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Sunday Email: Issue 210

Welcome to your Sunday Email.

Doug Allan
07785 223707
doug@dougallan.co.uk

St Columba’s Services

  • TODAY – Sunday 12 May at 10.45am – Holy Communion with Fr. Robert Wlliamson
  • Sunday 19 May at 10.45am – Sung Matins
  • Sunday 26 May at 10.45am – Holy Communion with Fr. Robert Williamson Sunday 2 June at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong
  • Sunday 9 June at 10.45am – St Columba’s Day, Festival Choral Eucharist
  • Sunday 16 June at 10.45am – Sung Matins
  • Sunday 23 June at 10.45am – Holy Communion, Fr. Robert Williamson
  • Sunday 30 June – No Service (5th Sunday)

Refreshments are served after every Sunday morning service.

Village Quiz
TONIGHT: Sunday 12 May – The quiz is on at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall at 8pm.
Last week’s excellent quiz was set by Shirley and won by ‘Chris and Friends’, namely Phil, Julie, Fiorella and Chris. Well done everyone who took part.
Asenby Parish Council
The Parish Council is happy to announce that it now has a full complement of councillors and had its first full meeting last Wednesday (8 June).

Unfortunately, the Parish Council has been less successful in attracting a new Parish Clerk. This post still needs to be filled. The Clerk is needed to support parish councillors with administrative duties. The council meets a number of times each year depending on needs within the village. This is a paid post and would particularly suit someone who has held a similar post in the past, although this is not essential as guidance and support will be available. For further information please email: asenbypc

The trees and shrubs planted in the Community Park are doing well. The wild flower bombs ordered some time ago should arrive soon. When they do, another volunteers’ session will be organised, possibly next weekend. The two benches recently purchased are ready to be installed at the top of the park.

The Parish Council has decided to allocate more funds so it can erect some interpretation-style boards providing information regarding the trees in the park.

A1 maintenance closures
There’s continued disruption on the A1 with over night closures on the northbound carriageway between Wetherby and Boroughbridge until Friday 17 May. Then from 18 May, work will switch to the southbound carriageway with overnight closures for a further three weeks. Closures are Monday to Fridays and there will be no closures over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall AGM
It was all change at the AGM last Tuesday evening (7 May). Long standing committee member Andrew Eckersley stepped down as Chairman having served in that role for the last 14 years. A brief speech from an also retiring Treasurer, Tony Bruce, thanked Andrew for his tireless effort and leadership during his tenure, citing the huge extension and improvements to the hall as the highlight of a long period in office. Tony himself will be standing down from the committee in September. He has agreed to stay in post until then so that he can offer transitional support to new Treasurer, Linsey Payne.

Richard Byas took over from Andrew as Chairman and Malcolm Morley has taken on a new role as Vice-Chairman. Helen Fothergill has become the hall’s Bookings Administrator, taking over from Nicky Wood who retired at the previous meeting.

Emily Collard remains as Minutes Secretary and Chrissy Findley has become Assistant Treasurer. Other committee members are Doug Allan, Geraldine Clifton, Sarah Halshaw, Anne-Marie Mulley, Linda Robinson, Karen Thomis-Morley and Jim Shaw.

Following the AGM the committee had a scheduled meeting and discussed many topics, including the ongoing dispute with the hall’s water provider over the leak earlier in the year. Tony Bruce reported that hopefully it will be resolved within the next three months.

Soup & Sweet Lunch
The next Soup & Sweet lunch will be held at the Village Hall on Wednesday 15 May 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.
Topcliffe Academy – Dates for your diary

  • Thursday, 16 May – FOTS School Disco
  • Friday, 24 May – School closes at 3.15pm for Half Term
  • Monday, 3 June – School re-opens for second half of summer term
  • Friday, 7th June – Non-Uniform Day – children bring a donation for the tombola/raffle instead of cash.
Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be at 7pm on Thursday 16 May in the Village Hall.
St Columba’s churchyard maintenance
Thank you to all of the volunteers who turned out on recent Saturdays to help with churchyard maintenance. There’ll be a further tidy up day in the churchyard on Saturday 18 May and on Saturday 25 May, so if you have an hour to spare please come along from 10am onwards. All support will be very welcome. There’ll be some tools and lawnmowers available, but if people can bring whatever they might have to help – rakes, trowels, spades, forks, extra mowers etc. – that would be wonderful. Refreshments will be served.
St Columba’s Annual Parochial Church Council
The meeting is open to members of the Church of England and other Anglican churches who are listed on the church Electoral Roll. The meeting will be held in the church on Monday 20May at 7pm.
Base Camp – Kids Adventure days
Bookings are now open for the Base Camps being held during the May half-term holidays.

  • Wednesday 29 May – Make your own musical instrument in Forest Schools and then get to play it in the afternoon with musician, Hayley, around the campfire.
  • Thursday 30 May – Follow in the footsteps of our ancestors as we forage for food and then make fire to cook it on.
  • Friday 31 May – Get creative as we explore natural art from around the globe before limbering up to take part in Forest Olympic Games.

