Clocks spring forward!
Don’t forget that clocks went forward one hour at 2am this morning – Sunday 29 March. Welcome to British summer time.
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St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 29 March (Palm Sunday) – No Service at Topcliffe (5th Sunday) but there’ll be a Benefice Service at Baldersby St James at 10.30am.
- Wednesday 1 April at 7pm – Compline for Lent
- Thursday 2 April at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer followed by refreshments and at 7pm a Benefice Maundy Thursday Service will be held at St John’s, Dalton
- Friday 3 April – 2pm to 3pm – Good Friday Reflection
- Saturday 4 April at 7pm -Vigil for Easter Eve and First Mass of Easter (Sung by Topcliffe Choir), refreshments and wine to follow
- Sunday 5 April at 8.30am – Said Easter Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) but no 6.30pm Choral Evensong
- Thursday 9 April at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer, followed by refreshments
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The Angel closed at lunchtime tomorrow
The Angel Inn has announced that it will be closed over lunchtime tomorrow, Monday 30 March in order that staff training can take place. The Angel will be back open as normal from 5pm, including for its much-loved Spaghetti Monday. (Food will be served from 5:30pm).
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Sunday Quiz Night
TONIGHT: Sunday 29 March– the quiz will take place at 8pm this evening in the Village Hall. All welcome.
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Excellent quiz presented by Dave last Sunday and won by Bob, Irene, Steve and Liz. Well done the winners and everyone else participating.
Here’s a selection of questions from the quiz. See how you do. The answers are at the end of today’s email.
1. Name the dog that found the stolen football World Cup trophy in 1966.
2. What is the name of Britain’s smallest bird?
3. In which country was St George born?
4. From which Scottish island do most of the world’s curling stones come from?
5. What was the name of Clint Eastwood’s first spaghetti western?
6. Who wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress?
7. Where on the body is the cupid’s bow?
8. Which Welsh politician was known as ‘The Welsh Wizard’?
9. Which university did King Charles attend as astudent?
10. What was the name of the dog in Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five books?
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Great Brunch and Open Day
Last Sunday’s Brunch and Open Day at the Village Hall was a tremendous success with around 120-130 people attending. The hall has rarely looked so busy and it was obvious that everyone present was enjoying the atmosphere, good food and company of their friends and neighbours.
A huge thank you to Karen and Malcolm Morley, and everyone else that managed the kitchen and provided the excellent catering. The generosity of our community in baking to support events like this is really quite amazing. Thank you one and all.
Thanks too, to Topcliffe and Asenby Parish councillors for taking the time to attend and communicate with residents, and also to the hall users who organised displays and chatted to residents about what they do and what opportunities are open for others to join in.
It was good to see Asenby’s North Yorkshire Council representative Nick Brown who congratulated the organisers and the community for getting together to celebrate village halls’ week…but more particularly for just enjoying time together.
It’s hoped that the activities that go on in the hall every week and which were being promoted at this event will attract more people to take part. The Indoor Carpet Bowls certainly did: there were five new members at last Thursday’s session!
Food sales, card sales and the raffle together helped raise a massive £512.50 for Village Hall funds. Well done everybody.
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Churchyard Maintenance
Yesterday a very successful spring tidy-up day was held in St Columba’s churchyard. Many thanks to the 10 volunteers who turned out to help.
There’ll be another tidy up day on Saturday 11 April between 9.30am and noon. If you can offer an hour or two to help, please pop along.
Is anyone available to join the regular grass-cutting team so that the amount of cutting throughout the summer is shared by a few more individuals? If so, contact John Phillips on 01845 577034.
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Asenby Parish Council has a new website
Asenby Parish Council has launched a new website. The new site is designed to meet new government requirements for accessibility and it is supported by new ‘gov.uk’ email addresses for all parish councillors. The new web address is www.asenbyparish.gov.uk and the new email address for the Parish Clerk, Colin Grimston is clerk@asenbyparish.gov.uk.
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The Toll Booth
There’s still no indication of when the promised consultation about the future of the Toll Booth will take place. Topcliffe Parish Council stated at the last monthly meeting that it will organise a letter/leaflet distribution to all households within the village with the aim of ascertaining residents’ views about the next steps. It’s understood that the aim will be to seek a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’, which basically means spend the necessary money to secure the building’s future, or attempt to dispose of it. There’ll be more information in your Sunday Email when details are known.
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Base Camp for Kids
There’s egg-traordinary adventures happening at Base Camp this Easter holiday and bookings are now being taken. There’s an adventure to suit everyone…wild science, forest school creativity, archery with the Thirsk Bowmen, plus foraging and making food, wild art, Easter treasure hunt and lots of play and games. Sessions are on from 30 March to 10 April. All supervised by experienced and qualified staff. Base Camp is located at Baldersby Park, 90 acres of private country parkland close to Topcliffe.
http:// https://www.basecamplearning.co.uk/
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Last Warm Hub lunch
The next Warm Hub on Wednesday 1 April between 11.30am and 12.45pm, will be the last one of the winter. From Wednesday 15 April the team will be serving Soup and Sweets.
