Posted on by

Sunday Email: Issue 84

Welcome to the 84th issue of the Sunday Email. This edition brings you a report that a planned Christmas event in Asenby has been cancelled because of concerns about increasing numbers of Covid cases in recent days. It’s fully understandable that the organisers have taken this decision as no one wants to be responsible for spreading the disease and potentially creating the circumstances in which guests are infected.

On a personal note, because of rising Covid infection concerns, my siblings and I have just postponed our mother’s 100th birthday party, which was due to be held next Saturday. It’s a shame, but it is another example of how this disease continues to create havoc with our lives.

Doug
07785 223707
Christmas lunch places going well
As of Friday last, 18 places have been reserved for over the 65s Christmas lunch on Wednesday 15 December. The capacity on the day is 40, so anyone wanting to join in should get in touch soon as it’s first come, first served. The three-course lunch is being held in the Village Hall and it’s only £10 per person. Anyone aged 65 and over is very welcome to add their name to the list by calling Judith Lowe on 01845 577911.
Take your partners for Salsa and Bachata
A dozen people eager to learn salsa and bachata steps have put their names down for the first dance class on Saturday 20 November. But there’s space for a few more participants. The classes, which are being held at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall, are to be held between 6 and 8pm. A professional tutor will take the two-hour classes and he’ll guide you through the basic dance moves. There’s no need to worry about your current ability, everything will be broken down into steps to make sure everyone can follow. There’ll be an hour of salsa and an hour of bachata. You can stay for both or just one. Cost: £5 for one hour or £7.25 for two. Bring your own drink. For more information and to book your place call Joanne Brierley on 07732 941758.
No Boccia this week
Those who attend the Boccia class in the Village Hall are asked to note that there will be no session this coming Tuesday, 16 November. Sessions will resume as normal the following week.
It was a Christmas Cracker!
Congratulations to Karen Morley and Linda Carver for arranging an extremely successful Christmas Fair held yesterday in Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall. There was a brilliant buzz about the building with over a dozen stalls and lots and lots of shoppers – certainly more than 100. And with everything from art to woodturning and baubles to home baking there really was something for everyone.

Thanks to the stallholders, the shopper spending as well as the tea, coffee, cake and sausage butty counter, £356 was raised. Karen and Linda want this to go to projects to enhance Topcliffe Village so watch out for news on that in the coming months.
Asenby Mulled Wine & Mince Pie Evening cancelled
Last week, notices appeared on various Facebook pages about plans for this year’s Christmas event in Asenby. But in the light of increasing Covid cases locally, the decision has been taken to cancel it. Here’s a statement from one of the organisers, Siobhan Gifford:

"We are all keen to get our lives back to normal and to socialise with our friends and neighbours in the way that we once used to take for granted, so it is with great regret that Asenby Institute has decided to cancel the Asenby Mulled Wine & Mince Pie Evening which was due to be held in Asenby Hall on 12 December.

This (previously) annual event has always been a resounding success giving villagers the opportunity to have a chat over a warming glass of Christmas cheer. The Christmas raffle at the event has also been well supported by villagers and local businesses and has helped to raise a significant amount of money which, for the last three years, has been donated to Herriot Hospice Homecare.

Sadly, the organisers feel that the number of people who attend this event means that they couldn’t operate any form of social distancing or offer a guarantee to keep everyone safe in these troubled times. At the time Asenby Institute committee took the decision to cancel, Covid numbers have shown a troubling increase. Hopefully this is only a brief blip but it is a reminder that we still need to be cautious about mingling.

The committee would like to thank everyone who has been so encouraging in their support of this event and very much hope that we will be able to get together over a glass of mulled wine in 2022.
Christmas & New Year at The Angel
Everyone deserves something special for the festive season so The Angel at Topcliffe has lined up a few treats to enhance your Christmas and New Year celebrations.

  • Festive Menus – evenings from 1 to 24 December – Monday to Saturday – 3 courses for the price of 2. Similar deal for lunches Monday to Thursday.
  • Party Nights – limited availability left on 3, 10 and 11 December.
  • Christmas Day – 25 December – two sittings for a festive dinner – between 12 noon to 4.30pm.
  • Boxing Day – 26 December – lunch from 12 noon until 4pm
  • New Year’s Eve – 12 to 2.30pm – the last lunch of 2021.
  • New Year’s Eve – Big Charity Party Night raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Tickets only £20 to include entry and buffet.
  • New Year’s Eve – Dinner – 5 until 9pm – with DJ in the bar area and festivities until late.
  • New Year’s Day – Brunch – 11am until 5pm.

