St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 2 February at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong for Candlemas followed by pre-supper refreshments with wine
- Sunday 9 February at 10.45am – Holy Communion with Rev Robert Williamson
- Sunday 16 February at 10.45am – Sung Matins
- Sunday 23 February at 10.45am – Holy Communion with Rev Robert Williamson
- Sunday 2 March at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong followed by pre-supper refreshments with wine
- Wednesday 5 March at 7pm – Compline for Ash Wednesday.
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
TODAY – Sunday 2 February – in Thirsk Market Place. All stallholders are local independent businesses who grow, rear or produce the food or drink on their stall. They’re passionate about what they do and it shows. 9am-2pm.
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Village Quiz
TONIGHT: Sunday 2 February – the quiz will be held at 8pm in the Village Hall.
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Last Sunday’s excellent quiz was set by David and won by The Long Street Mafia – Nigel, Charles and Jim – with a bit of help from Doug. The winning team competed in a decider with The Church Street Crew. The question was: How many MPs did the Conservatives have after the 2024 election? See the answer at the end of today’s email.
Well done the winners and everyone else who took part.
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Last Sunday’s brunch at the Village Hall was a great success with nearly 100 people turning up for butties, tea and conversation…and raising over £300 for village hall funds. A big thank you to the many volunteers who worked extremely hard serving food and washing up, namely Karen & Malc Morley, Doug Allan, Lynne Mee, Richard Byas and Helen Fothergill. Also a big than you to everyone who popped in to enjoy a morning with friends and neighbours.
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Warm Hub Lunch
The next Warm Hub lunch will be held at the Village Hall on Wednesday 5 February from 11.30 to 12.45pm and then fortnightly thereafter. 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.
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Warm Hub needs your help
Thank you to those who volunteered to become Warm Hub helpers after last week’s appeal. Half a dozen people put their names forward but a few more volunteers on the list of people she can call upon to help out if the regulars aren’t available would be great. The Warm Hubs are held on alternate Wednesdays in the Village Hall.
Just a reminder that Karen is also looking for more volunteers to occasionally prepare some food for the Warm Hub. It can be a contribution to the main course, such as a stew or lasagne, or a pudding such as a crumble or trifle.
If you can help please contact Karen on 01845 577426.
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Bingo in Topcliffe is on the cards
The first bingo session in the Village Hall will be held on a trial basis immediately after the Warm Hub lunch on Wednesday 5 February, starting at 1pm. It’s hoped that some participants attending the lunches will stay on and that other residents will come along just for the bingo.
We will charge 50p per game ticket, meaning the cost of playing one ticket in all 10 games will be £5. Players will, however, be able to purchase as many tickets per game as they wish. Prizes will be calculated according to the amount of cash taken on the day. A cuppa will be provided free of charge during the session.
If this is successful then the idea may be repeated on a fortnightly basis when Warm Hub lunches are held…depending on availability of helpers.
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Elm Gallery
Dave and Liz have indicated that the Elm Gallery will be closed until Saturday 8 February.
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Cross Talk
The February edition of the church newsletter, Cross Talk, is now out. You can read it here.
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Ten ways to keep your home secure
1. Keep an eye on your home – With a full range of security cameras, you can see and hear what’s happening inside and outside of your home.
2. Light up the front drive and garden – Intruders like to operate under cover of darkness, so illuminating the garden when dark is a good way to deter them. It can also make it safer for you and your visitors to navigate.
3. Install a visual security alarm – Having a security alarm on the outside of your house can help to deter intruders.
4. Increase gate and fence security – Don’t give intruders an easy way in thanks to an old gate or blown-over fencing.
5. Safely store spare keys – Say goodbye to leaving spare keys under a pot in the front garden. A wall-mounted key safe securely protects the keys, especially if it’s in a discreet location.
6. See who’s at the door – A smart video doorbell lets you view, listen and speak to visitors even when you’re not at home. Not only can you tell the delivery driver where to put a parcel whilst you are away, they are also handy if you want to check who is at your door either before you answer it or whilst you are out.
7. Secure your outdoor buildings – An outdoor building is often an easy target, so protect yours with secure windows and strong door locks.
8. Protect your bikes; Keep your cycles safe by investing in a bike store. These require less space than a shed but are roomy enough to fit a couple of bikes and can be locked.
9. Think about where to keep your keys – Intruders are known to use magnets to ‘fish’ for house and car keys through a letterbox so keep your keys away from the front door. Keyless cars could be stolen using a transmitter and amplifier. You can help prevent this hi-tech crime by keeping the keys in a metal key box to block signals.
