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St Columba’s Services
- TODAY – Sunday 24 March at 10.45am – Palm Sunday Holy Communion
- Wednesday 27 March at 7pm – Lent Compline
- Friday 29 March at 2pm – Good Friday Reflection led by Rev Robert Williamson.
- Saturday 30 March at 7pm – Easter Vigil led by Rev. Robert Williamson and Choral Mass, including Mozart’s Mass featuring organist Matthew Atherton and the church choir.
- Sunday 7 April at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong
- Sunday 14 April at 10.45am – Holy Communion
- Sunday 21 April at 10.45am – Sung Matins
- Sunday 28 April at 10.45am – Holy Communion
Refreshments are served after every Sunday morning service.
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The Ritz Cinema
- Migration – TODAY – Sunday 24 March – matinee only.
- Bob Marley: One Love – to Thursday 28 March – matinee on Wednesday 27 March.
- Wicked Little Letters – Friday 29 March to Thursday 4 April – matinee on Wednesday 3 April.
- Dune: Part Two – Friday 5 to Thursday 11 April – matinee on Wednesday 10 April.
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – Friday 12 to Thursday 18 April – matinee on Wednesday 17 April.
- Kung Fu Panda 4 – Friday 19 to Thursday 25 April – matinee on Sunday 21 April.
Opening times: Evenings – doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. Matinees – doors open at 2pm for 2.30pm. You can now book online at https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/
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Village Quiz
TONIGHT: Sunday 24 March – The quiz is on at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall at 8pm.
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The winners of last week’s quiz set by Liz were Sue, Derek and Alan. Well done everyone who took part.
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East Lea – missed recycling collection
Last Thursday the refuse collection team didn’t empty the recycling wheelie bin and blue box from houses in East Lea (the stretch from Back Lane near Malc Morley’s to the snicket near Linda Carver’s). The bin wagon couldn’t get into the road because of parked cars. John Pearson contacted the council to see if a special collection could be made and although the spokesperson said the council had no legal obligation to return to empty the bins, as a gesture of goodwill, they will return on Monday morning (25 March). Those affected are asked to make sure that wheelie bins are put out this evening and those with cars in the problem area, are asked to keep the road clear.
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Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee
Last week it was reported that the campaign to recruit more Village Hall Committee members had been a great success. At last Tuesday’s meeting, five new members were welcomed on to the committee:
- Helen Fothergill, new committee member and Bookings Administrator.
- Linzi Payne new committee member who will take over as Treasurer from May 2024.
- New committee members Christine Findlay, Jim Shaw and Geraldine Clifton.
Chairman Andrew Eckersley warmly welcomed the ‘new recruits’ and thanked them for responding to the appeal for new members. He said: “There will be a few significant changes to the membership this year as a number of long-serving committee members retire, so having these new volunteers on board is fantastic and bodes well for the future of our Village Hall at the centre of village life.”
A Brief Report from the Village Hall Committee
In relation to the recruitment campaign mentioned above, the Chairman commented that the quest for new members publicised through The Tattler and The Sunday Email, had been a notable success and Doug Allan was congratulated on conducting it.
Thanks were conveyed to Nicky Wood, who has now stepped down from the committee, for all the work she has put in, especially undertaking the setting up of the Hallmaster booking system,
Malcolm Morley reported that now the water leak had been fixed hopefully the contractors would complete the remaining unfinished groundworks this week. This would tidy up the area to the side of the hall.
Following on from that, Treasurer Tony Bruce gave an update on the water leak saga. The good news is that the village hall’s insurers have agreed that the contractor’s costs will be reimbursed under the insurance policy. That still leaves some financial issues to be resolved and it is hoped these can be settled fairly soon.
Karen Morley’s coffee morning held on 8 March contributed a fantastic £810.00 to village hall funds. The committee thanked Karen and her helpers for their support and noted that several other committee members and village residents have plans for fundraising events to help boost village hall funds. Proposed fundraising events include a Ceilidh in June, a Summer BBQ and Disco Dance in July, a concert featuring solo artist, Alex Scott, in August and, hopefully, the ever-popular Horse Race Night later in the year.
The next meeting will be the AGM on Tuesday 7 May when sadly two long standing committee members – Chairman Andrew Eckersley and Treasurer Tony Bruce – will be standing down.
