Nature event at Asenby Community Park
Please note that the Nature Day planned for today (2 August) has been postponed until next Sunday, 9 August – 2pm at Asenby Community Park.
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Guide Dogs Fundraising Group at Thirsk & Sowerby Festival
TODAY: Sunday 2 August. The Guide Dogs Dales & District Fundraising Group will be at the Thirsk and Sowerby Festival on The Flatts. Amy and Peter Samuels from Asenby will have a stall, a shop and a tombola and they’ll be accompanied by their retired guide dog Henry and at least one working guide dog, Storm, and his handler Dave. The group’s new Facebook page is: Guide Dogs Dales & District Fundraising Group.
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Thirsk Farmers’ Market
TODAY: Sunday 2 August – On the Market Place in Thirsk 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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Thirsk & Sowerby Festival
TODAY: Sunday 2 August – This year’s festival will be held on The Flatts in Sowerby. There’s a packed programme including Taylor Swift music, carnival rides, bouncy castle, owl adventures, crazy mini golf, stalls, classic vehicles, archery, falconry, assault course and plenty of food and drink options. It starts at 10am and goes through to 5pm.
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St Columba’s regular services
- TODAY: Sunday 2 August at 8.30am – Said Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer).
- TODAY: Sunday 2 August at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong, with St Columba’s former organist Matthew Atherton accompanying the service.
- Thursday 6 August at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer.
- Sunday 9 August at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
- Thursday 13 August at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer.
- Sunday 16 August at 10.45 – Sung Matins, with St Columba’s former organist Matthew Atherton accompanying the service.
- Thursday 20 August at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer.
- Sunday 23 August at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
- Thursday 27 August at 11am – Midweek Morning Prayer.
- Sunday 30 August (5th Sunday) – Benefice Service at St John’s Church, Dalton. All the South Mowbray Rural Churches have been invited to attend the service, which will be led by Rev. Dianne Gamble.
All services, other than the Said Holy Communion (BCP) at 8.30am on the first Sunday of the month, are followed by refreshments. Following the Choral Evensong on the first Sunday of the month, pre-supper nibbles and wine are served.
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The Sunday Quiz
TONIGHT: Sunday 2 August – the quiz will take place at 8pm this evening in the Village Hall. All welcome.
A super quiz last Sunday presented by Shirley including an alphabetical section, a ‘f’irst and last’ selection, as well as a batch of dingbats. The winners were the Swalesiders, namely Alan, Sue and Derek. Well done to them and everyone else who took part.
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Here’s a selection of questions from the quiz. The answers are at the end of today’s email.
Alphabetical selection:
1. ‘A’ – Which is the only US state name that begins with an ‘A’ but doesn’t end with an ‘a’?
2. ‘J’ – Which Indian city is known as the pink city?
3. ‘P’ – Who killed Achillies?
4. ‘Z’ – What name is given to the round skull cap worn by Roman Catholic clergy?
Firsts:
5. Who was the first British woman is space?
6. Which product was the first to be advertised in colour on British TV?
7. Which country was the first to introduce the driving test?
Lasts:
8. Which is the last book of the Bible?
9. Who was the last prisoner at the Tower of London?
10. What was Charles Dicken’s last novel?
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Successful Summer Fayre
The annual Summer Fayre held in the Village Hall yesterday (Saturday 1 August) was a great success with upwards of 150 people calling in. There were some excellent stalls selling all sorts of things…and delicious bacon buns and cakes served by Karen Morley and her dedicated team. The event raised an amazing £620.02 for Village Hall funds. A huge thank you to Karen for organising the day, to the many villagers who donated cakes, and to everyone else who helped make the event such a great success.
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Thirsk Falcons Men’s Walking Football
The walking football team set up by a group of old codgers from Asenby and Topcliffe which is now affiliated to Thirsk Falcons, will soon ‘star’ in the famous Thirsk-based TV series ‘The Yorkshire Vet’.
Channel 5 recently filmed the team in training alongside Peter Wright, the programme’s star Vet. The players had an enjoyable few hours being filmed playing at Sowerby Sports Centre and afterwards socialising with Peter and the production crew at the Crown and Anchor. The episode will be shown in the next series in the autumn.
The walking football team, set up eighteen months ago and initially consisting of players from Asenby and Topcliffe, has over time grown to include players from Thirsk, Northallerton and Ripon. If you are interested in joining the team or would like more information, please contact Steve Gallon on 07366 419416.
