Hi
Welcome to this week’s Sunday email. There continues to be lots of information and news to share with you all.
Congratulations to everyone who got involved in Friday’s celebration of the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The Coronavirus prevented us from celebrating this important event in the way we originally planned, but as usual the people of Topcliffe and Asenby were determined to make the most of the day: they created a celebration that appropriately remembered the heroes of the Second World War and then partied into the night. It was a wonderful effort all round and the day will long be remembered as a very special anniversary.
If you have any information that you would like me to include in next Sunday’s email please feel free to contact me. Continue to stay well and stay safe.
Doug
07785 223707
Latest Government Advice
After seven weeks of advice stating that we must stay at home it is now apparent that we are getting some freedoms…but not too many and not too soon! Tonight, the Prime Minister will set out the roadmap to easing the restrictions we face but it’s clear the government will proceed with "maximum caution" and immediate changes will be "modest, small, incremental and very carefully monitored”. Media pundits are speculating that some workers will be encouraged to return to work, garden centres will be allowed to reopen and that some relaxation of the time allowed for and the form of exercise will be given. However, the crucial message will be about ensuring that the country doesn’t waste all past effort and risk a second spike in the disease. The government’s announcement will be live at 7pm on BBC One.
‘Hear to Help’ support line to help with anxiety around COVID-19
Just ‘B’, a service operated by Saint Michael’s Hospice and Herriot Hospice Homecare, has launched a helpline to provide support and advice to those who are feeling anxious or struggling with their emotional wellbeing as a result of Covid-19. ‘Hear to Help’ is available between 8am-8pm, seven days a week, and is staffed by specialist support workers. Anyone needing a moment to talk should call 01423 856 799. Calls are charged at local rates and may vary dependent on the time of day or even be included within call packages. Saint Michael’s Chief Executive Tony Collins said: “We know the current, ever-changing situation is very stressful and emotionally draining for many. As a charity committed to helping local people with their emotional wellbeing and mental health, we are here to give people space and time to talk through their anxieties and be listened to. This service has been set up to help our local community and we hope it may also relieve some of the pressures on our colleagues in the NHS.”
North Yorkshire Police Report
During the week I watched a live virtual meeting with leaders of North Yorkshire CC and the Police talking about the response to the Coronavirus pandemic and discussing how they are going about their duties. I was particularly interested in what the spokespersons for North Yorkshire Police had to say about unnecessary journeys, fines and crime. In a nutshell, the police are following the four Es – Engage, Explain, Encourage (people to go home) and Enforce. It was stated that over 500 fines have now been issued to people, particularly drivers, who have been found to have made unnecessary journeys, such as to beauty spots and to take exercise. This means they are among the top 6 forces for dishing out fines. It was reported that large volumes of traffic have been identified in our national parks and particularly at places like Sheep Wash near Osmotherley and Mallam Cove. Car parks have been full and cars have overflowed on to adjacent roads. All of this is totally unacceptable and drivers have been told to go home. It was suggested that peoples’ perception and tolerance to the rules has begun to change and too many are beginning to ignore them. Again this is not acceptable – the rules apply to everyone. The Police’s advice remains crystal clear – exercise near your home. Do not make long journeys unless it’s an
emergency.
Interestingly, the police report a large increase in the number of cycling accidents and plenty of injuries caused by riders not wearing proper safety equipment, or riding bikes that are in a poor state mechanically. Cyclists are tending to go for longer rides than they should – the rules are for one hour of exercise – and they are often seen ignoring social distancing rules – keeping 1.5m apart.
Finally, I was amazed to hear that since lockdown started, 500 stop and searches have been carried out and 132 arrests related to drugs have been made, both of local people and those travelling to North Yorkshire from elsewhere to carry out their despicable trade. The public have assisted in reporting suspicious behaviour and we are asked to continue to contact the police if we have suspicions about any activity.
Bin Collections…
All bin collections across Topcliffe and Asenby will be back to normal from tomorrow but look out for a further alteration at the end of the month.
- Hambleton (Topcliffe) – the schedule for the next couple of weeks is – Monday, 11 May, refuse; Thursday 21 May, recycling and green bins: Tuesday 26 May, refuse (note change because of Bank Holiday).
- Harrogate (Asenby) – recycling will be collected on Monday 11 May; refuse on Monday 18 May; green waste on Thursday, 21 May and then recycling on Tuesday, 26 May (note change because of Bank Holiday).
