Welcome to the 63rd issue of this regular Sunday Email.
Doug
07785 223707
The week’s Covid statistics
• The R number remains between 1.2 and 1.4..
• 42.7 million first doses given. 31.1 million second doses. 81% of the adult population has now had the first jab and over 59% the second.
• 63,764 people tested positive for Covid in the last week. That is an increase of 33%.
• There were 1,316 patients in hospital with Covid on10 June.
• There were 14 deaths reported yesterday and 74 in the last seven days.
• The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at 127,970.
• Worldwide, the global death toll is 3,813,133.
Roadmap roadblocked
Well, it’s not altogether unexpected but the current stage of the Covid restrictions will not be lifted tomorrow but will be extended until 19 July. A delay to the lifting of all restrictions wasn’t what anyone wanted, but it’s good to see the government responding to the data, not dates as they make these difficult decisions.
The PM announced the extension last Monday and during the week MPs voted to extend the emergency Covid laws for another four weeks, amid concern over rising cases. The argument is that delaying the planned lifting of restrictions will give the NHS a few more crucial weeks to get people vaccinated. It means pubs, clubs and theatres will still have to operate within capacity limits and nightclubs will remain closed. And limits remain on how many people can meet up, with groups of up to 30 allowed to gather outdoors and up to six people or two households allowed indoors. Restrictions on the number of guests allowed at a wedding will, however, be lifted as planned, but hosts will have to undertake a Risk Assessment and ensure social distancing can still take place. Care home residents will not have to self-isolate after leaving their care homes, and they will be able to nominate an essential care-giver who can visit. Children can go on overnight trips in groups of 30 with, for example, the Scouts or Guides, or as part of summer residential schools.
Progress with vaccinations…and maybe with trips abroad
All adults in England can now book their Covid-19 vaccine, as eligibility has been extended to everybody over 18. Appointments can be made via the National Bookings Service. So far four in every five adults in England has had their first jab. Ministers are now considering a proposal to allow people who have had both jabs to head on quarantine-free holidays abroad this summer. The proposal would allow people who have had both jabs to avoid quarantine on their return from amber list countries – making them essentially green – but testing will still be required.
Covid Testing
A full list of NHS testing sites can be viewed at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/book-coronavirus-covid-19-test
Lateral Flow Testing Kits – these tests are available free of charge to everyone. Seen as a significant step forward, the test kits can be obtained to use twice a week. One in three people with Covid do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus unwittingly. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately. You can order here:
https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests?medium=email&source=GovDelivery
Second jab offer
Topcliffe Surgery has eighty Oxford Astra Zeneca second dose Covid-19 vaccinations available to anyone who has not yet had their second jab. You must have had the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine for your first vaccination and it must have been more than 8 weeks ago. These are offered on a first come, first served basis. Please call at reception or telephone 01845 577297 to book an appointment for any Thursday morning before the end of July.
Read all about it!
Debs Roberts, who is soon to take over the Post Office in Topcliffe, is considering reintroducing a Sunday morning newspaper service. She won’t be opening the Post Office on Sundays so the service would operate from the Milk Churn Farm Shop. But first she is trying to establish what sort of demand there might be. The Farm Shop opens at 10am on Sunday mornings so papers could only be picked up after that. You could always have a coffee to set you up for a lazy Sunday. Regretfully, Debs doesn’t have the space to put a selection of papers on sale in the farm shop – so it’s pre-ordered service only. If you would be interested in placing a regular order for your Sunday read, please drop an email to Debs at info
Hedgehog hero to retire
Topcliffe’s very own hedgehog rescuer has announced her retirement. Pauline Hindmarch, who lives at Moot Hall has saved the lives of thousands of hedgehogs in the last twenty years or so. Her garden rescue centre, often referred to as Hedgehog Rescue Topcliffe, has featured in many newspaper stories over the years. But at 82 years of age Pauline thinks it’s time to retire and let somebody else take on the role. She hopes that someone else in the village might have the time and commitment to run a rescue centre and she’d be happy to offer advice and guidance to a new volunteer. If you might be interested please give Pauline a call on 01845 577508. Pauline’s work with hedgehogs will feature in the next edition of The Tattler.