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Pupil bus to Ripon Grammar
Many children in Topcliffe and the surrounding villages attend Ripon Grammar School but as they are out of the travel catchment area they are not eligible for a council bus service. Local mum, Alison Robertson from Asenby, is in contact with a local bus company to try and arrange a service from Topcliffe to Ripon Grammar via Rainton. The company has asked that she tries to establish how much demand there is for such a service. So, if you would be interested in having a service, or know anyone who would, please contact Alison on 07708229165.
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Last Saturday’s Choir Concert
The concert by Northallerton Male Voice Choir held in St Columba’s Church last Saturday evening raised over £900 for church funds, which will be used for much-needed maintenance and repairs. Already a number of small jobs have been tackled, including replacement of missing slates on the church hall, repairs to leaking gutters on the church and the rehanging of one of the main gates. For the latter thanks go to Will Lowe in Asenby for his repair some months ago of the broken hinge pin. It is good to see that job completed at last.
Churchyard grounds maintenance
As spring arrives and the grass begins to grow (all too rapidly) it’s time to start thinking of getting the mowers out of storage and organising ground maintenance teams to help keep the churchyard looking neat and tidy. There’ll be appeals for assistance in the next few weeks and hopefully, as last year, there’ll be plenty of volunteers prepared to put in an hour or two to help out.
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Deer Shed Festival
Festival organisers are looking for crafty volunteers to get involved in their workshop tents during the festival weekend – 26 to 29 July. If you can use a sewing machine, love to crochet or have any other craft skills, sign up using the link here –https://ow.ly/1WKU50QYQhw – and remember to state on your application form which skills you can bring. In exchange for your time, you’ll receive a full weekend ticket for the cost of a small administrative fee of £25.
The programme for this year’s festival is shown here.
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Asenby Community Park
Planting in the Community Park, has been completed, with around 160 trees and shrubs being planted. Parish Chair, Colin Grimston, wishes to thank the six volunteers who at one time or another helped with this project.
Meanwhile, the Parish Council is looking to buy some wild flower bombs and a couple of benches…and is looking for volunteers to plant the flowers on Saturday 6 April between 10am and 12 noon. It would also be useful if there are any tradesmen or handypersons who could help assemble the benches and bolt them down to paving slabs.
If you can help please email colin.grimston@gmail.com
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Beware door to door sellers
Following the arrest of three men in Harrogate recently, North Yorkshire Police are again warning of the dangers of opening your door to strangers…and they particularly hope that everyone will look out for their older neighbours.
Three men from Middlesbrough were arrested after a man entered the home of a woman in her 80s on the pretence of selling household items. The man claimed to be selling the goods following his release from prison. He pressurised the victim into handing over her bank card and pin number and then withdrew the maximum amount he could from her account.
Officers investigating the incident, that happened on 6 March, gathered information that led to the identification of a vehicle connected to the incident. When the car was seen re-entering Harrogate a few days later, officers intercepted it and arrested all three occupants.
Cold callers who go door-to-door can be pushy and threatening. They may charge inflated prices. The police offer the following advice regarding cold callers at your door.
- Fit and use a door chain.
- Always lock all of your external doors, even when you are at home.
- Don’t open the door unless you know who they are and are expecting them.
- Don’t part with any money or bank account details.
- Don’t be afraid to say no.
- If anyone who cold calls tries to enter your home without your permission, is threatening or refuses to leave your property, call 999.
Sadly, older people are targeted due to their trusting nature, so if you have older parents, relatives or friends, please share this message with them and check they know how to stay safe if cold callers knock on their door.
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Chip ‘n Dales
The Chip ‘n Dales fish and chip van is in Topcliffe every Friday 5 ’til 7pm.
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Thirsk Community Library
Chris Geeson Creative Clubs are now a regular Saturday feature at Thirsk Community Library. The club sessions are on from 10 until 11.30am and are suitable for 6 to 13 year olds, though parents and younger members of the family can attend as well. Places are limited, so early booking is advised.
