St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 15 February at 10.45am – Sung Matins, followed by refreshments
- Thursday 19 February at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer, followed by refreshments.
- Sunday 22 February at 10.45am – Holy Communion, followed by refreshments
- Wednesday 25 February at 7pm – Compline for Lent
- Thursday 26 February at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer, followed by refreshments.
- Sunday 1 March at 8.30am – Said Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
- Sunday 1 March at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong, followed by pre-supper drinks and snacks
- Wednesday 4 March at 7pm – Compline for Lent
- Thursday 5 March at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer, followed by refreshments
- Sunday 8 March at 10.45am – Holy Communion, followed by refreshments
Ash Wednesday
There will be a Benefice Ash Wednesday Service at Baldersby St James on Wednesday 18 February at 7pm.
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Thirsk Artisan Market
TODAY: 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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Last Sunday’s excellent quiz was set by David and won by Alan, Jim and Karen. Well done the winners and everyone else to 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 TV private detective was played by Trevor Eve in 1979-1980?
2. How many feet are there in a cable – 6.8, 68 or 608?
3. By what other name is the Laughing Jackass known?
4. Which British organisation has the Maltese Cross as its emblem?
5. What kind of cross is the St Andrew’s cross?
6. Who wrote the novel Lorna Doone?
7. Name the newly installed Archbishop of Canterbury.
8. What is the medical or scientific name for the kneecap?
9. Who is taking over from Pru Leith on the great British Bake Off?
10. In the world of pop, how is Gordon Sumner better known?
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Topcliffe Post Office
The Post Office and shop will be closed on Thursday 26, Friday 27 and Saturday 28 February to facilitate the handover to the new owners. It reopens under new management on Monday 2 March.
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New Air Ambulance base – an update
Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s new helicopter base near Skipton Bridge is really taking shape. Over the past few weeks, construction teams have made great progress on the new HQ building. The steel framework for the first floor is now in and work on the roof is complete, despite the terrible weather lately. Work is on track to be operational by late summer 2026.
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The Toll Booth
A date is still awaited for the next Topcliffe Parish Council at which it is anticipated the results of the recent survey relating to remedial works needed to preserve and potentially develop the building will be discussed.
Parish councillors and the Toll Booth Group are reviewing the details in the report. Given the financial implications of the next steps, it is understood that the Parish Council will organise consultation with all residents before any decisions are made.
Councillors will be in attendance at the Village Hall Brunch and Open Day on Sunday 22 March and will be pleased to chat to parishioners about this and other village priorities.
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Warm Hub Lunch
The next Warm Hub will take place on Wednesday 18 February 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 for Warm Hub meals but donations are requested to help pay the cost of hiring the Village Hall and for essential food and drink items that must be purchased for each lunch. The organisers don’t receive grant support or surplus food from supermarkets: everything is bought and paid for, cooked and brought into the hall by volunteers, many of whom are senior citizens themselves.
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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Art classes in the Village Hall
Here are details of art classes coming up in the Village Hall:
- Regular weekly classes – A new block of five classes starts on Monday 23 February – 10am to 12 noon.
- 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.
Also
- Welcoming Lights’ – lighthouses, lanterns or fairy-lights in acrylics – Friday 17 April, 10am to 2pm at Thirsk Town Hall.
For more information and to make a booking, check out the website at https://rebeccajayneartist.co.uk/
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Funeral of Mary Guest
The funeral of Mary Guest, who died on 23 January, aged 85, will take place at Maple Park Crematorium at 1pm on Tuesday 3 March. Her daughter Catherine would welcome friends and neighbours who wish to attend the service and take refreshments afterwards in the Maple Park Cafe.
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Asenby Parish Council meeting
The next meeting of Asenby Parish Council will be held in the upper committee room at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall at 7pm on Wednesday 4 March.
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Village Halls’ Week
As part of this year’s national Village Halls’ Week event, Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee has agreed to hold a Brunch and Open Day on Sunday 22 March between 10.30am and 1pm. Karen Morley and her wonderful team will serve the usual delicious breakfast buns and other refreshments throughout the event. Both Topcliffe Parish Council and Asenby Parish Council have agreed to be present to meet local residents from our two villages. There will also be displays by a number of user groups including the indoor carpet bowls group, boccia club and the regular art class. The slide presentation depicting the whole range of village hall activities has been updated and will be presented on the large screen throughout the day. More elements may be added to this event over the next few weeks.
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Floral workshops at the Catton Kitchen
Ever hopeful that spring is just around the corner the Catton Kitchen is advertising a couple of spring classes with Holly of Tarragon Flowers. Holly joined the team to work on the market garden in February last year and is leading on presenting these special classes, which are:
- Living Wreath Class – Sunday 22 March between 3 and 5pm.
- Spring Table Centre Workshop – Friday 27 March between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.
