Thirsk Farmers’ Market
TODAY: Sunday 3 November between 9am and 2pm. Thirsk Farmers’ Market will be held on the Market Place in Thirsk. There’ll be around twenty artisan food and drink producers. www.northerndalesfarmersmarkets.com.
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St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 3 November at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong followed by pre-supper refreshments with wine.
- Thursday 7 November at 7.30pm – A Requiem Mass celebrated by Rev Robert Williamson to mark the Feast of All Souls. (This service has been transferred from its usual date of 2 November). The choral setting is the beautiful and uplifting Missa Pro Defunctis by Claudio Casciolini (1697-1760). Congregation members will be invited to remember and give thanks for the lives of family and friends who are no longer with us. Everyone is most welcome to attend this wonderful commemoration of those they have loved, and there is an opportunity for them to be remembered by name and also to light a candle during the service. Names to be remembered can be added to the list before the service or, if preferred, emailed to John Phillips (johnphillips05@gmail.com) or Chris Hewlett (celhewlett@outlook.com)
- Sunday 10 November at 10.45am – Remembrance Sunday Service – a short service of remembrance with the reading of names of those who died in the two world wars, two minutes silence, last post and reveille. The service will be followed by refreshments. Everyone is warmly invited to attend the event.
- Sunday 17 November at 10.45am – Sung Eucharist.
- Sunday 24 November at 10.45am – Holy Communion, Father Robert Williamson.
- Sunday 1 December at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong followed by pre-supper refreshments with wine.
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Village Quiz
TONIGHT: Sunday 3 November– The quiz will be held at 8pm in the Village Hall.
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Last week’s quiz was set and presented by Alan and the winners were Derek, Sue, Doug and David. Well done the winning team and everyone else who took part.
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Asenby Improvements Plan
Asenby Parish Council has published an improvement plan listing projects it hopes to be able to tackle in the coming months to maintain and improve the village. Following some survey work, a range of possibilities has been listed and the council is now looking at ways to raise the necessary funds to get them done.
Funds to improve the Community Park are ring-fenced, but the council is seeking views on the following ideas…and would also welcome additional project suggestions:
- Clean and re-touch the lettering on the Asenby stones at the village entrances.
- Planting of flower beds at each stone.
- Erection of signs at the village entrances and at the end of Cundall Road, making motorists aware of children playing.
- Improvements to the bus shelter, including a second flower planter at the entrance, additional book shelves, including a children’s section, and the re-arrangement of the notice boards to accommodate the new bookshelves. Also, control of ivy and a general clean and re-paint where necessary.
- Keep the four benches in the village and those on the Riverside Walk clean and well maintained
Feedback and new ideas are welcome by 22 November. A further version of the improvement plan will be circulated once it is finalised. Comments to steve.gallon@icloud.com or text, phone or WhatsApp on 07764 694979.
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Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch
Residents of Topcliffe & Asenby aged 65 and over are invited to the Christmas lunch in the Village Hall on Wednesday 11 December. The cost for a full seasonal three course dinner, drinks and entertainment is £15 per head. Places are limited so please apply early to Judith Lowe on 01845 577911.
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Free Christmas Day Lunch
And on a similar theme, it seems that there are still some spaces left at the free Christmas Day lunch on offer at Maple Park Café, near Skipton on Swale. Owner David Martin, has issued an invitation to anyone who is on their own and would like a good lunch and some company. Doors will open at 12 noon and the lunch will be served around 1pm. Those who have recently lost a loved one will be particularly welcomed. The numbers are limited to sixty and it’s first come, first served (though booking is essential). If you know someone who might like this special festive treat, please let them know. Book on david.martin@mapleparkcafe.co.uk or 07527 954295.
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The Catton Kitchen
The annual wreath making classes, led by Lavender & Bee Flowers, will be held on Sunday 8 December. Booking essential.
Christmas orders for meat, vegetables and puddings are now being taken. Please place your orders no later than Tuesday 10 December, but earlier if possible.
Orders and bookings at: http://thecattonkitchen.co.uk/
Catton Kitchen is open today 10am until 12 noon. But please note that it will be closed from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 November and Friday 15 to Sunday 17 November. The Kitchen re-opens and gets back to normal opening times on Friday 22 November.
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Cross Talk
The November issue of Cross talk, the church newsletter, has been published. You can read a copy here.
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Village Hall Library
The library in the Village Hall now has regular opening times: it’s open on three occasions to coincide with other events on in the hall, namely:
- 1.30 to 3.30pm each Tuesday whilst the Boccia Club is on.
