Topcliffe & Asenby Village hall
– Topcliffe and Asenby – are separated by the River Swale and are actually located in different local authority areas: Topcliffe is located in Hambleton District and Asenby is in the Harrogate District. But these divides have not created any barriers to local people, who have worked tirelessly to maintain their joint village hall.
The two rural villages located approximately four miles from Thirsk. Topcliffe has approximately 350 residents in 140 households and Asenby 300 residents in 120 households. In addition, residents and military personnel based at Alanbrooke Barracks, which is located within Topcliffe Parish, are current or potential users of the village hall.
The village hall, which stands in a central location on Front Street, Topcliffe, is operated by a voluntary management committee made up of local residents. The committee is well-established and has a proven track record of organising and staging a range of successful social events which involve and engage the local community.
After more than sixty years Topcliffe & Asenby Village Hall is still going from strength to strength. The hall is an excellent example of inter-village cooperation. It is a valuable resource for both villages…and many other users from surrounding communities.
In 2014 the Village Hall Committee decided that major improvements to the village hall would be desirable in order to update the toilet facilities, maximise the space for community activities, ensure full access for people with disabilities and improve the external appearance of the building. The declared objective was to provide a modern, spacious and accessible village hall which meets the needs of current user groups and encourages the development of further activities. The Village Hall Committee launched a major fundraising campaign. Around £15,000 was in the kitty and available as a contribution to the task ahead. That amount was increased when a “Buy a Brick in the Hall” fund raising scheme was launched. This proved very popular and successful, raising a further £4,000.
Simultaneously, a major campaign was started to raise cash via grants and an amazing £130,000 was raised from a wide range of regional and national charitable organisations.
Once the new construction work was completed, a range of additional improvements to the existing facilities – the main hall and meeting rooms - got underway, including new lighting, electrical work, refurbishment of the excellent dance floor, redecoration and installation on an audio-visual system.
Once the improvements were completed, we erected a large commemorative plaque featuring the names of everyone – individuals and organisations - who supported us so that their contribution is recorded for posterity.
The official opening was performed by Thirsk-based Vet, Peter Wright, who co-stars in the "Yorkshire Vet" series on Channel 5, and he was ably assisted by Nellie Ascough, who at 96, was believed to be the oldest resident of both Topcliffe and Asenby villages at the time.
By the end of 2016 the village hall committee had spent nearly £150,000 on the improvement project. This massive investment has ensured that the villages of Topcliffe & Asenby have a much-improved facility that locals and other users of our village hall can enjoy, appreciate and be proud of.
The Coronavirus pandemic has curbed the activities of the village hall, but once we are able to get up and running again the Village hall Committee look forward to a very positive and successful future.