More information and book online at http://www.basecamplearning.co.uk

The Angel Comedy Night
The next Hilarity Bites Comedy Night at The Angel in Topcliffe will be held on Thursday 30 May. Doors open 7.30pm and the show begins at 8pm. Tickets £10 if purchased in advance or £12 on the door. For more information and tickets call 01845 578000. See poster here.
Open Studios
Eric Moss, based in Asenby, is one of seven local artists in the Thirsk area opening their studio to the public as part of a North Yorkshire Open Studios event in June. Eric, who works in ceramics, will be showing big and small ceramics, for indoor and outdoor display, plus 3D printed resins and new bespoke ‘Fidgets’ and ‘Pocket Art’ handmade in recycled pewter and glass. The other local studios will include photography, enamelling, jewellery, printing, painting and garden sculpture. The open studios can be visited between 10am and 5pm on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June and on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June. See poster here and location map here.
Art classes at the Village Hall
The next block of six art classes starts on Monday 3 June in the Village Hall. They are on from 10am to noon. For more information and to book your place go to
https://rebeccajayneartist.co.uk/
St Columba’s Day – celebrations
St Columba’s Day celebrations will not be quite so extensive this year. The plan is to concentrate on Sunday 9 June with a special Choral Eucharist at 10.45am followed by a BBQ in the churchyard close to the Church Hall from 12.30pm. During the afternoon the church and tower will be open for visits.
Tickets for Topcliffe Ceilidh go on sale
Get ready to kick up your heels to the sounds of the Cod Beck Ceilidh Band on Saturday 22 June when they perform at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall. Doors open from 7pm and dancing starts at 7.30pm. This is a bring your own drinks event. Tickets are on sale at Topcliffe Post Office, or from Sarah Barber on 07885 386557 or Jane Burnett on 07902 681296. Tickets purchased in advance are £10, which includes a pulled pork and apple sauce roll (alternative for vegetarians). Tickets on the night at the door are £12. There’ll be a raffle with some great prizes. This is a fundraiser to help support the Village Hall.
Deer Shed Festival
This year’s Deer Shed Festival will be on at Baldersby Park over the weekend – 26 to 29 July. The programme for this year’s festival is shown here.
Topcliffe & Asenby Produce Show 2024
The show will be held on Saturday 31 August at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall and there will be 83 classes in five categories: 47 horticultural classes: 17 baking, jams, preserves and pickles classes: 3 floral classes: 11 hobbies classes and 5 specific classes that only children can enter. The full list of categories and show rules, together with timings on the day, are available here.
Chip ‘n Dales
The Chip ‘n Dales fish and chip van is in Topcliffe every Friday 5 ’til 7pm
EVENTS ON AROUND THE AREA
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Lucy Day is holding Vinyasa Flow yoga sessions at Rainton Village Hall every Saturday morning at 9am. Yoga is the perfect way to build strength, confidence and flexibility. If you are interested in attending, please email lucy@lucyoga.uk or call 07970 049928 for details.
Yoga with Alex
You can join ‘Yoga with Alex’ sessions at two locations near Topcliffe – Thirsk Town Hall and Coronation Hall, Boroughbridge. See poster here for more details. These classes are suitable for beginners and those with experience wishing to improve or regain their balance, strength and mental well-being. Call 07927 141616 or email Alex on yogawithalex2020@gmail.com
The Ritz Cinema

  • Butterfly Tale – matinee today – Sunday 12 May.
  • Civil War – to Thursday 16 May – matinee on Wednesday 15 May.
  • Challengers – Friday 17 to Thursday 23 May – matinee on Wednesday 22 May.
  • Fall Guy – Friday 24 to Thursday 30 May – matinee on Wednesday 29 May.

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/

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.
  • Sensation ABBA Tribute – Saturday 13 July
  • The Freddie & Queen Experience – Friday 2 August

More details and bookings: https://www.thorpperrow.com/

Rural Arts events

Here are some of the workshops coming up at The Courthouse in Thirsk:

  • Introduction to Life Drawing – Monday 13 May
  • Silver Clay: An introduction to jewellery making – Wednesday 15 May.
  • Draw and Paint Dogs – Monday 20 May
  • Wild Wire Flowers – Tuesday 21 May
  • A Taste of Art: Drawing Bool Illustrations – Wednesday 22 May
  • Working with Jesmonite – Thursday 23 May.
  • Silver Wrap Ring Workshop (am) – Saturday 25 May
  • Silver Drop Earing Workshop (pm) – Saturday 25 May.

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.

