is safely back in the hands of the parish after a narrow escape from being sold as part of a large private estate. The land, which was given to the parish of Asenby to be used as ‘gardens’ (the old fashioned word for allotments) in 1735, was somehow included within the parcel of land offered for sale by agents for Guy Reed Will Trust in May 2021.

Fred Gifford, one of the allotment trustees, has spent the months since in protracted correspondence with both the sales agents and the Land Registry. Despite the enormous amount of documentation showing that the land belonged to Asenby and the lack of any evidence demonstrating why Guy Reed Will Trust thought it was theirs to sell, the Land Registry were only able to confirm that the land has now been removed from the title deeds of Guy Reed Will Trust on 20 October.

Asenby Parish Council has been informed of this long-overdue result and it is hoped that they will now register the land so that there can never be any future dispute.

Quiz Night at The Angel
Yes, it’s back! After a gap of two and a half years, the regular Sunday evening quiz night at The Angel is returning starting Sunday 13 November. It will be held in the TV lounge to the left of the main bar starting at the earlier time of 8pm. Generally, participants will be in teams of four, which will be made up on the night. There’ll be two sections of 20 questions each and a decider in case of a draw. Entry is £1 per person and all the takings will go to the winning team.

I’ll be preparing the questions for the first quiz and in the traditional way, the winners will nominate one of their team to prepare the following week’s quiz. I hope we’ll see many pre-Covid quizzers returning and lots of new participants joining in too.

Plans threaten increase in HGV traffic
Less than one week ago, Topcliffe Parish Council was made aware of a new planning application for a further industrial site on the Dalton Industrial Estate. Furthermore, the application was due to go before Hambleton District Council planning committee – and recommended for approval – on Thursday 27 October. Clearly this did not give adequate time for detailed consideration and comment on the application by Topcliffe Parish Council or Topcliffe residents.

Members of the parish council attended the planning meeting and have been successful in obtaining a deferral which will give time for the parish council to prepare its response.

The parish council will be submitting a formal response to the application and is keen to see residents add their own comments by visiting Hambleton’s planning portal. Follow this link to see how you can have your say and help protect our environment and village life.

Poppies galore in Topcliffe
The ladies who regularly attend the weekly Knit & Natter sessions at The Angel have been very busy knitting poppies which are now on display throughout the village. The main displays are at Jubilee Gardens where additional items relating to Remembrance Day on 11 November and Remembrance Sunday on 13 November, are located – see photograph here. There are also examples of their handiwork at the Post Office and at the Village Hall. A big thank you to all those involved.
Topcliffe & Asenby Community Warm-Up
Warm-Up lunches take place at the Village Hall every Wednesday between 11.30am and 1.30pm. There is no specific charge for lunch, though those who can manage it are asked to make a donation.

Last Wednesday £113.50 was raised, of which £75 was donated to the Royal British Legion in Thirsk and the balance has gone into the Warm-Up Community Help fund. This will help pay for food in future weeks and the organisers are looking at how further support might be offered to those in need during these financially difficult times.

The lunches are open to anyone who wishes to come along.

The organisers suspect there are some residents in our two villages that may not be aware of the lunches or perhaps need encouragement to pop along on Wednesdays. If you know of anyone who is elderly or vulnerable who might attend if they were to be picked up and dropped off, please get in touch.

And, if you know anyone who is unable to get to the Village Hall because of reduced mobility, please mention their name to one of the organisers as volunteers will be more than happy to make a home delivery of hot food.

And don’t forget, if you can help as a volunteer now and again or could donate food (soup, hotpot, flour, sugar, puddings, cakes etc) please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426 or Linda Carver on 01845 578014.

Help for Households
The government’s ‘Help for Households campaign’ gives clear information about the exceptional payments, energy support and existing support schemes available, so the public know what is available and where they can find help. Check it out – Help for Households – Get government cost of living support
£400 energy grant
A £400 energy payment – or discount – is being made to every household in the country, without means testing, and it won’t have to be paid back. You do not need to apply for the payment as it should be sent to you automatically, but how you get it depends on how you pay for your energy.

The discount will be paid to consumers in instalments of £66 over six months, with the grants administered through energy suppliers. The first discount should have been applied to your energy bill in October.

The further five discounts will be provided monthly, regardless of whether people pay bills monthly or quarterly or have an associated payment card. Those with a domestic electricity meter point who make payments through payment cards, standard credit, and direct debit will receive an automatic deduction on bills.

In all cases, no household should be asked for bank details at any point. Everyone is being urged to stay alert to potential scams and report these to the relevant authorities where suspected.

