St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 4 May at 6.30pm Choral Evensong, followed by pre-supper wine and nibbles.
- Thursday 8 May at 11am, A service to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. Led by Revd. Dawn Ward. Everyone welcome and refreshments will be served afterwards.
- Sunday 11 May at 10.45am, Holy Communion, Father Robert Williamson.
- Thursday 15 May at 11am, Morning Prayer, Revd. Dawn Ward, followed by fellowship and refreshments.
- Sunday 18 May at 10.45am, Sung Matins, followed by refreshments.
- Thursday 22 May at 11am, Morning Prayer, Revd. Dawn Ward, followed by fellowship and refreshments.
- Sunday 25 May at 10.45am, Holy Communion, Father Robert Williamson.
- Thursday 29 May at 11am, Morning Prayer, Revd. Dawn Ward, followed by fellowship and refreshments.
|
|
A bus to the Moors
TODAY: Sunday 4 May – The M5 Thirsk to Helmsley Moorbus, a not-for-profit service run entirely by volunteers for the benefit of local communities and visitors, starts to run again between Thirsk and Helmsley. The Moorsbus timetables are available at the Thirsk Information Centre. https://visitthirsk.uk/
|
|
Thirsk Farmers’ Market
TODAY: Sunday 4 May between 9am and 2pm. on the Market Place, Thirsk. 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.
|
|
Sports Cars in the Park
TODAY: Sunday 4 May – A fantastic day out at Newby Hall for the whole family, with a great atmosphere. Event includes free entry into Newby Hall’s amazing grounds with its legendary adventure playground. It’s on from 10am to 3pm. Tickets £18, Child (4-15) £15, Family (2+2) £54, under 4s free. Book online at http://www.newbyhall.com/event
|
|
Village Quiz
TONIGHT: Sunday 4 May – the quiz will be held at 8pm in the Village Hall.
|
|
|
Last Sunday’s excellent quiz was set by Andrew and won by Mike & Linda and Karen and Malcolm (with a little help from Linda’s daughter Zoe). 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 is the second longest river in the UK?
2. Fillet, groove, mig, butt and corner are all part of what engineering process?
3. Barbie was first introduced in 1959, but when did Ken arrive on the scene?
4. Put these four locations in order of distance as the crow flies from Topcliffe (nearest to furthest) – Reykjavik, Oslo, Munich and Porto.
5. In Andy Pandy, what was the name of his teddy bear friend?
6. Which chocolate bar had the slogan ‘It’s not for girls’?
|
|
Toll Booth Update
Following a meeting of the Toll Booth Group, which is looking to persuade Topcliffe Parish Council to retain the building and find new uses for the space, a short survey has been created which is is hoped all residents will complete. This is an opportunity for all Topcliffe residents to have their say and to ask any questions. Please note that individual responses will remain anonymous. If you complete your name and e-mail address, that will only be used to verify that no duplications are included in the survey results. The Group looks forward to wide community engagement and it promises to be open and transparent with the overall results once the survey is closed. Please click on the link to start the survey and have your say: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Toll-Booth
|
|
Churchyard equipment appeal: great response
An appeal in recent Sunday Emails for equipment for use by the ground maintenance volunteers at St Columba’s churchyard has been extremely successful. The team is grateful to Ben Harrison and Steve Hall who both live in Asenby, who donated petrol strimmers, and to Rita Simmerson, and a lady named Christine also of Asenby, and Gordon Hatton of Topcliffe, who donated a range of useful gardening tools. Thanks are also given to Malcolm Morley who has taken on the task of checking the donated equipment and making sure the items are safe for use in the churchyard. The appeal for donations is still ongoing. if you can help, please get in touch with John Phillips on 01845 577034.
|
|
Cross Talk
The May edition of the church newsletter Cross Talk is now in circulation. You can view it here.
