Sunday Email: Issue 239

Doug Allan
07785 223707
doug@dougallan.co.uk

• TODAY: Sunday 1 December at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong followed by pre-supper refreshments with wine. 
• Wednesday 4 December at 7pm – Compline for Advent
• Sunday 8 December at 10.45am – Holy Communion led by Father Robert Williamson
• Wednesday 11 December at 7pm – Compline for Advent
• Sunday 15 December at 10.45am – Sung Matins
• Wednesday 18 December at 7pm – Compline for Advent
• Sunday 22 December at 10.45am – Holy Communion led by Father Robert Williamson
• Sunday 22 December at 6.30pm – Traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols, followed by refreshments and wine.

An announcement out last week states that YAA has agreed a land purchase and is now beginning the process of applying for planning permission for the project. The organisation is now engaging with Skipton on Swale Parish Council, North Yorkshire Council and other local stakeholders.

A spokesperson said: “We are currently tenants at RAF Topcliffe and for some years have been looking to identify sites in the proximity of Topcliffe to build and develop our own Northern air support unit. 

“YAA has operated out of RAF Topcliffe for over ten years and has benefited from the full support of the Royal Air Force, the British Army 4th Regiment Royal Artillery and local residents.

“To enable us to plan and develop for the long-term future, and to give additional stability for our critical care service, we have opted to pursue developing our own purpose-built air support unit for the Northern region. It will complement the excellent facilities we have at our Nostell base, close to Wakefield.”

• Keep a torch and spare batteries at home.
• Have blankets and warm clothing to hand.
• Keep your mobile phone charged and any battery packs you may have.
• Turn off any appliances which should not be left unattended when switched on, such as cookers and microwaves – you never know when then power may be switched back on.
• Consider leaving a light switched on so they know when the power has come back on.
• Check on any elderly or vulnerable neighbours or relatives.

You’ll find information about emergency support with everyday living costs, benefits, Pension Credit, energy bills, food and managing debt all in one place here. North Yorkshire Council’s cost of living web page also has information about schemes to help families, free adult learning courses and local community-based support including Warm Welcome spaces as well as advice on staying safe and well.

If you’re less confident with technology and have friends or family who might be able to help you understand what support is available with the cost of living, please ask them to look at the web page with you. You can also go into any North Yorkshire library or North Yorkshire Council office.

If you’re not sure who to turn to, you can call North Yorkshire Council’s customer service centre on 0300 131 2 131 Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm asking for ‘cost of living help’ when prompted. https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/community-and-volunteering/cost-living-support-0

• Asenby Parish Council’s next meeting is at 7pm on Wednesday 4 December.
• Topcliffe Parish Council’s next meeting is at 7pm on Thursday 5 December.

Both parish councils meet in Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.

Final visit of 2024 on Friday 20 December.  Re-opening on Friday 22 January). 

• 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. 
• Next block of six Monday morning classes at the Village Hall – starts 6 January.
• Winter sketch and draw class at the Village Hall on Thursday 27 February from 10am to 2pm.
• Paint Beautiful Gardens from around the World in oils on Thursday 27 March from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

Save the dates or pre-book your space. Suitable for beginners and artists at all levels.  For more information and to book, visit http://www.rebeccajayneartist.co.uk

The tree should be in place by 11am and will need decorating after that. If anyone is available to help, please just pop along. Throughout the festive season the lights will be on from 4 to 11pm.

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/

• Tuesday 17 December – Christmas Dinner and Christmas Jumper Day
• Wednesday 18 December – Carol Service at St Columba’s Church, 2pm
• Friday 20 December – Break up for Christmas at 2pm.
• Tuesday 7 January – School re-opens for start of Spring Term.

The last warm Hub lunch, held on 27 November, saw 58 meals served and £167 raised. A donation of £50 has been made to Herriot Hospice and, after paying rent to the Village Hall and paying for some essential ingredients for future meals, the balance went in to the Warm Hub Community Fund.