- 11.30 to 1.30pm on alternate Wednesdays when the Warm Hub lunch is on.
- 1.30 to 3.30pm each Thursday when the Knit & Natter club is meeting.
When the library sign is positioned on the pavement outside the hall, that means the library is open for business. The library, which is free to use, holds hundreds of fiction novels by all the leading authors, plus some factual books. It also now has many books for young children and teenagers.
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Topcliffe Academy – important dates
- Tuesday 5 November – School re-opens for second half of Autumn Term
- Wednesday 6 November – Service Families – Children’s Service of Remembrance at Ripon Cathedral
- Thursday 7 November – Friends of Topcliffe School – disco, 5.30pm
- Friday 29 November – Friends of Topcliffe School – Christmas Fair.
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Autumn and winter art classes
- Weekly classes at Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall each Monday morning starting 10am.
- Friday evenings at Thirsk Town Hall starting Friday 8 November – 6.30-9.30pm. Paint autumn scenes in oils.
- Thursday 28 November – 10am to 1pm – at the Village Hall – Paint magical and joyful festive scenes in acrylics. Includes a glass of mulled wine or festive hot chocolate and nibbles in addition to cake.
- Friday 6 December – Thirsk Town Hall 6.30-9.30pm. Paint magical and joyful festive scenes in acrylics. Includes a glass of mulled wine or festive hot chocolate and nibbles in addition to cake.
- There’ll be a winter sketch and draw class on Thursday 27 February in the Village Hall from 10am to 2pm. Save the date or message to pre-book your space. Suitable for beginners and artists at all levels.
- For more information and to book, visit http://www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk
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As in past years, Malcolm and Karen Morley have erected a range of features in Jubilee Gardens to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Debbie and Rob Roberts have also added knitted poppies, originally made by members of the Knit & Natter group, along the fencing. They have also decorated the front of the Post Office and the Village Hall.
On Sunday 10 November at 11am villagers who are not planning to attend the service of Remembrance in St Columba’s are invited to gather in Jubilee Gardens for a one-minute silence and a few minutes of quiet reflection.
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Warm Hub Lunch
The Warm Hub next lunch will be held at the Village Hall on Wednesday 13 November from 11.30 to 12.45pm. There’ll be a selection of home-made meals, followed by puddings and tea or coffee. All welcome. There’s no set charge, but donations are welcome to help pay the rental cost of hiring the Village Hall and for essential food and drink items that must be purchased for each lunch.
The last lunch on Wednesday 30 October saw a record 56 meals served, either in the hall or to those who are housebound in our two villages. A total of £162 was raised from donations. Of this, £50 was given to the Royal British Legion in Thirsk. After paying rent for the use of the Village Hall and paying for essential food and drink ingredients, the balance was added to the Warm Hub Community Fund.
Karen Morley, who leads the organisers of the Warm Hub, wants residents of Topcliffe and Asenby to know that meals can be delivered to anyone who is housebound – either on a short-term basis becuase of illness, or longer-term. If you wish to have a meal on the day the Warm Hub is held, please get in touch with Karen on 01845 577426.
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Topcliffe Christmas Fayre
The event will be held between 10am and 2pm on Saturday 16 November in the Village Hall. There’ll be twelve stalls selling a diverse mixture of items including Christmas treats, sewn crafted items, knitted garments, local honey, turned wooden pieces, second-hand jewellery, bric-a brac and Roxy Resin’s products. The Blue Cross animal rescue charity will be organising a tombola and there’ll be a raffle in support of the Village Hall’s Warm Hub and Animal Rescue Crew. Refreshments including hot drinks and cake will be served throughout and at lunchtime jacket potatoes with a choice of fillings will be served. Entry is free. Donations will be sought for the food and drink.
Appeal for help! Organiser, Karen Morley, would welcome any offers to help with baking of buns, cakes, traybakes etc for the refreshments counter at the Fayre. If you can help please call Karen on 01845 577426.
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Makeup Masterclass
Topcliffe resident Joanna Brierley is organising another Makeup Masterclass at 11am on Saturday 16 November at The Angel Inn. It’s a great opportunity to learn new makeup skills, including using longer lasting makeup and enhancing eye colour through the power of makeup. Tickets are £10 and available from The Angel reception or calling 01845 578000. See poster here.
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Kids’ Christmas Crafts
On Sunday 17 November between 3 and 5pm there’ll be a special Christmas craft session for children aged between 4 and 11 years being held at The Angel Inn in Topcliffe. There’ll be a maximum of 50 places and the cost is £4 per child. Participants will be encouraged to create decorations to be hung on Asenby’s Christmas tree…but there’ll be lots of other things to do as well. Take your own apron. Contact Holly Knowles on 07595 199344 for tickets. See poster here.
