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Welcome to the first Sunday Email of 2024.
Doug
07785 223707
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Village Quiz
TONIGHT: Sunday 7 January – The first quiz of the New Year is on at 8pm in the Village Hall. All welcome.
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St Columba’s Services
- TODAY – Sunday (7 January) at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong for Epiphany
- Sunday 14 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
- Sunday 21 January at 10.45am – Choral Matins
- Sunday 28 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
- Sunday 5 February at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong
Everyone is most welcome to come along for any of these services. Refreshments are served after every Sunday morning service.
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Grants for local initiatives
Final reminder: The newly elected councillor for Sowerby & Topcliffe division on North Yorkshire Council is looking for projects that could get funds from his local grants budget. Cllr Rev Dan Sladden has a budget of £5,200 to allocate to schemes he wishes to back and he is now inviting applications. The deadline is Saturday 14 January.
If you have any queries or wish to submit additional information in support of your application, contact Cllr Sladden via cllr.dan.sladden@northyorks.gov.uk
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New Year benefits check
Billions of pounds worth of benefits go unclaimed every year yet it can take just a few minutes to check your entitlement. Try this website – www.entitledto.co.uk – to see if you are missing out. You only need to answer a series of very basic questions and then you’ll be advised of any benefits you might get and an estimate of their value. These include income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, council tax reduction, carer’s allowance and Universal Credit.
Although the benefits system is overly complex and confusing the official online tool (mentioned above) can check, in minutes if you are missing out on any financial help that you are entitled to. Even if you don’t think this is relevant to you, it’s still worth completing the check – you may be pleasantly surprised.
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Weekly art classes
A new set of five art classes in the Village Hall starts tomorrow, Monday 8 January and runs through to Monday 5 February. The sessions, which are two hours long, from 10-12pm, are led by artist and teacher, Rebecca Jayne. She will guide participants with helpful tips and techniques and support you with in creating your own artwork.
And looking ahead to the spring
Start spring feeling more confident with drawing and sketching. Join this four-hour workshop from 10.30am to 2.30pm on Thursday 24 March at the Village Hall. Rebecca Jayne, will guide you with helpful tips and techniques and support you with creating your own drawing and sketches of a range of still life arrangements. All materials will be provided and refreshments are included. You can bring your own lunch or pay for a light lunch pre-ordered from a local caterers nearer the time.
Book online at https://rebeccajayneartist.co.uk/product-category/classes-workshops
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Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Lucy Day is holding Vinyasa Flow yoga sessions at Rainton Village Hall every Saturday morning at 9am. If you are interested in attending, please email lucy@lucyoga.uk or call 07970 049928 for details.
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Tiny Stars dance classes
Classes are again underway at Topcliffe & Asenby Village hall every Wednesday from 9.45 to 10.30am. These fun and friendly pre school sessions fled by qualified dance teacher, Miss Hazel, focus on dance and creative movement, visual storytelling and adventures, discovering music and singing and free play and creative crafts.
Parents or guardians are required to stay and welcome to join in or watch. The sessions are suitable for all pre-school ages (walking). The cost is £5 per session, billed half termly, or £7.50 per session pay as you go. The first session is free.
Email: tinystarsdance@gmail.com for more information or to book your place.
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Warm Hub lunch
The Warm Hub lunch, on Wednesday 10 January, will be a one-off special two-course lunch consisting of either a chicken or beef dinner and a pudding. It will be provided by using some of the cash surplus from the Senior Citizens’ lunch held last Wednesday.
Only twenty-two meals were served at last Wednesday’s lunch, which was perhaps not surprising as the weather was poor and it was in the middle of the festive celebrations. Nonetheless, donations amounted to £73 of which £50 has gone to help support the cost of producing The Tattler, with the remainder used to pay hall rental.
