(Image: The World of James Herriot)
Two beloved North Yorkshire institutions are being brought together in a new visitor attraction celebrating one of the county's most enduring television favourites.
The World of James Herriot in Thirsk, the former home and surgery of the real-life vet behind All Creatures Great and Small, is launching a Heartbeat exhibition on Saturday, August 29.
David Lonsdale, who played David Stockwell in the classic ITV series, will officially open the display at the centre on Kirkgate.
Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot, said: "I’m delighted that The World of James Herriot has been entrusted with the artefacts of the late Peter N Walker (Nicholas Rhea).
"The opportunity for the World of James Herriot to become the home for his TV series legacy, books and memorabilia is a welcome addition and complements the story of Alf Wight (James Herriot) whose All Creatures Great and Small BBC TV series was a forerunner to Heartbeat and of similar TV genre, both watched by millions."
The Heartbeat exhibition is being housed next to the centre’s film showreel area, close to its gardens and replica TV studios.
It has been developed in collaboration with the family of the late author behind Heartbeat, Nicholas Rhea, whose real name was Peter Walker.
Sarah Walker, Mr Walker’s daughter, said: "Alf Wight (or James Herriot) was our local vet and asked Dad, who’d had a few crime books published, for advice on an idea for some stories about life as a country vet.
"Dad had recently had his own idea for stories about the life of a country bobby rejected with the words: 'There’s no call for Yorkshire humour' so passed this sage wisdom on to Alf.
"Alf tried anyway – and the rest is history.
"Herriot’s success inspired Dad to not give up and finally in 1979 Constable on the Hill was published.
"We are thrilled as a family to be working with The World of James Herriot to preserve my dad's legacy alongside the great work they have already done for James Herriot."
Heartbeat is set in the North York Moors during the 1960s, with plots centred around the fictional village of Aidensfield, portrayed by Goathland in the TV series. It ran for 18 years and is still one of the most popular repeat shows, aired on ITV3 several times a day.
The series was inspired by Nicholas Rhea’s Constable books and brought to life by Yorkshire Television.
The new exhibition features memorabilia, props, and period police motorcycles, with contributions from family members and supporters, including Jason Bullard and Lee Jones.
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Mr Ashton said: "We are extremely grateful to Mrs Rhoda Walker, widow of the late author, to Sarah, and the rest of the family of Nicholas Rhea (Peter N Walker) for allowing us to organise the new exhibition, to Jason Bullard who has helped with various artefacts including the iconic period police motorcycles and to Lee Jones for the many photographs for the exhibition.
"It all fits perfectly with James Herriot as we continue to enjoy demand for screen tourism visits to North Yorkshire’s Herriot Country in and around the Yorkshire Dales, and of course, Heartbeat Country, which includes Whitby, Goathland and the North York Moors.
"We will give Heartbeat fans a permanent, secure location where their memories can be shared alongside All Creatures Great and Small fans, many of whom love both TV series."