St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 4 January at 8.30am – Said Holy Communion (BCP)
- TODAY: 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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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
TODAY: Sunday 4 January 9am to 2pm. 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.
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Last Sunday’s challenging quiz was set by David and won by Bob, Irene and Sheila. 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. Who was in the charts with ‘Only a Winter’s Tale’ in January 1983?
2. What spirit is used in a Sidecar cocktail?
3. What were the three tunnels called in the film The Great Escape?
4. Name the two brothers who founded The Guiness Book of Records.
5. In which of these three towns was Actress Wendy Richards born – Manchester, Middlesbrough or Milton Keynes?
6. Lawyer Billy Flynn was a character in which film and musical?
7. What kind of animal is a Scottish Fold?
8. The Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge universities goes past which football ground?
9. Who wrote the book ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?
10. Which sea does not have a coastline?
Apologies to all those who enjoy the weekly quiz but were a bit confused by several questions and answers last week. I can only blame the Christmas fuddle for the mix up. For those still wondering, the correct questions and answers to numbers 8, 9 and 10 were:
8. The mountain range that separates Europe and Asia is The Urals.
9. The movement of mountains over millions of years is Continental Drift (or Plate Tectonics).
10. The animal with the highest blood pressure is the Giraffe.
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The Toll Booth
There are several matters relating to the Toll Booth that may be of interest to residents.
First, the ‘additional’ structural survey that Topcliffe Parish Council recently agreed to fund – and which was scheduled to take place over the festive holidays but had to rearranged at the surveyor’s request – will now take place on Friday 9 January.
Second, at the last meeting of the Parish Council on 18 December, councillors broadly discussed the next steps they may take in connection with the Toll Booth, including calls for commencement of sale arrangements, but the Clerk to the Council advised that no decisions could be made as the matter was not listed on the agenda.
At the next meeting of the Parish Council, which will be at 7pm on Thursday 29 January in the Village Hall, the results of the survey will be considered along with any next steps, which may (or may not) include a decision to progress investigations into the viability of selling the building.
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Big Garden Birdwatch
It’s nearly time for the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch -the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Across the UK, over 590,000 people took part in the 2025 survey, counting a whopping 9.1 million birds! House Sparrows took the top spot, but counts of these chirpy birds are down by 60% compared to the first Birdwatch in 1979. In fact, the RSPB reckons we’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 60 years.
The 2026 survey takes place between Friday 23 and Sunday 25 January. You are asked to spend an hour watching and recording the birds that land in your garden or selected patch of ground, such as an allotment or in a park.
We can all help to build a picture of how garden birds are faring. Every bird you do – or don’t – count will give valuable insight into how garden birds are faring.
You can register your interest in participating at RSPB Bird & Wildlife Conservation Charity
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Cross Talk church newsletter
The January edition of Cross Talk, published on behalf of several local churches, is now out. You can read it here.
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Monumental Brass
In the December edition of The Tattler an article was published about a medieval brass hanging in St Columba’s Church. It caused local resident David Bowman to dig out the above postcard that at some time in the past must have been on sale at St Columba’s and local shops.
As a reminder, the St Columba’s brass is a ‘Monumental Brass’ which is one of the finest examples of Flemish brass in the country. The article outlined the interesting history of the large-scale brass which was initially built into the floor, first in the north aisle and later the chancel, before being wall-mounted during a church restoration programme in the mid-1850s. The brass is a ‘palimpsest’, which means that it is made up of pieces of earlier brasses which have been turned over and reused to create a new design. Experts found that one piece was dated 1335 and another 1361 – making them 691 and 66 years old respectively.
It depicts full-length effigies of Thomas de Topcliffe who died in 1362 and his wife Mabel who died in 1391. The couple were obviously important people in Topcliffe at that time and were related to the Percy family which have long associations with the village.
If anyone has any other postcards showing scenes from Topcliffe or Asenby, please get in touch so that they can be featured in future Sunday Emails…and maybe The Tattler. (doug@dougallan.co.uk).
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Your local councillor…always available to help
Topcliffe’s local councillor, the Rev. Dan Sladden, who represents the Sowerby & Topcliffe division on North Yorkshire Council aims to be accessible to people and to listen to their concerns and ideas for our community. His email address is cllr.dan.sladden@northyorks.gov.uk and his phone number is 07466 487989 – so do not hesitate to contact him if you have any issues you would like to discuss with him.
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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 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.
- TOMORROW: Monday 5 January – A block of six weekly classes begins. 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 this 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
- Zootropolis 2 – TODAY – Sunday 4 January – all are matinees.
- Ella McCay – 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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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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Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange
The Coffee and Chatter Group that meets in St James’ Church at Baldersby St James will be holding jigsaw puzzle exchanges on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The next ‘exchange’ is on Tuesday 27 January between 10am and 12 noon. Please take along any puzzles that you would like to swap. This is a great opportunity to obtain new ones without having to buy them.
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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. David Essex
2. Cognac or Brandy
3. Tom, Dick and Harry
4. Ross and Norris McWhirter
5. Middlesbrough
6. Cabaret
7. Cat
8. Fulham
9. Robert Louis Stevenson
10. Sargasso Sea
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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