St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 19 October at 10.45am – Sung Matins
- Thursday 23 October at 11am – Morning Prayer service
- Sunday 26 October at 10.45am – Holy Communion
- Thursday 30 October at 11am – Morning Prayer service.
- Sunday 2 November at 8.30am – BCP Holy Communion led by Rev Dawn Ward.
Sunday 2 November, Feast of All Souls at 6.30pm – Choral Requiem Mass. Everyone is invited to remember and give thanks for the lives of departed family and friends at this beautiful and uplifting service set to the music of Caspar Ett (1788-1847). There is an opportunity for loved ones to be remembered by name and also to light a candle in their memory during the service. Names to be remembered can be added to the list before the service or, if preferred, emailed to John Phillips (johnphillips05@gmail.com) or Chris Hewlett (celhewlett@outlook.com ).
- Remembrance Sunday 9 November at 10.45am – A special service which will include a two minutes silence at 11am and the laying of wreaths at the village war memorials in church. A group representing the 4th Regiment (Royal Artillery) will be attending.
- Armistice Day – Tuesday 11 November at 10.45am – The 4th Regiment (Royal Artillery) will hold their Remembrance Service at St Columba’s led by their Chaplain the Rev Dr Henry Afful CF. All service personnel in camp on the day are expected to be present, led by their Commanding Officer Colonel Harry Waller RA. Children from both Alanbrooke Academy and Topcliffe C of E Academy will also attend and both academies will be involved in parts of the service as well as others from our village community. The CO particularly hopes that this service will foster a stronger bond of relationship between the barracks and the communities of Topcliffe and Asenby and that as many as possible will be able to attend.
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TONIGHT: Sunday 19 October – the quiz will take place at 8pm this evening in the Village Hall. All welcome.
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Last Sunday’s excellent quiz was set by Shirley and the winners were Pete, Alan, Sylvia and Sheila. Well done 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 German statesman was known as the Iron Chancellor?
2. Which Canadian airport is named after the country’s Prime Minister 1968-79 &1980-84?
3. What was the nickname given to the criminal Albert de Salvo in the 1960s?
4. What was Frank Sinatra’s middle name?
5. What 1992 novel by Robert Harris is set in a world where Germany won World War II?
6. What was the name of Mr Jones’s farm where the animals live in George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ before the animal revolution?
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Thirsk Artisan Market
TODAY: Sunday 19 October between 10am and 3pm on Thirsk’s Market Place. 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
TODAY: Sunday 19 October between 11am and 6pm. At Thirsk Farmers’ Market.
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Community Dance Festival
TODAY: Sunday 19 October – the second day of the Community Dance Festival being staged at a range of venues in Thirsk. It’s a celebration of dance in all of its forms – movement, creativity and culture. It includes a wide range of dance workshops for over 18s whatever their experience or ability, from Indian dance to ballet, African dance to Salsa. £5.30 per workshop. Alongside the workshops there’s live performances, dance film screenings, a local art exhibition, and an interactive art installation. Pop along and help celebrate the rich diversity of community dance in all its forms. Find out more, check out the venues and book online any of the 28 workshops at http://envisagedance.co.uk/envisage-this-festival
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Asenby Village footpath repairs – an update
The Parish Council has received an update about footpath repairs from North Yorkshire Council. It states:
- The short sections of work recently carried out was footway patching to resurface areas of the footpath where the surface was defective.
- Slurry sealing works are currently programmed between 27 and 31 October. The slurry seal is like a continuous seal of the footpath to prolong the life of the footpath. For more information about slurry sealing, see this leaflet.
- Local buses should continue to run as normal during the works as only ‘soft’ road closures are required for this work. Access for residents will be maintained.
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And Asenby roadworks coming soon too!
Notification has been received by the parish council about some telecoms works in the village that will require road restrictions. There’ll be excavations to install approximately 160m of telecoms cable to link into existing telecoms apparatus as part of the ‘fibre to the home’ scheme. The restriction will be in place for a period of 5 days between Thursday 6 and Monday 10 November.
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Macmillan Coffee Morning Success
There was a fantastic turn out for the fundraising event held at The Angel Inn in Topcliffe on 26 September. A whopping £946.19 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support. The team at The Angel would like to thank everyone who attended and also those who donated cakes and raffle prizes. Well done everyone.
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Ten soldiers from 4th Royal Artillery regiment based at Alanbrooke Barracks helped with some essential maintenance at St Columba’s churchyard last Wednesday morning. Led by Padre Henry, they split into small groups and tackled specified tasks including painting the arch above the main gate, the mesh gates at the church main doors and handlebars at various steps throughout the churchyard. Another team power washed the stones at the Old Market Cross. After a hard couple of hours, the soldiers joined villagers at the Warm Hub lunch in the Village Hall.