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Yoga with Alex
‘Yoga with Alex’ classes are held at two locations near Topcliffe – Thirsk Town Hall and Coronation Hall, Boroughbridge. See poster here for more details. These classes are suitable for anyone wishing to improve or regain their balance, strength and mental well-being. Call 07927 141616 or email Alex on yogawithalex2020@gmail.com
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Thorp Perrow
The popular Arboretum is offering all visitors half price entrance until Friday 9 February 2024. So why not wrap up warm and enjoy a winter walk with friends and family…and maybe treat yourself to a hot chocolate and delicious food from the tea room?
Tickets can be pre booked their website – just enter the code ‘halfprice’ in the promotions box and click apply – https://booking.bookinghound.com/fe/booking?og=6d55784e-4d5c-46a6-9940-a8d09d48b8b2 Alternatively you can purchase tickets from the admission area upon arrival.
Some events coming up
- 24 January – Rose Pruning Workshop – The first session in the spring flower series. Learn all about the theory and techniques of rose pruning. Find out why pruning is essential for healthy growth before using your new-found knowledge and skills on specimens in the Arboretum.
- 7 February – A Literacy Celebration of Winter – Enjoy winter-inspired poetry and prose in this workshop of walking, talking and lively discussion. With well-known (and not so well-known) works of literature both historic and modern, see winter through the eyes of those with the right words in the right order in this casual workshop celebrating seasonal literature.
- 21 February – Snowdrop Workshop – The second in the spring flower series. A hands-on workshop where you will learn to identify different varieties of snowdrop (Galanthus), propagate the seeds, plant the bulbs ready to take home…and take part in some snowdrop conservation in the Arboretum.
- 6 March – Spring Pruning Workshop – Another in the spring flower series. Learn all about early spring pruning in this practical, hands-on workshop covering the fundamentals of what, when, where and how to prune before using your new-found skills in the Arboretum.
More information and bookings: https://www.thorpperrow.com/
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The RItz Cinema, Thirsk
The Ritz is closed on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
- To Thursday 11 January – matinees on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 January – Wonka
- Friday 12 to Thursday 18 January – no matinees – What Happens Later
- Matinees Only – Sunday 14 and Wednesday 17 January – The Red Shoes
- Friday 19 to Thursday 26 January – matinee on Wednesday 24 January – Ferrari
- Friday 26 January to Thursday 1 February – matinee on Wednesday 31 January – Anyone But You
Opening times: evenings – doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees – doors open at 2pm for 2.30pm.
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Rural Arts in the New Year
- Tuesday 9 to Saturday 20 January – ‘People and Places’ – an exhibition of work created by members of the Heart & Craft and the ArtBeat Community. Curated by Artist Jane Claire Wilson the exhibition celebrates the creativity and sociability of local people. 10am – 4pm. Free Entry.
- Wednesday 17 January – ‘Print & Texture’ – Experiment with different inking effects to explore pattern, texture and mark
making. You will print your own unique artworks on different papers and fabrics. 10:30am – 12:30pm. £20.
- Friday 19 January – ‘Mosaic Mirror’ – Learn how to accurately cut tiles, selecting from a wide range of designs, colours and materials. 10am. £65.
Visit Rural Art’s website – Home – Rural Arts for more details or to make a booking. Or just pop in if you’d prefer a face-to-face chat.
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Bible talks at the Village Hall
The series of undenominational bible talks will continue in the New Year at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall. They will be held on Thursdays 11, 18 and 25 January from 7.30 to 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.
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Madagascar Day
Pupils in the Silver Birch class at Topcliffe Academy will be holding a Madagascar Day on Friday, 12 January to raise much needed funds for the Madagascar Smile Project. On the day, children will be invited to wear something red, green or white – the colours of the country’s flag – in exchange for a £1 donation. There’ll also be a bake sale and pupils can purchase items for 50p. Parents and other village residents can also support the fund raising by leaving a cash donation at the school reception.