Help for Ukraine
The Thirsk-based Yorkshire to Ukraine organisation is still accepting donations that can be sent over to the war-torn country. It had a burst of donations in recent weeks and has just dispatched another lorry load of urgently needed items. As winter rapidly approaches the organisers are appealing for things such as warm clothing, sleeping bags, blankets, tinned long-life foods, hygiene products and sanitary wear. There’s a collection point at Teasdale Motorcycles, Long Street Thirsk YO7 1AU.
St Columba’s Church services
• Sunday 30 October – there is no service today.
• Wednesday 2 November at 7pm there will be a special service of Compline to celebrate the Feast of All Souls. This is the occasion in the church calendar when the faithful departed are remembered. Compline is a quiet reflective service of evening prayers and readings and will last about 25 minutes. Those who would like to do so, can add names of those to be remembered to a list to be read out during the service or, if preferred, an alternative list to be placed silently on the altar instead. Everyone is most welcome to attend and names can be added to these lists before the service starts or, if preferred, can be emailed beforehand to John Phillips – johnphillips05@gmail.com or Chris Hewlett celhewlett@outlook.com The service will conclude with the choir singing the anthem ‘Save us waking, guard us sleeping’.
• Sunday 6 November at 6.30pm Choral Evensong.
• Sunday 13 November at 10.45am Service of Remembrance and at 11.45am
Holy Communion with Baptism.
• Sunday 20 November at 10.45am Choral Matins.
• Sunday 27 November at 10.45am Advent Sunday Holy Communion.

Regular Sunday services conclude with refreshments.

Topcliffe Post Office Shop
Reminder: the opening hours of the Post Office shop will change from next Saturday, 5 November. From that date it will open at 8am instead of 7.30am.
Safety with Fireworks
Fireworks season is nearly upon us! If you are planning to enjoy some ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ this Bonfire Night, don’t forget that fireworks can be dangerous if not used correctly. Stay safe with these tips for enjoying a home display.
Old style postage stamps
Most people will have noticed that the Royal Mail has introduced a new type of stamp featuring a barcode alongside the picture of the monarch. Barcodes are being added to stamps in order improve postal efficiency and to make it possible in the future for people to watch videos and send birthday messages.

Old non-barcoded 1st and 2nd class stamps need to be used before 31 January 2023 or traded in for new stamps. You can send old stamps back for free in an envelope to Freepost SWAP OUT (no stamps or further detail is needed). Simply include unused old stamps on their original backing paper or stick them to a sheet of paper and state how many you are returning. Don’t forget to include your home address.

Spooky fun for all at Monk Park Farm

  • Each day up to 31 October.
  • For the little ones – pumpkin painting, mini pumpkin trail, witches potion making, giant pumpkin patch, fancy dress competition.
  • For the older ones – pumpkin carving, spooky farm tour, spider infested barn, witches lair, pumpkin catapult, bowing and lots more.
  • 2-16 year-olds £12, includes pumpkin. Also, family pricing.
  • Booking essential – http:// www.monkparkfarm.co.uk/book
Spooktaculars at Thorp Perrow
It’s the final few days of Spooktacular at Thorp Perrow Arboretum. They come to an end on Tuesday 1 November. Book via their website.
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club
Presenting the best stand-up comedy in the North. Pop into The Angel for a monthly dose of hilarity every first Tuesday of each month. The next event is on Tuesday 1 November in the Plaza Suite with its own bar and free nibbles. Tickets £12 each on the door or £10 per ticket if you buy in advance.
Knit and Natter
The next session will be at 1.30pm on Thursday 3 November 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!
Topcliffe Parish Council
Meetings of Topcliffe Parish Council will take place at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall at 7pm on Thursday 3 November and Thursday 1 December 2022.
The Wonderful World of James Herriot
There will be a book signing by James Herriot’s daughter Rosie Page and son Jim Wight on Friday 4 November from 11am-1pm at World of James Herriot, Thirsk. The new book, ‘The Wonderful World of James Herriot’, is a classic collection of charming stories with insights from his children Rosie and Jim and is a perfect gift for all fans of All Creatures Great and Small. Set in the rural communities of the Yorkshire Dales in a time before modern medicines and machinery changed farming and veterinary work, James Herriot’s stories had a cast of characters and amusing situations with animals large and small that have become beloved around the world and are of a time gone by.
Homebuilding & Renovating Show – 4-6 November 2022
Whether you plan on renovating, or are building your new home from scratch, the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Harrogate is the place to go for professional input and advice. There’ll be over 200 exhibitors and you’ll be able to benefit from free 15-minute consultations with experts, masterclasses, seminars, and much more. Visit the website to get two free tickets, worth £24, granting you 1-day access to the event, which takes place at the Harrogate Convention Centre https://harrogate.homebuildingshow.co.uk/
The Repair Shop Cafe
The next monthly repair shop in Thirsk will be on Saturday 5 November between 10am and 2pm. The venue has changed and it’s now being held at The Community Library in Chapel Street. Be greener by avoiding creating waste and also save money by letting a team of dedicated and talented volunteers try to repair your broken or ‘worn-out’ items. Voluntary donation. Email: thirskrepaircafe@gmail.com
Thirsk Garden Centre Christmas Market
Thirsk Garden Centre will be well worth a visit next weekend – Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November – when the centre’s festive season is launched. Lots of small local businesses will be showcasing their crafts and festive products. There’ll be discounts across the store over the whole weekend, along with competitions and Hog Roast. Opening times are: 9am and Saturday and 10am Sunday. Free Entry.
http://www.thirskgardencentre.co.uk
Northern Dales Farmers’ Market
There’ll be a Farmer’s market on Thirsk Market Place on Sunday 6 November from 10am. All stallholders are hand-picked so you can be sure that you’re buying from some of the very best food and drink producers in the country. And they’re all local small independent family businesses.