10. Going on holiday? – Don’t forget to also cancel newspapers or milk deliveries so they don’t pile up and ask a friend or neighbour check in on your home whilst you’re away. It’s also a good idea not to advertise your holiday on social media, especially if your posts are public.
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Chip ‘n’ Dales
The Chip ‘n’ Dales fish and chip van is now back in Topcliffe every Friday 5 to 7pm.
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Topcliffe Academy
- Monday 3 February – Special Chinese New Year lunch.
- Friday 14 February – Break up for half term.
- Monday 24 February – School re-opens for 2nd half of Spring Term.
- Friday 7 March – World Book Day Breakfast.
- Thursday 27 March – FOTS School Disco, 5.30 – 7pm.
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Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be on Thursday 6 February at 7pm in Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.
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Comedy Night Returns
Hilarity Bites comedy returns to The Angel Inn on Thursday 6 February with host Sully O’Sullivan and comedians MC Hammersmith and Carl Hutchinson. Doors will open at 7:30pm for an 8pm start. Tickets, priced at £12 in advance or £15 on the door, are at The Angel Inn reception or by calling 01845 578000.
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Pop-up marmalade stall
Clare Phillips is holding her annual marmalade sale from a pop-up stall outside her home at Asenby Hall, Asenby next Saturday, 8 February from 10am to 12 noon. There’ll be a variety of flavours at a range of prices. Cash only, please. Can’t make it? Contact Clare on 07593135310.
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The Topcliffe Big Race Night – SOLD OUT!
All tickets for The Big Race Night in the Village Hall on Saturday 22 February have been sold. A list has been opened for those who would like to attend if any cancellations are made.
If you are attending the event, make sure you bring your ticket with you as it is numbered and there’ll be a draw for bed & breakfast for two at The Crab Manor Hotel in Asenby.
Please don’t bring your own drinks to this event – it is bar sales only. And don’t forget to bring plenty of cash with you. The Village Hall doesn’t have a card machine, so cash payment will be required at the bar, for raffle tickets and betting.
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Winter art classes
- The next block of six morning art classes in the Village Hall starts on Monday 24 February. These two-hour classes, from 10 to 12 noon, are ideal for participants of all abilities.
- 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 at the Village Hall.
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
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Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee
The next meeting of the Village Hall committee will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday 18 March in the hall.
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Asenby Parish Council
The next meeting of Asenby Parish Council will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 19 March 2025 in the upper committee room at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.
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Open Day and A Bite to Eat
Village Halls across the UK will be celebrating the vital role they play in their communities and the importance that volunteering has in keeping them operating, during a week-long event which runs from 17 to 23 March. As part of the celebration, our Village Hall is holding an Open Day and A Bite to Eat on Sunday 23 March between 11am and 1pm. There’ll be a presentation on the large screen showing examples of what goes on in the hall every week. And Kevin Hollinrake MP for Thirsk and Malton, our local North Yorkshire Council representative Cllr Dan Sladden and members of the two village Parish Councils are being invited to be present to meet their constituents.
Bake to help out!
Nearer the date, the organisers will be asking villagers to help out by baking a cake, scones or sausage rolls. Maybe if you can help out, you might put a note in your diary to remind you to get some ingredients and put a little time aside to have a baking session?
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The Flying Oysters
Returning to Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall this spring. Back by popular demand, everyone’s favourite dance band will be appearing on Saturday 29 March. To include supper. Tickets will go on sale mid February.
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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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Thirsk Digital Hub
The Digital Hub, which operates at Thirsk Community Library, is a resource to help people who need a little support to understand and handle their digital activities. Digital Buddies are there to assist with queries every Monday and Thursday, and most Saturdays there’s a Digital Cafe at which you can get support whilst enjoying some refreshments. Click the logo below to learn more.
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The Ritz Cinema
- Special event – The Busby & Me – TONIGHT – Sunday 2 February at 7pm – a documentary about the Busby Stoop Inn, with film-maker Wade Radford – . Tickets for this screening were selling fast last week and may have sold out. Check with the cinema.
- Nosferatu – to Thursday 6 – February – no matinee.
- A Complete Unknown – Friday 7 to Thursday 13 February – matinee Wednesday 12 February.
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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Coming up at Rural Arts in Thirsk
- A Taste of Art: Decoupage – Wednesday 5 February – 10.30am to 12.30pm. £20.