…and applause for our binmen
Last week Dovecote Mews residents placed a “thank you very much” message on a line of bins across the cul-de-sac as a way of thanking our refuse collectors for their dedication and commitment throughout the pandemic.
VE day Celebrations were a big hit
Many residents held “Stay at Home Street Parties” last Friday to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. There were picnics and BBQs in gardens and many houses were decorated in red, white and blue. Residents observed a two-minute silence at 11am and later many watched The Queen’s televised address to the nation and sang songs from the war years, including a rendition of Dame Vera Lynn’s classic We’ll Meet Again. It may have been a party in isolation, but it certainly went with a swing.
Louise – the catering superstar
Louise Bumby, who has been a catering star for elderly and vulnerable residents throughout this pandemic, excelled herself last Friday by supplying 105 mouth-watering afternoon teas to families celebrating VE Day in Asenby and Topcliffe. In lieu of a charge Louise asked for donations to Help for Heroes and she was over the moon to raise around £1,000. (see the acknowledgements below).
On Facebook, Louise said: “My final words are from the heart. Life is tough at present but if we all work together and help one another where we can we will come out at the other side stronger and more determined than before. We British never give in and one day we will put the Great back into Britain.”
The Lockdown Memory Album
Hello everyone. My name is Joanne Brierley and I am a professional photographer and I live in Topcliffe. I thought it will be nice to have a little something to remind us how well we have coped during this strange time and I came up with the idea of creating a photo album for our community. It will be something we can keep in our chronicles and cherish through generations. I have taken photographs over recent weeks and particularly last Friday as Asenby and Topcliffe were celebrating VE Day. I walked the villages and took many photographs of families on their doorsteps or partying in their front gardens. All these images will be published on Top Residents and hopefully in a photographic exhibition after the virus is subdued. I’m still happy to take photos of families, so If you are interested, please send me a message via Top Residents on Facebook. By contacting me you are agreeing that any photographs I take can be published as described. Let’s stay positive. We can do it together.
More good deeds acknowledged
The roll of honour recognising the good deeds of villagers during the pandemic continues this week. All names on the list from this and previous weeks will be saved in case there’s an opportunity to say a collective thank you at an appropriate event once the crisis is over. So continue to let me have your nominations.
• This is a second mention for catering star, Lousie Bumby, who on VE Day provided amazing afternoon teas for 105 villagers at over 50 households in Asenby and Topcliffe.
• Chris Bumby, Jenny Bumby and Lynn Wallis who gave up a substantial part of their day to deliver Louise’s afternoon teas to villagers in Topcliffe and Asenby. And to Wendy Jefferies, Florence Bumby, Aron Bumby and
Millie Hird, his girlfriend, who helped Louise prepare the food.
• Debbie Eames who supplied the chocolate eclairs for Louise’s afternoon teas.
• To Kieran Young in Asenby and everyone else who ordered teas from Louise and made a donation to Help for Heroes.
• To Topcliffe Parish Council for agreeing to make a contribution towards Louise Bumby’s costs of supplying meals throughout the pandemic.
• Joanne Brierley in recognition of her photographic efforts to record the community during lockdown and on VE Day.
• Kevin Young for taking the time to put on his full-dress military uniform to perform the Exhortation and lead the two minutes silence in Dovecote Mews on VE Day.
• Nikki, Gary and Samantha Key for selling surplus tomato plants to raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
• AND everyone else who decorated their homes and our villages to make the marking of VE Day such a poignant and memorable event. A big THANK YOU to you all.
Farm Shop Plans Approved
Planning approval has been received for our farm shop at 81 Long Street, Topcliffe. It will be named the Milk Churn Farm Shop and will provide fresh meat, fish and vegetables, specialist cheeses and charcuterie…as well as artisan breads and cakes. Customers will be able to order vegetable and meat boxes, as well as weekend boxes for a full English and/or Sunday lunch, any of which will be delivered to local homes, if required. Our aim is to cater for vegetarians, vegans and those requiring gluten free products.
For now, work is progressing well, with social distancing between tradesmen taking priority. First fix electrics have been completed, walls knocked out and steelwork put in place. The plasterer will be in this week, then painting and decoration can begin. There’s no date for opening as yet, but we are extremely busy sourcing suppliers for fresh fruit and veg, fish and meat…all of which will be local.
Debbie Roberts, Kerry Parker and Hannah Alderson
Roadworks around Asenby
North Yorkshire County Council carried out re-surfacing and pot-holing repairs at the southern end of Asenby around the slip roads onto and off the A168 last week. There may still be post-Bank Holiday works ongoing along Cundall Road to Thornton Bridge but everywhere else is now clear.