Make a note in your diary – the Christmas Market is on Sunday 4 December.
http://northerndalesfarmersmarkets.com

Topcliffe Christmas Fayre
This year’s Christmas fayre will be held at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall on Saturday 12 November between 10.30am and 3pm. There’ll be lots of craft stalls with a range of wonderful ideas for Christmas presents. At lunchtime, pies and peas (or a veggie alternative) will be on sale at just £3. There’ll also be plenty of cakes, bakes, tea, coffee and hot chocolate throughout the day.

Entry is free. All proceeds from the day will help towards the upkeep of the Village Hall.

Asenby Parish Council
The next meeting of Asenby Parish Council will take place at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall at 7pm on Monday 14 November 2022.
Glow 2022 at Harlow Carr
Let it Glow! Enjoy an unmissable after dark spectacle of lights at RHS Garden Harlow Carr this festive season. See the garden in breathtaking beauty as amazing illuminations light your way on a spectacular Glow trail.

Members: peak adult £8.95, off-peak adult £7.95. Non-members: peak adult £14.95, off-peak adult £12.95. Open from 17 November to 30 December (check site for specific days) – 4.30pm – 8.30pm. Tickets must be booked in advance – https://gardentickets.rhs.org.uk/rhshc/sessions.aspx?tid=1

Table Top Sale
There’s to be a table top sale at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall on Sunday 20 November between 10am and 3pm. There’ll be a range of stalls, face painting plus refreshments. See details on leaflet here.
Artisan Market – Thirsk Market Place
Locally-produced arts & crafts, food and drink. A diverse, quality, shopping
experience that celebrates independent producers and makers. 10am-3pm on Sunday 20 November. http://www.littlebirdmade.com
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee Meeting
The next meeting of the Village Hall Committee will take place in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 22 November 2022.
Thirsk Christmas Lights Switch On
Thirsk Market Place – Friday 25 November at 6pm.
What’s on at The Catton Kitchen
Christmas Wreath Making – this year’s sessions will be held on:

  • Friday 2 December at 5.30-7.30pm
  • Saturday 3 December at 2.30-4.30pm
  • Sunday 4 December at 12.30-2.30pm.

They will be held in the little tipi with wood burning stove, mince pies and mulled wine There’s already considerable interest in these sessions, so please book early so that you are not disappointed. £45 per person (same price as last year).

Ready Meals – a wide range of ready meals, including pies are available.

Planets Galore
Sutton Bank National Park Centre is staging another night of star gazing on Saturday 3 December 2022 between 7 and 9pm. It’s called ‘Planets and a Rising Moon’ and it promises to be an exciting night spying the ‘stars’ of the Solar System. £16, child £10.50. Book online at http://gostargazing.co.uk/events
Art class at the Village Hall
A special art class is also scheduled to take place on Thursday 15 December – "How to paint a hare, fox or owl in a moonlit winter landscape using acrylics". This class is 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
What’s on at The RItz

  • To Thursday 3 November (Matinee Wednesday 2 November) – Mrs Harris Goes to Paris.
  • Friday 4 to Thursday 10 November (Matinee on Wednesday 9 November) – The Lost King.

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

St James Coffee and Chat
Baldersby St James – every Tuesday morning between 10am and 12 noon.
Local traders

A list of local traders in Topcliffe and Asenby can be viewed here.

Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

  • Recycling & Garden Waste – Thursdays 3 and 17 November.
  • Refuse – Mondays 7 and 21 November.

Harrogate (Asenby):

  • Refuse – Mondays 31 October and 14 and 28 November.
  • Recycling – Mondays 7 and 21 November.
  • Garden waste – Thursdays 3 and 17 November.
That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.