Hockey for young heroes
Thirsk Hockey Club is offering 5 to 8 year olds the chance to try out hockey and learn the main techniques of the popular sport. Sessions start on Monday 13 May and run through to 8 July. 6.30 to 7.30pm each week at Thirsk Astro Pitch, Gravel Hole Lane, Sowerby. When you book, you’ll receive a Hockey Heroes equipment pack containing two hockey sticks, a ball, a personalised t-shirt and stickers. All eight weeks for £40. Book at http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/hockeyheroes/bookcourse
Art Class
Rebecca Jayne, the regular art teacher who runs classes at Topcliffe Village Hall is organising a special class – ‘Paint a Garden Landscape in Oils’ – at the Himalayan Gardens at Grewelthorpe on Friday 17 May, 10am- 4pm. Book online at https://rebeccajayneartist.co.uk/product-category/classes-workshops
Ripon Spring Fair
The Ripon Community Link, which supports people with learning and physical disabilities, is to hold a Spring Fair in Ripon Walled Garden on Saturday 18 May from 9.30am to 4pm. There’ll be lots of family entertainment including circus acts, balloon modelling, food stalls, fun and games, live music and refreshments. See poster here.
Squid & Tonic 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.
The World’s First Roller Coaster and other Amazing Inventions
Award winning local author Mike Barfield will present a fun, family day based on his latest book, The World’s First Roller Coaster and other Amazing Inventions, at Thirsk Community Library at 11am on Saturday 18 May. Mike is a brilliant performer and he’ll share loads of information about all kinds of interesting things. Suitable for children of all ages. It’s much appreciated that Mike does these presentations free for his local community library. See poster here.
Thirsk Artisan Market
In the Market Place on Sunday 19 May between 9am and 2pm. Locally-produced arts and crafts, food and drink. A diverse, quality, shopping experience that celebrates independent
producers and makers.
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.
Thirsk Yarnbombers’ Coffee Morning
The organisation responsible over recent years for a range of brilliant knitted themed decorations around the centre of Thirsk is holding a coffee morning on Wednesday 22 May between 10am and 11.45am at Thirsk Town Hall. Funds raised from the sale of refreshments will be donated to the Herriot Hospice. There’ll be a stall selling knitted and crocheted items and cash raised from sales will go towards future projects planned by the Yarnbombers.
Summer Music Series
This summer Rural Arts is teaming up with Thirsk-based music curators, De Mowbray Music, to present three laid-back Friday evening concerts. Each lasting around an hour, they’re a chance to greet the weekend in style, joined by talented performers from a range of musical backgrounds. Each concert starts at 6.30pm and tickets are £10 (£8 for concessions). Venue: The Courthouse, Thirsk.

  • Friday 24 May – So I’m Not A Princess – a coming-of-age cabaret told through iconic princess and musical theatre numbers by singing sensation, Eleanor Sandars.
  • Friday 7 June – The Derrick Harris Trio – all things jazz.
  • Friday 30 August – Native Gallantry – baroque strings.

Book online at https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/performances

Hambleton District Show
The largest horse show in the north of England will this year be staged at Sutton Park, Sutton-on-the-Forest, near York on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May. www.hambletonshow.com
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

Creative Club presents Minecraft
The popular Creative Club at Thirsk Community Library is presenting a session of Minecraft model and character creation on Thursday 30 May between 10.30am and 12.30pm. For beginners and regulars aged 6 to 13 years of age. Parents/ carers can attend to. Book free places on 01609 534589.
Thirsk Farmers’ Market
Around 20 artisan food and drink producers bring the fruits of their labour to the Market Place in Thirsk. 9am-2pm on Sunday 2 June.
http:// www.northerndalesfarmersmarkets.com
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,
Racing at Thirsk
Here’s the first few race days in the schedule at Thirsk Racecourse.
Friday 7 June – afternoon racing
• Sunday 16 June – Father’s Day Skybet Sunday Series
• Monday 24 June – afternoon racing.
Great Knaresborough Bed Race
The annual bed race with supporting parade through Knaresborough streets. 11am-4pm on Saturday 8 June. Free. www.bedrace.co.uk
Tractor Fest
This year’s Tractor Fest will take place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June at Newby Hall. It’s the UK’s largest vintage tractor and engine show with over 1,600 exhibits as well as in excess of 12,000 visitors who also get access to the award-winning gardens and other attractions. 10am-4pm. £60 family, £20 adult, £15 child, under 4s free. Tickets: Online. www.bookings.newbyhall.com
Flower Power Plant Fair
There’ll be a plant fair in the gardens of Thirsk Hall on Sunday 9 June starting 11am. There’ll be a selection of refreshments throughout the day and you can also plan to have lunch in the grounds. Entry £5 per person, Under 13s free.
Cruises on the Ripon Canal
Ripon Scenic Cruises have a range of cruises planned including:

  • Father’s Day – Sunday 16 June – private cruises from 10am for a minimum one hour and maximum two and a half hours. Each dad onboard will receive a a bottle of local craft ale. Maximum twelve guests.
  • Afternoon tea and prosecco – each Saturday afternoon in June, July and August.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/riponsceniccruises

Advance Notice of Upcoming Summer Events
Here are some dates to note in your diary. More details about these events will be added to the Sunday Email nearer the dates.

That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.