|
|
Comedy Night at The Angel
Tickets are already selling well for the next Comedy Bites evening at The Angel this Thursday evening (8 May). Doors: 7:30pm (for an 8pm start). The show will feature Rob Deering, Pete Selwood and Pete Otway. Tickets are £12 in advance or £15 on the door. http://hilaritybites.co.uk/show/topcliffe-may-8th-2025/
|
|
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee
The Village Hall AGM will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 13 May in the hall. It will be followed by a regular bi-monthly meeting of the committee. Members of the public are welcome to attend these meetings.
|
|
Soup & Sweet Lunch
The next Soup and Sweet lunch will be held on Wednesday 14 May from 11.30am to 1pm. There’ll be hearty soup choices with a selection of sandwiches, cakes 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 held on Wednesday 30 April saw 35 lunches served and donations totalling £126. An award of £50 was made to The Clock Community Works charity in Thirsk and, after taking out expenses, the balance was added to the Warm Hub Community Fund.
Don’t forget that residents of Topcliffe and Asenby can have lunch delivered if they are housebound – either on a short-term basis because of illness, or longer-term. If you wish to have a delivery please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426.
|
|
St Columba’s Special Events
On Thursday 22 May at 6pm St Columba’s Choir will once again sing Evensong at the church of Christ the Consoler in the grounds of Newby Hall, accessed from Skelton-on-Ure. Everyone is most welcome to enjoy the opportunity to visit this spectacular high Victorian church which is now maintained by the Historic Churches Trust having been closed some years ago for regular worship. Parking available.
To celebrate St Columba’s Day on Sunday 8 June there’ll be a special Choral Eucharist service at 10.45am led by Rev Robert Williamson. It will be followed by the usual family BBQ at 1pm and during the afternoon there’ll be visits to the top of the church tower and history tours around the church. It’s possible that more events to enhance the celebration will be announced later.
|
|
News from Asenby Parish Council
The Parish Council is planning to hold an annual parish meeting on Tuesday 27 May and the next normal Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 4 June. Both will be held at 7pm and held in Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.
From now on, Parish Council meetings will be held quarterly on the first Wednesday in the months of June, September, December and March.
|
|
Bees and Brunch
If you are a budding beekeeper you might want to attend one of these events planned at the Catton Kitchen over the summer months – Saturday 14 June, Saturday 9 August, Saturday 13 September. Please call to check availability and make a booking: 07747 083155.
|
|
Chip ‘n’ Dales
The Chip ‘n’ Dales fish and chip van is now back in Topcliffe every Friday 5 to 7pm.
|
|
Local traders and businesses
See here for a list of businesses and traders based in or close to Topcliffe.
|
|
Rural Arts Summer Programme
Thirsk-based Rural Arts summer programme contains a fantastic mix of workshops, craft and art classes, musical events and performance. There’s something for all age groups – from children’s pre-school activities through to ‘those of a certain age’. The programme is too large to list in the Sunday Email but you can check out what’s on by popping in to The Courthouse on Westgate or checking out their website: https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/
|
|
Duncombe Park Country Fair
There’s lots going on at this annual country fair, including stunt riding, mini Grand National, gun dog display, terrier racing, fun dog show, working ferret display. It’s on Monday 5 May from 59am to 5pm. Tickets £35 for a family (2 +2), £15 adult, £10 OAP, £5 child, Free under 5yrs. Book online at http://www.dpcountryfair.co.uk
|
|
The Ritz Cinema
- The Amateur – to Thursday 8 May – no matinees.
- Flow – Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May (all matinees).
- The Penguin Lessons – Friday 9 to Thursday 15 May – matinee on Wednesday 14 May.
