St Columba’s Services
- TODAY: Sunday 5 July at 8.30am – Said Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer).
- TODAY: Sunday 5 July at 6.30pm Choral Evensong.
- Thursday 9 July at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer.
- Sunday 12 July at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
- Thursday 16 July at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer.
- Sunday 19 July at 10.45am – Sung Matins.
- Thursday 23 July at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer.
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
TODAY: Sunday 5 July from 9am to 2pm. On the Market Place in 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.
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Strawberry Sunday
TODAY: Sunday 5 July is Strawberry Sunday at Sessay Village Hall. All welcome. Raising funds for to help with the maintenance of Sessay church. 3 to 5pm
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TONIGHT: Sunday 5 July – the quiz will take place at 8pm this evening in the Village Hall. All welcome.
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Last Sunday we had an excellent quiz presented by Dave and won Alan, Sue, Sheila and Stephen. Well done the winners and everyone who took part.
Here’s a selection of questions from the quiz. The answers are at the end of today’s email.
1. Who played Rubeus Hagrid in early Harry Potter films?
2. What is the unit of currency in Japan?
3. What is the name of the deepest point in the Pacific Ocean?
4. Pt represents which element in the Periodic Table?
5. Who wrote the book on which the film Jaws is based?
6. What was John Wayne’s nickname?
7. Who designed the iconic little black dress?
8. Who plays the part of Alan Partridge?
9. Which Indian city is the Taj Mahal close to?
10. What is the main ingredient of the Indian dish Bombay Duck?
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Great Sunday afternoon with the Saltburn Smugglers
Last Sunday’s sell-out concert by the Saltburn Smugglers was a tremendous success. Eighty residents, mainly from Asenby and Topcliffe, enjoyed a catalogue of sea shanty songs which they were encouraged to sing along to…and it has to be said, they were all in good voice!
The event was organised by Asenby Parish Council’s events committee, namely, Jane Gallon, Josie Noble, Jackie Irving and Catherine Catterick. They deserve a huge thank you for putting together a brilliant afternoon’s entertainment and for raising over £500 to support ongoing development and maintenance of Asenby Community Park and subsidise events that are staged there..
It is clear from the photographs that the packed audience thoroughly enjoyed the Smugglers and the community singing. In particular, two young Topcliffe residents enjoyed participating in one popular shanty song: they are Nya Watson aged 8 and Ellie Robinson, aged 4.
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Cross Talk
The July edition of Cross Talk, the church newsletter, is now in circulation. You can read it here.
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Decision time for the Toll Booth
Every household in Topcliffe should have received a voting card about the future of the Toll Booth building at the corner of Long Street and Front Street. One person in each household is invited to indicate which of two options they wish to support. They are:
- I wish the Toll Booth to continue to be owned by the village and I am happy to pay the costs of restoration via an increase in council tax, or
- The Parish Council should sell or transfer the building, so repair costs don’t fall on ratepayers.
By explanation, the Parish Council stated that now is the time to decide on the future of the building and how any restoration should be funded. It added that it is important that everyone has clear information before giving a view.
Following two independent surveys it is clear that some investment is required to tackle essential repairs. The Parish Council states that if the building remains in its ownership it would have to double the parish’s portion of council tax for at least two years, or maybe three, just to stabilise the structure. They suggest that would mean an additional £200 to £300 per year for the average household, though potentially more would be needed to restore the building for continued occupation by the snooker club.
On balance, the Parish Council believes that the most realistic way to secure the building’s future, without placing a long-term financial burden on the village, is to explore selling or transferring it to someone able to restore it as a commercial project.
Votes have to be returned by post by Friday 10 July. They conclude by adding that any vote not returned will be taken as support for selling or donating the building.
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Planning application to expand Asenby Business Park
The Clerk of Asenby Parish Council recently posted on their village Facebook page about this planning application recently submitted to North Yorkshire Council:
A planning application (reference 26/02633/FUL) has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council for the erection of a commercial building to provide five additional business units on land west of
All residents of both villages are encouraged to submit their comments on this application.
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Sedgeby Solar Scheme
Plans for a massive solar farm and battery storage system covering fields just south of Topcliffe are being rigorously opposed by a campaign group – Protect Hambleton – made up of concerned villagers, farmers and environmentalists. A company named BayWa.r.e UK Ltd is proposing a 350MW system covering around 1,000 acres – that’s an area the size of about 600 football pitches!