And proposed works on A168 – between Thirsk and Topcliffe
Autolink, the company responsible for the operation and maintenance of the A168 Trunk Road on behalf of Highways England, will be undertaking essential resurfacing works between A167 Topcliffe and B1448 Warren Farm. The works will be carried out during night time closures of the A168 between the hours of 8pm and 6am and traffic will be required to follow signed diversions. The works will start on the evening of Wednesday 13 May for approximately two weeks. During the works the southbound carriageway of the A168 will be closed to main through southbound traffic between the A19/A170 interchange at Thirsk and the A167 Interchange at Topcliffe. Local traffic will be directed along the A170 into Thirsk and then west along the A61 to the Busby Stoop Roundabout. Local traffic can re-enter the A168 southbound at Asenby. Anyone requiring clarification or further information, should contact Highway Engineer, Tony Smith, at t.smith@srm.com
Sowerby Waste Site Reopens
Last week saw the reopening of the Household Recycling Centre at Sowerby. The county council has stated they would be instantly closed if the site looked like being overwhelmed. The rules in place are:
- To avoid overcrowding there’ll be a queuing system for vehicles.
- There will be a cut-off point for the queues into the centre so you may be asked to go back at a different time if the queue becomes too long.
- Only one person will be allowed out of the vehicle to dispose of waste to keep the number of people on the site to a minimum.
- To maintain social distancing, staff will not be able to help you dispose of waste so please only take what you can manage yourself.
- Trailers will not be allowed into the centre during this time and commercial waste will not be accepted.
- The normal rules will apply for non-commercial chargeable waste and payments will only be accepted using cards, contactless where possible.
- The government’s guidance on social distancing and staying at least 2m apart at all times, will apply.
NYCC Chief Executive Richard Flinton said that they were reopening sites only so people could dispose of waste that was a risk to be kept at home. He added: “We will be learning lessons from this and how these sites get back up and running. We will be shutting every other bay and have extra staff managing the sites. If the queues get too long we will turn people away and stop them joining the queue. You should only use them if absolutely necessary and waste materials cannot be stored safely at home. Opening times are 8.30am to 5pm seven days a week (including Wednesdays).
Chippy returns
Paul and Karen Bumby made a welcome return to Topcliffe with their fish and chip van last Friday evening. The van was actually applauded as it arrived in the village and as it was prepared for business, which was really nice. Customers were asked to maintain social distancing rules with only one person at a time at the counter. Paul and Karen will be back next Friday between 5 to 7.30pm. For the time being, there’ll be no advance or telephone orders.
Kristinas Gift Shop, Thirsk
Kristinas shop in Kirkgate is physically closed at the moment but the owners have started delivering goods to people around the area who need it and don’t want to leave home. The shop sells a range of ethical, Fair Trade and sustainable products including washing up liquid, hand wash and laundry liquid. Normally the shop does refills but that’s not possible at the moment. However, pre-filled containers are now available. The range is eco, vegan and cruelty free. Kristinas also provides a range of gifts – from baby clothes to homeware – and will deliver to your home on an evening or a Saturday or Sunday. Call 01845 574573, email kristinas@hotmail.co.uk or check out the website at www.kristinas.co.uk
Herbs Unlimited – Pop-Up Shop
I know lots of residents visited the pop up shop when it visited Topcliffe and Asenby last week. I know this because I was talking to the guy who ran it and he told me he had virtually sold out! Well the good news is that Herbs Unlimited will be back this coming week – 14 May – at 10am in Topcliffe (near the Post Office) and 11am in Asenby (near bus stop). It will be selling salad boxes, veg boxes, plants and herbs.
Local shop opening times (please note, there are no changes in this section since last week)
This is a compilation of supermarket, convenience store, pharmacy and Post Office opening times, including priority times for elderly, vulnerable and key workers where known. It’s possible that times may change on the Bank Holiday (25 May). If you’ve anything to add or correct please email me – doug@dougallan.co.uk
• Tesco, Station Road – Mon-Sat: 8am-10pm, Sun: 10am-4pm. Priority for elderly and vulnerable people – Mon, Wed and Fri 9-10am. Priority for NHS workers – Tue, Thu and Sat 9-10am. All the time: care workers, NHS
and emergency services will be invited to come to the front of the queue.