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Village Hall seeks new Minutes Secretary
So far, nobody has stepped forward to join the Village Hall Committee to act as Minutes Secretary. The committee will continue its search and hopefully a candidate will be found by the time the existing postholder steps down in September.
Ideally the committee is looking for someone to become a Trustee Member of the Village Hall Committee, but it is possible that the job could be undertaken without the person becoming a Trustee.
The committee meets on a Tuesday evening six times each year – January, March, May, July, September, November. Anyone interested in the role is asked to contact Chair Richard Byas on 07801 721528 or Secretary Doug Allan on 07785 223707.
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Cross Talk church newsletter
The August edition of the local church newsletter, Cross Talk, is now in circulation. You can read it here.
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St Columba’s Church Roof Repairs
Some extensive work is required on the roof of St Columba’s Church in Topcliffe. Investigations have revealed an urgent need to replace faulty lead flashings on the gable ends of the nave and north aisle, examination of ridge tiles and making safe of loose stone, plus the reinstatement of slipped slates. This work will be tackled in September. Grant funding towards the cost of around £10,000 is being sought.
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Resurfacing of York Road, Thirsk
Starting today, Sunday 2 August, resurfacing work will take place on York Road between the Tom Rod’s roundabout and the Sutton Bank road roundabout. It will be carried out in two phases and is expected to last for four weeks. These works will involve daytime and night-time road closures.
The first phase, with works between 7pm and 6am, will last two weeks. Outside of these hours two-way temporary traffic lights will be in operation. Following completion of the first phase, when the road closure is outside residential properties, the works will be between 9:30am and 3:30pm and 7pm and midnight.
Temporary traffic lights may be required over the weekend. Access to the industrial estate will be maintained at all times.
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Rescheduled Nature Event in Asenby
On Sunday, 9 August, youngsters of all ages are invited to a special nature day in Asenby Community Park starting 2pm. The aim is to do some serious crafting, including building a bug hotel for the insects that visit the parkland. There’ll also be a chance to create other things that the kids can take home with them. Children must bring their own adult as well as a pair of gloves. It’s going to be a great day’s adventure, so it’s hoped parents will take this opportunity to give their children a taste of the outdoors!
(This event was originally planned for Sunday 2 August but was postponed as many youngsters from both villages seemed to be attending birthday parties on that date!).
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The Great Summer BBQ and Boogie Night
Don’t leave it too late! There’s only four weeks to go before this popular summer event at the Village Hall takes place. Tickets, which are on sale from Topcliffe Post Office, are selling fast! It’s on Saturday 22 August starting 7.30pm. Anyone with special dietary requirements is asked to contact Jim Shaw on 07761 501820. It’s a Bring Your Own Drinks evening.
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Music and pizza treat at The Angel Inn
There’s a treat in store for those visiting The Angel Inn’s beer garden for pizzas on Friday 28 August. Following his amazingly successful visit earlier this year, solo singer and guitarist, Leon Marshall, has been invited back. He will be entertaining the crowd with his extensive repertoire whilst his audience enjoy delicious pizzas. But please remember, outdoor dining is weather dependent. Contact reception to order tickets.
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Topcliffe & Asenby Produce Show
It’s now only four weeks to go until this year’s Topcliffe & Asenby Produce Show. It will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 29 August.
- Entries to be taken to the Village Hall between 9am and 11.30am.
- Judging – 12 noon to 2pm.
- Public viewing of exhibits – from 2pm.
- Presentations and raffle – 2.45pm
- Removal of exhibits – by 3.15pm
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, and he 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 Doug Allan on 07785 223707.
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Chip & Dales
Paul and Karen will be serving fish and chips in Topcliffe on Friday evenings between 5 and 7pm.
Please note that Paul and Karen will no longer be taking BACs payments due to some dishonest customers collecting their supper but then not paying. The team has now invested in a card machine but it is reception dependent so potentially might be a little problematic.
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EVENTS ACROSS THE WIDER AREA
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The Ritz Cinema
- Minions & Monsters – to Thursday 6 August – matinee Sunday 2 August.
- The Invite – Friday 7 to Thursday 13 August – no matinees.
- The Odyssey – Friday 14 to Thursday 20 August – no matinees.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day – Friday 21 to Thursday 27 August – matinees on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August.
- PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie – Friday 28 August to Thursday 3 September – matinees on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August.
Evening shows start at 7.30pm. Matinees at 2.30pm.
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It’s Summer Show Time!
There are dozens of summer shows planned across North Yorkshire over the coming months.
- Monkfest 2026 – Monk Park Farm, Bagby – on until Sunday 30 August – 10am start.