The regiment will be back in Topcliffe in force next month to attend the Remembrance Sunday service at St Columba’s Church.
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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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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. Throughout the autumn and winter months the dedicated team of volunteers will be serving hot meals followed by a choice of hot puddings with custard. The next Warm Hub lunch is on Wednesday 29 October. 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.
The last lunch on Wednesday 15 October saw 50 meals served and donations totalling £114. The Blue Cross Homing Centre near Topcliffe was presented with £50 and, after expenses, the balance was added to the Warm Hub Community Fund.
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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. Link to admissions here: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/education-and-learning/school-admissions/starting-primary-school-and-junior-school
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Topcliffe Academy Harvest Service and Collection
The School’s Harvest Service will be held in St Columba’s Church at 2.30pm on Wednesday 22 October. Family and friends are most welcome to attend.
This year, the school will be collecting goods to send to Thirsk Community Works charity to help support people in our local area. Items can be taken to the school office on the morning of Wednesday 22 October. The items most needed are: tea, coffee, hot chocolate; tinned vegetables, canned curries and stews; rice, pasta and soups; tins of fruit and rice pudding; biscuits and savoury snacks; ketchup and other sauces; toilet rolls, toiletries and cleaning products.
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Topcliffe Academy – other important dates this term
- Thursday, 23 October – School closes for half term
- Friday, 24 October – Staff Training Day
- Monday, 3 November – Staff Training Day
- Tuesday, 4 November – School re-opens for 2nd half of autumn term
- Friday, 7 November – Service Children’s Service of Remembrance at Ripon Cathedral
- Wednesday, 17 December – Carol Service at St Columba’s Church, 2.15pm
- Friday, 19 December – Break up for Christmas, 3.15pm
- Monday, 5 January – Staff Training Day
- Tuesday, 6 January – School re-opens for start of Spring Term.
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Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be at 7pm on Thursday 23 October in the Village Hall.
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CPR and Defibrillator training
This is a reminder that 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 will be 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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Comedy at The Angel Inn
The Hilarity Bites Comedy Club returns to The Angel at Topcliffe on Thursday 6 November for a night of top laughs. Three top comedians will be on stage – Sam Avery, (“Quick wit and painfully funny” – Metro); David Eagle – “(a comic tour de force”- The Guardian); and Carl Jones – (“Very funny… a breezily entertaining half-hour from a likeable comic” – Chortle). This show will also feature a newer act in the middle of the programme. Doors at 7.30pm and show starts at 8pm. Tickets are £12 per person in advance from reception, or £15 on the door. More info online at http://hilaritybites.co.uk/show/topcliffe-november-6th-2025
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Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee
The next meeting of the Village Hall Committee will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11 November in the Village Hall.
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Art classes at the Village Hall
Book early for these special art classes coming up at the Village Hall.
- Thursday 13 November – Autumn Scenes in soft pastels – a three-hour class from 10am to 1pm. For beginners and those with artistic experience. All materials provided and refreshments are included. If you already love working in pastels, please do take your own sets too. £40.
- Thursday 4 December – Paint an Enchanted Forest or a Festive Scene – another three- hour session from 10am to 1pm. For beginners and more experienced artists. All materials provided and refreshments are included. £35.
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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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Festive Workshops at The Angel
A range of festive workshops are planned at The Angel Inn, Topcliffe. Similar events last year proved very popular and it’s likely that places again will be snapped up quickly.
- Fabric Lantern Workshop – Wednesday 26 November, 12noon to 2.30pm and 7 to 9.30pm. Tickets £45.
- Wreath Making Workshop – Wednesday 3 December, 12 noon to 2pm and 6.30 to 8.30pm. Tickets £50.
- Macrame Garland Workshop – Wednesday 10 December, 10.30am to 12:30pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £25.
- Botanical Clay Casting Workshop – Wednesday 17 December, 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3pm. Tickets £45.
All workshops include a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. For more details and to book please call The Angel reception team on 01845 578000.
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Wreath-making at The Catton Kitchen
The Catton Kitchen is holding a wreath-making event with a difference. This year participants will forage in the gardens, woodland and hedges at The Catton Kitchen for everything they require. The workshops are on Saturday 29 November between 2 and 4pm and Sunday 30 November between 1 and 3pm. The cost is £50 per person and the price includes all materials and some festive treats and mulled wine.