The group believes the proposal will impact all communities between Thirsk and Easingwold, and could also affect places like Sessay, Dalton, Topcliffe and Asenby. They say that the scheme will:
- take a massive amount of good quality farm land out of food production and convert it to industrial use
- destroy the natural environment across a huge swathe of countryside
- put the value of homes in the area at risk
- create significant amounts of construction and maintenance traffic on roads throughout the area
- potentially create a precedent for more industrialisation of land in the area.
The pre-planning investigations are now underway and statutory consultation will be required before a Development Consent Order is sought from the government, probably in the next two years or so. Such orders are not considered locally by our elected representatives – but taken out of local hands on the grounds of national strategic importance.
Protect Hambleton, which emphasises that it is not opposed to renewable energy but is against the permanent industrialisation of our finest landscapes, is gearing up for action and asks residents to act together to protect this lovely and important part of North Yorkshire. Those interested can register with Protect Hambleton by visiting their website at www.protecthambleton.org.uk and attending the first public meeting of the group at 7pm on Friday 10 July at Sessay Village Hall.
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Village Meetings coming up this week
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee: The next meeting of the Village Hall Committee will be held in the main hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7 July.
Asenby Parish Council: The next meeting of Asenby Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 8 July at 7pm in the upper committee room at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.
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The Big Yorkshire Do
The Angel Inn at Topcliffe’s second annual summer Big Yorkshire Do will be held next Saturday 11 July. It’ll be a summer party packed with multiple live music acts throughout the day, two gardens open in which to roam and relax, and an unbeatable atmosphere from start to finish. There’s still a few standard tickets available. They are £16.96 (which includes a £1.96 booking fee) gives you entry to the event for the full afternoon through into the night.
This event is ticket only. Tickets cannot be purchased on the day. Bookings should be made online.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-big-yorkshire-do-tickets-1982671571041?aff=ebdssbdestsearch Please note that the entire venue will be closed to the general public on Saturday 11 July for this private event.
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Topcliffe Summer Fair
This year’s annual summer fair at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall will be held on Saturday 1 August between 10am and 2pm. There’ll be a wide variety of stalls selling all sorts of products including jams and jellies, art prints, greeting cards, decorative bottles, rag rugs, knitted toys , macrame and cakes. Karen Morley and her team will be serving brunch – bacon sandwiches and veggie option – and endless mugs of coffee or tea. Funds raised on the day will help support the Village Hall.
Most stalls have now been sold, but there’s still a couple available for crafters, groups, charities or other organisations that would like to be involved. They are available at just £10. Please contact Karen on 07736 086369.
Finally, if anyone is prepared to donate a cake, tray bake or buns…or offer a raffle prize, please get in touch with Karen.
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Ripon Classic Car Gathering
Organised by Ripon Old Cars, this extremely popular annual event returns to Ripon Racecourse on Sunday 26 July. There’ll be classic and vintage cars and motorcycles, tractors, car clubs and specialist car stands. You can enjoy a family-friendly event with other attractions and activities taking place on the day such as children’s entertainment, live music, stalls and trade stands of all descriptions, an auto jumble, games and quizzes as well as good food and much more. Check out the website for more information – http://riponclassiccargathering.co.uk
Now in its thirty-first year, the organisers are promising a bigger and better show than ever. Ripon Old cars is a not-for-profit group and all monies raised will go to nominated charities. The event and the entertainment start at approximately 10:15am but gates open from 9am. The show will end at 5pm. There’s ample free parking and a very modest entry fee of £5 per person, which must make this the cheapest car show in the country for visitors. Children under 14 admitted free if accompanying an adult. Sorry no other concessions.
PS: Topcliffe resident Gordon Hatton will be displaying his vintage Beetle at this event.
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Summer Adventures in Nature
There’s some great children’s outdoor adventures at the Base Camp at Baldersby Park this summer holiday. See the full list in the poster below. All events are supervised by experienced staff and specialist practitioners. Suitable for children aged 5-13.
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Topcliffe & Asenby Produce Show
This year’s Topcliffe & Asenby Produce Show will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 29 August.
This year there are 88 classes, an increase of four on previous years. The new classes are:
- Pork Pies in the Baking category – we were asked to add this by someone well known for his pork pies. Will there be any challengers to take first prize?
- Woodworking in hobbies/handicrafts – it was clear from previous shows that the woodworking skills of residents needed greater recognition, so a specific class has been introduced.
- Handwriting for adults and children – many village shows feature the handwriting skills of children and adults, so we thought we would try it. Pupils of Topcliffe Academy are being encouraged to participate.
There is also a brand-new trophy – The Ray Fothergill Cucumber Cup, a special trophy donated by Joan Fothergill in memory of her husband Ray, who was a great supporter of the Produce Show, who sadly passed away last year.