Call 01845 578000 or visit the website http://theangelattopcliffe.co.uk: for more details and bookings.
PS: Unfortunately, Santa’s visit to The Angel on Sunday 5 December has had to be cancelled.
Soup and sweet lunch
The next soup and sweet lunch will be on Wednesday, 24 November at 12 noon. Money raised at this lunch, and the one scheduled for 8 December, will help subsidise the cost of the pensioners’ Christmas lunch on 15 December.

The last lunch raised £84.50 to help support the Jennyruth workshops in Ripon.
Community Works on Escape to the Country
Earlier this year Community Works was filmed when the TV programme ‘Escape to the Country’ visited Thirsk. The episode featuring the charity’s ‘Men in Sheds’ project will be airing on BBC 1 at 3pm this Tuesday 16 November and on iPlayer for 30 days afterwards.
Services at St Columba’s

  • TODAY. Sunday 14 November, Remembrance Sunday 10.45am, Holy Communion with Act of Remembrance. With the cancellation of this service last year, it will be good to see it return to our calendar once again, particularly as we remember the sacrifices our forces have endured in Afghanistan over the past twenty years. We hope that service personnel from Alanbrooke Barracks will join us and participate in the laying of wreaths.
  • Sunday 21 November, 10.45am – Choral Matins with hymns and readings.
  • Sunday 28 November, 10.45am – Holy Communion with hymns.
Books galore at local library
Did you know that there is a library containing thousands of books available to all residents right here in our own Village Hall? It’s located in the committee room at the rear of the main hall and you can visit it any Tuesday afternoon between 1.30 and 3.30pm, or during activity session with the approval of the event organiser.

Just recently, Sheila Laws has done a brilliant job of tidying up the shelves and putting all the books in alphabetical order by author.

PS: The bus stop library in Asenby continues to offer books at any time.
Badminton Club seeks players
Dalton Badminton Club is looking for new members and would like to hear from anyone of any level who would like to play – particularly beginners but also those who have played in the past and fancy getting back into the game. The club meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 10pm at Dalton Village Hall. The first session will be free and thereafter just £2 per night. Equipment is available, if you don’t have your own. Contact Chris Allanson on 01845 522410.
Christmas post dates
Here are the dates for your Christmas postings:

  • Canada and USA – you’re probably too late!
  • Cyprus, Eastern Europe, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Turkey – Friday, 26 November
  • Western Europe – Monday, 29 November
  • Airmail to Operational HM Forces – Monday, 29 November
  • Airmail to Static HM Forces – Monday, 6 December
  • UK 2nd Class – Saturday, 18 December
  • UK 1st Class – Tuesday, 21 December
Thirsk Christmas Lights
Thirsk Yarnbombers are selling Christmas decorations at Topcliffe Post Office. They are also having a Christmas craft stall on Thirsk Market on Saturday 4 December. Look out for them and please give them your support.
Latest from Catton Kitchen

  • There is one space on each of the two wreath making classes being held in December – one on Thursday 2nd between 6 and 8pm, the other on Sunday 5th between 3.30 and 5.30pm. The price is £30, which includes mulled wine and mince pies.
  • There’s a Cosy P’s wood-fired pizza night on Thursday 18 November.
  • Breakfast baps available Thursday to Sunday each week and lunch options served Thursday to Saturday each week, all made from home grown produce where possible.
  • 07747 083155 or check out www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk or Facebook page.
Northallerton Male Voice Choir – Christmas Concert