On the 18th 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.

Residents of Topcliffe and Asenby can have a meal delivered if they are housebound – either on a short-term basis because 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 Morley on 01845 577426.

• 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.

• Advent Carol Service & Procession: TODAY: Sunday 1 December – 5.30pm. A candlelit service to mark the beginning of Advent, sung by the Cathedral Choir.
• Nativity Exhibition: Wednesday 4 to 6 December – showcasing the work of pupils from local primary schools.
• G4 at Christmas: Saturday 7 December at 7.30pm.
• Ripon Choral Society present Handel’s Messiah: Saturday 14 December – 7.30pm. Tickets £25 (or £22 unreserved).
• Festival of Lessons and Carols: Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December at 5.30pm.
• Midnight Mass – Tuesday 24 December – 11pm.
• Bowie by Candlelight – Friday 17 January at 7.30pm.
• The Music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight – Friday 14 February 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/

Christmas Fair: The Christmas Fair will be held on Saturday 7 December, 10 am until 12 noon. There will be lots of stalls, a tombola, carol singing, a visit from Santa and bacon butties for sale. Admission is £2 for adults, which includes a drink and mince pie, admission for children £1 which includes a gift from Santa.

Pop-up Pub and Bingo: This will be held in Dalton Village Hall on Saturday 14 December from 7 pm. To raise funds for the village’s Christmas tree. The Dalton Dazzlers children’s choir will be singing carols at Ivy House at 6.45 pm to start the evening.

Carols by Candlelight: This year’s Carols by Candlelight will be on Sunday 15 December at 6pm. (not Friday as in previous years). The Dalton Dazzlers Children’s Choir will be making an appearance. The service will be followed by refreshments.

Christmas Panto: This year’s Christmas Panto, Beauty and the Beast, will be held in Dalton Village Hall on Monday 23 December. It will be presented by Chaplins Mini Pantos. Doors open at 6.15 pm for a prompt 6.30 start. Tickets are £14 for adults and £8 for children. A family of two adults and two children £40, Under 4 year olds free. Call Eleanor on 07841 0363 for tickets.

• Paddington in Peru – to Thursday 5 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/ 

• Driftwood Scented Decorations – Washed up pieces of wood can be beautiful and sculptural without any human intervention, but on this workshop you’ll make them to smell nice and fill your house with scents of clementine, pomegranate or frankincense. Friday 6 December from 1.30 to 3.30pm at The Courthouse, Thirsk. Tickets £20.
• Bella Gaffney – ‘Reflections’ – A captivating blend of original compositions and traditional tunes that delve into both British folk and Americana. Friday 6 December at 7.30pm at The Courthouse, Thirsk. Tickets £10-£12.
• Wrapping Paper – Make wrapping paper that is worthy of being a gift itself. There will be a choice of how you decorate your paper, either through print, letter press or calligraphy, but the creative design will be up to you. Tuesday 10 December – 10.30am to 12.30pm. Tickets £20.
• Christmas Stockings – A really fun workshop to make your own Christmas Stockings that can be filled and hung up next to a fireplace, end of a bed, or simply put underneath the tree. Tuesday 10 December – 1.30 – 3.30pm. Tickets £20.
• Upcycled Wooden Furniture – If you have small wooden piece of furniture that sits unloved in a corner of your home, then this upcycling workshop is the perfect way to give it some love and put it centre stage in a room. Wednesday 11 December – 10.30am – 12.30pm. Tickets £20.
• Organic Wreath Making – Fed up with the throwaway culture of Christmas, where decorations and gifts are discarded just weeks later? This year, ditch the plastic and embrace a greener holiday. Make this Christmas not just merry, but truly sustainable. Friday 13 December – 10.30am to 12.30pm. Tickets £30.

Rural Arts is based at The Courthouse, Thirsk. Book online at http://www.ruralarts.org