Welcome to the 64th issue of this regular Sunday Email.
Doug
07785 223707
The week’s Covid statistics
• The R number remains between 1.2 and 1.4. This means that on average every 10 people infected will infect between 12 and 14 other people.
• 44.1 million first doses given. 32.2 million second doses. 83.7% of the adult population has now had the first jab and over 61% the second.
• 98,460 people tested positive for Covid in the last week. That is an increase of 54%.
• There were 1,505 patients in hospital with Covid on 26 June.
• There were 23 deaths reported yesterday and 119 in the last seven d
• The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at 128,089.
• Worldwide, the global death toll is 3,876,675.
Change of Secretary of State for Health
Matt Hancock MP has resigned as Health Secretary and he has been replaced by Sajid Javid MP, the former Chancellor and Home Secretary.
Covid update from Richard Flinton, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire County Council
“Our journey through this pandemic is a marathon, as I’m sure we all realise. We have about 16 months behind us and, unfortunately, probably another year or so ahead. I thank the people of North Yorkshire again for their tremendous effort and sacrifice and encourage you to keep going as we work our way through this.
The situation in North Yorkshire is changing rapidly, as it is nationwide, and we must be prepared for further ups and downs. The average infection rate in the county is 81 per 100,000 people, a four-fold increase in three weeks.
Our response must remain the same – not only to follow the rules around hands, face, space and fresh air, but also to take up your vaccine. We have high levels of uptake in North Yorkshire. That’s great and it gives us protection. However, we need to go further. We need everyone who is offered the vaccine to take it up. Together we can work to unlock summer, but to unlock summer safely.”
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. 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
Soup and sweet lunches go down a treat
The first soup and sweet lunch at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall was held last Wednesday. Ten people turned up, which was not bad for the first lunch after so many months in which they were postponed. Thanks to Karen Morley and Linda Carver for re-starting this community event. In all, £50 was raised and has been donated to The Friends of Topcliffe School. The next lunch will be at 12 noon on Wednesday 7 July.
Covid Vaccine Passport Scam
Neighbourhood Watch is reporting that there’s a Covid vaccine passport scam email going around that purports to be from the NHS and informs recipients that they can apply for their ‘Digital Coronavirus Passport’. Clicking on the link within the email, takes you to a convincing but fake NHS website that asks for personal information and payment details. The website has since been taken down, but in case similar emails/websites appear please watch out for these scams. And just to be clear, everyone’s vaccination status can be obtained free of charge through the NHS App, website or by calling the NHS on 119.
Art classes starts tomorrow
A new art class is being launched tomorrow, Monday 28 June, at the Village Hall in Topcliffe. It will be run by Rebecca Jayne Art & Design between 9.30 and 11.30am each Monday morning. Each week Rebecca will be demonstrating in a different material and participants can opt to work in the same material or a choice of their own. The sessions will be a balance of demonstration, practise, questions and feedback. The theme for week one is ‘By The Sea’. Payment – £12.50 per session – can be made by BACs in advance or on the day. There are three sessions planned initially to test the viability of the classes. Anyone who pays for all three up-front will receive a discount of 50p per session.
Gregg says goodbye
Gregg Tassel, who has been manager at The Angel at Topcliffe for the last seven years, leaves this week to start a new life back in his French homeland. He arrived in the UK in 2005 and initially planned to stay for just one year, but he liked it so much he stayed for sixteen years. He started working with West Park Inns in January 2012 when the hotel group took over the Moor & Pheasant in Dalton. Now Gregg and his wife Claire and their two children have decided to set up home in Brittany. They have plans to open a gite and glamping site on France’s Emerald Coast. Gregg said: “I have loved living and working in this beautiful part of the world and have met so many lovely people over the years. We’re looking forward to setting up our own enterprise and would hope we might see visitors from Topcliffe and Asenby in the future.” Gregg will be in the garden at The Angel on the 30 June from 5.30pm, and hopes a few villagers might pop in for a drink and to say goodbye.
Music@Junction50
The first concert in the Music@Junction50 series at the church at Baldersby St James is on this coming Wednesday (30 June) at 7pm. Award-winning classical guitarist Ian Watt will present an evening of music, including 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.
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:
• Today, Sunday 27 June, 10.45am – Holy Communion with Revd. Mary Rolls.
• Sunday 4 July, 6.30pm – Choral Evensong.
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall
• Soup and sweet lunch – 12 noon Wednesday 7 July and fortnightly thereafter
• Art classes – Monday mornings 9.30 to 11.30am.
• 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.
• Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7pm, Thursday 1 July.
• Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7pm, Wednesday 21 July.
• Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm, Wednesday 21 July.
• Topcliffe & Asenby Produce Show will be held on Saturday 28 August.
• Attic Auction – Saturday 5 September.
• The new art class starts tomorrow for a trial run of three weeks.
Existing hirers of the hall will have free use 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 19 July. 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 – fully reopened with new menu. Check out full details at www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk or follow The Angel on Facebook to get regular updates.
• Asenbee Honey – this Asenby-based business sells honey but also 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. Telephone: 07793 775987. www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
• 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):
• Recycling & green waste – Thursday 1, 15 and 29 July
• Refuse – Mondays 5 and 19 July
Harrogate (Asenby):
• Refuse – Mondays 28 June and 12 & 26 July
• Garden waste – Thursdays 1, 15 & 29 July
• Recycling – Mondays 5 and 19 July
That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.