St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 21 December at 10.45am – Said Matins.
- TODAY: Sunday 21 December at 6.30pm – Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
- Tuesday 23 December at 2pm – Crib Service
- Wednesday 24 December at 11.30pm – Midnight Mass (please note that this is the correct time for this service and that what was shown last week was incorrect!)
- Thursday 25 December at 10am – Christmas morning Service
- Sunday 28 December at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
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Meet Father Christmas at Thirsk Garden Centre
TODAY: Sunday 21 December is the final day that Santa and his elves will be welcoming children to his grotto at Thirsk Garden Centre. There’s gift for every child. All money collected goes to the Rotary Club of Thirsk to be used to support local good causes. £7 per child.
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Thirsk Artisan Market
TODAY: Sunday 21 December between 10am and 3pm. A market on Thirsk’s Market Place with a wide variety of artisan stalls which gives traders the best opportunities to showcase and sell their handmade goods.
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Last Sunday’s excellent Christmas quiz was set by Shirley and, as it was a special party night, there were prizes for the first three teams. First prize went to Roger, Edna and Andrew (pictured). Second place went to David and Pat (Shepherd) and Rachel and Stuart (Middleton). The third prize, after a decider with four other teams, went to Jim, Nigel, Malcolm and Andy. Well done all the winning teams and everyone else who took part.
Here’s a selection of questions from the Christmas quiz. See how you do. The answers are at the end of today’s email.
1. In which country did eggnog originate?
2. Which Matt had a number one Christmas hit with ‘When we Collide’ in 2010?
3. In ‘Home Alone 2’, who does Kevin bump into in the Plaza Hotel in New York?
4. What name is given to the feast day marking the arrival of the Three Wise Men?
5. What is the name given to the traditional German mulled wine?
6. There are two Christmas Islands. In which oceans are they?
7. Which radio DJ originally complied the BBC festive 50 songs?
8. What is the Grinch’s dog called?
9. What is Chionophobia the fear of?
10. Which cartoon characters featured on the 2010 Christmas stamps.
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Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall – bookings and hire
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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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Asenby Carol Singing
The carol singing around Asenby last Wednesday evening went very well. The night was just perfect for carols, being crisp and starry, and there was a nice group of singers. The response from the village was most appreciative and generous. A door to door collection for the Herriot Hospice at the Lambert in Thirsk, augmented by a significant anonymous donation, raised £1,005.
The kind donor wished to recognise another great community event in the village. They said: “I really believe in the power of community, and the more we can achieve together locally, gives me hope for future generations.”
Thanks as usual to all involved including the singers led by Linda Hewlett and some members of St Columba’s Choir, the cash collectors and, of course, the many generous donors. The carol singing was a great reflection of all that is done in Asenby by the Parish Council and the separate Village Events Team.
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Carols around the Christmas Tree in Topcliffe
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Over 60 residents of Topcliffe and Asenby gathered around the Christmas tree outside the Village Hall on Friday evening to sing carols and festive songs. Children who are members of Topcliffe Academy’s choir were in full voice and musical accompaniment was provided by the Barber family and a couple of their friends. Afterwards, mulled wine and mince pies were served in the hall.
A huge thank you to the singers and musicians and to Karen and Malc Morley for volunteering to organise the refreshments. And a thank you also to the many parents and children who braved the cold to come along to sing carols and join in the festive cheer.
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Topcliffe Bridge repaired
North Yorkshire Council last week delivered a wonderful Christmas present to the villages of Topcliffe and Asenby. Workmen spent a couple of days repairing Topcliffe Bridge, which had been damaged by a motorist a few months ago. It’s lovely to see the bridge wall looking pristine again, so a big thank you to the local authority.
There are rumours that someone has opened a ‘book’ on how long the bridge ramparts will stand before the next vehicle misjudges the bend at speed and destroys the stonework. If true, I’ll have a fiver on April 2026.
