St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 28 September at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
- Thursday 2 October at 11am – Morning Prayer service
- Sunday 5 October at 8.30am – BCP Holy Communion
- Sunday 5 October at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong
- Thursday 9 October at 11am – Morning Prayer service
St Columba’s will again be celebrating the Feast of All Souls on Sunday 2 November, when family and friends who have died are remembered. The choir will sing the glorious Requiem Mass Tomas Louis de Victoria as the setting for the service.
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Masham Sheep Fair
TODAY: Sunday 28 September, 10am-4pm. Sheep showing, sheep racing, craft market, Bishop Blaize procession, fleece stalls, sheepdog demonstrations, hand bell ringers, Morris Dancers, art exhibition and tours of Theakstons and the Black Sheep breweries, as well as a small fair for children.
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TONIGHT: Sunday 28 September – the quiz will take place at 8pm this evening in the Village Hall. All welcome.
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Last Sunday’s quiz was set by David and won by Susan, Derek and Alan. 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. Who was the first Briton in space?
2. What two rivers border the Wirral peninsula?
3. What type of animal is a golden guernsey ?
4. What was the first bird released from Noah’s ark?
5. What did the Romans name Scotland ?
6. What was Bob Dylan’s real name ?
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Fundraiser for owl sanctuary
Asenby resident Linsey Payne is running a little fundraiser to help raise some cash to help build some new aviaries at the Longacre Owl Sanctuary in Thirsk. The new aviaries are needed to help house the ever-increasing number of owls and other birds being taken in by the sanctuary. If you would like to help by buying a few raffle tickets, please
- 1st Prize – Afternoon tea with sanctuary organiser Rose Dawson and a personal tour to see the beautiful owls/birds in her care.
- 2nd Prize – A children’s tractor & trailer.
- 3rd Prize – A night in with little Ted (Teddy, wine & chocolate).
Raffle tickets are just £1 each from Linsey. at Topcliffe Post Office or via her Facebook page.
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Volunteers wanted at Thirsk Information Centre
If you enjoy meeting and assisting people then helping out at Thirsk Information Centre might be just the ticket for you. Local residents and visitors from all over the world call in the the centre on Thirsk Market Place to seek help and guidance about places to visit and things to do. Telephone Jocelyn Caramello for a chat about possibly volunteering on 07482 084643.
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Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall – bookings and hire
The Village Hall is available for hire to local organisations, businesses and individuals. It is a superb venue with fully equipped kitchen – an ideal place for family parties. Book online for your event by scanning the QR code or visiting either the Topcliffe or Asenby village websites.
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Monday
AM Art Class
Eve Boot Camp
Tuesday
AM Pilates
PM Boccia
Eve Squirrels & Beevers
Wednesday
Lunch Warm Hub
Eve Cubs
Thursday
PM Knit & Natter
Eve Carpet Bowls
Friday
Eve Boot Camp
Sunday
Eve Quiz
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Village Hall Library
The library in the Village Hall has regular opening times to coincide with other events taking place, namely:
- 1.30 to 3.30pm each Tuesday whilst the Boccia Club is meeting.
- 11.30 to 2pm pm on alternate Wednesdays when the Warm Hub lunch is on.
- 1.30 to 3.30pm each Thursday when the Knit & Natter club is meeting.
The library, which is free to use, holds hundreds of fiction novels by all the leading authors, plus some factual books. The number and range of children’s books has been increased, but there is still space in the box for more pre-school and primary school books. So, if you have any spare, they would be appreciated.
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Welcome to Topcliffe & Asenby villages
To help new residents settle in, the Village Hall Committee has put together a Welcome Pack filled with useful contacts, local activities and everything needed to make new arrivals feel at home in our wonderful villages.
There’s a digital or hardcopy version that can be flipped through over a cuppa. Chrissy Findlay is the go-to person for getting a pack. She would love to hear about new arrivals, so if you know someone who’s just moved in, please give her a shout!. Call or text Chrissy on 07717 795711 to request a pack or share news of a new neighbour.
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Warm Welcome at the Warm Hub
There’s always a warm welcome for friends and neighbours new and old at the fortnightly Warm Hub lunch at the Village Hall. From Wednesday 1 October and throughout the autumn and winter months, the dedicated team of volunteers will be serving hot meals. On the 1st, there will be mince and dumplings, cheese, onion and potato pie or chicken curry and rice, followed by a choice of hot puddings and custard. All lunches are served between 11.30am and 12.45pm. There is no set charge but customers are asked to make a donation to help towards unavoidable costs.
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Rev Dawn Ward
The Bishop of Whitby will install Rev Dawn Ward as the house-for-duty priest for the benefice of Topcliffe, Baldersby with Dishforth & Skipton-on-Swale and Dalton at a service at Baldersby St James at 7pm on Wednesday 1 October. Everyone is warmly invited to join us for this happy occasion.
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Autumn Sketch and Draw in pencil and charcoal experience
At Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall – Thursday 9 October – 10am – 2pm. All materials provided and refreshments are included. Bring your own lunch or order a light lunch from a local caterer to be delivered on the day. Book online at: https://rebeccajayneartist.co.uk/
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Autumnal Retreat
Holly Brown of Salty Soul Yoga is organising an autumn retreat day at The Angel Inn, Topcliffe on Saturday 11 October between 10am and 5pm. It includes gentle Hatha yoga, sound bathing, cosmic breathing sessions, a nourishing lunch and other refreshments throughout the day. The cost is £65 and booking is via the Salty Soul Yoga Facebook page.
