A Blue Plaque commemorating Alf Wight OBE, the beloved vet and author best known by his pen name James Herriot, will be unveiled at his former Thirsk home, “Rowardennan”, on Thursday 8th October 2026 at 3:00 pm.
While Alf Wight originally lived and worked at the veterinary practice at 23 Kirkgate, now the award-winning World of James Herriot museum, he built “Rowardennan” on Topcliffe Road in 1953. The house served as his family home for more than 25 years, where he spent countless evenings and weekends by the fire with his wife, Joan, penning the stories that would go on to entertain millions worldwide. His books inspired the hit TV series All Creatures Great and Small, originally screened by the BBC and now broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK and Masterpiece PBS globally.
Purchased by Brian and Linda Halliday in 2024, “Rowardennan” was added in 2025 to the official James Herriot walking tour around Thirsk and Sowerby. Organised by The World of James Herriot and based on a route devised by fan Roger French, the walk was developed with help from Alf’s children, Jim Wight and Rosie Page, and features key life locations including Sunnyside Nursing Home and the Golden Fleece Hotel (the Drovers Arms in the books).
The Blue Plaque will be unveiled by Jim and Rosie at the entrance drive of the house, taking place just days after what would have been their father’s 110th birthday on 3rd October.
“It was such a nostalgic visit,” said Rosie Page. “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.”
Current owners Linda and Brian Halliday added: “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.”