• Cooperative, Market Place – Mon-Sat: 7am-10pm, Sun: 11am-5pm. Priority for elderly and vulnerable people, NHS workers and carers – Mon-Sat 8-9pm and Sun 10-11am.
• Aldi, Topcliffe Road – Mon-Sat: 8am-10pm and Sun: 10am-4pm.
• Lidl, Station Road – Mon-Sat: 8am-8pm and Sun: 10am-4pm.
• Heron, Market Place – Mon-Sat: 8am-6pm and Sun: 10am-5pm.
• Nisa, Long Street – Mon-Sun: 7am-10pm.
• Morrisons, Boroughbridge – Mon-Sat: 7am-9pm and Sun: 9.30am-4pm. Priority openings for NHS workers and carers – Mon-Sat: 6am-7am, Sun 9am-9.30am.
• Boots pharmacy, Market Place – Mon-Sat: 9am-5.30pm, Sun: Closed.
• Boots pharmacy, Chapel Street – Mon-Fri: 8.30am-6.30pm (closed noon-1pm), Sat and Sun: Closed.
• Tesco Pharmacy – Mon: 8am-10.30pm, Tue-Sat: 6.30am-10.30pm and Sun: 10am-4pm.
• Thirsk Post Office, in Cooperative Supermarket – Mon-Sat: 7am-10pm and Sun: 11am-5pm.
• Carlton Miniott Post Office – Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm, Sat: 7am-5pm and Sun: 8am-noon.
• Topcliffe Post Office, Long Street, Mon-Fri: 7.30am-2pm, Sat 7.30am-11.30am and Sun: closed.
Shopping pick-ups and deliveries (please note, there are no changes in this section since last week)
Morrison’s continue to offer a special ‘essential’ delivery service to vulnerable and elderly members of the community who are unable to shop in-store. There’s an order form on the company’s website – you download it, tick your choices and then call 0345 611 6111 and press option 5 to place the order. Orders take 24 hours to process and payment is taken by contactless card by the delivery driver. Cash and cheques cannot be accepted.
Other local home delivery services include:
• Buck Inn, Maunby is supplying fresh produce and household essentials. Free delivery on orders over £25 or to any NHS cardholder. Email: info@thebuckinnmaunby.co.uk
• Carl’s Fruit, salad and vegetable boxes. Orders only by Facebook or email: carlsflowers@btinternet.com. Requires payment by Bacs two days in advance of delivery.
• Greengrocers, Thirsk will deliver boxes (£15 or £20) to Topcliffe every Monday. Plants and compost can be added if you order fruit and veg. You can put in an order any time before the delivery day. 01845 527899.
• Johnson’s the Butchers, Thirsk, are supplying the usual meats, plus fish and ready-made meals. Ring 01845 523212 or via Facebook.
• K E Bland of Ripon – home delivery service for supply milk, yoghurt, cream, bread, oil, water, fruit and vegetables. Ring 01765 603049.
• Mooshakes, Mocktails and Munchies – orders for milkshakes and cakes must be in by 12pm for afternoon deliveries or 4.30pm for evening deliveries. Topcliffe deliveries Wed 1.30 to 2.30 and Allenbrooke 5.30 to 7.30.
• Upstairs Downstairs Deli, Thirsk are delivering to all YO7 postcodes. Check them out on Facebook.
Preferred method of payment for most dealers is by card over the telephone when ordering.
If you order from Johnson the Butchers, the Greengrocers and Upstairs Downstairs everything can be delivered together in one go. That’s an excellent service.
Take Away Food (please note, there are no changes in this section since last week)
A whole host of food companies continue to provide ‘take aways’ and deliveries. Here’s a few that residents have recommended:
• Bambudda Oriental Cuisine, Ripon – 01765 278020 – Orders by phone only. Demand is very high so there may be a delay in getting through. On weekends the line opens at 3pm for pre-orders. Delivery charge £5.
• Bliss Café, Thirsk – Soup, main meals and puddings for the elderly and infirm. Can be delivered frozen or ready to eat within a five mile radius, 7 days a week. Ring two days in advance to discuss your needs, Phone 07584
633669 or email blisscafe@mail.com. Pay by card over phone, bank transfer or cash by special arrangement. Please phone 8am-1pm.
• Mozzarelli’s, Ripon 01765 603333
• The Old Red House, Thirsk has organised Carvery Sundays and also do free deliveries to Topcliffe 5-8pm Wednesday to Saturday. Ring 01845 525769 for bookings and information.
• Pizza Pronto, Catterick Garrison – 01748 833777
• Racha Thai Bistro in Thirsk has now reopened and is offering take aways and deliveries.
