A tale of two towns (From Gazette & Herald)

A tale of two towns

1:23pm Wednesday 20th June 2007 in

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TWO things happened around the millennium in Thirsk. The year before, it got a major new museum. The year after, foot and mouth hit. These events seem to have clarified the town's priorities, as it is a place that obviously values its visitors.

"You only have to look at how hard Thirsk was hit in 2001 to realise the value of tourism," said David Shields, tourism manager for Hambleton District Council. "It is important to the market towns because visitors do bring in that extra income."

James Herriot had already put it on the map when fans the world over fell in love with his tales of veterinary life in the town where he lived for 49 years, and the surrounding area, through his books, a film and a television series.

But the opening of the World of James Herriot, a museum of veterinary science and tribute to the writer, provided a real focal point for visitors.

"To an extent I think it was one of the biggest catalysts for bringing more people into Thirsk," said David.

Since it opened, the site, which was the surgery where Alf Wight, the real James Herriot, wrote his books, has had more than 400,000 visitors through its doors. Owned and subsidised by the district council, it benefits greatly from local volunteers, and community fundraising played a big part in getting it off the ground.

Mayor of Thirsk, Janet Watson works at the museum, which is open all year round, as the visitor services co-ordinator.

"We get so many overseas visitors," she said. "The area has been re-branded more as Herriot Country."

But the museum works hand-in-hand with the rest of the tourism industry in the area, under the banner of the Herriot Attraction Group.

It includes Captain Cook's Schoolroom museum in Great Ayton, Mount Grace Priory near Northallerton, Kiplin Hall near Richmond, the Wensleydale Railway, the Mouseman Visitor Centre, the Ritz cinema and many more.

"It has worked very, very well and helped promote the small attractions as well as the large ones, with monthly meetings and reports on how attractions are doing," said Janet.

But it is not just about the places, the people behind them are constantly striving to innovate and keep people coming back to the area.

"Last year for the first time we had an out-of-season Herriot Convention," said Janet. "It was such a success that this year it's going to be over three days. It helps the accommodation providers and the area as a whole. They look round Thirsk and the church and the shops.

"It is always ongoing keeping everything at the forefront thinking of new ideas."

This year is the anniversary of the White Horse at Kilburn and the Herriot Happenings week - a regular festival held to coincide with an evening meeting at Thirsk racecourse - made that its theme, with a pantomime horse race and other events. Various groups have also been busy designing a town trail, and in July there will be a two-week Thirsk Festival with a Picnic in the Park, jazz bands performing in the town hall and much more.

"We have a really good group of people in Thirsk working really hard and channelling a lot of enthusiasm," said Janet.

Free parking, also subsidised by the district council, is another advantage to the town, as well as good road signs flagging up the home of Herriot.

"We have got some new housing being built and that gives the place a buzz," said Janet. "There are still one or two empty shops but over all I think the town is doing well."

How can Malton match up?

MALTON has a lot to offer visitors. As well as its connections with Charles Dickens, who visited his brother Alfred and friend Charles Smithson in the town, and gained much of his inspiration from its people and places, it is the home of a Roman fort and a museum. It has a strong horse-racing heritage, beautiful architecture, an historic market square, the award-winning Eden Camp, a good rail link to York and Scarborough and some fantastic independent shops. A start is being made with a relaunch of Malton's town trail in the pipeline and the improvements to Chancery Lane.

But how can the market town market itself better? Send your ideas by writing to Gazette & Herald, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN or emailing gazette@ycp.co.uk