If you find a hedgehog and you are concerned about its health and condition please contact the Wildlife Haven Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Thirsk on 07772 871833 https://www.thewildlifehaven.co.uk/
Soup and sweet lunches are back
The first soup and sweet lunch at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall will be held on Wednesday 23 June. Serving will take place between 12 noon and 12.30pm. Soups will be chicken & vegetable and fresh tomato & basil. To follow there’ll be a selection od sweets including jam and cream scones. Instead of paying a set price for lunch, customers will be asked to make a small donation according to their means. Any surplus will be donated to a different charity each week.
Finials found
There was some good news last week about those missing finials that once graced the roof of the Methodist Chapel. Following the appeal for information about their removal back in the 1980s and their current whereabouts, they’ve turned up at Stan and Kathleen Collinson’s farm off Station Road. Stan was involved in the chapel’s maintenance at the time the finial balls were removed because they were considered dangerous. He kept them in one of his out-buildings and they are now going to be handed over to the chapel’s new owners so that they can consider reinstalling them on the roof.
Job vacancy: Volunteering Support Officer
Hambleton Community Action is seeking applications from suitably experienced and enthusiastic candidates for this newly-created role, working alongside our experienced Volunteering Development Officer, and within a small but dedicated staff team. The successful applicant will provide appropriate levels and types of support to those who choose to volunteer with or through HCA. More information about the role and an application form is available on HCA’s website – chief.officer) to arrive before the closing date, 9am Monday
12 July.
Thirsk Birds of Prey Centre
This popular attraction at Kirby Wiske, near Thirsk is again open to the public and presenting 70 birds and 30 species. There are spectacular displays featuring eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, vultures and owls, all swooping and diving around as you sit in a beautiful English garden. Skilled handlers explain why the birds hunt and fly as they do, where they come from in the wild and how they are trained. Open seven days a week 10.30am – 5pm. Flying displays three times a day at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm with different birds in each display (weather permitting). No pre-booking needed. http://www.falconrycentre.co.uk
Music@Junction50
The first concert in the Music@Junction50 series at the church at Baldersby St James will be staged on 30 June at 7pm. Classical guitarist Ian Watt will present an evening of music. A multi award winner in competitions, he has performed with many major orchestras as a soloist and is often heard on radio stations in many countries. Ian’s programme includes works by Sor, Grieg, Turina and de Falla. Tickets are available from Sue Brown at the shop in Baldersby – 07840 381558 or Colin Reid on 01765 640624 or can be purchased at the door.
Parish Council meetings
• The next meeting of Asenby Parish Council will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21 July 2021 in the main hall at the Village Hall. www.asenby.net
• The next meeting of Topcliffe Parish Council will be at 7.15pm (please note later than usual start time) on Thursday 1 July in the main hall at the Village Hall. topcliffeparishcouncil Covid safety arrangements will be in place at the Village Hall.
Local Government Review
It’s anticipated that the decision on the future shape of local government in North Yorkshire will ne made this week. We’ll get to know if there’ll be just one or perhaps two local authorities to take over from the existing nine councils.
Talking buses!
HARBUS is the forum for bus users (and would-be bus users) in Hambleton and Richmondshire who aim to work collaboratively to improve the experience of bus passengers in the area. The next monthly meeting via Zoom is at 10am on Monday 28 June. Please email harbus if you would like to join the meeting, and they’ll send you the Zoom link in advance.
Ask the scam experts
North Yorkshire Police are hosting an online ‘Ask the Experts’ event in partnership with HSBC Bank to help people learn about the types of online banking fraud currently operating, how to spot them and how to stay safe. It takes place on 22 June between 7 and 9pm. To register go to www.eventbrite.co.uk/ask-the-experts
Game for a laugh
The Angel is restarting its popular Comedy Night on Tuesday 6 July. Tickets are on sale now – £10 in advance, £12 on the day.
St Columba’s Church
Services planned are:
• Sunday 20 June, 10.45am – Sung Matins.
• Sunday 27 June, 10.45am – Holy Communion with Revd. Mary Rolls.
• Sunday 4 July, 6.30pm – Choral Evensong.