- Enamel Hare or Brooch – Wednesday 5 February – 10.30am to 12.30pm. £60.
- Willow Obelisk – Thursday 6 February – a hands-on willow weaving workshop where you can create a beautiful obelisk planter, perfect for your climbing plants. 10.30am – 12.30pm. £45.
- Willow Heart – Wednesday 12 February – 10.30am to 12.30pm. £45.
- Enamel Panel – Wednesday 12 February – 10.30am to 12.30pm. £60.
- The Idea of North – Tuesday 4 March to Saturday 22 March. North Yorkshire artists respond to author Peter Davidson’s idea that “Everyone carries their own idea of North within them”, using a range of media and styles. This free exhibition is organised by North Yorkshire Open Studios (NYOS). Free admission. 10am – 4pm.
Tickets online at www.ruralarts.org or telephone 01845 526536.
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The Lego Show
This popular show is coming back to Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall on Saturday 8 February from 10am to 4pm. Suitable for all ages, with funds raised to support Holy Rood House in Thirsk.
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Events at Dalton Village Hall
- Pop-up Pub with Fish and Chips – Friday 14 February at 7pm. Contact Eleanor for details on 07841 036340.
- Pop-up Cafe – Saturday 22 February at 9.30am until 11.30am. Bacon and/or sausage butties and toasted teacakes for sale. Pop along and enjoy brunch and a chat. All welcome.
- Cottage Pie and Pudding Lunch – Sunday 9 March from 12 noon. Tickets available from Judy on 01845 577607.
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2-for-1 at Thirsk Hall Sculpture Garden
Visit the Sculpture Garden on Valentine’s Day (Friday 14 February) and get two-for-one entry. You do not need to book both tickets in advance, you can claim your complimentary ticket on the door. 11am-3.30pm (last entry 2.30pm). £9, Student or 60+ £8. Under 16s go free. Book online or just come (50p extra).
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Concerts and Events at Ripon Cathedral
- 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.
- Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons – by candlelight – Saturday 1 March at 7.30.
- Queen by Candlelight – Friday 16 May at 7.30pm.
- Country by Candlelight – Saturday 17 May at 7.30pm
Book online at https://riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
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Repair Cafe
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 all for the cost of a voluntary donation. Saturday 15 February at Thirsk Community Library. 10am-1pm, last customer 12.30pm.
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Valentine’s Evening
You are invited to an evening of singing and dancing to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Saturday 15 February at Sessay Village Hall. The popular Cherry Tones will be performing. There’ll be a bar and raffle. Tickets are £10 in advance from Heather Dale on 07467 549302 or £15 on the door.
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Thirsk Artisan Market
Thirsk Market Place on Sunday 16 February between 10am and 3pm. An artisan market that wants to help serve local communities with the best artisan stalls, whilst giving traders the best opportunities to showcase and sell their handmade goods.
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Fable, Folklore and Fairytales
The 2025 BAMM North mosaic exhibition continues during February at RHS gardens at Harlow Carr, Harrogate. The theme is Fable, Folklore and Fairytales and it’s until 23 February, 10am to 4pm daily. Over 20 members of the regional branch of the British Association for Modern Mosaic have works in the exhibition, including Siobhan Gifford, who lives in Asenby. It is free to enter once you have accessed the gardens.
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Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange
Here’s a good idea for all you dissectologists out there. The Coffee and Chatter Group that meets in St James’ Church at Baldersby St James will be holding jigsaw puzzle exchanges on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The next ‘exchange’ is on Tuesday 25 February between 10am and 12 noon. Please take along any puzzles that you would like to swap. This is a great opportunity to obtain new ones without having to buy them.
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Tough Old Bird
The Ripon Theatre Festival is bringing the heart-warming and hilarious Tough Old Bird show featuring Nana Funk (aka Angie Waller) to kick-start its 2025 season. Known as the great, great grandmother of good times, Nana Funk is a cabaret artiste like no other. She’ll be joined by pianist Claire Jones for a night of songs, comedy and improvisation in a show which takes a wry look at ageing. It’s on Thursday 20 March in Ripon Operatics Hall with tickets costing £15, which includes a glass of fizz and a canapé or two.
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Activities at Thorp Perrow
the new programme of activities for 2025 has been announced. There’s a wide range of events suitable for people of all ages and interests. Check out their website – http://Your Visit (Home) – Thorp Perrow
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Quiz decider
Well, how did you do? The answer is 121. The winners were closest with 122.
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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