St Columba’s regular services
- TODAY: Sunday 20 September at 10.45am Sung Matins
- Thursday 24 September at 11am, Midweek Morning Prayer
- Friday 25 September at 7pm, St Columba’s Harvest Festival Service led by Reverend Dawn. She’ll lead a short service of celebration with traditional harvest hymns sung and produce on display. Afterwards there’ll be ‘Bring & Share’ finger food and wine. All most welcome.
- Sunday 27 September at 10.45am, Holy Communion
- Thursday 1 October at 11am, Midweek Morning Prayer
- Sunday 4 October at 8.30am Said Holy Communion (BCP)
- And at 6.30pm, Choral Evensong, followed by wine and pre-supper nibbles
- Thursday 8 October at 11am, Midweek Morning Prayer.
Refreshments follow Sunday and Thursday services, but not the Sunday 8.30am Said Holy Communion.
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Thirsk Artisan Market
TODAY: Sunday 20 September 10am-3pm on Thirsk Market Square. 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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The Sunday Quiz
TONIGHT: Sunday 20 September – the quiz will take place at 8pm this evening in the Village Hall. All welcome.
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Last Sunday’s excellent quiz was prepared and presented by Alan and the winners were Mike, Carolyn, Kate and David. 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.
1. What was Olive Oil’s younger brother called in the Popeye film of 1980?
2. What is the other name of Sicily’s mafia?
3. What was the name of the lodger of murderer John Christie at 10 Rillington Place who was wrongly prosecuted and later declared innocent, but only after being executed?
4. How many operational prisons are there on the Isle of Wight?
5. Who killed Jack ‘The Hat’ McVitie?
6. Who said: ” It’s a funny old world. A man’s lucky if he gets out alive”?
7. Which became the UK’s longest span cable suspension bridge when completed in 1996?
8. In which city was the Queensberry Bridge opened in 2017?
9. Boodles and Whites, in London, originally were established to serve which beverage?
10. Who delivers the ball in a game of baseball?
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Food Bank Wishlist
The Thirsk Food Bank run by Community Works is looking for help as we approach Harvest Festival. They have issued a ‘wishlist’ of items they would love to see stocking their shelves and which they can make available to those in need in the town and surrounding area. If you can help you can drop off items at Community Works in Thirsk or leave items in the collection box at Topcliffe Post Office over the next couple of weeks.
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Sutton Bank – A170 annual closure
Sutton Bank is closed until 4 October to all traffic whilst annual maintenance is carried out. Diversions are in place during this time. The National Park Centre at the top of Sutton Bank will remain open for business throughout the closure period.
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Asenby Parish Council
Asenby Parish Council continues its search for a volunteer resident who is willing to be co-opted as a new councillor. Anyone who might be interested is asked to message Parish Clerk, Colin Grimston, to set up an informal chat – clerk@asenbyparish.gov.uk
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Harvest Festival Service at St Columba’s
Friday 25 September at 7pm, St Columba’s Harvest Festival Service. Reverend Dawn will lead a short service of celebration with traditional harvest hymns. There’ll be harvest produce on display. Afterwards there’ll be ‘Bring & Share’ finger food and wine. All most welcome.
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Coffee Mornings at the Village Hall
The former Warm Hub team is planning some coffee mornings at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall to raise funds for a couple of local organisations and good causes. Serving- coffee, tea, scones and bakes, homemade biscuits, delicious cakes, savoury treats and cherry buns. Three events have so far been put in the diary and they will all be on from 10.30am to 12 noon.
- Saturday 26 September – to support The Tattler and Sunday Email. There’ll be a display of copies of The Tattler from over the years.
- Wednesday 28 October – to assist with the running costs of the Boccia Club, which provides exercise and coordination activities for elderly villagers.
- Saturday 5 December (date changed from 21 November to avoid a clash with a similar event being held at The Angel Inn) – to raise funds for the Topcliffe-based Blue Cross animal shelter and re-homing centre.