Regular events for children:
- Storytime – Monday afternoons 1.30 – 2.15pm;
- After school club – Mondays 3.45 – 4.45pm
- Warhammer Wargames Club – Mondays,
- Lego Club – Tuesday and Thursdays – booking required;
- Construction Play – Fridays 10.30 – 11.30am;
- Get Crafty drop in art and craft sessions – Saturday 10.30am – 1pm
Look out for additional events during the Easter holidays. To book call 01609 534589 or email library@thirskcommunitylibrary.org.uk
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Public meeting to discuss police work
Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe is to host an online public meeting at 2.30pm on Monday 25 March, when she will question the Chief Constable, particularly about neighbourhood policing and control room performance.
Questions relating to neighbourhood policing are encouraged, but questions for any area of the police service are welcome and should be submitted using the online form on the Commissioner’s website: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/YourVoice/
The purpose of these regular online public meetings is to hold the Chief Constable to account for the delivery of the Commissioner’s Policing and Crime Plan, to ensure the force is achieving its objectives and generating positive outcomes in the interests of the public.
The meeting can be accessed via:
• Commissioner’s website: https://bit.ly/OPM25Mar2024
• YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/wgZ8A8JTi38
• or Facebook page: https://fb.me/e/6849xpypo
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Rural Arts events
Here are some of the workshops coming up at The Courthouse in Thirsk:
- How to Paint Botanical Watercolours – Monday 25 March.
- James and The Giant Peach Paperwork – Tuesday 26 March.
- Ceramic Tortoises – Wednesday 27 March.
- Matilda’s Watercolour Paintings – Thursday 28 March.
- Penguins from Everyday Junk – Thursday 28 March.
- Experimental Print – Friday 29 March.
- Drawing Urban Rooftops – Wednesday 3 April.
- Colourways inspired by Albers – Friday 5 April.
- Ceramic Organic Forms – Wednesday 10 April
- Sketching pets and other animals – Wednesday 17 April
- Bold birds in mixed media – Wednesday 24 April
- Willow sunflowers – Tuesday 30 April
Visit Rural Arts’ website – Home – Rural Arts for more details or to make a booking. Or just pop in to The Courthouse in Thirsk if you’d prefer a face-to-face chat.
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Tiny Stars Dance & Play
Children and parents dance-based Easter fun sessions at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall on Wednesday 27 March. Age 18 months to 3 years at 10am to 10.45am. Age 3-6 years from 11am to 11.45. Limited numbers. https://bookwhen.com/tinystarsdance
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Wensleydale Railway
There’s something for everyone at Wensleydale Railway over the coming months. They are planning plenty of events and activities and here’s a taste of what’s on with a link to the booking system:
Contact email: admin@wensleydalerailway.com / 01677 425805
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Base Camp for kids
Kids can kick start the Easter holidays with some springtime adventures including archery, campfire cooking, nature trails walking, woodwork, crafts and woodland games in the 90 acres of private parkland at Base Camp, Baldersby Park. Camp activities are supervised by qualified and experienced staff. Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 March, 10am to – 3pm, £30 per child. For more details see poster here and to book online, go to http://basecamplearning.co.uk
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The Angel Comedy Night
The next Hilarity Bites Comedy Night at The Angel in Topcliffe will be held on Thursday 28 March. Doors open 7.30pm and the show begins at 8pm. Tickets £10 if purchased in advance or £12 on the door. For more information see poster here or call 01845 578000.
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Salsa for Beginners
Fancy learning some Salsa moves? There’s a fun five-week Salsa class starting in Sessay Village Hall on Thursday 28 March from 7 – 8.30pm. You’ll learn the fundamentals of the world’s most popular dance style. Everyone welcome (especially gents!) and no partner is needed. £5 per session. Call Jess on 07515 896534 for more information.
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Middleham Open Day
This year’s open day at the Middleham horse training yards takes place from 9am on Friday 29 March. It’s a great family day out and includes ex-racehorse demonstrations, market stalls, competitions and dog show. Right now you can get discounted tickets for £12.50. Concession to over 65s – £8.50. Under 16s free. Book online at www.middlehamopenday.co.uk
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Easter canal cruises
The ‘Pride of Ripon’ is offering cruises on the scenic Ripon canal this Easter. They’ll run from Friday 29 March to Saturday 6 April from 10.20am every half hour. There’ll be bunnies galore and a quiz for everyone to complete, with a prize worth up to £8 for every child under 14 years of age. Cruises start at Ripon Canal Basin – HG4 1AQ. If you have any queries about accessibility, timings or other issues call 01765 609777 or email ripon.scenic.cruises@gmail.com
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Dancing around The Dales
This year’s Dancing around The Dales ceilidh is being held at Ripley Town Hall on Saturday 30 March starting at at 7pm. Music will be provided by The No Lazy Dancing Band and the callers will be Pete Coe and Peter Barnard. Tickets are £10 (children free) available from http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/nidd-music-and-dance
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Easter Party
The Thirsk Royal British Legion Club in Kirkgate is holding an Easter party on Sunday 31 March between 3 and 5pm. This annual event will see a visit from the Easter Bunny and there’ll be an outside company providing a children’s disco and entertainment. Free entry and Easter egg for every child. Come rain or shine, it’s party time!
