St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 28 December at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
- Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day – No Service
- Sunday 4 January at 8.30am – Said Holy Communion (BCP)
- Sunday 4 January at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong for Epiphany, followed by pre-supper drinks and nibbles
- Thursday 8 January at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer
- Sunday 11 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
- Thursday 15 January at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer
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Last Sunday’s challenging quiz was set by Andrew and won by Carly, Geoff, Kate and David. Well done the winning team and everyone else who took part.
Here’s a selection of questions from the quiz. See how you do. The answers are at the end of today’s email.
1. Which angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to tell him to take Mary as his wife?
2. Which country has the longest coastline in the world?
3. What gifts did the three wise men bring, and what was the symbolically association of each of them?
4. In cooking, what is the term for partially cooking food by boiling or steaming, then finishing it later?
5. In household plumbing, what is a “p-trap” used for?
6. Baking soda and vinegar can unclog any household drain. True or False?
7. What is the term for animals that eat both plants and meat?
8. What mountain range separates Europe from Asia?
9. What is the term for the movement of continents over millions of years?
10. Which animal has the highest blood pressure of any land animal?
Decider: Place these locations in order of distance from Topcliffe Village Hall (nearest to furthest): Munich, Oslo, Lisbon, Paris, Rome, Barcelona
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The Wakeman Mummers performed their annual play in various locations around Topcliffe yesterday. The Mummers have three specific plays relating to Ripon, Skelton-on-Ure and Topcliffe. The traditional performances go back centuries but no one knows for certain where they originated or why they started. The Mummers have been coming to Topcliffe for over forty years.
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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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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 opening times at New Year
- New Year’s Eve – Wednesday 31 December – The Doubtful Bottle will sing in the 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 at New Year
- 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
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). Councillors are encouraging residents to view the information and submit their comments. 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 new term
- Monday, 5 January – Staff Training Day
- Tuesday, 6 January – School re-opens
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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 Committee
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 in Topcliffe 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
- Nuremberg – to Tuesday 30 December.
- Zootropolis 2 – Friday 2, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 January – all are matinees.
- Ella McCay – Friday 2 to Thursday 8 January. Matinee, Wednesday 7 January.
- Fackham Hall – Friday 9 to Thursday 15 January . Matinee, Wednesday 14 January.
- Marty Supreme – Friday 16 to Thursday 22 January. Matinee, Wednesday 21 January.
- Song Sung Blues – Friday 23 to Thursday 29 January. Matinee, Wednesday 28 January.
- Hamnet – Friday 30 January to Thursday 5 February. Matinee, Wednesday 4 February.
Evening shows start at 7.30pm. Matinees at 2.30pm.
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New Year in Ripon
- Wednesday 31 December – Watchnight Service and Torchlight Procession – From Ripon Cathedral to the Market Square starting at 11am.
- 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.
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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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Baldersby St. James Church
- 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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Events at Rural Arts, The Courthouse, Thirsk
- Mixed Media Journalling – Join Dove Armistead for a 2.5 hour Mixed Media Journalling workshop on either Saturday 24 or Wednesday 28 January. Explore textures, colours and ideas. Materials and a hot drink – 1 to 3.30pm. Tickets £25
- Music Monthlies: Edwina Hayes – A concert featuring one of the finest female singer/songwriters this country has produced in years. Edwina brings together English folk, Americana and the rich northern tradition to create a sound that’s truly her own. Thursday 5 February at 7.30pm. Tickets £15.
- After Supper Ghost Stories – A Victorian-inspired evening of comic ghost stories by Jerome K. Jerome, paired with a ghostly supper: a charcuterie board for two and your choice of drink. Friday 6 February. Doors open and supper served from 6pm, Stories from 7pm. £25 or £20 concession.
- Watercolour and Calligraphy – Explore watercolour and calligraphy in this two-hour workshop with artist Dove Armistead. Learn colour, composition, and lettering while creating personalised pieces. Includes all materials and a hot
drink. Perfect for beginners. Saturday 7 and Wednesday 11 February. 10.30am to 1pm. £25.
- Macrame Wall Hangings – Join artist Claire Ford for a three-hour workshop where you’ll learn the art of macramé and create your own stunning wall hanging. Friday 13 February 10.30am to 1.30pm. £35.
Buy tickets online at https://www.ruralarts.org/
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
All stallholders on this market on Thirsk’s Market Place 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 1 February, 9am-2pm.
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Thirsk Brick Show
A small, one day LEGO show featuring exhibits, traders and activities for LEGO fans of all ages. Thirsk & Sowerby Town Hall, Westgate on Saturday 7 February from 10am until 4pm. £4, child (5-15) £2. Tickets: On the door, cash or card.
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Thirsk Artisan Market
Sunday 15 February between 10am and 3pm. An artisan market that wants to help serve local communities with the best artisan stalls, whilst giving traders an opportunity to showcase and sell their handmade goods.
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Thorp Perrow Arboretum
Until Sunday 15 February 2026 admission is at half price.
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Quiz answers
1. Gabriel
2. Canada (Approx. 125,000 miles long)
3..Gold (kingship), frankincense (divinity/priesthood), myrrh (death/embalming)
4. Parboiling
5. To prevent sewer gases from entering the home
6. False (it may fizz but rarely clears serious blockages)
7. Omnivores
8. Igneous rock
9. Giraffe
10. The Ural Mountains
Decider: Paris, Oslo, Munich, Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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