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Art classes
The following special one-off classes are planned and anyone interested in attending is invited to get in touch:
- Draw or paint your pet – or any dog, cat or other animals in pastels. Back due to popular demand. Bring your favourite photograph to copy. At Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall on Thursday 1 October. Either 10am til 1pm or 10 til 3pm.
- Autumn Flora and fauna: Nature’s Table. Using water colours, acrylics, charcoal or pencil to create studies of local nature. Sutton Bank Nature Hub on Thursday 8 October, 10am ’til 1pm or 10am ’til 3pm. Only 10 places available. £60 pp.
- Paint and Relax with Monet! – Friday 16 October 6.30 to 9.30pm at Thirsk Town Hall.
- Paint a Glass Vase/Storm Lantern – create beautiful floral designs in gorgeous colours. Thursday 5 November between 10.30am and 12.30pm at Topcliffe Village Hall.
- Pain an autumn sunset with bright reflections and beautiful hues. Friday 6 November between 6.30 and 9.30pm at Thirsk Town Hall.
- Painting in Acrylics: Sparkly winter landscapes and fun festive scenes. Learn how to add silver and gold leaf to enhance your painting. Thursday 3 December between 10am and 1pm at Topcliffe Village Hall.
- Seasonal Special crafts experience: creating and painting baubles, paper Nordic stars and glass hanging tealights. Friday 4 December between 6.30 and 9.30pm at Thirsk town Hall. Only 15 spaces available. £45.
All classes are friendly and non-competitive, allowing participants to proceed at their own speed. For more information and to book classes online, go to https://rebeccajayneartist.co.uk/
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Topcliffe and Asenby residents are invited to a special Halloween party in the Village Hall on Saturday 31 October from 7pm for a night of fun and games, music and laughter. Children are welcome to attend, but only if accompanied by their parent(s) or guardian.
Everyone attending is asked to take along a sharing plate of spooky food and guests are asked to note that this is a Bring Your Own Drinks event. Some of the games will be charged at £1, so please have plenty of change if you can. It would be great to see your fancy dress outfits, but it is optional.
Tickets are just £2.50 per person and they’re available from Topcliffe Post Office or from Sheila Squires at Swaleside Holiday Park on 07803 008461. Any surplus funds will be shared equally between the Village Hall and the Blue Cross Rehoming Centre at Topcliffe.
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Flying Oysters at the Village Hall
The Flying Oysters will be returning to Topcliffe on Saturday 7 November. Organiser, Doug Allan, promises another fantastic evening of music and dancing, along with an excellent supper consisting of pie and peas and a pudding.
Expert raffle organiser, Chrissy Findlay, has agreed to organise a raffle at the event and is already bringing together a fantastic selection of prizes donated by local businesses and organisation.
All funds raised will help support the Village Hall. Tickets, priced £15 are now on sale at Topcliffe Post Office and from Doug Allan…and they are already selling fast!
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Christmas Fair in Topcliffe
The annual Christmas Fair at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall will be held on Saturday 14 November between 10am and 1pm. All the available stalls have been allocated and there’ll be a wide selection of local traders and organisations hoping to tempt you to purchase Christmas and other items. The catering team will be putting on a Brunch with bacon rolls, cakes, tea, coffee and squashes. There’ll also be a raffle. All funds raised will be donated to the Village Hall fund.
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Coffee Mornings at The Angel Inn
There’ll be a fundraiser for Pancreatic Cancer UK at The Angel Inn on Saturday 21 November between 10am and 1pm. Donations of cakes to supplement those made by The Angel chef, will be gratefully received at both events.
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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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The Ritz Cinema
- The Dog Stars – to Thursday 24 September – no matinees.
- National Theatre Live: The Misanthrope – Friday 25 September at 7.30pm.
- Pressure – Saturday 26 to Thursday 1 October. Matinee on Wednesday 30 September.
- Bad Apples – Friday 2 to Thursday 8 October – no matinees.
