Hello and welcome to the 23rd issue of this regular Sunday email.
This week I’ve cut back on the amount of information about the Coronavirus as I think we can all do with a rest from the pandemic now and again. But please don’t take this as a sign that I think things are back to normal – they are not! It’s worrying that near-by places like Leeds and Middlesbrough have been added to Public Health England’s list as "areas of concern" following rises in Coronavirus cases. Inevitably, I’ll be picking up on Covid trends and the latest government announcements again in future emails.
I hope you find the contents interesting and informative. As usual, get in touch with me if you have any news or information that you think Topcliffe and Asenby village residents might like to hear about.
Doug
07785 223707
Book a Coronavirus test
Key workers and anyone who has Covid-19 symptoms can have a test. As part of the national testing programme for Coronavirus, drive-through Mobile Testing Units, run by the Department for Health and Social Care, will be operating in the following locations over the coming days:
- Monday 7 September – Settle – Greenfoot Car Park, Lower Greenfoot, Settle, BD24 9RB
- Monday 7 September – Northallerton – Newby Wiske Hall, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9HA
- Tuesday 8 September – Thornton Le Dale – National Trust Car Park, No.5. Chestnut Avenue, Pickering, YO18 7RR
- Tuesday 8 September – Harrogate – Dragon Road Car Park, Dragon Road, Harrogate, HG1 5DB
- Wednesday 9 September – Scarborough – Scarborough Park & Ride, Seamer Road, Scarborough YO12 4LW
- Thursday 10 September – Whitby – Whitby Park and Ride, Whitby, YO21 1TL
- Thursday 10 September – Richmond – Round Howe Car Park, Reeth Road, Richmond, DL10 4T
- Friday 11 September – Northallerton – Newby Wiske Hall, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9HA
- Friday 11 September – Harrogate – Harrogate Old Education Offices, Ainsty Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 4AP
Before you attend you must book a test. There are two ways to do this depending on which testing group you are part of. Tests can be booked from 8pm the night before. To book a test visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
In certain cases, home test kits can be delivered to someone’s door so they can test themselves and their family without leaving the house. There’s a link on the North Yorkshire County Council website to request a home test – https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/home-testing
Travel isolation
The situation regarding travel and quarantine requirements is getting more and more complicated with different rules now in place for different parts of the UK. If you’re planning a holiday or overseas travel the best thing to do is check out the government’s website…and then hope for the best!
The Milk Churn Farm Shop
The new Milk Churn farm shop at 81 Long Street in Topcliffe will open to the public at 11am tomorrow, 7 September. Initially only the grocery and fresh food shop will open but in the near future there’ll also be a gift shop on the first floor and a café in the conservatory.
The Tattler – September 2020 edition
The September edition of The Tattler is now designed and ready to go to the printers on Monday. It will be delivered door to door in Topcliffe and Asenby on 16 and 17 September.
Você pode me ajudar, por favor?
Is there any reader of this weekly email who could help Ruth, a Portuguese carer, who helps in Lady St Oswald’s household in Topcliffe, to improve her English? Ruth has a good understanding of English but would like to improve her standards. She is obviously happy to pay for lessons. If you’re interested, or know someone who could help, please contact Chris Joyce on 07749 847364.
Bags 2 School recycling event
The next ‘Bags 2 School’ recycling event will be held in the grounds of Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall on Monday, 21 September. Topcliffe Village Hall and Topcliffe Scout groups are organising the event to raise funds for the two organisations. You are encouraged to have a cupboard and wardrobe sort out and bag items that you are prepared to donate. We won’t be delivering bags to households – please just use black bags. On the day please deliver your bags to the front of the village hall between 9am and 12 noon. If you are elderly or have a disability and are unable to deliver bags yourself the organisers may be able to provide a home collection service – ring Doug Allan on 07785 223707 to request a pick up.
We would welcome any of the following items: – Men’s, Ladies’ and Children’s clothing – paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) – handbags – hats – bags – scarves and ties – jewellery – lingerie – socks – belts – soft toys – household linen – household curtains – household towels household bedding (bed sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers). Please note that we are unable to accept duvets and blankets, pillows and cushions, carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats), soiled, painted, ripped or wet clothing, school uniforms with and without logo, corporate clothing and workwear or textile off cuts, yarns or threaded material.
The Angel at Topcliffe
Booking a table in the restaurant is highly recommended any day of the week as it has been very busy, especially at weekends. The garden is still operating on first come first basis for food and drinks. To book email manager@theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or call 01845 578000. Bookings are now being taken for Christmas meals and for a New Year’s Eve event to raise cash for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Check out the website at http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk/
The Swan
The Swan serves food every day of the week at socially distanced tables and reservations are necessary. Takeaway meals to order. Times are: 5 to 8:30pm Monday to Saturday and 12 noon to 4pm on Sunday. Telephone 01845 595185.
St. Columba’s Parochial Church Council
At the extraordinary PCC meeting held last Tuesday (1 September) there was a discussion about reopening the church for services and prayers. Bearing in mind the PCC has been reduced by more than a third and that only one member lives in Topcliffe, it was decided to concentrate the limited resources available on just opening for Sunday services for the foreseeable future. The possibility of opening during the week for private visits will be considered at a later date. The PCC is hopeful that communion services will take place every other Sunday, coordinated not to clash with those at Baldersby. Dates will be announced fairly soon.