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/
|
|
James Herriot Walking Tours
The walk through key Thirsk locations that inspired the beloved All Creatures Great and Small books, films, and TV series. Fridays 9 and 16 May at 12 noon. Visitors will see the original veterinary surgery and significant town landmarks while gaining fresh insights into Herriot’s life and legacy. The tour starts at The World of James Herriot Museum in Kirkgate and takes about 2 hours. £5, or £10 including Herriot Museum entry. Book online at http://visitthirsk.uk/herriotwalkingtour
|
|
Sowerby Flatts Bowls Open Day
Here’s an opportunity to try out the game of bowls as part of a fun-filled event. Sowerby Flatts Bowls Club, behind ‘The Institute’, next to Sowerby Park, is inviting men and women of all abilities to try their hand at this enjoyable and engaging sport on Saturday 10 May between 10am and 2pm. Don’t be fooled by appearances – the club’s members are friendly, younger than you might think and eager to share their love of the sport. All equipment provided, but kindly please wear flat-soled shoes. For further information please email: sowerbyflattsbowlingclub@gmail.com
|
|
Concerts and Events at Ripon Cathedral
- 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.
- U2 by Candlelight – Friday 8 August at 7.30pm.
- Tina Turner by Candlelight – Friday 19 September at 7.30pm.
Book online at https://riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
|
|
Racing at Thirsk
Sky Bet Irish Day on Saturday 17 May Prepare your Irish-themed outfits and be part of the excitement. Thrilling races, live Irish music from The Emerald Thieves and some quality racing. Children’s entertainment, including a bouncy castle and slide, alongside a variety of tasty food vans. Entry from £18, Family £25, Seniors £12, Child (0-17) Free. Book online at http://thirskracecourse.net
|
|
The Yorkshire Flea
A vintage & antique retail event on at Thirsk Auction Mart on Sunday 18 May between 11am and 6pm. Admission £3.
|
|
Thirsk Artisan Market
on Market Place on Sunday 18 May 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.
|
|
Yarnbombers Coffee Morning
Support the amazing Thirsk Yarnbombers and support local charities at Thirsk and Sowerby Town Hall, Westgate on Wednesday 21 May between 10.30am and noon.
|
|
Haunted Thirsk Guided Tour
Explore the ancient areas of Thirsk and discover its haunting tales. On Friday 23 May at 7pm. Rob your guide will meet you at the Town Clock whatever the weather. Tour lasts about 75 minutes. Pre-booking only. Adults £9. Concessions £7 – under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets from: tina@historicexperiences
|
|
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
|
|
|
Dishfest
DishFest is making a grand return this summer with a new-look festival on Saturday 31 May. The organisers are cranking it up with fresh musicians, a DJ extravaganza, and a whole new setup that’ll make your heart sing. Get ready for an afternoon into the evening filled with music, street food, beer marquee with seating and good vibes. It will all take place on the afternoon and through to the evening, on the Dishforth Playing Fields. Bring your own table and chairs, but please do not bring your own alcohol on site.
Tickets are limited and the event did sell out last year, so don’t leave it too late to book. Go online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dishfest-2025-tickets-1288240896199?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1
|
|
Byland Abbey Tours
Byland Abbey is open through to October. Volunteers at the English Heritage site will normally be on site, and the museum open, from 1pm to 5pm every Friday to Monday. And abbey tours, lasting about an hour, will take place at 2pm every Saturday and Sunday. These tours are free and do not need to be booked. There are also some special events coming up:
- Great Big Green Week – Sunday 8 June
- Festival of Archaeology – Sunday 27 July
For more information about this famous abbey and the tours, please contact sam.macfie@english-heritage.org.uk
|
|
Northallerton Vintage Vehicle Display
The Vintage Vehicle and 1940s Extravaganza on Northallerton’s High Street will be staged on Sunday 22 June. Step back in time and enjoy a fantastic day filled with classic vehicles, vintage vibes and 1940s nostalgia.
|
|
Music at Junction 50
The programme for this year’s concert series at Baldersby St James has been announced. The first, on Thursday 19 June at 7pm, features the Silver Keys Clarinet Quartet. Then on Thursday 17 July the JKL Duo will appear, also at 7pm. See full details here.
|
|
|
Quiz answers
1. Thames
2. Welding
3. 1961
4. Oslo (970kms), Munich (1128kms, Porto (1542kms) and Reykjavik (1603kms.
5. Teddy
6. Yorkie Bar.
|
|
|
That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
|
|
|
|