Evening shows start at 7.30pm. Matinees at 2.30pm.
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Coffee and Chat
Every Tuesday from 10.00am in the church at Baldersby St James. Please drop in to church for coffee and a feast of home-made scones and biscuits. Jigsaws always available to borrow.
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Events at Rural Arts
Here is basic information about events coming up at The Old Courthouse in Thirsk. Check out the website for more details and booking information – http://www.ruralarts.org
Japanese Woodblock Printing: Explore this captivating Japanese woodblock printing technique made famous by artists like Hokusai and his iconic Great Wave. Mokuhanga is a wonderfully accessible and eco-friendly method that uses water-based inks and requires no press, making it perfect for artists of all levels. Tuesday 22 September, 10:30am – 4:30pm.
Thirsk Jobs Fair: Looking for work or a fresh start? Meet local employers, explore full-time and part-time roles, find learning opportunities and get advice and support for next steps. There’s no need to book a place, just pop in! Thursday 24 September, 10am – 12noon.
Bellinis and Botanical Plaster Casts: In this workshop, you’ll use leaves, flowers and natural textures to create an elegant botanical plaster cast tile. Experiment with arranging your chosen foliage before casting it into plaster to produce a unique decorative piece for your home. Friday 25 September 7pm – 9pm.
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Dalton Coffee Morning
There will be a Coffee Morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support on Wednesday 23 September in the Dalton Village Hall from 10.30am until 12 noon. Pop along and enjoy a cuppa, a piece of cake and a chat with friends and neighbours. There is no set charge, but donations will be greatly appreciated.
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Barbara Rae: Monotypes
Major exhibition by the internationally acclaimed artist, Barbara Rae is on until Saturday 26 September (not Sunday or Mondays) at the Zillah Bell Gallery, 15 Kirkgate, Thirsk. Rae, who was created Dame Barbara Rae in 2025 for services to art, is exhibiting over thirty monotypes and original prints. Many of these works have never been seen before. 10am – Free entry.
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Masham Sheep Fair
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September between 10am and 4pm. Sheep showing, sheep racing, craft market, Bishop Blaize procession, fleece stalls, sheepdog demonstrations, hand bell ringers, Morris dancers, art exhibition and tours of Theakstons and Black Sheep breweries, as well as a small children’s fair.
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The Thirsk Friends of the Lambert Hospice
Friends of the Lambert Hospice are holding several fundraising lunches, with guest speakers, in partnership with The Angel Inn at Topcliffe.
- The autumn lunch will be on Thursday 8 October
- The winter lunch will be on Thursday 3 December.
Details, times and prices are at http://.www.thirskfriendsofthelamberthospice.org The funds are needed to support end of life and palliative care services in the area.
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Concerts at Ripon Cathedral
- The Music of Adele by Candlelight – Saturday 24 October at 7.30pm.
- The Rozzers – Saturday 31 October at 7.30pm.
- Motown by Candlelight – Friday 27 November at 7.30pm.
- The Rat Pack – A Swingin’ Christmas by Candlelight – Friday 4 December at 7.30pm.
Book online at https://riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
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Live comedy comes to Sessay Village Hall
The Laughing Pug Comedy Show is coming to Sessay Village Hall on Saturday 24 October with the brilliant Paul Tonkinson, Helen White, Fran Garrity & Chris Lumb. The show will start at 7pm (doors open from 6pm) and tickets are £15. There’ll be a fully licensed bar available on the night. Follow this link for tickets and further information:
Sessay Village Hall Comedy Night at Sessay Village Hall event tickets from TicketSource
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Quiz answers
1. Castor Oil
2. Cosa Nostra
3. Timothy Evans
4. Two: Albany and Parkhurst (Camp Hill closed in 2013)
5. Ronnie Kray
6. W C Fields
7. The Humber Bridge
8. Edinburgh
9. Coffee
10. Pitcher
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That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.
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