Sunday Email: Issue 93

As Sunday 6 February is the actual day The Queen celebrates becoming the first British Monarch to serve 70 years, the meeting will be a great opportunity for those present to toast Her Majesty on her amazing achievement.

David has asked for a mention of Siobhan Gifford who has kindly looked after the library on a temporary basis in recent months.

Essentially, the Post Office is going to concentrate on postal services, newspapers, stationery, sweets and hot & cold food, whilst the farm shop will widen its range of foodstuffs to include everyday essentials alongside the specialist locally sourced produce and the café.
Debbie says:

• We have seen lots of new faces in the farm shop, so a big thank you to new and old customers for taking the time to pop in to see what’s going on. All household products are now in the farm shop and once the new shelving is up, the tinned foods will follow.
• Everyone will have noticed that building work is underway at the Post Office. The doorway on the right-hand side of the building has been moved to accommodate an interior entrance to the flat above. Once the Building Control inspector has visited to check the work undertaken so far, the new oak doors can be fitted. We will try to carry out this work so that we cause the least inconvenience to customers.
• This week electrician Chris Moores will be doing a night shift in the Post Office to install new lighting and do a few extra jobs.
• The dog tying hook has temporarily been moved whilst construction work is under way, but we will replace it as soon as possible. Many apologies to dog owners who are finding this a bit of an inconvenience.
• We’ve started to repaint the interior walls in the Post Office and we have had some excellent feedback on the paint colour…and about our scrapbook murals. Rob is currently making new shelving for the chocolate bars and we’re waiting for new wall shelving to arrive. When complete we’ll be able to stock and display an even greater variety of sweets and chocolate.
• Negotiations are looking extremely favourable for the Post Office to provide a new laundry service for the community. I am having to jump through hoops to persuade Johnson the Cleaners to introduce a collection service, but I’m determined to succeed. It looks like any contract will involve set targets, so it will be a “use it, or lose it” arrangement. After my protracted discussions to get a service, I hope everyone will make use of it.  Further details to follow.
• Thank you to all the sweet-toothed farm shop customers out there! The new line of locally baked cupcakes have been flying off the shelves. They’re absolutely delicious, so come and try them for yourself.

The last lunch (on 19 January) raised £77 for the Community Works charity based in Thirsk.

But there’s also some good news! Joanne has contacted the Butterflies School of Dance in Westgate, Thirsk and its proprietor, Roxanne Marie Brearley has organised an eight-week course of Salsa classes. They start on Monday 31 January, between 8 and 9pm and are only £6 per session. If you are interested please contact Roxanne on 07976 067984.

In order to minimise the number of cars, if anyone who is interested gives me their name, I’ll keep a list and see if transport can be pooled. Email doug@dougallan.co.uk or call 07785 223707.

‘Dear Mum’ scam on the rise
Few parents would be suspicious of a WhatsApp text message from their son or daughter saying they had broken their phone and were using a temporary number.  However, maybe they should be because it’s unusual for anyone to get a temporary number.

The text message appeals to mum or dad to pay for a new mobile phone because the child can’t access their bank account. The seemingly innocent message is, in fact, the start of a cynical scam that can leave them hundreds of pounds out of pocket. Known as the ‘mum and dad’ or ‘friend in need’ con, fraudsters impersonate their victims’ loved ones. They claim to be in distress and in urgent need of help and cash in the hope worried relatives will hand over money without thinking twice.

In 65 per cent of cases, the scammers disguised themselves as the victim’s son, and in 33 per cent, as their daughter. On occasion, the scammers pose as parents or friends. In the last three months of 2021 Santander reported a 532 per cent surge in the new scam and other banks are also reporting large increases.

To bring home the prevalence and cleverness of the scam, two incidents were reported locally in the last week. The targets of those attacks said that they are generally scam savvy but these WhatsApp messages are extremely convincing and the immediate desire to help a loved one clouded their judgement. One mum lost over £1,000 to the scammers paying for the new phone…but fortunately the bank refunded the cash. To report fraud or attempted scams, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

2022 Big Garden Birdwatch

Final reminder that this year’s RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, takes place between Friday 28 and Sunday 30 January. Simply count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park for one hour on one of the mentioned dates. https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/birdwatch-take-part/

On 22 March the class will look at ceramics and subjects for 19 April, 17 May, 21 June and 19 July will be announced in due course.

• TODAY – 23 January at 10.45am – Holy Communion with Rev’d Canon Steven Harvey.
• Sunday, 30 January – No Service.
• Sunday, 6 February at 6.30pm – Choral Evensong accompanied by organist Matthew Atherton. While everyone will no doubt be looking forward to celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee over the special four day bank holiday weekend 2 to 5 June, Sunday 6 February marks the actual 70th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne and we would warmly welcome anyone who would like to join us at Choral Evensong on this most significant day. 
• Sunday, 13 February at 10.45am – Holy Communion.
• Sunday, 20 February at 10.45am – Choral Matins.
• Sunday, 27 February at 10.45am – Holy Communion.

• January – Friday and Sundays 10am to12 noon.
• February – Closed – as the team are very busy getting everything seeded and prepped for spring!  
• March – Thursday 3 and Friday 4, 9am to 2pm; Saturday 5, 10am to 2pm; Sunday 6,10am to 2pm.