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Ripon Street Party
There’s to be a massive Easter Bank Holiday Street Fiesta in Ripon on Monday 1 April. There’ll be lots of entertainment, great food and drink, plus stalls selling locally produced products. Pop along and join in the street party atmosphere. What else do you need on a Bank Holiday Monday? See poster here.
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Warm Hub lunch
The next Soup & Sweet lunch will be held at the Village Hall on Wednesday 3 April from 11.30 to 12.45pm. There’ll be a selection of home-made soups, puddings, delicious cakes and bakes and tea or coffee. All welcome. No set charge, but donations welcome.
At the final Warm Hub lunch of the winter, 50 meals were served, including some home deliveries. A total of £172 was raised of which £50 has been presented Community Works in Thirsk. The balance, after rent, was added to the Warm Hub Community Fund.
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Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be at 7pm on Thursday 4 April in the village hall.
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The repair workshop
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. The next repair Cafe is on Saturday 6 April from 10am to 1pm at Thirsk Community Library, Meadowfields, Thirsk. For further details or if you would like to volunteer, please email – thirskrepaircafe@gmail.com
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Fancy a go at paddleboarding?
Try stand up paddleboarding along the Ripon Canal Basin on Saturday 6 April between 10am and 4.30pm. Guidance and instruction from How Stean Gorge’s outdoor sports experts. All safety equipment is provided, including paddleboards, paddles, wetsuits, and buoyancy aids. Whether you are a seasoned paddler or a first-timer, the three-hour adventure caters to all skill levels. Tickets cost £65. Book online or call the adventure team on 01423 755666.
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The Cherry Tones
The popular retro harmony duo from Hutton Sessay is performing at Sessay Village Hall on Saturday 6 April at 7.30pm (door and bar opens at 7pm).They’ll be singing lots of favourites from the 50s to the 80s, including many with a Motown feel. Pre-booked tickets £10 including nibbles from Heather Dale on 07467 549302. On the night at the door – £12.
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Book and Postcard Fair
The annual Bedale Book and Postcard fair will take place at Bedale Hall (DL8 1AA) on Sunday 7 April betwen10am and 4pm. This year, besides the usual 30+ stalls, there’ll also be a range of vintage items on offer. Admission £2 with children under 14 free. Plenty of parking available.
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
The next Thirsk Farmers’ Market will take place in the Market Place on Sunday 7 April between 9am and 2pm. Around 20 artisan food and drink producers bring you the fruits of their labour.
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Topcliffe Art Classes
The next series of weekly art classes at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall starts on Monday 8 April. There are seven classes in the series – the one in Bank Holiday week is on the Wednesday. They run for two hours from 10am to 12noon. Rebecca Jayne, artist and teacher will guide you with helpful tips and techniques and support you with creating your own artwork.
Rebecca Jayne is holding a special class on Thursday 11 April at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall between 10.30am to 1.30pm. The theme is ‘Paint Beautiful Blooms in Acrylics’.
She is also organising a class at the Himalayan Gardens at Grewelthorpe on Friday 17 May, 10am- 4pm – ‘Paint a Garden Landscape in Oils’.
Book online at https://rebeccajayneartist.co.uk/product-category/classes-workshops
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A talk from a Yorkshire vet
Matt Jackson-Smith, one of the stars of television’s The Yorkshire Vet, is the guest speaker at the Galtres Centre in Easingwold at 7.30pm on Friday 12 April. Matt, 34, trained as a vet at the University of Glasgow, the same place that the world’s most famous vet, Alf Wight, studied. He now works at Donaldson’s Vets in Huddersfield as a vet treating farm animals and small animals. On the TV show he is well-known for his love of exotic species, having snakes and a Bearded Dragon called Dennis as pets, as well as his beloved dog, Harry. Tickets are priced at £20 and the event starts at 7.30pm.