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Festive bin collections
Topcliffe Asenby
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Topcliffe Academy – Emergencies during school closures
Neighbours of the school often ask what they should do if they are aware of incidents at the school during holiday periods. Unfortunately, there’s no live-on-site caretaker so calls need to be made as follows:
If you think there is a break-in taking place, please call the police on 999.
If there is something else that needs reporting, please call 01845 577412 and leave a message (this will be picked up) or email admin@topcliffeacademy.org
Or call Elevate Multi Academy Trust on 01423 541996.
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The Angel at Christmas
- Christmas Eve – Wednesday 24 December – Frank Sinatra tribute act – Food 12 noon to 8pm; bar until 10.30pm. Live music from 7pm.
- Christmas Day – Thursday 25 December – Bar only, 11.30am to 1.30pm.
- Boxing Day – Friday 26 December – Food 12 noon to 4pm; bar 12 noon to 6pm.
- New Year’s Eve – Wednesday 31 December – The Doubtful Bottle will sing in the New Year. Food 12 noon to 2pm and 5 ‘til 9pm. Bar until 1am.
- New Year’s Day – Thursday 1 January – Food 12 noon to 4pm; bar 12 noon to 6pm.
Check out The Angel’s Facebook page for confirmation of timings.
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The Swan opening times over the festive season
- Christmas Eve – Wednesday 24 December – Food 4 to 8pm, drinks 4pm until close.
- Christmas Day – Thursday 25 December – drinks only 11am to 2pm.
- Boxing Day – Friday 26 December – Food 12 noon to 4pm, drinks 12pm to 8pm.
- Saturday 27 to Tuesday 30 December – normal opening.
- New Year’s Eve – Wednesday 31 December – Drinks only – 5pm to close.
- New Year’s Day – Thursday 1 January – Closed.
- Friday 2 January onwards – normal opening.
Check The Swan’s Facebook page for confirmation of timings.
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Planning application – deadline for comments is imminent
Asenby residents, in particular, are reminded that the deadline for comments on the planning application for the erection of an agricultural building and associated works immediately adjacent to the allotments at Asenby, is Friday 2 January. The proposed development is on land known as Cricket Bat Willows (on the Asenby to Rainton road). It would appear to be a replacement application following a similar application made in March 2025 and withdrawn in August.
Asenby Parish Council is considering the new application in detail and will submit its own response before the deadline date. Councillors are encouraging residents to view the information and submit their comments. All relevant information can be found on the North Yorkshire Council website. Please follow this link to view the application: https://publicaccess.northyorks.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=T6MV07LTK8G00&activeTab=summary
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Topcliffe Academy
- Monday, 5 January – Staff Training Day
- Tuesday, 6 January – School re-opens for start of Spring Term.
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Art classes in the Village Hall
Here are details of art classes coming up in the Village Hall in the new year.
- A block of six weekly classes begins on Monday 5 January. 10am to 12 noon. An opportunity to work on your own artwork ideas with advice and guidance from Rebecca.
- ‘Capturing the Light’ – a special class using oils. 10am to 3pm on Friday 9 January.
- ‘Lift the Spirit’ – paint colourful garden scenes in acrylics. 10am to 1pm on Thursday 29 January.
- Calm Winter Art Retreat – a two-day experience using paint and pastels to create fur and feather works on day one or beautiful big skies on day two. Thursday 12 and Friday 13 February, 10am to 3pm. Choose your preferred day or attend both!
- Winter sketch and draw in pencil and charcoal – 10am – 2pm on Thursday 26 February.
- ‘Painting the night in acrylics’ – inspired by the work of Georges Seurat. Friday 6 March, 10am to 2pm.
- ‘Welcoming Lights’ – lighthouses, lanterns or fairy-lights in acrylics – Friday 17 April, 10am to 2pm,
For more information and to make a booking, check out the website at https://rebeccajayneartist.co.uk/
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Warm Hub Lunch
The first Warm Hub of 2026 will take place on Wednesday 7 January between 11.30am and 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 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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Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall
The next meeting of the Village Hall Committee will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 13 January in the Village Hall.
