New interpretation room to celebrate Channel 5's adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small set to open in 2021

A tourist attraction which celebrates the life and work of the author who inspired the hit Channel 5 TV series All Creatures Great and Small has announced a senior appointment.
John Gallery (left) with Ian Ashton, managing director at the statue of Alf Wight OBE (James Herriot) at the World of James HerriotJohn Gallery (left) with Ian Ashton, managing director at the statue of Alf Wight OBE (James Herriot) at the World of James Herriot
John Gallery (left) with Ian Ashton, managing director at the statue of Alf Wight OBE (James Herriot) at the World of James Herriot

The board of directors of the World of James Herriot Ltd has announced that John Gallery has joined the main board as part of a strategy to boost the performance of the award-winning attraction in Thirsk.

Set in the former Thirsk surgery and home of Alf Wight, - who wrote under the name James Herriot - the centre welcomed around 38,000 visitors in 2019.

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A new Yorkshire Vet room was installed in autumn 2019 and a new interpretation room of the remake of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ TV series on Channel 5 will be opening in 2021, subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

Mr Gallery joins the board following the recent appointment of Kate Pawlett, centre manager as a director, and both appointments are part of a strategic succession plan for the attraction to strengthen and secure its future management and governance in the post-Covid-19 market.

Managing Director Ian Ashton said: “John has been involved as PR and marketing consultant to the World of James Herriot since 2012 when we first took over from Hambleton District Council to form the private limited operating company, the World of James Herriot Ltd.

"We are delighted to have John join us in recognition of the hard work, loyalty, and extensive knowledge he provides in the business, and we welcome him to the board."

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A spokesman said: "Since 2012 WoJH has been run by a team of Herriot enthusiasts with a vision to continually develop it to attract more visitors. John’s appointment follows him becoming chairman of the Herriot Country Tourism Group, the partnership of tourist attractions, B&B’s, hotels, self-catering, restaurants, pubs and holiday cottages that work with the World of James Herriot to attract visitors to the area.

"The board includes the vet and author’s son, daughter and a small number of local businessmen and women and John’s appointment as marketing director is part of the continuing investment in people in the business."

Mr Gallery said: "People from all over the world enjoy so much the interpretation and information about Alf Wight (James Herriot) and his former home and surgery and it is an absolute pleasure to be able to promote such an iconic and well-loved brand as James Herriot.

"I am delighted to be joining the board to help to steer its future strategy especially with the new “All Creatures Great and Small’ on Channel 5 which is now bringing a whole new generation into play for the attraction and the area.”

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