These fortnightly lunchtime meals are served at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall between 11.30am and 12.45pm. Everyone, of all ages from Topcliffe and Asenby and surrounding areas, is welcome to attend. There’s no set charge, but donations are welcome to help pay the rental cost of hiring the Village Hall and other unavoidable expenses.
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 villages can have their lunch delivered if they are housebound – either on a short-term basis because of illness, or longer-term. If you wish to have a meal delivered on the day the lunch is held, please get in touch with Karen Morley on 01845 577426.
The last lunch on 18 March saw 50 meals served. A donation of £50 was made to the Royal British Legion in Thirsk.
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Art classes in the Village Hall
Here are details of art classes coming up in the Village Hall:
- Weekly Classes: Monday mornings between 10am and 12 noon. The next block of six starts after Easter on the Monday 13 April. These inspirational and fun sessions. Check out the ‘early bird’ offer on Becky’s website. Beginners are welcome.
- Spring Retreat Pastels Experience: Celebrate Spring by painting with soft pastels to create inspired scenes and floral displays, landscapes and gardens. Thursday 23 April, 10am to 3pm.
- Spring Retreat Paint in Oils: Tropical Flowers in Oils. A true pop of colours and contrasts against more traditional dark backgrounds. Friday 24 April from 10am to 1pm.
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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Yorkshire on show in mosaics
The Bath House at RHS Gardens Harlow Carr, Harrogate, is staging the annual BAMM North mosaic exhibition from 23 April to 17 May. The theme for this year’s exhibition and sale is Up Hill and Down Dale: A Celebration of Yorkshire with over twenty mosaicists contributing, including local artist Siobhan Gifford from Asenby. There will be mosaic kits for sale along with various other small mosaics, cards and the like in the pop-up shop. Entrance to The Bath House is free once you have accessed the gardens.
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Village Hall AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 5 May at 7.30pm.
At this meeting the Village Hall Committee is planning to adopt a modernised Constitution that updates many of the governing rules initially introduced when the hall was first opened back in 1961. Anyone wishing to see a copy of the Constitution should contact the Secretary – doug@dougallan.co.uk
Residents of both Topcliffe and Asenby villages are invited to attend the AGM. Immediately after the AGM there’ll be an Ordinary Meeting of the committee.
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Topcliffe Parish Council
The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be held in the ground floor committee room at the Village Hall at 7pm on Thursday 7 May.
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Asenby Parish Meeting
Asenby’s Annual Parish meeting will be held on Wednesday 20 May at 7pm, followed immediately by the Annual Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm. Both meetings will be held in the upper floor meeting room at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.
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Police: Independent Advisory Groups
North Yorkshire Police are looking for new members to join their Independent Advisory Groups within Hambleton and Richmondshire. These groups play a vital role in shaping local policing by offering honest feedback, sharing community perspectives and helping the police better understand the issues that matter to you. They’re looking for people from all backgrounds, experiences and communities and you don’t need any special qualifications. You must, however, be able to join in online meetings, which will occur quarterly.
The first meeting will be held on Thursday 21 May between 6 and 7.30pm. If you want to be added to their distribution list to be involved in the meetings, please email: lucy.mawer@northyorkshire.police.uk
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The Saltburn Smugglers
Asenby Parish Council is delighted to announce that this modern shanty group will be performing on Sunday 28 June in Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall from 2-4pm. The group transform tales from the north east coast smuggling heyday into vibrant, contemporary sea shanties. A not to be missed event for all ages. Coffee, tea and cakes will be available to purchase. You can bring your own alcoholic drinks if you wish. Tickets, which are £10 per adult and £8 per child, are now on sale on Asenby Parish Council’s website at http:// www.asenbyparish.gov.uk or from Jane Gallon on 07909 614086 or Catherine Catterick on 07709 321048. Demand will be high and numbers limited so secure your tickets as soon as possible.
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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
- Mother’s Pride – to Thursday 2 April. Matinee on Wednesday 1 April.
- The Bride! – Friday 3 to Thursday 9 April – no matinee.
- Hoppers – Saturday 4, Sunday 5 and Wednesday 8 April – all matinees.
- One Battle After Another – Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April no matinees.
- Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man – Monday 13 to Thursday 16 April – no matinees.
- The Audience – Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in this National Theatre Live special – Friday 24 April at 7.30pm.
Evening shows start at 7.30pm. Matinees at 2.30pm.
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Thirsk Museum re-opens
The Thirsk Museum on Kirkgate re-opens for the summer season on Wednesday 1 April. Experience the history of Thirsk in the house where Thomas Lord, founder of Lord’s Cricket Ground, was born in 1755. Explore rooms full of exhibits featuring local life and industry, cricketing memorabilia, farming equipment, furniture, costumes and toys. Marvel at the bones of our Saxon Giant and shudder at the legend of the Busby Stoop Chair!
