Sunday Email: Issue 149

A few weeks ago I mentioned that charges for use of the MailChimp platform for the preparation and circulation of the Sunday Email, were being introduced. To avoid payments, one suggestion was to publish fortnightly, rather than weekly. This would avoid charges as the number of emails issued each calendar month would be halved. Another idea suggested by some readers was to change platforms if a better deal could be found elsewhere.

A search has thrown up a few possibilities, but each presents new or different problems and the likelihood is that as with MailChimp, charges would also be levied in time.

But it turns out there is another solution. My son’s partner has offered to sponsor the MailChimp costs for a period of one year in exchange for a small banner advertising his accountancy business and timely messages about important financial matters, such as when tax returns must be lodged with HMRC.

I have happily accepted this kind offer, which means the Sunday Email can continue as a weekly newsletter.

Doug
07785 223707

Proprietors Amy and Hugo Pearson attended the awards ceremony last Tuesday evening to receive their award.

Hugo and Amy had a dream of setting up their own market garden where they could make a living from small-scale food production based on sustainable and environmentally responsible methods. They also wanted to create a community hub where local people can meet, enjoy the space that has been created, eat and buy the food that has been produced…all on a very local basis and without creating any food miles.

As well as winning the Start-Up Business Award, they were also finalists in the Sustainability category.

They opened Catton Kitchen in July 2021 and since then, trade has steadily increased and the ‘Kitchen’, along with its popular café, has become a regular venue for people from surrounding villages.

They say the award is a sign that "people are interested and aware about what we do. Food security is a huge issue currently – home produced, seasonal and locally-grown food is fundamental to regaining our food sovereignty and we are proud to be playing our part."

The church won’t be organising Lent lunches this year as the Warm Space lunches are being held each Wednesday.

• TODAY at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong
• Wednesday 8 March at 7pm – Compline
• Sunday 12 March at 10.45am – Holy Communion
• Wednesday 15 March at 7pm – Complineled by Rev’d Robert Williamson
• Sunday 19 March at 10.45am – Choral Matins on Mothering Sunday.
• Wednesday 22 March at 7pm – Compline
• Sunday 26 March at 10.45am – Holy Communion led by Rev’d Robert Williamson
• Wednesday 29 March at 7pm – Compline
• Sunday 2 April at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong for Palm Sunday

Tickets, which are £12 and include a sausage and mash supper, are already selling fast – with 75 per cent bought or reserved – so to avoid disappointment get yours soon. They are available from Doug Allan (07785 223707) or Topcliffe Post Office.

There will be a diversion in place on Church Street and the one way system on Church and Front streets will be suspended and traffic lights will be in place. Car parking on Front Street will be banned for the duration of the works, so drivers will need to park their vehicles elsewhere.

Access to individual properties on both streets will be maintained whenever possible but, because of the nature of the work, there will be periods when access cannot be guaranteed. Anyone with special access needs can contact the County Council to discuss their position

Club members are busy creating bunting to decorate Topcliffe for the coronation of His Majesty the King on Saturday 6 May. They are still looking for cash donations so that sufficient wool can be purchased. They are looking for cash, rather than wool, as very specific coloured wool is needed and if they simply asked for wool donations, they would get too many different shades which would not work for the design.

Cash donations can be left in a collection pot at the Topcliffe Post Office. If there is any cash left over, it will be used to purchase red and black wool for Remembrance Day poppies in November.

Please note that the final weekly Warm Space lunch will be held on Wednesday 29 March. The volunteers will revert to providing soup and sweet on a fortnightly basis starting Wednesday 12 April.

The Village Hall Committee has introduced the Hallmaster online booking service. This is accessed via the village website – www.topcliffe.org.uk and allows enquiries and bookings to be made directly online. The Village Hall no longer has a Bookings Secretary.

Village Hall Committee
The next meeting of the committee will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7 March in Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.

Reliance Bus Company, which serves Topcliffe and Asenby has given a few examples of the type of savings that can be made on single journeys: Thirsk to York was £5.90 and is now only £2 and Northallerton to Ripon was £6.40 but is now only £2. Take advantage whilst you can.

Don’t forget that there are two special one-off classes scheduled:

• Thursday 30 March – 10.30am to 1pm – Spring Flowers and Garden Birds painted in oils.
• Thursday 27 April – 10.30am to 1pm – Escape to the Sea – paint a seascape in oils.