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Event to support Morndyke Parrot Sanctuary
The Morndyke Parrot Sanctuary located near Busby Stoop is planning a Christmas dinner event at The Angel Inn on Thursday 28 November. Doors open at 6.30pm for 7pm. The charity fundraiser will include a meal, an auction of gifts and promises, tombola and merchandise stall. The dress code is smart – so no jeans or trainers! Tickets priced £25 can be purchased from Tricia Phillips on 07785 763738 or by email – tricia-phillips@hotmail.com See poster here.
The aim is to raise much-needed funds to help support the flock of 170 parrots at the sanctuary – many which arrived as unwanted pets and others that had been abandoned. Most days more parrots are turned away because the sanctuary simply can’t cope with the numbers. The sanctuary costs in excess of £30,000 a year to run so more funds are always welcome to support the sanctuary and also to help with providing parrot welfare advice and support. You can follow the sanctuary’s work on Facebook or by checking their website at http://morndykeparrotsanctuary.org.uk
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Christmas Wreath-making Workshop
Sahra Rayner of Willow View Farm, Topcliffe has announced that her annual Christmas wreath-making workshops will be held on Monday 2 December. The first will be between 1 and 3pm and the second between 7 and 9pm, both at The Angel Inn. Tuition given and materials provided. Festive refreshments available. £50 per person. Limited places available. See poster here. Contact Sahra to book your space: 07734113069 or hello@willowviewfarm.co.uk
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Fabric Lantern Workshops
Former Topcliffe resident Diane West, who still lives locally and runs Lampshade Works, is organising a fabric lantern workshop at The Angel Inn on Wednesday11 December. The two and a half hour sessions are on at 12 noon and 7pm. Join Diane for a festive, hands-on experience where you’ll craft two stunning fabric lanterns using premium William Morris and Liberty fabrics, complete with LED lights. All materials provided. The price, which includes festive refreshments is just £35 per person. Over 18s only. To book call The Angel Inn on 01845 578000. See poster here.
Diane’s pop-up shop will also be there for last-minute Christmas gifts, featuring handmade lampshades, fabric baubles, and gift vouchers.
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Santa Claus to visit Asenby
Here’s a lovely way for local children and their parents to begin the festive season. You can pop along to Asenby Community Park to meet Santa Claus and tell him what you are hoping to get this Christmas. It’s on Friday 13 December from 6 to 7.30pm. It’s just £2 a ticket per child to meet Santa. Also join in the Christmas carol singing. Refreshments will be available thanks to The Crab and Lobster and there’ll also be a raffle. All tickets purchased will be entered in a draw and the winner will receive a meal for four at The Crab and Lobster.
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Christmas at The Angel Inn
Party Nights
Party nights during the festive season are filling up quickly. There’s still availability on the following dates: Saturday 14 December and Friday 20 & Saturday 21 December. These party nights are for small or large groups from local businesses and the local community. Expect a night of delicious food, (three-course menu), plenty of festive fun and fantastic music provided by the in-house DJ. Get your tickets, priced £65 per person, from 01845 578000 or email holly@theangelinntopcliffe.co.uk
Note: exclusive hire is available for groups of over 50 people,
Christmas Opening Hours
- Christmas Eve – open until 8pm for food. Drinks normal hours.
- Christmas Day – open for drinks only – 11.30am to 1.30pm.
- Boxing Day – Sunday lunch menu until 4pm. Bar until 6pm.
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Carols around the Christmas Tree in Topcliffe
Here’s a note to keep the date free. This year’s carol singing around the Christmas tree outside the Village Hall in Topcliffe will be at 7pm on Friday 20 December. Carol sheets will be provided. Afterwards everyone’s invited into the Hall for festive refreshments, including mince pies, sausage rolls and mulled wine/soft drinks.
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Village Hall Fundraising Events – dates for your diary
In addition to the Christmas Fayre mentioned above, volunteers have more events planned at the Village Hall in the coming months and you might want to make a note these dates:
- Sunday 26 January 2025 – Sunday Brunch – bacon and sausage buns in the company of your friends and neighbours.
- Saturday 22 February 2025 – The Big Horse Race – one of the most popular events held each year.
- 29 March 2025 – The Flying Oysters – back by popular demand, everyone’s favourite dance band.
There’ll be more information announced about all of the events in due course.
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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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Local traders and businesses
See here for a list of businesses and traders based in or close to Topcliffe.
