TV FANS ARE DRAWN TO HERRIOT’S HILLS...
VIEWERS have fallen in love with Grassington, star of the remake of All Creatures Great And Small, and they are flocking to the idyllic Yorkshire town.
Business owners there have spoken of their “excitement” and “optimism” about the influx of tourists who are also smitten with the nearby villages in the Yorskshire Dales, such as Burnsall, after seeing it on the Channel 5 series.
All Creatures Great And Small is based on the books about the life of a country vet living in the fictional village of Darrowby. The original series was on the BBC in the 1970s.
Sam West, 54, who plays vet Siegfried Farnon, had predicted a wave of visitors to the picturesque town and says the production team worked closely with the local community.
“Locals have coped pretty well with the production,” he says. “We hosted the Grassington business owners on the set. One, we wanted to keep them sweet, and the other we wanted them to see it.
“I know that when the series comes out people will start to visit that beautiful Darrowby market place.
“I’ve always made sure when I’m there I buy a book from the bookshop and a pasty from the pasty shop – very good pasty! – and one or two bottles of wine from the
STREETS AHEAD: The rambling heart of picturesque Grassington where David Ashby, is owner of The Courtyard Pottery
wine shop. We went there over Christmas with my family when it wasn’t decorated like Darrowby and the pub we visited was very friendly.
“They seem to be on side so far. They’re embracing it.”
Linda Furniss’s Stripey Badger bookshop in the square was transformed into a
period greengrocers for three separate filming sessions last winter. Linda, 51, says: “We have had fans of the show flocking in.
“We started selling all of James Herriot’s books and his first one has completely sold out already, people are loving it. It’s been great for business.”
Linda says the facade of her shop was
altered for filming to become a greengrocers called GF Endleby. The production crew began, she said, by filling the window fronts with fruit and veg then changed the sign.
“Everyone involved in the production, from the director and producer to the actors, were incredibly friendly,” she says.
OVER THE MOON: Jackie Sugden, owner of The Wine Shop, Linda Furniss at The Stripey Badger Bookshop and Sarah Whitfield at her B&B, Number Forty Seven
“It was a really exciting time for us here in town. My shop was allowed to stay open but as soon as the director said ‘action’ we had to turn the lights off and be quiet.
“I watched the new series last week and thought it was fantastic – even better than the original in my opinion.
“It was such a thrill to see my shop on the screen and then to recognise all the other places.
“I think they really did the Dales justice.”
Fan Rebecca Pritchard, 53, travelled from her home in Godstone, Surrey, to visit the filming location.
“I have been a fan of the books for decades and also really enjoyed watching the TV show when I was younger,” she says. “I watched the new series and thought the area looked incredible so decided to visit.
“It’s great to be here, the town is absolutely beautiful. I can see why they decided to film the show here.”
Rebecca, who is a charity worker, added: “I think the new series has strayed from the books a bit, which is a shame. But I’m a huge fan so I’ll definitely stick with it.”
Jackie Sugden, 63, who owns The Wine
Shop in Grassington, says she hopes the show will boost tourism. “I’m a huge fan of the original series and visited Askrigg, where it was shot, many years ago,” she says.
“I don’t see why people who watch the new series and like it won’t do the same.
“I certainly hope that’s the case. I sell a lot to tourists so the more that come here the better as far as I’m concerned.
“It would be good to see a whole new generation start enjoying the show.
“I thought the newest episode was brilliant.
“I had to watch it three times, though, because the first couple of times I was just looking out for all the local places.”
Sarah Whitfield, 79, runs a bed and breakfast in Grassington called
Number Forty Seven. “Everyone in town is talking about the show, it has caused quite a bit of excitement.
“The filming itself was exciting as well. We all would go down to the square and watch what was going on.
“Whoever was behind the set did a brilliant job, it looked fantastic.
“I’d certainly hope that now the show has been on TV businesses like mine will see a little boost.
“I imagine people might watch and think that this would be a nice place to visit – and they’d be right.”
David Ashby, 54, runs a pottery studio called The Courtyard Pottery.
He says, “I rely on tourism to sell my products so having a very well known show connected to the town is a brilliant boost.”
The impressively filmed new series also stars Nicholas Ralph as James Herriot, Callum Woodhouse as Tristan Farnon, and Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson.
Rob Charlton, chairman of Grassington Parish Council, says: “It has brought a real buzz to the community.
“Villages like
Grassington
have really struggled through lockdown. Grassington relies on tourism and we are hopeful the programme will be a shot in the arm.
“The type of programme the country really needs, good acting, gentle humour and stunning scenery.”
Louise Close, clerk of the parish council, says: “We are very grateful to residents and businesses that welcomed the filming of this great traditional Yorkshire programme and to the producers for bringing it back to life.
“It has been welcomed with open arms and even some of the local residents and animals feature.
“It is early days but we are hopeful that the tourism this brings in will boost the area after a difficult year so far.
“It is a real feelgood factor programme, an hour to sit and lose yourself in the beautiful area we are proud to call home.
“The Dales is very much open and this programme shows us off at our best.”
GREAT: The 17th century, five-arched Burnsall Bridge a few miles from Grassington is a show landmark