• Regency Pizza, Thirsk Industrial Estate – 01845 522331
• The Bay Horse, Rainton – 01845 578697 – on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Wide range of meals on offer.
• The TeaTime Café, Thirsk – Bake Boxes with varied contents changing each week, or individual items. Delivery on Thursdays is free to Topcliffe and Asenby. Orders by 2pm Tuesday. Full details are on the café’s website
at www.teatimeyorkshire.co.uk
• Westgate Fisheries will accept orders by telephone 07703 686774 – ring from lunchtime onwards to place an order for evening pick up (no deliveries to Topcliffe and Asenby). Open Monday to Saturday 4 – 9pm
It’s likely lots more food outlets will be reopening this week and offering both ‘take aways’ and deliveries. Check details on the internet or Facebook.
MESSAGES & INFORMATION FROM EARLIER EMAILS, BUT WORTH MAINTAINING FOR REFERENCE
• Both ‘Top Residents’ and ‘Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall’ Facebook sites have lots of useful information and chat about what’s going on during lockdown.
• Our two Parish Councils are not meeting during the crisis. However, our Parish Councillors and Parish Clerks remain available to deal with any urgent matters. Details are on the two parish council websites –
www.topcliffe.org.uk and www.asenby.net
• Isolation and lockdown may well have a significant impact on the mental health of some people. If you want any advice during this period go to: www.mentalhealth.org.uk , www.nhs.uk/Mental/Health or
www.mind.org.uk
• Topcliffe Post Office – John Mulley is maintaining services at the PO, though he has restricted opening times and introduced social distancing rules. The PO (01845 577517) continues to operate post offices services, as
well as the sale of newspapers and the usual product lines. Opening times: Mon-Fri: 7.30am-2pm, Sat 7.30am-11.30am and Sun: closed.
• Topcliffe Surgery requires seven working days’ notice for repeat prescriptions. Practice nurse Lesley Lowe is assisting Asenby residents who are in isolation and who don’t pay for their medication and are worried about
leaving home to collect their medications from Topcliffe Surgery. Ask when you order your prescription.
• The AA is offering free roadside assistance to any NHS worker if they have a breakdown enroute to or from work. The number to call is 0800 072 5064.
• Adam Jackson Plants, Sessay – take orders for delivery the following week. The fixed bundles may differ each week (no compost is available). See the Facebook page AdamJacksonPlants for details. To order send your
address, post code, phone number and which bundles you would like. Payment will be taken on delivery in cash or by contactless card. tel: 07743 870205.
• Northdale Horticulture, a Northallerton-based charity that provides training for people with learning difficulties, is providing a ‘mail order’ service. There will be a deliver to Topcliffe and Asenby, probably clumping
orders together. Their web address is www.northdale.org.uk where you can check out what’s available. The site has separate lists of different types of plants (these change as plants sell out!) and an order form too,
which you can print off, complete and email to northdalehort@aol.com
• Freecycle Stall – every Saturday and Sunday, the Burnett family, who live in Pear Tree Cottage on Long Street in Topcliffe, organise a Freecycle Stall so that other villagers can pick up books, Magazines, toys and more.
Feel free to pop by the stall, but don’t forget to observe social distancing when you’re there…and appropriate hygiene when handling the items.
• Asenby’s community Facebook page ‘Asenby Institute Community Space’ is keeping villagers well informed and in touch with each other.
• The Asenby bus stop library continues to be very popular. Villagers are welcome to borrow or supply books. Users are required to wear gloves and should sanitise books before leaving them or picking them up.
• Asenby resident, Heather Allon, organises a magazine and book loan scheme in the village. Those who are housebound or in lockdown who would like to be involved should telephone her on 01845 595080.
• Peter Palmer (01845 578057) and Judith Lowe (01845 577911) co-ordinate volunteers to assist any resident who needs help with shopping or collection of medicines….or maybe just wants a ‘phone chat.
• A range of Asenby Village Trails has been developed for village children (and adults) taking their daily stroll. Walkers should look out for rainbows and teddy bears in windows.
Clapping for our heroes
Last Thursday was the 7th consecutive week of clapping to show support for NHS frontline staff, care home staff and other key workers. The public demonstration of support is a massive tribute to their selfless commitment. There’ll be another clapping next Thursday evening at 8pm. But please, no fireworks as it upsets and traumatises our pets.
That’s all until next Sunday. Stay at home. Keep safe and keep well.