The five categories and classes are:
• Horticultural category with 47 classes
• Baking/jams/preserves and pickles category, with18 classes
• Floral category with three classes.
• Hobbies/handicrafts category with 12 classes
• Children’s category with seven classes.
The full list of categories and classes, plus the show rules and timings on the day, are available here or can be found on both village websites – http://www.asenby.net and http://www.topcliffe.org.uk or requested from Show Secretary Judith Lowe by calling 01845 577911.
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Flying Oysters performing at the Village Hall later this year
Here’s a reminder that The Flying Oysters will be returning to Topcliffe later this year. Please note the date in your diary. It’ll be on Saturday 7 November. Organiser Doug Allan, promises another fantastic evening of music and dancing, along with an excellent pie and pea supper. All funds raised will help support the Village Hall. Tickets will go on sale in September.
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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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EVENTS ACROSS THE WIDER AREA
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The Ritz Cinema
- Disclosure Day – to Thursday 9 July – no matinee.
- Toy Story 5 – Friday 10 to Thursday 16 July – matinees on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July.
- Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day – Saturday 18 to Thursday 23 July – matinee Wednesday 22 July.
Evening shows start at 7.30pm. Matinees at 2.30pm.
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Hilarity Bites Festival Special 2026
A Ripon Theatre Festival 2026 special event. Tuesday 7 July at 8pm. Hilarity Bites returns to Ripon Arts Hub with a special show for Ripon Theatre Festival, featuring two stars of Live at the Apollo, QI, and Have I Got News For You – Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Ignacio Lopez. £15. https://tinyurl.com/4c352kd7.
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Himalayan Garden Viking Weekend
Experience life in the turbulent Viking Age as the sea-borne Scandinavians clash
with the ancient kingdom of Northumbria at this Viking Weekend being staged at The Himalayan Garden near Grewelthorpe (HG4 3DA) on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July. Displays of crafts, cooking and combat. 10am-4pm. normal admission charges apply – see website – http://www.himalayangarden.com
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The Big Family Weekend
Set to fill the city of Ripon with theatre, circus, music and dance for two whole days – Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July. Highlights include Just More Productions with cooking, comedy and pyrotechnics in ‘Do What Ya Mama Told Ya!’ Ye Birdz from Chick on Sticks stiltwalking team, hot-air balloon walkabouts with Phileas Fogg: Day 79 and the return of Rhubarb Theatre. Free. http://www.ripontheatrefestival.org
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Meet the Superheroes
Everyone’s favourite superheroes will be at Monk Park Farm, near Bagby, for a supercharged weekend on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July. Spot characters roaming across the farm throughout the day. Enjoy all the usual farm activities, from animal encounters to play areas, Little Thirsk and more. A full day of family fun awaits. Starts 10am. From £3 per person. Book online at – http://eyup@monkparkfarm.co.uk or pay on the door.
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Ripon Theatre Festival
Various indoor and outdoor venues in Ripon to Sunday 12 July. From stories in cosy spaces to eye-popping street drama, dance, puppetry and storytelling. Workshops, street performances, entertainment, family shows, open-air Shakespeare and lots more. Both indoors and in open-air settings. Professional productions alongside local talent, transforming Ripon into a hub of creativity and performance. See website for places, times, prices and how to book. Ticketed and free events. http://www.ripontheatrefestival.org/events/list
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Great Yorkshire Show
The best animals in the country competing, alongside national breed shows, machinery, food and first-class entertainment to celebrate the very best of farming, food and the countryside. At the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 July. 8am-6pm. £36.50, also advance, concession and family tickets. Online booking essential – Ticket information and prices for 2026 Great Yorkshire Show
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Racing at Thirsk
- Afternoon Racing – Thursday 16 July – gates open at 11am.
- Summer Family Day as part of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Festival – Friday 24 July – gates open at 11am. Saver rate available for early bookings.
Book online at http://www.thirskracecourse.net or on the gate.
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Dalton Village Events
- Village Gala: – Will be held on Saturday 18 July, starting at 2pm. There will be children’s races, BBQ, owl adventures, tombola, teas and more. Come along and enjoy a fun family day out.
- Coffee Morning: July’s Coffee Morning, in aid of Prostate Cancer, will be held in Dalton Village Hall on Wednesday 22 July, 10.30 until 12 noon. There is no set charge, but donations are welcome. Pop along and enjoy coffee and cake and have a chat with friends and neighbours in support of a good cause.