There’s a real treat in store this festive season when the excellent Northallerton Male Voice Choir, accompanied by their guest, the Easington Colliery Band, present their Christmas concert. It’s at the Forum in Northallerton and there’ll be two performances – 3pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 18 December. Tickets are £10 and you book via the Forum website at http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk
Parish Council meetings
Both Parish Councils meet at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.
‘Ask the Experts’ about online shopping fraud
Just a reminder that the next ‘Ask the Experts’ event presented by North Yorkshire Police is all about online shopping fraud. It will cover the types of online shopping fraud currently operating, how to spot them and how to stay safe. This event will take place on Tuesday 23 November starting 7pm and will finish around 9pm. If you wish to attend, register here.
Dalton Christmas Fair
There’ll be a Christmas Fair at Dalton Village Hall on Saturday 4 December, 10am to 12 noon. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children (which includes a gift from Santa). There will be various stalls, a tombola, singing from Dalton Voices, and bacon butties! Pop along and enjoy a browse through the stalls and a chat over a cuppa and butty.
The Password Problem
Whether it’s Facebook, Amazon or Netflix accounts, the explosion in popularity of online apps and services means more and more of us have to remember an increasingly long list of passwords. Unfortunately, some of people cope with this challenge by resorting to practices that leave their data, devices and money at risk – by using the same password across multiple accounts, or by creating simple passwords that could easily be guessed by hackers. Bad password practice is more prevalent than most people might think – the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre carried out analysis of passwords leaked in data breaches and found that more than 23 million users worldwide used 123456 as a password. Read more here:
http://Neighbourhood Alert <alert@neighbourhoodalert.co.uk>
  • To Thursday 18 November – The Green Knight – A fantasy retelling of the medieval story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
  • Friday 19 to 25 November – The French Dispatch – A love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional twentieth century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in “The French Dispatch Magazine”.
  • Friday 26 November to Thursday 2 December – The Last Duel – King Charles VI declares that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel.
  • Friday 3 to Thursday 9 December – Dune – Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel, about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.
  • Friday 10 to Thursday 16 December – Spencer – During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate, Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles.

There are no matinees on any of these films. Please keep checking the website for the latest details – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/
Events on at The Forum

Events coming to The Forum in Northallerton soon:

  • TODAY! Sunday 14 November at 7.30pm – Festival of Remembrance – an evening of reflection and entertainment through words and music. All proceeds will to the Ben Hyde Memorial Trust.
  • Thursday 18 November at 7.30pm – Psychic Sally – an ordinary woman with an extraordinary gift.
  • Friday 19 (2.30pm) and Sunday 21 (7.30pm) November – The Champion of Auschwitz – The story of the pre-war boxing champion Tadeusz (Teddy) Pretrzkonski. In 1940 he arrived on the first transport of prisoners to the newly created Auschwitz concentration Camp.
  • Friday 19 November at 7.30pm – Swede Dreamz – ABBA tribute band.
  • Saturday 20 November at 7.30pm – The Real Thing – with original vocalists Chris Amoo and Dave Smith, and a live five-piece band.
  • Friday 26 November at 7.30pm – The UK Rock Show – Get ready to be transported back to the 80s heyday of classic rock, combining the feel of a rock festival with the atmosphere of a top end rock arena tour.
  • Sunday 28 November at 7.30pm – Comedy with Gary in Punderland – get ready to dive into a rabbit hole of the best jokes in the world from Apollo sensation Gary Delaney.
  • Thursday 2 December at 7.30pm – Jenny Eclair: Sixty! Having hit 60 (but still a year younger than Madonna), Jenny Eclair confronts a new decade of decrepitude.
  • Saturday 4 December at 7.30pm – The Upbeat Beatles – This is a rockin’ band with tight musicianship and powerhouse vocals! You’ll be jumping from the word go!
  • Sunday 5 December at 7.30pm – ‘Anything Goes, the musical’ – Filmed live at the Barbican in London, this production features an all-star cast .A heart-warming romance with spectacular dance routines and some of theatre’s most memorable songs.
  • Saturday 18 December – 3pm and 7.30pm – Northallerton Male Voice Choir present their Christmas concert, with special guests, the Easington Colliery Band.

Enquiries 01609 776230. Tickets online at http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk
Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall

  • Art classes – 10am to 12 noon each Monday to 6 December.
  • My Time Yoga – 1.30 to 2.45pm – every Monday.
  • Boccia Club – 1.30 to 3.30pm every Tuesday. More participants welcome
  • Library – 1.30 to 3.30pm every Tuesday (access at other times with agreement of activity leaders.
  • Squirrels – 5 to 6pm every Tuesday.
  • Beavers – 6.15 to 7.15pm every Tuesday.
  • Soup & Sweet lunch – 12 noon to 1pm on alternate Wednesdays – next is on 10 November
  • Boot Camp – 6 to 7pm every Wednesday.
  • Cubs – 7 to 8pm every Wednesday.
  • Pammy’s Pilates – 6 to 7pm, every Thursday evening.
  • Indoor Carpet Bowls – 7.30 to 9.30pm every Thursday.
  • Boot Camp – 7 to 8pm every Friday.
  • Scouts (from October onwards) – 7.30 to 10pm every Friday.
  • Salsa and Bachata dancing – Saturdays – 6 to 8pm from 20 November.
  • Asenby Parish Council meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday, 17 November.
  • Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall Committee – 7.30pm on Tuesday 23 November.
  • Election for new Police , Fire & Crime Commissioner – all day Thursday 25 November.
  • Topcliffe Parish Council meeting – 7.15pm on Thursday, 2 December
  • Elderly folks Christmas Lunch – 12 noon – Wednesday 15 December.