These art class are for artists of every level of experience…or none! Expert guidance is offered throughout the sessions. Equipment and paint provided. Refreshments included. More information and online booking at http://www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk

• Wednesday 8 March – 3.30 to 4.30pm – Female Pioneer Portraits – a session inspired by influential women. Draw bold and colourful illustrations of famous female pioneers, such as Rosa Parks, Malala Yousafzai or Emmeline Pankhurst.
• Wednesday 8 March – 11am to 12 noon – a second workshop inspired by influential women. How to recreate the stunning enlarged flower paintings of modern artist and contemporary painter Georgia O’Keefe.
• Both events will be held at The Courthouse in Thirsk and the cost is £7.50. http://www.ruralarts.org

• To Thursday 9 March – Matinees on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March – Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
• Friday 10 to Thursday 16 March (no matinees) – Magic Mike’s Last Dance.
• Friday 17 to Thursday 23 March (no matinees) – Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
• Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 – Matinees only – Marcel the shell with Shoes On.
• Friday 24 to Thursday 30 March – CLOSED for film work on a popular TV series.
• Friday 31 March to Thursday 6 April (matinee on Wednesday 5 April) – What’s love got to do with it?
• Friday 7 to Thursday 13 April (Matinee on Wednesday 12 April) – Allelujah.

New ticket prices: On 3 March all ticket prices are £6, unless otherwise stated.
Opening times: evenings – doors open 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees doors open 2pm for 2.30pm.
Updates: Please check the cinema website for the latest information – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

• 9 March – Keith Dale on the organ.
• 16 March – Performance by students from Leeds University.
• 23 March – Ed Jones on the organ.
• 30 March – Prima Musica students.

Forthcoming classes are from 10 to 11am on Thursdays 9, 16 and 23 March, and others may be organised if these go well. Each hour-long session is £7.50. For further information call 07890 429159 or email – dreamanddoodleart

Films will be shown every second Sunday of the month. Check out the hall’s Facebook page for details.

• Spring Pruning – Thursday 16 March – 10am to 3pm – a hands-on educational workshop covering the fundamentals of what, when, where and how to prune. The workshop will take place both outdoors and in the Summer House, so sturdy footwear and gardening gloves are a must. Tickets include refreshments and a light lunch.
• Easter Wreath Making – Thursday 30 March – 10am to 4pm – celebrate the joys of springtime creating a beautiful, nature-inspired door wreath. The workshop will take place in the beautiful Summer House. Tickets include refreshments and a light lunch.
• Guided Daffodil Tour & Afternoon Tea – Thursday 6 April – 2 to 5pm – A lively and informative walk and talk tour when the daffodils are in glorious bloom. Learn some fascinating facts and care tips along the way. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea and a glass of champagne, all served in the Summerhouse overlooking the beautiful grounds.
• An Introduction to Bushcraft – Tuesday 18 April – 10am to 4pm – Paul Holden Ridgway demonstrates bushcraft and wilderness skills, from shelters and fire lighting to navigation and plant identification. A course designed for beginners (adults only) which promises to be both fun and educational. Sturdy footwear and appropriate outdoor clothing required. Ticket includes lunch and refreshments.

For more information, prices and bookings, go to: https://www.thorpperrow.com

• Mothering Sunday – 19 March – A day to celebrate and appreciate the wonderful women in our lives mums/grannies/aunties and everyone in between. Serving lunch 12noon to 4pm.
• Easter Sunday – 9 April – A great time to spend time with family and friends. Serving lunch 12 noon to 4pm.
• Please call 01845 595185 to book or message us on Facebook.

• There’s a comedy night at Sessay Village Hall on Wednesday 22 March starting at 7.30pm. It will feature Rob Rouse and Peter Brush, with host Jon Pearson. The bar will be open. It is £12 on the night or £10 if booked in advance call 01845 577906.

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

• Recycling & Garden Waste – Thursdays 9 and 23 March.
• Refuse – Mondays 13 and 27 March.
• Subscriptions for the 2023/24 garden waste service are now open. The charge is £43.50. The current (purple) licences are still valid until 31 March 2023. The 2023-24 service starts 3 April 2023 and ends 29 March 2024. https://www.hambleton.gov.uk/garden-waste/garden-waste-service

Harrogate (Asenby)

• Refuse – Mondays 6 and 20 March.
• Recycling – Mondays 13 and 27 March.
• Garden Waste – Wednesday 22 March (only for those who have paid the annual subscription). The charge for 2023 is £43.50 for 19 fortnightly collections and you can apply now at http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/garden-waste-subscription-service