Opening times will be reviewed again in the spring. 

• Topcliffe Parish Council will meet at 7pm on Thursday 3 February 2022- http:// www.topcliffe.org.uk
• Asenby Parish Council will meet at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16 March. http://www.asenby.net

Village Hall Committee meeting

• The next meeting will be at 7.15am on Tuesday 25 January 2022.   https://www.topcliffe.org.uk/village-hall/

Both parish councils and the Village Hall Committee meet at Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall.

• Until Thursday 27 January – The Matrix Resurrections – return to the world of two realities; one, everyday life and the other, what lies behind it! 

Please keep checking the website for the latest details – https://www.ritzcinema.co.uk/

• Thursday 27 January at 7pm – Leopoldstadt – this new award winning play by Tom Stoppard is a passionate drama of love, family and endurance. (Live-streamed from the National Theatre).

• Friday 28 to Sunday 30 January – (Friday matinee at 2.30pm; Saturday/Sunday at 7.30pm) Film: The Electrical Life of Louis Wain – the extraordinary true story the eccentric British artist portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch.

• Friday 28 January at 7.30pm – Megaslam Wrestling: Live and Loaded 2022 Tour
• Wednesday 9 to Saturday 12 February at 7.30pm (matinee Saturday at 2pm) – Legally Blonde – Crash Bang Wallop are back performing to a live audience in 2022. Since you last saw them, they have been awarded ‘Best Youth Show in the North East’, by NODA. 
• Sunday 6 February at 7.30pm – Sunday Jazz – the fabulous sounds of the Big Band Era performed, in an open session, by Alan Owens and The Forum Big Band.
• Monday 14 February at 7.15pm – Romeo and Juliet – the classic ballet live-streamed from the Royal Opera House. A Valentine’s Day treat.
• Thursday 17 February at 7pm – The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage – live-streamed from the National Theatre.
• Saturday 19 February at 7.30pm – Phoney Fools and Horses – the stage show.
• Wednesday 23 February at 8pm – Ahir Shah – Dress – featuring his signature blend of philosophical inquiry, personal examination and sweet gags.
• Friday 25 February at 6pm – Pop Divas Live – the UK’s number 1 Pop Tribute.

Enquiries 01609 776230. Tickets online at http://www.forumnorthallerton.org.uk

The Big Race Night and Challenge Quiz & Curry Night will hopefully be rescheduled once the Covid pandemic is over.

• The Angel at Topcliffe – http://www.theangelattopcliffe.co.uk
• Asenbee Honey – http://www.asenbeehoney.co.uk
• John Aston Flooring Ltd – info@johnastonflooring.co.uk – 01845 421111.
• The Catton Kitchen – http://www.cattonkitchen.co.uk – 07747 083155.
• Chip ‘n Dales – Closed until 28 January 2022.
• The Elm Gallery – http://www.the-elm-gallery.co.uk – 01845 577316 or 07709 223920.
• Fotiá Candles – http://www.fotiacandles.co.uk – 07879 447953. 
• The Little Yorkshire Hamper Company – http://www.thelittleyorkshirehampercompany.co.uk 07793 775987.
• The Milk Churn Farm Shop & Cafe – https://www.milkchurnfarmshop.co.uk/ – 01845 400446.
• Studio 18 Hairstylist – Nicola James, 18 Long Street (opposite the surgery). 07851 034815.
• The Swan – http://www.theswantopcliffe.co.uk – 01845 595185.
• The Thirsk Food Bank – collection point at the Milk Churn Farm Shop. 
• Topcliffe Post Office – 01845 577517.

Hambleton (Topcliffe):

• Recycling – Thursday 27January and 10 February.
• Refuse – Monday 31 January and 14 February.
• Garden waste – Garden waste collections will resume mid-February for those who have subscribed to the current year’s service which runs until March 2022.
• Subscriptions for 2022/23 are now open. The cost is £40. New and existing customers can now sign up at http://hambleton.gov.uk or call 01609 779977.

Harrogate (Asenby)

• Refuse – Monday 24 January and 7 February.
• Recycling – Mondays 31 January and 14 February.
• Green Waste – Subscriptions for 2022 are now open and the cost is £41. Sign up at http://www.harrogate.gov.uk

How the Covid rules are changing
England’s Covid-19 Plan B restrictions have started to ease. Here are the key changes and dates::

• 19 January – guidance to work from home was dropped.
• 20 January – staff and pupils no longer required to wear masks in classrooms. The wearing of masks in communal areas will not be required after 27 January.
• 27 January – mask-wearing for the public at large generally no longer required.
• 27 January – the showing a Covid pass to enter large venues like nightclubs will no longer be required.
• Date to be confirmed – when restricted visits to care homes will end.

Although it has been announced that face coverings will no longer be mandatory in any setting, people are encouraged to continue wearing them in enclosed spaces or when coming into contact with people they do not usually meet.

The main legal requirement still in place will be self-isolation following a positive Covid test. The period is now five days – provided you produce a negative test result on the fifth and sixth day and do not have a temperature. Tests must be at least 24 hours apart. If either test is positive, wait 24 hours before testing again. This measure is due to expire on March 24, although there have been suggestions it may expire sooner if the Covid situation continues to improve.