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Chip & Dales
Paul and Karen are taking a well-earned festive break and will be serving fish and chips again on Friday 23 January between 5 and 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 ACROSS THE WIDER AREA
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The Ritz Cinema
- Love Actually – TODAY: Sunday 21 December.
- It’s a Wonderful Life – Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December.
- Nuremberg – Saturday 27 to Tuesday 30 December.
- Zootropolis 2 – Friday 2, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 January – all at 2.30pm.
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Christmas in Ripon
The city of Ripon has a packed programme of festivities, including lights, markets, food and gift fairs, carol services, exhibitions and concerts, this Christmas. Here’s just some of the events you might want to know about.
- TODAY: Sunday 21 December – Christmas Carol Concert in the nave of Ripon Cathedral – 5.30pm. Hear the wonderful Cathedral Choir accompanied by the renowned St Cecelia Orchestra. Book online at www.riponcathedral.org.uk
- Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 December – Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols – Ripon Cathedral at 5.30pm. The Christmas story told in readings and music. Entry is free but pre-booking is necessary – www.riponcathedral.org.uk
- Wednesday 24 December – Journey to Bethlehem – 11am in Ripon Cathedral. Children tell the story of Christ’s birth. Children are invited to dress up as characters from the nativity story.
- Wednesday 24 December – Midnight Mass at 11am in Ripon Cathedral.
- Thursday 25 December – Christmas Day Festal Eucharist – 10.30am in Ripon Cathedral.
- Friday 26 December – Eucharist for St Steven’s Day – 9.30am at Ripon Cathedral.
- Wednesday 31 December – New Year’s Eve Celebration – Ripon Market Square from 9pm. Live music and the ringing in of the new year with fireworks at midnight.
- Wednesday 31 December – Watchnight Service and Torchlight Procession – From Ripon Cathedral to the Market Square starting at 11am.
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Dalton Church and Village Festive Events
- Red Riding Hood Pantomime, Tuesday 23 December, 6pm for 6.30pm start. Tickets are available from Eleanor on 07841 036340.
- Angels and Shepherds Service, Wednesday 24 December at 4pm. This is a family service and children are encouraged to dress up either as an angel or a shepherd.
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Christmas in Baldersby St. James Church
There’s a number of festive services and events coming up, including:
- Carols by Candlelight – at 6.30pm on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24 December.
- Plough Sunday – Sunday 18 January – an important service in the farming calendar. There’ll be a bring and share lunch and everyone is welcome.
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Free Afternoon Tea on Christmas Day
This Christmas, Maple Park Café wants to help bring a little warmth, comfort and company to anyone who may be spending Christmas day alone or finding times a little tough. The cafe, between Busby Stoop and Skipton on Swale, will be open from 12pm, with a free Afternoon Tea served from 2pm until 4pm. The tea is free of charge. If you, or someone you know, would benefit from enjoying this kind offer, please get in touch to reserve a place. Ring 01845 813115.
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Boxing Day at Thorp Perrow Arboretum
On Boxing Day – Friday 26 December – Thorp Perrow Arboretum is offering free admission to all visitors. And from Saturday 27 December to Sunday 15 February 2026, admission is at half price.
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
At this Thirsk market 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. Sunday 4 January 9am to 2pm.
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Thirsk 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. Saturday 10 January between 10am and 1pm at Thirsk Library, Chapel Street. No set charge but a voluntary donation welcome.
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Concerts and Events at Ripon Cathedral
- The Eagles by Candlelight – Saturday 10 January 2026 at 7.30pm.
- Bruce Springsteen by Candlelight – Saturday 28 February at 7.30pm.
- 70s Disco Hits by Candlelight – Friday 10 April at 7.30pm.
Book online at https://riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
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Quiz answers
1. Britain
2. Cardle
3. Donald Trump
4. Epithany
5. Gluhwein
6. Indian and Pacific oceans (Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean is an Australian territory. Christmas Island in the Pacific is also known as Kiritimati)
7. John Peel
8. Max
9. Snow
10. Wallace and Gromitt.
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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