St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 9 March at 10.45am – Holy Communion, with Rev Robert Williamson.
- Wednesday 12 March at 7pm – Compline for Lent.
- Sunday 16 March at 10.45am – Sung Matins.
- Wednesday 19 March at 7pm – Compline for Lent.
- Sunday 23 March at 10.45am – Holy Communion, Rev Robert Williamson.
- Wednesday 26 March at 7pm – Compline for Lent.
- Mothering Sunday 30 March at 10.45am – a special service with Rev Dawn Ward.
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Village Quiz
TONIGHT: Sunday 9 March – the quiz will be held at 8pm in the Village Hall.
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Last Sunday’s quiz was set by David and won by Alan, Sue and Derek. Well done the winners and everyone else who took part.
Here are a few of the questions from the quiz to test your knowledge. See the answers at the end of today’s email.
1. Which actor played the Prime Minister in the series Yes Prime Minister?
2 In the 1960s who sang about Itchycoo Park?
3. Who wrote the Fr Brown novels?
4. Fred Perry was World champion in which sport on 1929?
5. Who has been the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine since 1988?
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This year’s maintenance programme started yesterday when thirteen volunteers turned out on the first churchyard tidy-up of the year. Thanks to Karen and Andrew Cussons, Fran Eckersley, Shirley and Gordon Walker, Doug Allan, Lynne Mee, Richard Byas, Charlie Blair, Linda Bumby, Julie Coldbeck and John Phillips, some of whom are pictured above,
There will be two more early season tidy ups on Saturdays 15 and 22 March – weather and energy permitting! Do try to help if you can. There’s a number of gardening tools available, but please bring any tools you think might be useful. Refreshments will be available.
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Funeral of Gary ‘Guinea’ Heslop
The funeral of Guinea Heslop will take place at 3.40pm on Thursday 13 March at York Crematorium, Bishopthorpe Road YO23 2QD. As Guinea was a scooter fanatic, his friends are invited to join a scooter and funeral car procession meeting at 2pm in Millgate car park, Thirsk and making its way via the A19 to York. There’ll also be a Celebration of Guinea’s life at The Vale of York in Carlton Miniott at 5.30pm. Dress code throughout the day is informal and guests are encouraged to wear the sort of clothing Guinea would have loved—Fred Perry, braces and Dr Martens. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, can be made to the Guinea Heslop Memorial Fund on GoFundMe. See notice here.
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Vacancy on Asenby Parish Council
The Parish Council is sorry to announce the resignation of Councillor Sue Hazelton. The official announcement and details of what happens next can be read here.
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Green Waste Licence
The green bin collection service has now recommenced but there is still time to buy a licence if you haven’t got yours yet. A licence costs £49 for fortnightly collections until early December. Once paid, your bin sticker will arrive within 14-days. Go to North Yorkshire Council’s website to book and read more.
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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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East Coast Line closures
Weekend engineering work will close the East Coast close the lines in both directions between Northallerton and Newcastle up to and including 15 and 16 March. LNER trains will run one train per hour between London and Newcastle on a diversion route. Grand Central will run a reduced timetable and Northern and TransPennine Express have revised timetables. Check your journey at http://nationalrail.co.uk/status-and-disruptions
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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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Warm Hub Lunch
The next Warm Hub lunch will be held at the Village Hall on Wednesday 19 March 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.
Last week’s lunch saw 54 meals served and income totalling £153. A donation of £50 was made to Yorkshire Air Ambulance and after hall hire and food expenses, the balance was added to the Warm Hub Community Fund.
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 delivered on the day the Warm Hub is held, please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426.
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BINGO!
The next bingo session will be held at 1pm, immediately after the Warm Hub lunch on Wednesday 19 March. For those thinking about popping along, the charge is 50p per game ticket, meaning the cost of playing one ticket in all 10 games is £5. The prize pot will be calculated according to the amount of cash taken on the day. A cuppa is provided free of charge during the session.
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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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Buffet Lunch and Open Day
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 Buffet Lunch on Sunday 23 March between 11am and 1pm. There’ll be a choice of sandwiches, quiches, sausage rolls, and cakes, plus a choice of tea, coffee and soft drinks.
There’ll be a presentation on the large screen showing examples of what goes on in the hall every week. And our local North Yorkshire Council representative, Cllr Dan Sladden, and members of both Topcliffe and Asenby Parish Councils have been invited to be present.
Bake to help out!
The lunch organisers would appreciate any assistance with baking of cakes, scones , quiches, or sausage rolls. If you can help out, please contact Karen Morley on 01845 577426.
Everyone loves a raffle
If anyone has anything they are prepared to give as a raffle prize, please get in touch with Doug Allan on 07785 223707.
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Winter art class
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 date 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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The Flying Oysters
Back by popular demand! The Flying Oysters, one of the north east’s top bands is returning to Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall on Saturday 29 March. Dance the night away to the music of Coldplay, The Kinks, Kings of Leon, The Eurythmics, Queen, Radiohead, Killers, Pink Floyd, Elbow and the songs of many more top performers.
Tickets, priced £15, are selling fast so make sure you don’t miss out!. Get yours from Topcliffe Post Office or Doug Allan (07785 223707). A supper of pie & peas and a pudding is included. This will be a ‘Bring Your Own Drinks’ event.