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Thirsk Repair Cafe
Be greener by avoiding waste and save money by letting a team of dedicated and talented volunteers try to repair your broken or ‘worn-out’ items, such as phones, computers, clothes, appliances, tools (including sharpening) furniture and toys. The cost is a voluntary donation. It’s on Saturday 13 January between 10am and 1pm at Thirsk Library on Chapel Street. For further details or if you would like to volunteer, please email: thirskrepaircafe@gmail.com
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Asenby Parish Council meeting
The next meeting is at 7pm on Thursday 18 January in the Upper Committee Room in Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall. All welcome.
Clerk to Asenby Parish Council
This job continues to be vacant. The role of the Clerk is to support parish councillors with administrative duties. It’s a paid post and previous experience whilst desirable is not essential as guidance and support will be available. For further information please email: asenbypc@gmail.com
Asenby Website
The Parish Council’s revamped website has information about the work of the Parish Council itself and lots of other village matters. It can be found at http://www.asenby.org
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Chip ‘n Dales
The Chip ‘n Dales fish and chip van will not be in Topcliffe until Friday 19 January.
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Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall
The next meeting of the village hall committee will be held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 23 January.
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Five Loose Chippings
Some readers will remember the name and performance of the Thirsk-based group of musicians, the Five Loose Chippings, who a few years ago played at our Village Hall. Well, there’s another opportunity to see them locally when they perform at The Courthouse in Thirsk at 7.30pm on Friday 26 January. The band has made a name for themselves playing a variety of music from blues, country and bluegrass through to pop classics and western swing. No set entry charge: pay as you decide. Online at www.ruralarts.org
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Big Garden Birdwatch
The RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch 2024 is fast approaching. It takes place between 26 and 28 January. It’s the UK’s biggest citizen science wildlife survey, and it’s so easy to take part.
Big Garden Birdwatch is fun, free and you don’t need to have a garden: any outdoor space near where you live will work just fine. So, join half a million nature lovers and help the RSPB understand how birds are faring.
To take part in Big Garden Birdwatch, you’ll need to put aside just one hour any time on the weekend 26 to 28 January, and count all the different birds you see in your garden, balcony or local park. When you’re done, go online and tell the RSPB what you saw. It’s that simple. For more information and to sign up for the birdwatch, go to http://bit.ly/2024-garden-birdwatch
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Comedy Night at The Angel
The next Comedy Night at The Angel will be held on Thursday 25 January. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm. See poster here for details. More info and tickets from the venue or online at: https://hilaritybites.co.uk/show/topcliffe-january-25th-2024/ or call 01845 578000
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Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish council will be held at 7pm on Thursday 1 February in the Village Hall.
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The Catton Kitchen
The Shack’s first events of the year has been announced. Amy and Hugo are working with teams at our two local National Parks – Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, along with the Heritage Fund UK, to bring Dark Skies In The Vale events to Catton village. The dates are Friday 23 and Saturday 24 February from 6 to 8.30pm. So, if you fancy an evening under the stars with storytelling, nature walks, astronomers and a serving of some home grown/reared food, then get your free tickets now from www.ticketsource.co.uk/teesswale
And a reminder that the Catton Kitchen is open as normal over the winter months – Friday and Saturdays 10am to 2pm and Sundays 10am to 12noon.
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Traders in Topcliffe, Asenby and surrounding area
There’s a wide range of small businesses operating in Topcliffe and Asenby and in close proximity to our two villages. Check them out when you need work doing or a service provided: it’s great to be able to support local! The list is here.
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Now that the festive decorations have been taken down, anyone can recycle their Christmas tree, free of charge, at any household waste recycling centre. The centre at Sowerby is open 8.30am to 4pm every day, apart from Wednesdays.
Topcliffe residents (but unfortunately not Asenby residents) can have their tree collected on 11 January, as part of the ‘Hambleton 2023/24’ garden waste subscribers service. Trees must be chopped up with the bin closed, trees left at the roadside will not be collected. Normal garden waste is accepted during this collection.
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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This email is proudly sponsored by Faro Finance
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