The World of James Herriot

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The veterinary surgery (office) of Alf Wight (James Herriot) and his partners in Thirsk, a museum (2009 photo)

World of James Herriot is the writer's home, now a visitor attraction in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England.[1][2][3] The attraction covers the life and books of the 20th century veterinarian and author James Herriot (the pen name of James Alfred Wight, 1916–1995) within the Yorkshire Dales.

The museum is located in a 1940s period house with veterinary science exhibits. It was the original practice of Wight and his partners at 23 Kirkgate, known as "Skeldale House" in the books.[1]

The museum was set up in 1999 by Hambleton District Council; the business was sold to private investors in 2011 and was re-generated in 2017. Council leases the building to the operators but retains ownership of the structure.[4][5] As of February 2021, the World of James Herriot Ltd board included the daughter and son of Alf Wight: Rosie Page and retired vet John Wight, in addition to a group of "local businessmen and women".[6] 

Overview[]

The World of James Herriot Museum in Thirsk on Kirkgate (June 2018)

When Herriot died in 1995, Hambleton District Council bought the house and started a £1.4 million restoration programme.[1] This included a recreation of the original living quarters and sets from the All Creatures Great and Small television series based on the books.

Set for the earlier BBC series, All Creatures Great And Small, on display at the museum

A November 2020 report described the attraction at that time, as:[7]

"includes Alf Wight’s fully-restored 1940s home and surgery, a life-like statue of the author, the car James Herriot drove [in the BBC TV series] and the television set where the original series was shot, an extensive veterinary collection and a chance to experience what it was like to hide in a Second World War air raid shelter".

The James Herriot Foundation Trust was established by the museum in 2018 "to provide bursary awards for people wishing to become veterinary nurses", with the assistance of two major sponsors.[8]

Recent developments[]

In 2019, the museum received 35,000 visitors. Wight's son Jim said about the attraction in early 2020, "It is a great success story, especially as a few years ago it was threatened with closure, until a local entrepreneur by the name of Ian Ashton took over and he transformed the finances of the centre".[9] The museum benefitted from the series Yorkshire Vet, on Channel 5 in the UK.[10]

The museum had to close for months during the COVID-19 pandemic but received some government assistance, allowing it to continue operations. Managing Director Ian Ashton expected a "tourism boost" as a result of All Creatures Great and Small which premiered in the UK in September 2020 and in the US in January 2021. (A second series was scheduled for airing in late 2021.) The publicity about James Herriot and his work in the Yorkshire Dales was likely to increase the number of visitors after the pandemic restrictions had been lifted.[11]

One source stated that visits to Yorkshire Web sites had already increased significantly by late September 2020 as a result of the television programme.[12] By early 2021, the Discover England Web sites, for example, were using the tag line "Discover 'All Creatures Great and Small' in Yorkshire".[13]

In November 2020, the operators of the attraction arranged for a 30 year lease at below market value with Hambleton Council, the owner of the building. Managing Director Ashton was pleased: "This will secure the future for the World of James Herriot. I see a long-term future for it."[14]

In February 2021, the business added a new Marketing Director to help promote the attraction, John Gallery who had just replaced Ian Ashton as chair of the Herriot Country Tourism Group. The two planned to help "develop initiatives that will help visitors and local people to experience and enjoy Herriot Country".[15][16] 

Gallery[]

  • The World of James Herriot house and garden.

  • Sign at Alf Wight's original practice, in Thirsk, 23 Kirkgate. (James Herriot)

  • A commemorative plaque at Wight's original practice in Thirsk.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c The World of James Herriot, Culture 24, UK.
  2. ^ World of James Herriot, Information Britain, UK.
  3. ^ World of James Herriot, Yorkshire Attractions, UK.
  4. ^ "The World of James Herriot". Great Potential. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  5. ^ "The World of James Herriot in Thirsk set for a bright future as visitor attraction is given 30-year lease". Veterinary Practice. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  6. ^ "New Appointment to the Main Board of the World of James Herriot Ltd". Harrogate News. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021. the appointment of John Gallery onto their main board ... joins the board following the recent appointment of Kate Pawlett, centre manager as a director
  7. ^ "James Herriot museum given lease of life by hit TV show and council". Veterinary Practice. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2020. the best-selling books by James Herriot, the pen name of Alf Wight.
  8. ^ "The World of James Herriot". Great Potential. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  9. ^ "All Creatures Great and Small". Veterinary Practice. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2020. the best-selling books by James Herriot, the pen name of Alf Wight.
  10. ^ "The World of James Herriot in Thirsk set for a bright future as visitor attraction is given 30-year lease". Veterinary Practice. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  11. ^ "How Yorkshire Dales businesses are preparing for All Creatures Great and Small tourism boom... eventually". Yorkshire Post. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021. He says this year has been extremely challenging for many businesses in the Dales. In the tourism business, it has been a disaster
  12. ^ "New All Creatures Great and Small brings a huge increase in Yorkshire tourism". Examiner. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Discover 'All Creatures Great and Small' in Yorkshire Thirsk, North Yorkshire". British Tourist Authority. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  14. ^ "James Herriot museum given lease of life by hit TV show and council". Northern Ecoho. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  15. ^ "New director for 'All Creatives' attraction". Yorkshire Post. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2021. it is an absolute pleasure to be able to promote such an iconic and well-loved brand.
  16. ^ "New board member at The World of James Herriot". Northern Ecoho. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021. Mr Gallery's appointment follows him becoming chairman of the Herriot Country Tourism Group.

External links[]

Coordinates: 54°14′01″N 1°20′41″W / 54.23361°N 1.34485°W / 54.23361; -1.34485

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