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Spilman’s Tulip Festival
Being staged at Church Farm Sessay from Wednesday 1 April to Thursday 30 April. Around 250,000 tulips, fifty different varieties. Experience the true beauty of tulips in the Yorkshire countryside this spring. Check the website at – http://www.spilmans.co.uk
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Holly Taymar Sings Eva Cassidy
Holly Taymar is a highly accomplished singer-songwriter from York with a warm, expressive voice and a mesmerising stage presence. Holly has been performing for over 20 years, earning a reputation for her sensitive interpretations of classic songs. Thursday 2 April at 7:30pm at Rural Arts Courthouse theatre. £13. Book online http://www.ruralarts.org
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The Great Yorkshire Egg hunt
Join Yorkshire’s biggest Easter Egg Hunt this easter at Monk Park Farm near Bagby. Enjoy a full day of farm fun alongside the hunt, including animal encounters and outdoor play. Every child receives a chocolate treat. Friday 3, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 April from 10am. Adult £12.45 child £18.45 and under 1s £6 when booked in advance online.http:// www.monkparkfarm.co.uk
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Events at Rural Arts, The Courthouse, Thirsk
- Taste of Art: Watercolour Fungi Forms – Saturday 4 April, 2.30 to 4.30pm and Wednesday 8 April, 10.30am to 12.30pm.
- Intermediate Abstract landscape Painting – Wednesday 15 April and Wednesday 13 May, both 10am to 2pm.
- Introduction to Linoprint – Wednesday 15 April, 10.30am to 12.30pm.
- Beginner’s Hand Embroidery – Friday 17 April, 1 til 4pm.
- Book Club – Tuesday 21 April, 6.30 to 8pm.
- Art Essentials: Seeing Differently – Tuesday 21 April and Tuesday 26 May, 10am to 12 noon.
- Something Social: Etching and Elderflower Gin – Friday 24 April, 7 to 9pm.
Buy tickets online at https://www.ruralarts.org/
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
On the Market Place in Thirsk on Sunday 5 April from 9am to 2pm. 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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Easter Art Camp 2026
A three-day Holiday Art Camp at Rural Arts in Thirsk. Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 April. For children aged 6 to 11 to explore Yorkshire’s most famous creators during three days of arts and craft. There will be lots of opportunities to explore art forms and techniques over the three days alongside experienced artists, Claire Ford and Jane Wilson. 9am – 1pm each day. £80. Book online http://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/workshops/easter-art-camp-2026/
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Easter Family Day
To be held at Thirsk Racecourse on Friday 10 April from 11am onwards. An exciting afternoon of competitive racing and family fun. Book online at http://www.thirskracecourse.net
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Concerts at Ripon Cathedral
- The Music of Ed Sheeran by Candlelight – Friday 10 April at 7.30pm.
- Pink Floyd by Candlelight – performed by What the Floyd? – Friday 5 June at 7.30pm.
- The Music of Coldplay by Candlelight – Friday 19 June at 7.30pm.
Book online at https://riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
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Racing at Thirsk
- Afternoon racing at Thirsk Racecourse on Saturday 18 April – gates open at 11am. Music from The Y Street Band. Bars & food vendors.
- Thirsk Hunt Cup, Saturday 2 May – gates open at 11am. Watch top sprinters compete in the course’s most valuable race of the season. With live music, bars & food vendors.
Book online at http://www.thirskracecourse.net or on the gate.
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Thirsk Artisan Market
An artisan market that wants to help serve local communities with the best artisan stalls, whilst giving traders the best opportunities to showcase and sell their handmade goods. Sunday 19 April, 10am-3pm.
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Harrogate Spring Flower Show
At the Great Yorkshire Events Centre, Harrogate from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 April. Stunning show garden features, live talks and demonstrations, great garden shopping, and the biggest exhibition by florists and flower arrangers in the country. 9.30am-5.00pm. £29 (£24 up to 7 April), Child free (with adult).
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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 28 April 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
On Thirsk’s Market Place, on Sunday 3 May between 9am and 2pm. 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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Night of Nature concert
(Although this event seems a long way off, it’s being included now so that those who wish to obtain advance tickets can do so. The item will return to the Sunday Email nearer the date.)
If you love nature and music, this RSPB event is for you. It’s at the Royal Hall, Harrogate on the evening of Saturday 15 August. Experience stunning cinematic visuals of jaw-dropping wildlife and habitats, brought to life by the soaring harmonies of the UK’s leading harmonies group, G4, alongside the spellbinding strings of the Blackheath Quartet.
With a cinema-sized screen and immersive music, this is a visceral celebration of nature like no other. From moving moments that invite quiet reflection to uplifting rhythms that’ll have you tapping your toes (or even on your feet!), this event is truly a feast for the senses. Rediscover the magic of our planet in a way you’ve never seen – or heard – before. Book online at:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/night-of-nature?utm_source=20260313_EEVT_Night_of_Nature_Concert_Invite_2026&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=4&utm_campaign=
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Quiz answers
1. Pickles
2. Goldcrest (will also accept Firecrest)
3. Turkey
4. Ailsa Craig
5. A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
6. John Bunyan
7. Lips (will also accept face)
8. David Lloyd George
9. Cambridge
10. Timmy
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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