Heartbeat attraction opens at James Herriot museum in Thirsk

 I’d been brooding for a few years over what to do with the place where my dad spent so many years creating stories and plotting out books and columns. So when the offer came through, it was the lifting of a substantial emotional burden.

Packing up the study and transporting it to Thirsk has been hard work. We had to photograph and itemise everything we sent and hand it over in such a way that it made sense to those unpacking at the other end to enable them to rebuild it as accurately as possible. And with 40+ years of dust disturbed when we removed all those books, we sneezed a LOT!

 There were emotional wobbles along the way, as you might expect when you see something you treasure so much being systematically taken apart and removed. We had to trust that the museum was going to take good care of it and do their utmost to recreate it. If it didn’t have the same look and feel that we loved and knew so well, then we would have questioned whether it had all been worth it.

 I need to give credit to those tasked with that burdensome job – Ian Ashton, Managing Director, and his two fellow directors Kate Pawlett and Neil Jones, who were are at pains to ensure they did their best within the limitations of a room of a slightly different in shape and size. The worry of not getting it right was etched on their faces whenever we met them.

 But in the end, it was such a relief for all of us when the final recreation absolutely embodied the spirit of my dad’s special place.

 It’s not just about the study though, because alongside that, they have also created a whole Heartbeat-themed section, including a life-sized replica of Scripps garage doors, two genuine motorbikes from the TV show and a huge board of captioned photos of the main characters from the 18 series (thanks to Heartbeat Vehicle Rally stalwarts Jason Bullard and Lee Jones). Not only that, but a fresh-faced bobby can be seen about to enter the ‘police house’ wearing my dad’s very own North Yorkshire Constabulary-issue woollen cape and helmet.

 There was one person whose approval was paramount – my mum’s. She was understandably hesitant about letting us take Dad’s things away, things that were personal and treasured, things she and he had collected together. How would she feel about the empty space left behind?

 But when she saw it for herself for the first time, her fears melted away. She was amazed at how accurately her husband’s study had been recreated, almost exactly as it was. The old carpet was there, complete with the original holes caused by the wheels of his chair, and Mum’s home-made flowery curtains framed the two ‘windows’ that magically looked out onto our very own garden and drive. A dim glow shone from a familiar glass lampshade on to Dad’s collection of Heartbeat-themed fridge magnets that dotted the front of his grey filing cabinets, while rows of Heartbeat die-cast toy vehicles looked down from the bookshelves, just as they had at home. The walls were painted the same green, and decorated with the same items he had hung up – two framed TV Times magazine covers featuring Heartbeat cast members, some Guinness advertising plaques, an Aidensfield village sign, and a framed picture of his mother as a young woman. Most of the surfaces were scattered with collectibles, trinkets, books, mugs, pens and all sorts of clutter, just as Dad had left them.  

 Before, Mum had questioned why anyone would want to take the tatty carpet, her old curtains, or the dusty lampshade. But once she saw everything placed carefully where it should be, it all made sense. Dad’s study has found its permanent home for future generations to enjoy.

Whether you’re a fan of the show, a fan of the writer, or simply a fan of nostalgia, do go and have a look and tell me how you feel when you peer through the window into Dad’s study.

Do you have opinions, memories or ideas to share with me? Contact me via my webpage at countrymansdaughter.com, or email gazette@gazetteherald.co.uk