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Topcliffe Academy – Open Afternoon for Admissions 2026
Parents seeking a school place for September 2026 are invited to an open afternoon on Tuesday, 21 October at 5pm. Come and join the school team to find out what Topcliffe Church of England Academy is all about. The school is passionate about providing children in its care with the very best learning opportunities and experiences that will support them with their next steps in life.
We believe that all children can achieve well and thrive in an open, caring, happy school community. Topcliffe Academy is a small family school with Christian values at the heart of everything it does. The school’s motto is ‘growing, believing and achieving’.
Link to admissions here: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/education-and-learning/school-admissions/starting-primary-school-and-junior-school
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CPR and Defibrillator training
Asenby Parish Council is holding a CPR and Defibrillator training session in Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall on Saturday 25 October from 10am to 12 noon. The session is being run by Davis First Aid Training, a local company with many years experience. Residents of Topcliffe and Asenby are urged to attend this free of charge session. In addition to learning potentially life-saving skills that hopefully you’ll never need to put to use, it can also be a lot of fun. Booking is not required, just turn up on the day.
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Village Hall Christmas Fair
This year’s Christmas Fair will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 15 November between 10am and 2pm. There will be lots of stalls, mostly selling items associated with the festive season, so it’s a great opportunity to get some early presents or decorations.
Organiser Karen Morley says she will be serving a hot brunch – bacon or sausage or egg rolls, plus tea and coffee. There’ll be a selection of cakes for those who just want light refreshments.
All available stalls have now been reserved, but a ‘reserve list’ has been opened if anyone wants to be considered should any of the bookings be withdrawn. Call Karen on 01845 577426.
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Christmas Day Afternoon Tea at Maple Park
This may seem an early announcement but it might be worth those interested getting in touch to book their place. Maple Park cafe is once again planning to host a free afternoon tea for anyone who may be spending Christmas Day on their own. It was very popular last Christmas and no doubt will be again this year. book your place by phone – 01845 813115.
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Chip ‘n’ Dales
The fish and chip van is in Topcliffe every Friday from 5 – 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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EVENTS ON IN THE WIDER AREA
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The Ritz Cinema
- The Life of Chuck – to Thursday 2 October – no matinees.
- The Roses – All’s Fair when Love is War – Friday 3 to Thursday 9 October – matinee on Wednesday 8 October.
- Paris 75: The European Cup Final Football Tried to Forget – Sunday 12 October at 7.30pm.
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Music Monthlies: The Dunwells
Performing at Rural Arts on Westgate on Thursday 2 October – The Dunwells are a successful Leeds based Indie-folk / Americana band known for rich vocals and heartfelt songwriting. Since their 2012 debut Blind Sighted Faith, they’ve released multiple albums and toured globally, supporting acts like Mumford & Sons and Elbow. 7:30pm. Book online at http://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
On Sunday 5 October at 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. 9am-2pm.
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Yarnbombers Market Stall
The Yarnbombers will be having stalls at Tesco supermarket and on Thirsk Market on Saturday 11 October to sell their Halloween and Christmas gifts.
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Concerts and Events at Ripon Cathedral
- Pink Floyd by Candlelight (performed by What the Floyd) – Thursday 16 October at 7.30pm.
- 80s Anthems by candlelight – Saturday 8 November at 7.30pm.
- Christmas by Candlelight – a festive spectacular – Friday 5 December at 7.30pm.
- G4 Christmas Concert – yuletide magic with mesmerising harmonies – Saturday 6 December at 7.30pm.
- The Eagles by Candlelight – Saturday 10 January 2026 at 7.30pm.
Book online at https://riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
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Thirsk Repair Cafe
At Thirsk Library on Meadowfields on Saturday 18 October between 10am and 12.30pm. 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. No set charge, just a voluntary donation.
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Thirsk Artisan Market
On Thirsk’s Market Place on Sunday 19 October 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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The Yorkshire Flea
The next flea market at Thirsk Farmers’ Market will be held on Sunday 19 October between 11am and 6pm.
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Pumpkins
- Pick your own pumpkins at Spilman’s, The Church Farm, Sessay each Saturday and Sunday until Sunday 19 October, then daily Friday 24 to Friday 31 October. 125,000 pumpkins of different varieties to choose from. Ticket includes entrance to watch the new ‘Spilmans Got Talent: Spooky Spectacular’ show plus a new Halloween fancy dress disco with Skelebones, carving tent, tractor & trailer rides, corn cannon, pumpkin sling s shot and spooky walk. From £16. Book online http://www.spilmans.co.uk
- Pop down to our pumpkin picking farm at Pumpkin Patch, Lodge Farm, Cundall where there’s 53 varieties to pick from – from ones that fit in your hand, to ones that fill a wheelbarrow! Also a bale mountain, toy tractors, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin noughts and crosses, vintage tractor, home made refreshments, hot and cold drinks and a horse box pizza van. Saturday 4 to Friday 31 October (please chech specific dates on website). £2.10 each entry, £6.30 max total. Tickets online at http://www.yorkshirepumpkins.com
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Quiz answers
1. Tim Peake
2. Mersey and Dee
3. A goat
4. A raven
5. Caledonia
6. Robert Zimmerman
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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