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Bonfire and Fireworks Displays
- The Applegarth, Northallerton, from 6pm – Tuesday 5 November
- Ripon Racecourse, from 5.30pm – Friday 8 November
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Thirsk Community Library
From this week, the library opening times will be:
- Monday, Thursday and Friday – 10am to 5pm.
- Tuesday – 1 to 6pm.
- Saturday – 9.30am to 3pm.
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The Ritz Cinema
- Portraits of Dangerous Women – to Thursday 7 November – matinee on Wednesday 6 November.
- Joker: Folie a Deux – Friday 8 to Thursday 14 November – no matinee.
- The Crime is Mine – Friday 15 to Thursday 21 November – no matinee
- The Wild Robot – Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November.
- Paddington in Peru – Friday 29 November to Thursday 5 December – matinees on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December.
- Gladiator 2 – Friday 6 to Thursday 12 December – matinee on Wednesday 11 December.
- Between the Lights – Sunday 8 December.
- Wicked – Friday 13 to Thursday 20 December.
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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Bring Him Home
The Dishforth Military Wives Choir is presenting a special concert with music and words for Remembrance on Friday 8 November at 7.30pm at St Oswald’s Church, Sowerby. See poster here for more information and booking details.
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Concerts and Events at Ripon Cathedral
- Eagles by Candlelight: Friday 8 November at 7.30pm. Featuring a cast of West End singers and a live band.
- Queen by Candlelight: Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 November, both at 7.30pm. Featuring a cast of West End singers and a live band.
- G4 at Christmas: Saturday 7 December at 7.30pm.
- Bowie by Candlelight – Friday 17 January at 7.30pm.
- Take That – tribute group Re-Take That in concert – Friday 14 March at 7.30pm.
Book online at https://riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
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Sessay Christmas Fayre
There’s to be a Christmas Fayre at Sessay Village Hall on Saturday 9 November between 10am and 2pm. This should be a great opener to the festive season. All fifteen stalls run by local crafts people, including pottery/ceramics, floral displays/candles, Christmas cakes/tray bakes, wooden gifts, cards, glassware, knit wear, jewellery/sea glass, doggy items and hampers, chutneys/jams/pickles and sweet treats. There will also be a tombola and refreshments.
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The Polar Express
The annual festive treat of a ride on The Polar Express from Leeming Bar station up the Wensleydale line starts on the weekend of 16/17 November. Last year over 50,000 guests took the magical journey and its popularity guarantees another bumper event this year. Book online at Wensleydale Railway | Bringing Rail back into the dale (wensleydale-railway.co.uk)
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Thirsk Heritage Show
The fourth Thirsk Heritage Show will be on at Thirsk Auction Mart on Sunday 17 November starting at 10am. The North Yorkshire Group of North Vintage Tractor & Engine Club will present classic and vintage tractors. Collections, bygones, models and crafts on display in the entrance hall, with stationary engines running outside throughout the day. Admission: adults £6 and children under 14 free. http://www.facebook.com/nvtecnorthyorkshiregroup
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Thirsk Yarnbombers
The group that is responsible for some amazing knitted decoration in and around Thirsk Market Place is holding a coffee morning on Wednesday 20 November between 10.30 and 11.45am at Thirsk Town Hall. There’ll be a stall where knitted and crocheted items will be on sale. Proceeds will go to support the group’s future projects.
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An Evening with Kate Fox
Poet, comedian and author Kate Fox will visit Northallerton library to present work from her latest collection and stage show. The event will take place on Friday 29 November, starting at 7pm. An Evening with Kate Fox will see the thoughtful, funny Radio 4 regular share poems from her newest collection, On Sycamore Gap – a celebration of the tree we lost and those to come – and her Bigger On The Inside stage show, about Doctor Who and neurodiversity. Kate will be available to sign her books afterwards. She was a resident of Thirsk from 2011 to 2019 and ran the popular Bloomin Words events at White Rose Bookshop in the town. Tickets cost £3 and can be booked by contacting Northallerton library on 01609 533832 or at northallerton.library@northyorks.gov.uk See poster here.
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Rainton wreath-making sessions
This festive season wreath-making sessions are being held at Rainton Village Hall on six days – Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1, Tuesday 3, Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December. Tuition, all materials and cake included in the price of £30. All funds raised will help support Rainton Village Hall. See poster here.
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A Christmas Carol – Scrooge
A performance with a difference in the church at Baldersby St James on Friday 6 December – 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Bring your own drinks. Tickets £10, pay on the door. A fun evening on the stage at the back of church, with seating in the cafe area.
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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