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Spring Food, Home & Garden Show
Get ready to indulge in a delightful celebration of all things spring at Ripon Cathedral from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 13 April at the spring food, home and garden show. The day will be filled with food, inspiring home furnishings, and stunning garden plants and accessories. Tickets are £5 plus a booking fee and the event runs from 10am to 4pm. Online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spring-food-home-garden-show-2024-tickets-780077120667
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Thirsk fire fighters in charity car clean
Fire fighters based at the Thirsk fire station are holding a charity car wash on Saturday 20 April between 9am and 1pm. All money raised will go to The Fire Fighters’ Charity. See poster here.
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Racing at Thirsk
Here’s the first few race days in the schedule at Thirsk Racecourse.
• Saturday 20 April – first racing of 2024
• Saturday 4 May – Thirsk Hunt Cup
• Saturday 11 May – Irish Day
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The Harrogate Spring Flower Show
This year’s Spring Flower Show will take place at the Great Yorkshire Showground from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 April. Featuring stunning show gardens, vibrant plant and flower displays, live talks and demonstrations, great garden shopping and the biggest exhibition by florists and flower arrangers in the country. Book online at – http://www.flowershows.org.uk
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The Yorkshire Flea
The next Yorkshire Flea will be held at Thirsk Auction Mart on Sunday 28 April from 11am to 6pm. Expect between 70 and 90 dealers selling all sorts of vintage items and antiques.
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Indoor Car Boot Sale
Bagby & Balk Village Society are organising an indoor car boot sale on Sunday 28 April between 10am and 12 noon. It will be held at Dalton Village Hall. Admission £1 per adult, Refreshments will be available.
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Asenby Parish Council
Draft minutes from the meeting held on 20 March will be posted on the parish website shortly.
The next meeting will be in Wednesday 8 May at 7pm in Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall (Upper Committee Room).
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Dalton Jumble Sale
There’s to be a jumble sale at Dalton Village Hall on Saturday 11 May from 10am to 1pm. It’s to raise cash for the Village Hall. The organisers are asking for donations of any items that might sell – anything in good, clean working order – such as unwanted birthday presents, last year’s school uniforms, children’s games and activities, clothes, household items, outgrown baby items, small furniture. Donations can be dropped off at the hall (sorry, no collection arrangements).
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Thorp Perrow
- Classic Car Sundays – 12 May and 9 June – 10am – 2pm. Take your classic vehicle to the gardens for easy Sunday morning coffee, bacon sandwich and car chat.
- Vintage Vehicle & Classic Car Show – Sunday 26 May -10am – 4pm.
- Summer Bird of Prey Photography Workshops – Wednesdays 12 June, 28 August and 2 October. 10am – 4pm. A light picnic lunch included.
- Sensation ABBA Tribute – Saturday 13 July
- The Freddie & Queen Experience – Friday 2 August
More details and bookings: https://www.thorpperrow.com/
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Iconic street food at Catton Kitchen
The very popular caterers Squid & Tonic will be serving their iconic street food at The Catton Kitchen on Saturday 18 May between 4 and 8pm. See poster here. In this unusual collaboration The Catton Kitchen will supply many of the home-grown food ingredients and Squid & Tonic will cook and present it as part of an amazing menu. Entrance to the event is free: just pay for what you eat and drink. Booking required in advance. Email: hello@thecattonkitchen.co.uk or call 07747 083155.
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Sessay Scarecrow Festival
This year’s festival is on Sunday 19 May. Details are still being finalised but please make a note in your diary as it’s a great family day out. There’ll be a checklist and questions for children to answer along the scarecrow trail with a reward for those that participate. There’ll also be refreshments, BBQ, tombola and bar. Save the date.
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Sessay Floral Art Demonstration
Renowned floral designer and TV regular Jonathan Moseley will be demonstrating a range of floral art techniques at Sessay Village Hall at 7pm on Tuesday 4 June. Tickets are £20 to include a glass of wine and raffle ticket. Call Doreen Till on 01845 577906 or email doreentill3@outlook.com – paces are strictly limited,
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The Sowerby Household Waste Recycling Centre is open 8.30am to 4pm every day, apart from Wednesdays.
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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