Thirsk is the town where the real James Herriot, Alf Wight, lived and worked for over 50 years. His veterinary surgery was at 23 Kirkgate. He shared his practice with Donald Sinclair, who was Siegfried Farnon in the books. Donald also died in 1995. Therefore, as the link with the old world of veterinary medicine was now broken, the inheritors of the practice, including Alf's son, Jimmy, decided to move to more modern, purpose built premises.
The old practice has been bought by the local council and will be turned into a visitors centre for Herriot fans. More information on this soon.
Christopher Timothy and Alf Wight appear together for the first and only time on film in James Herriot's Yorkshire.
Thirsk's other famous sons: Thomas Lord, the founder of Lord's Cricket Ground in London, who was born at 14 Kirkgate which now houses the Thirsk Museum; and Bill Foggitt, renowned for his weather forecasts based on careful study of nature.
For further information on Thirsk and its surrounding area the local tourist information centre will be happy to deal with your request.
Please contact:
Margaret England or Arthur Whitehead
Thirsk Tourist Information Centre
14 Kirkgate
THIRSK
North Yorkshire
YO7 1PQ
England
Telephone: (44) 1845 522755
Fax: (44) 1845 526230
Please let them know that you heard about Thirsk via the Internet.
Would you be interested in joining the James Herriot Appreciation Society? If so, the Thirsk Tourist Information Centre would be very pleased to hear from you.
There are many attractive places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales and throughout the
region. The Yorkshire Tourist
Board provides travel information about the county.
For more specific recommendations by David Nicholas Wilkinson see Good
Places to Stay.
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