A plaque in memory of Alf Wight OBE (James Herriot) was unveiled on Thursday 8th October 2026 at the vet and author’s former home ‘Rowardennan’ on Topcliffe Road Thirsk.
Alf Wight OBE (James Herriot) originally lived and worked in the veterinary surgery at 23 Kirkgate (now the World of James Herriot), where the author based the stories of his life and experiences as a vet. The books and their adaptations have entertained millions of people worldwide and continue to do so.
In 1953 he decided to have a new house built in Thirsk, and “Rowardennan” became his home for more than 25 years. Rowardennan is where he spent many evenings and weekends writing his stories. He wrote in the living room in front of the fire, often with the TV on and his wife, Joan, sitting by his side. Little did he know then that that his stories would lead to the development of some of the most popular TV programmes in the world as “All Creatures Great and Small”, screened firstly by the BBC, and now on Channel 5 in the UK and by Masterpiece PBS around the world.
“Rowardennan”was purchased by Brian and Linda Halliday in 2024, and in 2025 was included in a new James Herriot walk around Thirsk, developed by The World of James Herriot, and based on a tour prepared by one of Alf’s greatest fans, Roger French. Alf Wight’s son and daughter, Jim Wight and Rosie Page, helped to create the tour, and visited “Rowardennan” when the idea of a Blue Plaque was mooted.
Rosie Page said “It was such a nostalgic visit. Linda and Brian Halliday were so welcoming, allowing us to see our former home and share our memories. It is a lovely tribute to our father’s memory to have a Blue Plaque there to recognise his family home. It was home to Jim and I, too, for much of our childhood, though our earliest years were, of course, spent at 23 Kirkgate.”
The Blue Plaque has been organised by the World of James Herriot, and marks one of the key locations on the James Herriot walk around Thirsk and Sowerby. The tour also includes Sunnyside Nursing Home (where Jim and Rosie were born), the Golden Fleece Hotel (the Drovers Arms in the James Herriot stories), and many other places where Alf Wight and his wife Joan worked and walked with their dogs.
Linda and Brian Halliday said “We are delighted to have “Rowardennan” adorned with a Blue Plaque commemorating Alf Wight. We have always been huge fans of his work and have Herriot images and books on display in the house. To know that we sit where he created such a phenomenal legacy is very inspiring”
The Plaque was unveiled by Jim and Rosie, and sited at the entrance drive of the house, for easy recognition but without being too intrusive.
Rosie Page said” Dad would have been 110 years old on October 3rd. It seems fitting that the Plaque is to be unveiled near to that landmark birthday”.