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Asenby Parish Council
The next meeting of Asenby parish Council will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 3 December in Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall. The meeting after that will be held Wednesday 4 March 2026.
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Festive dates for your diary
Here are a few dates that you might wish to note. Further details about these events will be announced nearer the dates.
- Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch – Wednesday 10 December. At the Village Hall.
- Carols around the Christmas Tree – Friday 19 December. Outside the Village Hall with refreshments inside the hall afterwards.
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Christmas Party Nights at The Angel Inn
Bookings are now being taken for the ever-popular Christmas Party Nights at The Angel. Great opportunities to celebrate the festive season with your friends, family, neighbours or work colleagues. There are two dates and two different different experiences!
Classic Party Night – Friday 12 December
Tickets: £55 per person. Welcome drink on arrival. Set 3-course festive menu (a fixed menu will be served with no choices available, dietary requirement will be catered for). DJ to keep the party going. Dress code semi-formal ((no trainers or tracksuit pants). Prize from The Angel Inn for the Best Dressed Guest.
The Festive Affair – Saturday 13 December
Tickets: £75 per person. Welcome drink on arrival. 3-course festive menu (guests will be asked to pre-order their choice of dishes in advance – no more than 14 days after the booking has been confirmed). Illusionist, DJ and Saxophonist Ali Adair. Dress code formal (no jeans, trainers or tracksuit pants). Prize from The Angel Inn for the Best Dressed Guest.
Book early to ensure you don’t miss out. For more details and to book please call The Angel reception team on 01845 578000.
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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
- Big Bold Beautiful Journey – to Thursday 16 October – no matinees.
- Spinal Tap II: The End Continues – Friday 17 to Monday 20 October – no matinees.
- The Golden Spurtle – Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 October – no matinees.
- Dead of Winter – Friday 24 to Thursday 30 October – no matinees.
- Roofman – Friday 31 October to Thursday 6 November – no matinees.
- The Choral – Friday 7 to Thursday 13 November – matinee on Wednesday 12 November.
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Coffee Morning for Breast Cancer Research
There will be a Coffee Morning for Breast Cancer Research in Dalton Village Hall on Wednesday 22 October between 10.30am and 12 noon. Wear a pink item of clothing for all those who have suffered with breast cancer. Pop along and enjoy a chat, a cuppa and a piece of cake whilst raising money for this very worthwhile cause.
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Ride on Locomotion No. 1
This month and next, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway will host Locomotion No. 1, a replica of the pioneering 1825 steam engine by George and Robert Stephenson. The visits celebrate 200 years of UK rail history. Built in 1975, the replica offers a nostalgic 15–20 minutes return journey from Pickering Station to New Bridge Crossing on select dates: Saturday 25 to Wednesday 29 October and Saturday 1 to Sunday 9 November. Trains depart daily at 10:10 am. Tickets cost £10 for adults (16+), £5 for children (3–15), and are free for under-3s on a guardian’s lap.
A must-see for railway enthusiasts and families alike, this event brings the spirit of early passenger travel to life. Book online at http://www.nymr.co.uk/events
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Halloween event for kids
White Rose Bookshop in Thirsk is holding a free Halloween event for kids on Saturday 25 October between 10am and 3pm. There’ll be a costume competition with a prize for the winner. Meet award-winning author Jane Clack who will be storytelling. Free goody bags (whilst stocks last). Book signing. 11am – 3pm. Free. http://www.whiterosebooks.co.uk
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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, homemade refreshments, hot and cold drinks and a horse box pizza van. To Friday 31 October (please chechk specific dates on website). £2.10 each entry, £6.30 max total. Tickets online at http://www.yorkshirepumpkins.com
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Haunted Thirsk Halloween Walks
Join the Historic Experiences team for their Haunted Tour this Halloween around the ancient streets of Thirsk at the most haunted time of the year. Thursday 30 October at 6.30pm (tickets 310) and Friday 31 October at 4.30pm and 6.30pm (tickets £13). Concessions available. Email tina@historicexperiences.com for advance tickets or call 07876 010835.
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Painting, Pint, Pie & Peas
Pints and painting meet pies and peas at this special Halloween night event at Rural Arts in Thirsk on Friday 31 October between 7 and 9pm. Delicious food, drinks and a creative night of autumnal art with friends. Soft drinks available. Age 16+. £20. Book online http://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
On the Market Place in Thirsk on Sunday 2 November between 9am and 2pm. 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.
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Concerts and Events at Ripon Cathedral
- 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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Quiz answers
1. Bismarck
2. Montreal
3. The Boston Strangler
4. Albert
5. Fatherland
6. Manor Farm.
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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