St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 11 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
- Thursday 15 January at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer
- Sunday 18 January at 10.45am – Sung Matins
- Thursday 22 January at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer
- Sunday 25 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion
- Thursday 29 January at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer
- Sunday 1 February at 8.30am – Said Holy Communion (BCP)
- Sunday 1 February at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong, followed by pre-supper drinks and nibbles.
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Last Sunday’s excellent quiz was set by Sheila and won by Jean, Doug, Lynne and Roger. 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. In which game do you ‘peg out’?
2. What is the name of the Bucket’s son in ‘Keeping up Appearances’?
3. What is the only planet without a mythological name?
4. What does ambisinistrous mean?
5. Orson Welles voiced which lager advertisement on TV in the 1970s?
6. What does Brut mean on a bottle of sparkling wine?
7. What is a female ferret called?
8. What is Florida’s state capital called?
9. What is Loki the God of?
10. Patagonia is part of which two countries?
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The Swan now serves food on Tuesdays
Starting next Tuesday, 13 January, The Swan is introducing that old favourite, basket night, serving traditional home cooked food either at the table or as a takeaway. Meals will be served between 5 and 8.30pm. Booking advised but not essential. Call 01845 595185. See menu here.
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The Toll Booth
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 recent structural survey will be considered. It’s also possible that the agenda might include an item about the next steps that councillors may wish to take, including starting the process to investigate the viability of selling the building.
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Station Road in Thirsk – Temporary closure
As part of the ongoing improvement works to Station Road in Thirsk there will be two road closures in the coming weeks. The road in front of the Tesco filling station will close at 7pm on Sunday, 11 January for one week. This will be a full 24‑hour closure for the full week with no access through or passed the roadworks. North Yorkshire Council’s Facebook page states that neighbouring businesses have been informed about the closure but it fails to give any further information about how drivers should access shops and services in this area during the closure.
The second lot of maintenance will see overnight closures of Station Road between Tesco/Lidl roundabout and the railway station between 6:30pm and midnight from Monday 19 January for 25 weekdays.
One consequence of the closures is that Hodgsons buses from Topcliffe to Thirsk or Northallerton will go direct to Thirsk from Topcliffe and vice versa (presumably via the A168), missing out Alanbrooke Barracks, Busby Stoop, Carlton Miniott and Thirsk Station. Check the company’s website at http://www.hodgsonsbuses.com
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Winn Lane, Topcliffe
Repair work on the Winn Lane bridge over the A168 means that Winn Lane will be closed between 8am and 4pm tomorrow, Monday 12 January (for one day only).
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Dalton road closure
And there’s more pain for drivers who pass through Dalton. North Yorkshire Council has announced that the road near Springfield Garage and Water Lane will be closed from 26 January until 3 April. This is a full road closure and no access will be allowed due to the depth to which workmen will need to excavate. The road closure will be carried out in small sections from the new development entrance near Springfield Garage to Water Lane junction at the bottom of the village. Diversions will be in place. Any queries or questions should be directed to North Yorkshire Council’s highways department.
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Have your say about Thirsk
Thirsk’s future is being shaped – and your voice matters. North Yorkshire Council is developing a Town Investment Plan to guide regeneration and investment in the town.
Residents, businesses and visitors, including people living in villages close by, are invited to complete a short survey to share their views. The survey is open until Saturday 28 February and two consultation events will take place. These sessions will be held in Thirsk Community Library on Thursday 29 January, 10am to 5pm and Tuesday 10 February, 1pm to 6pm. You can complete the survey now at: http://yo7.org.uk/nyc
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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 & 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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Warm Hub Lunch
The next Warm Hub will take place this Wednesday 21 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.
At the last Warm Hub on 7 January a total of forty three meals were served and a donation of £50 was made to Animal Crew Rescue from the funds raised.
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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Big Garden Birdwatch
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch – the world’s largest garden wildlife 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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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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Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will take place at 7pm on Thursday 29 January in the Village Hall.
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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 ACROSS THE WIDER AREA
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The Ritz Cinema
- Fackham Hall – 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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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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Haunted Thirsk Walk
Join this tour which lasts approximately 75 minutes around the medieval town on Friday 23 January at 6.30pm. Hear spooky tales and a fascinating history which surrounds this beautiful market town. Start at the Clock Tower in the Market Place. £8, local residents £7 and concessions £6.50. Tickets from Tina on 07876 010835.
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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.
- Paint Your Partner – Celebrate this Valentines with this new paint your partner experience. Enjoy a savoury platter for two and be guided by our in-house artist to create your masterpiece. Saturday 14 February 7pm – 9pm. £40pp.
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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Art classes in the Village Hall
Here are details of art classes coming up in the Village Hall:
- ‘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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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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Concerts and Events at Ripon Cathedral
- 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. Cribbage
2. Sheridan
3. Earth
4. Clumsy with both hands (the opposite of ambidextrous)
5. Carlsberg Lager
6. Dry/Very Dry/Unsweetened
7. Jill
8. Tallahassee
9. Mischief
10. Chile and Argentina.
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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