If anyone from Topcliffe would be prepared to volunteer to open and close the church one day a week, that would help tremendously when the PCC considers a weekday opening. If you can help call John Phillips on 01845 577034.
Topcliffe Snooker Club
The snooker club’s AGM was held last Sunday and all the officials – Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer – agreed to serve another year in office. The annual fees will be maintained at £25 for a further year and members are asked to contact Dave Bowman to pay them as soon as possible. Anyone not intending to keep their membership is asked to return their door key to Dave. The club is beginning to operate as normal, with players using hand sanitisers and wipes to clean the table, balls and snooker cues, rests etc. Players are asked to be careful when visiting the club and, as far as possible, respect social distancing rules.
Sutton Bank closure
Sutton Bank will close for eight days of maintenance work starting 8am next Sunday (13 September) A diversion route will be signposted along the caravan route through Ampleforth and Coxwold.
Dr Parker’s retirement
If you still haven’t contributed a comment for Dr Charles Parker’s retirement Memory Book there’s still a few days for you to do so. Closing date is Friday 11 September. He will be retiring as a GP partner from the surgery at the end of September after 28 years in the post. Patients and members of the community may contribute to the Memory Book by:
• Popping in to the Post Office where a folder is available in which messages can be left.
• Email messages can be sent to Doug Allan (doug@dougallan.co.uk) who will collate them and forward to the surgery.
Don’t forget that Dr Parker doesn’t know about these plans, so please help keep this a secret from him.
Thirsk Community Library
Just a reminder that the community library in Meadowfields, Thirsk is now open again for browsing, borrowing use of computers, printing and copying. It is operating with strict Covid safe and secure access and systems. Staff are prepared to select books for you to collect or arrange home delivery if you can’t travel in to Thirsk. Facebook.com/thirskcommunitylibrary, email library@thirskcommunitylibrary.org.uk or telephone 01609 534589.
Community Works
The Thirsk-based charity Community Works – formed from an amalgamation of The Clock and Thirsk Community Care – offers an amazing range of services, making it probably the leading voluntary organisation in the area. During the pandemic the charity has been able to provide a range of services in line with government restrictions and with strict safety and hygiene in place. Here’s information about just a few services:
- One to One Support – help with a wide range of needs on a one to one basis. A member of staff will help you work towards your life goals, help with work, training, health, confidence building, benefits and much more.
- Loneliness – those who are lonely or isolated can request a visit or telephone calls from a volunteer who will talk things through and suggest ideas to improve your situation.
- Carer’s Support – those who are caring for someone can ask for respite support.
- Transport – personal transport can be arranged for medical appointments and essential journeys. The normal Social Car Scheme charges apply.
- Collection & Deliveries – help with collection of prescriptions or with shopping can be arranged.
- Meals on Wheels – freshly made two-course meals from The Gavel Café can be delivered to your door Monday to Friday for just £6 a meal.
- Food Parcels – anyone in financial difficulty can ask for a food parcel to tide them over. These parcels are put together by volunteers with items donated by the community.
- Re-Use Store – the second hand furniture and appliances store is operating again and volunteers can accept donations brought to the shop or can collect from your home. Items must be fully functioning and in a good, clean condition.
- Community Repaint – save money and reduce waste by making use of our store of excellent paint, including Crown, Farrow & Ball and Dulux. You pay a fraction of the cost of new purchases.
Contact Community Works on 01845 524494 or email info@communityworks.uk
The Loneliness Campaign
If you have experienced loneliness, either before or during Covid-19, The Loneliness Campaign is eager to hear from you. It’s looking for people of all ages who would be willing to share their experience with others. The organisers want to encourage more honest conversations and dialogue around the realities of isolation and loneliness across North Yorkshire, so that they can challenge the stigma and embarrassment around it and inspire conversations to tackle it. The stories will be held in an online archive so that others can have an understanding about loneliness and what could be done to combat it. If you are interested in taking part email: tlc@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk
Local government reorganisation: Zoom consultations
The leaders of councils in North Yorkshire would like to invite members of the community to join online consultation events about local government reorganisation. The government has made it clear to local councils in North Yorkshire and York that they must reorganise local government in order to secure a devolution deal for the region. There are two online events next weeks:
- The county’s seven district and borough councils have unveiled a proposal for an ‘East-West model’ which would create two brand new councils. The first would serve communities in Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby and York. The second would serve communities in Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate and Richmondshire. They believe that the east-west model makes sense to local people, and is designed in their best interest. Their online event takes place on Tuesday 8 September 2020 at 10am. To join the session register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/get-change-right-for-the-community-and-voluntary-sector-tickets-119244516559
- North Yorkshire County Council, on the other hand, would like to see a ‘mega-council’ across the whole county, alongside a separate, much smaller council serving the City of York. Their online event takes place at
10am on Wednesday 9 September. To join the session register at: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/voluntary-and-community-sector-seminar
Bin Collections
Hambleton (Topcliffe):
• Recycling and green bins – Thursdays, 10 and 24 September.
• Refuse – Mondays 14 and 28 September.
Harrogate (Asenby)
• Refuse – Monday, 7 and 21 September.
• Garden waste – Thursdays, 10 and 24 September.
• Recycling – Mondays 14 and 28 September.
That’s all until next Sunday. Stay alert, keep safe and keep well.