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Steam Engines & Fair Organs
The annual rally is in Masham Market Square on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July from 10am-5pm. £14, also advance, concession and family tickets. http://www.mashamsteamrally.com
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Historic Vehicle Rally
Vintage and classic cars – the north’s biggest one-day car show, over 1,000 vehicles on display at Newby Hall near Ripon. Sunday 19 July from 10am-3pm. £16, child £10, family £47, under 4s free. Book online at –http:// www.newbyhall.com/event
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Thirsk Artisan Market
On Thirsk Market Place on Sunday 19 July from 10am to 3pm. 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.
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Minibeasts in the Market Place
Yarnbombers’ display of mini-beasts in Thirsk Market Place on Sunday 19 July.
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Walking tour through Thirsk’s history
Fascinating walking tour with a local knowledgeable guide. See where the Hermit of Thirsk lived and hear about the surprising Thirsk link to Lord Horatio Nelson’s amputation. Check out the ancient urine deflector. Sunday 19 July and Sunday 26 July – 11am – 12.30pm. Free but donations gratefully received. Meet at 93a Market Place.
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Coffee if You Care
Suzanne Simpson, the Care Co-ordinator at Topcliffe Surgery wants carers to know about this special coffee and chat event being held at Rural Arts, The Courthouse in Thirsk on Wednesday 22 July between 10am and 12.30pm. Its a friendly environment and an opportunity for all unpaid carers, those helping out their friends, families and neighbours, to get together and share experiences. Take along any questions you have. There’ll be support and signposting from GP surgery teams.
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Summer Holiday Activity Days
Carlton Lodge Activity Centre at Carlton Miniott has announced Summer Holiday Activity Days during the forthcoming school summer holiday break. The new service provides activity programmes for children aged between 8 and 14 years. They include:
Zip, Leap, Climb – Thursday 23 July, 10am and 1.30pm – An adrenaline-packed morning or afternoon of a three-hour session on the High Ropes course, participating alongside others to tackle a range of challenges.
Campfires and Quivers; Monday 10 August – A great family day out experiencing exciting activities including archery, bushcraft, shelter building and a fun fact hunt activity.
More details and booking at: http://www.carltonlodge.org.uk/blog/summer-holiday-activity-days
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Deer Shed Festival
The annual family festival at Baldersby Park near Topcliffe will be held from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July. There’ll be music, comedy, shows, science, sport, literary, theatre, workshops, arts, cinema and food. Adult: £229.95 full weekend.
Child from free to £105. Tickets online – http://www.deershedfestival.com
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Concerts at Ripon Cathedral
- Ryedale Festival: Tenebrae in Ripon – Friday 24 July at 7.30pm.
- 80s Anthems by Candlelight – Friday 31 July at 7.30pm.
- The Music of James Bond – Thursday 20 August at 7.30pm.
- The Music of Taylor Swift by Candlelight – Friday 21 August at 7.30pm.
- The Greatest Shows – Friday 4 September at 7.30pm.
- The Music of Adele by Candlelight – Saturday 24 October at 7.30pm.
- The Rozzers – Saturday 31 October at 7.30pm.
Book online at https://riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
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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 1 August between 10am and 1pm at Thirsk Library. Free, but donations welcome.
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St Wilfred’s Procession
The annual St Wilfred’s procession takes place in Ripon on Saturday 1 August starting 1.40pm. There’ll be brightly decorated floats driving round the city, generating a carnival atmosphere.
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
On the Market Place in Thirsk on Sunday 2 August 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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Concert at Thorp Perrow
That 80’s Thing – Saturday 8 August – Back by popular demand! The band has been wowing audiences up and down the UK for eight years and have played at 100s of corporate events, private parties and weddings. The four-piece band consists of powerful vocals, soaring guitar, funkin’ bass and all important 80s drum sound.Gates open 6pm for gazebo bookings. 6.30pm for general public. Performance starts: 7.30pm and finishes around 9.45pm. For more information and to make a booking go to: https://booking.bookinghound.cloud/fe/booking?og=6d55784e-4d5c-46a6-9940-a8d09d48b8b2
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de Mowbray Music Festival 2026
There’s a wide variety of events on at this year’s de Mowbray Music Festival at venues around Thirsk, from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August. Tickets are now on sale and full details are available on the festival website – https://www.demowbraymusic.com/festival
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Quiz answers
1. Robbie Coltrane
2. Yen
3. Mariana Trench (or Challenger Deep) – 10.984 meters below sea level
4. Platinum
5. Peter Benchley
6. The Duke
7. Coco Chanel
8. Steve Coogan
9. Agra
10. Fish
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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