Check out their website for more details: http://www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk
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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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Chip & Dales
Paul and Karen will be serving fish and chips in Topcliffe on Friday evenings 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 ACROSS THE WIDER AREA
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The Ritz Cinema
- H is for Hawk – to 19 February. Matinee on Wednesday 18 February.
- Sinners – Friday 20 to Sunday 22 February.
- Sentimental Values – Monday 23 to Thursday 27 February. Matinee Wednesday 26 February.
- Send Help – Friday 28 to Thursday 5 March. No matinee.
- Wuthering Heights – Friday 6 to Thursday 12 March. Matinee Wednesday 12 March.
Evening shows start at 7.30pm. Matinees at 2.30pm.
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Lambing Live at Monk Park
Until Sunday 1 March families have the chance to experience the magic of lambing season up close at Monk Park, near Bagby. More than 50 lambs are expected to be born over the next few weeks. Visitors may even witness a live birth in the Maternity Ewe Unit – a memorable moment for all ages. Throughout the event, the farm’s team will host engaging talks about sheep, lambing and daily life on a working farm, offering an accessible glimpse behind the scenes. Admission also includes a full day of hands-on activities such as meeting newborn lambs, calf bottle-feeding, small-animal cuddles, hand-feeding friendly barn animals, and exploring outdoor play areas and woodland trails.
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Events at Rural Arts, The Courthouse, Thirsk
- Family Make and Create – These free, family make and create drop-in sessions are on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 February between 10am and 2pm. Explore self-led creativity with materials provided. Please book in to help manage numbers. All children must be accompanied.
- Family Carnival Music – Get into the Mardi Gras spirit. Join Mambo Jambo for a family workshop exploring New Orleans carnival tunes, singing, body percussion, and Brazilian rhythms on simple hand percussion. No experience needed. Thursday 19 February between 1:45pm-2:30pm or 3pm -3:45pm. £7pp.
- Family Music: Mambo Jambo – Enjoy an upbeat evening with Mambo Jambo, an eclectic duo who blend roots, jazz, world, folk, and bluegrass, whisking you away to carnivals and fiestas with vibrant tunes, stories, and a suitcase full of instruments. Thursday 19 February at 6:30pm. £8pp or £30 for 4.
- Indoor Mosaic Plaque- Join mosaic artist Sue Kershaw for a creative workshop making a 22cm indoor plaque. Learn techniques, choose vibrant materials, and enjoy morning refreshments and lunch. Friday 27 February, 10:30am – 4:30pm. £90.
- Candle Painting and Cocktails – Sip a cocktail and paint beautiful decorative candles in a relaxed, welcoming space. All materials are provided, so you can focus on enjoying the process and creating something unique to take home. Friday 27 February, 7:00pm – 9:00pm. £25.
- Taste of Art: Fabric Corsage – Create your own corsage with a variety of fabrics to use as a brooch or to embellish an accessory. Learn how to draft and cut a pattern from fabric, then layer, stitch, and shape your design into a beautiful, wearable piece. Saturday 7 March 1pm – 4pm. £25.
Buy tickets online at https://www.ruralarts.org/
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Engineering Themed Day at Wensleydale Railway,
Get hands-on with a behind the scenes engineering day featuring guided yard and shed tours at the Leeming Bar station on Wednesday 18 February. Includes a look at steam-loco repairs, a miniature working engine and the chance to step inside a real shunter cab. The tours are 30-40 minutes and run at 10:30, 11:30, and 12:45. Children’s tickets £6 (including kids for a quid travel offer), and adult entry is free with a valid train ticket. Tickets: http://wensleydale.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events
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Book Sale
At Thirsk Library on Meadowfields on Saturday 21 February between 9.30am and 3.30pm Lots of bargains in great condition.
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Events at Dalton Village Hall
Pop-Up Café: There will be a pop-up cafe on Saturday 21 February from 9.30am until 11am. Bacon or sausage sandwiches and toasted teacakes, along with tea, coffee, with juice for the children. Everyone welcome.
Domino Drive; The next Domino Drive will be on Saturday 22 February at 7pm. Entrance is £2, with £1 for 5 raffle tickets. Tea and biscuits will be served at the interval.
Craft Classes: Held on the first Wednesday of the month from 9.30am until 3pm. New members are welcome. Contact Lois Gillie for details on 01423 325608.
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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 21 February between 10am and 1pm at Thirsk Community Library, Meadowfields. Voluntary donation for work undertaken.
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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 24 February 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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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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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
At this market in Market Place, Thirsk, 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 1 March, 9am-2pm.
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Quiz answers
Last week’s decider: The Greater London Council was abolished in 1986.
1. Shoestring
2. 600
3. Kookaburra
4. St John’s Ambulance
5. Saltire
6. R. D. Blackmore
7. Sarah Mullally
8. Patella
9. Nigella Lawson.
10. Sting
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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