St Columba’s Day report
Celebrations last Sunday for St Columba’s Day went extremely well, blessed of course by glorious weather. The church service was almost at its covid limit, as indeed was the picnic afterwards, with around fifty people joining in over the afternoon. Chris Hewlett was kept busy all afternoon taking enthusiastic groups up the tower. A huge thank you is due to everyone who helped to make the day such a success, including Linda and the choir; Chris with extensive risk assessments in addition to the tower tours; Joan for the glorious church flowers, Linda Carver for the transformed flower bed; and the intrepid six who put in so much to have the churchyard looking inviting and tidy. Also, a big thank you to the three generations of Blairs who quietly and barely noticed removed the several large sacks of accumulated green waste. A great team effort, thank you all.
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall
• Soup and sweet lunches will start again on Wednesday 23 June and then fortnightly thereafter.
• Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm, every Thursday evening.
• My Time Yoga – 12.30 to 4pm (two classes) – every Monday.
• Boot Camp – every Tuesday and Friday evening, 7 – 8pm.
• Asenby Parish Meeting – 7.30pm, Wednesday 21 July.
• Topcliffe Parish Council – 7pm, Thursday 1 July.
• Topcliffe & Asenby Produce Show will be held on Saturday 28 August.
• Attic Auction – Saturday 5 September.
• There’s a new art class starting a week Monday (28 June). Details available on noticeboards in Topcliffe.
Existing hirers will have free use of the hall until 31 December 2021. Fee use of the hall is also available to new group activities (this does not include commercial one-off or private hires for parties and social functions). This is intended to encourage a new range of activities to get going. Bookings for new activities and for events such as parties will be possible from 21 June. Events planned for last year that had to be postponed due to the pandemic will be rescheduled in due course. Watch out for details of the Big Race Night and Challenge Quiz.
Local traders
• The Angel at Topcliffe – now fully reopened with a new menu. Check out full details at www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow The Angel on Facebook to get regular updates.
• Asenbee Honey – as well as selling local honey, this Asenby-based business makes beeswax candles and a range of hand-carved spoons and oak chopping boards. www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
• Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
• The Elm Gallery – Opening times are Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm; Sunday, 12noon to 5.30pm; Monday and Tuesday – closed. Covid safety arrangements are in place with two households/bubbles in the gallery at any one time. Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920 or check out the website at: www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk
• John Aston Flooring Ltd – operating from The Old Hatchery in Asenby. There’s a large selection of carpets and flooring to suit all tastes. Appointment only. 01845 421111 – info
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – currently based at the Milk Churn farm Shop but due to lack of space is planning to relocate to Melmerby soon. The company provides beautiful hampers for all occasions. Hampers contain the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk Telephone: 07793 775987
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Revised opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 3pm. Closed on Mondays.
Customers are still required to keep to social distancing rules. Takeaway teas and coffees with cake is still available. Wheelchair access is available at the rear of the property. Check out Facebook page for information about new lines in fresh and frozen foods. 01845 400446. https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/
• Studio 18 Hairstylist – unisex hairdressing salon run by Nicola James at 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery). Open Monday to Saturday. Male and female adults as well as children. For an appointment call Nicola on 07851 034815.
• The Swan is now operating normal hours again. Providing traditional home-cooked food with a new menu and ‘specials board’, extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night, take-away meals, Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm and on Saturdays food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late!
• The Thirsk Food Bank now has a collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop. The following foodstuffs are welcomed: tins, pasta, rice, biscuits, cereals, jars, crisps, juices, bottled products, soups, crisp breads, anything in packets. But please, no fresh products as there’s a risk they will go to waste.
• Topcliffe Post Office – opening hours are: Shop – weekdays 7am to 5pm and Saturday 7 to 11.30am. Post Office – weekdays 8.30am to 5pm and Saturday 8.30 to 11.30am. Closed on Sundays.
Bin Collections
Hambleton (Topcliffe):
• Refuse – Mondays 21 June and 5 July
• Recycling & green waste – Thursday 1 July
Harrogate (Asenby):
• Recycling – Mondays 21 June and 5 July
• Refuse – Mondays 28 June and 12 July
• Garden waste – Thursdays 1 and 15 July
That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.