To encourage existing and new group activities, use of the Village Hall is being offered free of charge until 31 December (this does not include commercial one-off or private hires for parties and social functions). The Big Race Night and Challenge Quiz & Curry Night will hopefully be rescheduled early in 2022.
Local traders

  • The Angel at Topcliffe – Check out full details at info
  • The Catton Kitchen – 07747 083155. Check out www.thecattonkitchen.co.uk or folllow on Facebook.
  • Chip ‘n Dales – the Fish & Chip van is in Topcliffe on Fridays between 5 and 7pm.
  • The Elm Gallery – Call 01845 577316 or 07709 223920, check out the website at: www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk or follow on Facebook.
  • Fotiá Candles – Nikki and Sam Key’s home-based business producing soy wax candles, wax melts and diffusers – www.fotiacandles.co.uk or call 07879 447953.
  • The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – Kerry Parker runs this business supplying beautiful hampers containing the best of produce from small Yorkshire food and drink producers. 07793 775987. www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk
  • The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 5pm; Thursday 9am – 1pm; Saturday 9am – 4pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Trees and turkeys – you can now place your order for Christmas. thttps://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ follow on Facebook or call 01845 400446
  • 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 – Providing traditional home-cooked food. Extra choices on Wednesday Pie Night. Take-away meals every day. Sunday lunch served 12 noon to 4pm. On Saturdays, food is served 12 noon until 8.30pm and the bar stays open until late. Bar times: Monday to Thursday 5pm to close; Friday 4pm to close; Saturday 3pm to close and Sunday 12 noon until close.
  • The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop.
  • Topcliffe Post Office – New opening times are: Shop sales, including newspapers – 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 7am to 12.30pm Saturday. Post Office services – 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12noon on Saturdays. New lines are being added every day so don’t forget to pop in for more than just your stamps or newspaper.
Bin Collections

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

  • Recycling & green waste – Thursdays 18 November and 2 December.
  • Refuse – Mondays 22 November and 6 December

The garden waste collection on 2 December will be the last regular collection until 24 February. However, there will be a one off collection on 13 January to take Christmas trees. Normal garden waste is accepted during this collection.

Harrogate (Asenby)

  • Refuse – Mondays 15 and 29 November
  • Garden waste – Thursday 18 November.
  • Recycling – Mondays 22 November and 6 December.

This week’s garden waste collection on 18 November will be last until March. The council will be in touch in January to explain what you need to do if you want to have your garden waste taken away in 2022.
LATEST INFORMATION & NEWS ABOUT COVID
The week’s Covid statistics

  • 50.5 million first doses given. 46 million second doses. 87.9% of the population aged 12+ has now had the first jab and over 80% the second.
  • 12.1million have now had a booster or third jab. That’s 21% of those eligible.
  • There were 38,351 new Covid infections yesterday and 256,207 people tested positive in the last week. That’s an 0.4% increase on the previous week.
  • 8,652 people were admitted to hospital with Covid in the week to 9 November and 999 patients were taking up ventilation beds.
  • There were 157 deaths reported yesterday and 1,092 in the last seven days.
  • The total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive Covid test now stands at 142,835.
  • 165,534 deaths registered in the UK had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
  • Worldwide, there have been 247 million infections and the global death toll is 5,108,672.
Prevalence of Covid infections in England
The Office of National Statistics regularly tests a sample of the population for Covid and on 30 October (the latest date information is available for) it estimated that the number and age of people with Covid was:

  • Age 2 to School Year 6 – 1 in 27
  • School Year 7 to Year 11 – 1 in 16
  • School Year 12 to Age 24 – 1 in 67
  • Age 25 to Age 34 – 1 in 122
  • Age 35 to Age 49 – 1 in 63
  • Age 50 to Age 69 – 1 in 78
  • Age 70+ – 1 in 115

The main current problem lies in the secondary schools, hence the push to get pupils vaccinated. It helps them, and reduces the chance of spreading the illness out of school.
That’s all for this week. Keep safe and remain well.