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Wedding Fair at The Angel Inn
There’ll be a wedding fair at The Angel Inn on Saturday 29 March between 11am and 2pm. Enjoy a glass of bubbles and canapes and live music whilst meeting lots of wedding exhibitors. Any couple who subsequently make a booking for their big day at The Angel will receive a complimentary night in the Bridal Suite the evening of their wedding, along with a bottle of bubbly to celebrate.
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Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be held at 7pm on Thursday 3 April in the lower committee room at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.
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Wedding Open Day at Catton Hall
The new wedding and events location at Catton Hall is holding an open day on Sunday 13 April between 11am and 2pm. The brand new venue will be available for inspection and the range of ‘stretch tents’ available will be showcased. Free entry.
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Bees and Brunch
If you are a budding beekeeper you might want to attend one of these events planned at the Catton Kitchen. Amy and Hugo are organising Bees and Brunch events on Saturday 14 June, Saturday 12 July, Saturday 9 August and Saturday 13 September. Places are limited so even though they are still months away, you are advised to book early.
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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 every second Saturday of the month there’s a Digital Cafe at which you can get support whilst enjoying some refreshments.
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The Ritz
- TODAY: – Sunday 9 March – London Mountain Film Festival – Showreel 2 – Snow Sports (Ski and boarding).
- Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy – To Thursday 13 March (except Sunday 9 March). Matinee on Wednesday 12 March.
- September 5 – Friday 14 to Thursday 20 March
- Dog Man – Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March. Show starts at 2.30pm.
- London Mountain Film Festival – Showreel 3 – two Wheels (cycling, mainly off road) – Sunday 16 March.
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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Concerts and Events at Ripon Cathedral
- An Evening of Glam Rock – Thursday 13 March at 7.30pm.
- Take That – tribute group Re-Take That in concert – Friday 14 March at 7.30pm.
- Queen by Candlelight – Friday 16 May at 7.30pm.
- Country by Candlelight – Saturday 17 May at 7.30pm
- Coldplay by candlelight – Friday 18 July at 7.30pm.
Book online at https://riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
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The Idea of North
On at Rural Arts 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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Meet best selling authors
At White Rose Books & Coffee Bar on Market Place, Thirsk on Thursday 13 March at 6.30pm. Features Milly Johnson in conversation with Lucy Diamond. A fun, lively evening of chat and questions and answers. Plus book signing and light refreshments. £16.99 each includes entry & one Book, plus light refreshments, £5 without book. For tickets call 01845 524353.
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Thirsk Artisan Market
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. Sunday 16 March from 10am to 3pm.
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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 22 March at Thirsk Community Library. 10am-1pm, last customer at 12.30pm.
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Sculpture Park Residents’ Day
On Saturday 22 March from 11am there’s free entry to the Sculpture Garden at Thirsk Hall for any visitor with a YO7 postcode. No need to book.
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Willow wreath making workshop
Spring willow wreath making workshop with instructions from Twigs & Sprigs on Saturday 22 March between 10am and 12 noon at Sessay Village Hall. Tea and coffee included – cakes available to purchase. £45 payable in advance from Heather Dale on 07467549302.
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Thirsk Museum re-opens
Thirsk Museum on Kirkgate in Thirsk reopens for the summer season on Monday 24 March. Normal opening 10.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Saturday depending on availability of volunteers. Last admission at 3.00pm. Donation welcomed. http://www.thirskmuseum.org
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Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange
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 March 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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Charity Car Wash
Crew members from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are holding a charity car wash on Saturday 29 March from 10am to 2pm at Northallerton Fire Station. They will be raising money for the fire fighters’ charity. Give your car a spring clean and help raise cash for a great charity at the same time.
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Plant Fair
There’ll be a spring plant fair at Newburgh Priory near Coxwold on Sunday 6 April.
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Easter Base Camps
Bookings are now open for places on the Base Camps being held at Baldersby Park over the Easter school holidays. Here’s what is happening:
- Friday 11 April – Spring detectives and natural art – 5 to 11 year-olds.
- Monday 14 April – Forage, fire and cooking – 7 to 13 year-olds.
- Tuesday 15 April – Archery and den building – 7 to 13 year-olds.
- Thursday 17 April – Spring treasure hunt and nest-making – 5 to 11 year-olds.
£32 per session. Book early online to avoid disappointment – https://www.basecamplearning.co.uk/
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Harrogate Spring Flower Show
With over seventy plant nurseries and societies as well as inspiring show garden designs and beautiful floral art to discover, there will be plenty to put a spring in your step and everything you need to plan and plant the perfect outdoor space at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show. It’s on from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 April at Harrogate Showground. Book your tickets now and enjoy a £5 discount per adult ticket – offer available for a limited time only.
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Thirsk Hall history and architecture tours
Following the sell-out success of the House & Architecture tour of Thirsk Hall to be led by historian Dr Helen Metcalfe on 23 March, three more tour dates have been announced. They are Friday 23 May at 10.30am and 2pm and Friday 25 July at 2.30pm. Please note that the number of tickets available is very limited and that tickets for the last tour sold out very quickly. Get yours, priced £20 from https://shop.beyonk.com/8p9ern3j/experiences/08docpwq
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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 answers
1. Paul Eddington
2. The Small Faces
3. G K Chesterton
4. Table Tennis
5. Anna Wintour
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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