- Thirsk and Sowerby Festival, Flatts Fields, Sowerby, YO7 1LY – TODAY: Sunday 2 August – A free volunteer run family event, with loads of full-on fun, live music and more. 10am-5pm.
- Tockwith Show, YO26 7QH – TODAY: Sunday 2 August – from 8am.
- Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show, Whitby YO21 1UX -Tuesday 4 August – The oldest gooseberry show in the world, every year since 1800. 2-6.30pm
- Thornton-le-Dale Show, YO18 7RT – Wednesday 5 August – 9am-7pm. Free parking.
- Hinderwell Horse & Agricultural Show – Friday 7 August – 9am to 4.30pm.
- Northallerton Craft Beer Festival, The Forum, DL6 1LP – Friday 7 (6pm) and Saturday 8 (12 noon) August.
- Kirkby Fleetham Feast, DL7 0SA – Saturday 8 August – A traditional Village Show on the village green.
- Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival – Saturday 8 to Sunday 16 August.
- Whitby Regatta, YO21 1TL – Saturday 8 to Monday 10 August – Sea-based and on-shore fun.
- Ripley Show, HG3 3EA – Sunday 9 August – 8.30am to 5pm.
- Danby Show, YO21 2NQ – Wednesday 12 August – 9am-4.30pm.
- Rosedale Show, Pickering YO18 8SA – Saturday 15 August – From 9am.
- Egton Horse & Agricultural Show – Thursday 20 August – 8.30am to 5pm.
- Whitby Folk Week – Saturday 22 to Friday 28 August.
- Bilsdale Show, Chop Gate – Saturday 29 August – 9am to 5pm.
- The Wensleydale Show, Leyburn – Saturday 29 August – from 9am.
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Racing at Thirsk
- Superhero Day – Friday 7 August
- Country Music Night – Friday 14 August – Country Music Night – gates open from 3.30pm,
- All Creatures Great and Small Family Day – Friday 28 August – gates open 11am.
- Ladies’ Day – Saturday 5 September – gates open 11am
- Finale Day – Monday 14 September – gates open 11am.
Book online at http://www.thirskracecourse.net or on the gate.
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Crime surgeries
Our local Safer Neighbourhood Team is holding two surgeries in August. They are at:
- Thirsk Garden Centre on Friday 7 August at 10am.
- Tesco at Station Road, Thirsk on Tuesday 25 August 26 at 10am
These surgeries are to give you the opportunity to raise any concerns you may have and to find out what the Police are doing to tackle the issues that matter to you.
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Historical Walking Tour of Thirsk
Explore the history of Thirsk on this 90 minute walking tour with an experienced local guide. Discover where the Shambles were and where the Hermit of Thirsk lived, hear about local connections to Lord Nelson and Oskar Schindler. All this and more. Saturday 8 August 11am – 12.30pm. Free- but donations. gratefully received. Just turn up.
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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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Summer Holiday Activity Day
Carlton Lodge Activity Centre at Carlton Miniott has a children’s activity day on Monday 10 August. Campfires and Quivers – Aged between 8 and 14 years. More details and booking at: http://www.carltonlodge.org.uk/blog/summer-holiday-activity-days
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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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Kris Jones concert cancelled
The concert by Kris Jones planned for Saturday 15 August at St James Church, Baldersby-St-James has been cancelled. It’s hoped a new date can be found for this event.
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Concerts at Ripon Cathedral
- 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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Haunted Thirsk
Join Haunted Experiences for their Haunted Thirsk Guided walk around the beautiful historic town. The tour takes in some of the most historic and haunted areas of the town. No gimmicks or people leaping out, just great history and chilly ghostly tales. Friday 21 August starting at 6.30pm (please arrive early to ensure a prompt start for all) from Thirsk clock tower. Lasts approximately 75 minutes. £8, Concessions/under 18 £6, Family (2 +2) £25. Discount for local residents.
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The Yorkshire Flea Market
At Thirsk Auction Mart where 100 dealers present their antiques and vintage items. Sunday 23 August from 11am – 5pm. Free parking, cafe. £4 10am-11am preview £8. Under 16s free.
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Baldersby-St James Annual Book Sale
This year’s event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 12 and 13 September between 10am and 5pm. This is the big fund raiser of the year for St James Church. This year funds will go towards the repair of the church ceiling.
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Quiz answers
1. Arkansas
2. Jaipur
3. Paris
4. Zucchetto
5. Helen Sharman
6. Bird’s Eye Frozen Peas
7. France
8. Revelations
9. Rudolf Hesse
10. The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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