Category: News

Nine Journalists from China made a fact-finding visit recently to the World of James Herriot and Yorkshire. The leader was Tamily Liu who is a Press & PR Marketing Executive and journalist along with eight colleagues from various magazines and newspapers covering China and Hong Kong.

They were enthralled by the visit to the Centre and asked many questions about Alf Wight (James Herriot) and the books he wrote. The visit was arranged by Welcome to Yorkshire, VisitBritain and Virgin Atlantic. The group included Tamily Liu – VisitBritain escort; Tingting Qiu – Virgin Atlantic escort; Xiaming Cui – Travvel Blogger; Bo Liu – Madame FIGARO; Dong Wang – Tencent; Yu Feng – Global Times; Wei Zeng – My Vocation; Kun Zhu – New Weekly; Shu Qing He – New Weekly.

Managing Director Ian Ashton welcomed the group and provided the full tour of the Centre. Following the visit, Ian presented a Chinese language version of James Herriot’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ to leader of the group, Tamily Liu.
(See picture – Tamily Liu is the second from the right, back row.)

“This visit is another example of the importance of the World of James Herriot to its world wide audience. We have visitors from all over the world and this is one of the many throughout the year from schools, veterinary colleges and universitie

The attraction recently launched the James Herriot Statue and Legacy Fund, an initiative to encourage people interested in animal welfare and veterinary work inspired by James Herriot.

Pinewood Park, Scarborough’s Western themed event park is making an offer to couples with wedding plans that allows them to save up to £1500 on a wedding worth £6000. Only four couples will be able to take advantage of the initiative, which allows for up to 80 people to attend and stay at the site.

Pinewood Park has experienced an increase in demand for weddings in the past three years as the rules about wedding venues have changed making it easier for couples to arrange weddings at unusual venues and at different times of day or night.

From this new trend has emerged demand for more laid back weddings, where families can allow children to explore, have their own space and not be seen as a nuisance but as a necessity and adding to the festival atmosphere.

“Weddings are a hoot here at Pinewood Park, as families absorb their surroundings and take in the remarkably different atmosphere it brings to their very special day. Our ‘Buy in June’ is limited but we wanted to help to reduce the cost for some families as we know from our own experience as a family how big a commitment a wedding can be.” comments Pinewood Park director, Kerry Woodhead.

The buy in June wedding initiative is available for a selection of dates within the next 12 months and is on a first come, first served basis.

“With the rising numbers of people seeking unusual, less formal venues for their wedding, we hope that this initiative will give couples options to consider that may not have otherwise occurred to them.  There is nothing wrong with a formal wedding but for something informal and different we certainly think we are it!“ added Kerry.

Leeds Met University Students stage Tourism Society Yorkshire Spring Lunch and Seminar with Yorkshire Grit and Gumption Theme.

When: Thursday 1st May 2014 – Where: Leeds Industrial Museum

Tourism operators heard from four speakers with a Yorkshire theme about different activities both local and regional at a lunch held at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mill Leeds on Thursday 1st May.

The event was planned, organised and executed by six students of event management at Leeds Metropolitan University for the Yorkshire branch of the Tourism Society. Presentations included:

• Sally Tierney, The Yorkshire Garden Designer, explained how a well-designed garden can be a key part of the First Impression, so important for tourism businesses and how this can contribute significantly to the bottom line.  Sally provided visual examples and inexpensive tips that can make a real difference.
• Keith Madeley, company director and chairman of The Yorkshire Society and popular business personality known as ‘Mr Yorkshire’ explained how his charity work, education advocacy and Yorkshire Society activities contribute to the education and economy in the region. Keith also explained the Yorkshire Suit, a symbol of the woollen industry in the region.
• Alex Blackman, business development executive at Welcome to Yorkshire enthusiastically explained how Yorkshire is planning and executing the Tour de France Grand Depart in July with ideas and advice about how businesses can and are taking advantage of the largest free to view sporting event in the calendar.
• Laura Knowles of the Yorkshire Blue Badge Guides Association provided details about the first official Yorkshire Tour Guide programme to be staged in 20 years. The course is the most senior level training for tour guides available and is recognised throughout the Tourism industry as the benchmark for Tourism Guiding.

“Tourism is one of the most important drivers in the economy and our events are designed to inform and engage operators; destination management organisations, consultants and other interested business people with the latest trends and activities in the industry on a national, regional and local level. Our annual Spring Lunch provided some interesting and useful insights into Yorkshire and each provided a perspective for guests to consider, challenge and contribute to.” comments Tourism Society Yorkshire chairman John Gallery.

The students arranged a special tour of the Leeds Industrial Museum during the event when delegates heard the history of the woollen industry and viewed the extensive range of industrial machinery and other artefacts demonstrating this important industry in the Yorkshire region.

“Working with these six enthusiastic students has been an excellent experience and hopefully by providing them with the opportunity to stage a live event as part of their course projects, we have contributed to their progress into this important sector of tourism. We shall be doing this with the University more often in future”, added John Gallery.

The World of James Herriot in Thirsk has today won Gold in the coveted SCOOT Headline Awards.

The annual SCOOT Awards is one of the most prestigious business awards in the UK that recognises and rewards the successes and achievements of British businesses, large and small. Actress and TV personality Ebony Feare presented the award to Ian Ashton, managing director of The World of James Herriot.

SCOOT, the leading online business directory, is keen to help local, regional and national businesses to maximise their commercial potential by bringing them and their achievements to the attention of a massive new audience.

“This is a real boost for the World of James Herriot which welcomes guests from all over the world. The SCOOT Gold Headline Award follows hotly on the heels of our recent Highly Commended Award in the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards and the launch of the James Herriot Statue and Legacy Fund. To have been successful against such stiff national competition is testament to the tremendous efforts that our team at The World of James Herriot make in delivering a quality visitor experience”, comments The World of James Herriot managing director and chairman of the Herriot Country Tourism Group, Ian Ashton.

‘Detour de France’ joint initiative at The Old Lodge Malton and Pinewood Park Wild West Themed Events Park Scarborough.

The Old Lodge Malton and Scarborough’s Pinewood Park Wild West Theme venue have announced a ‘Detour de France’ joint initiative for Summer 2014.

The two businesses have teamed up to develop this offer in order to provide an alternative holiday option for visitors to Yorkshire when the Tour de France Grand Depart takes place in July 2014.

“We have a very different venue here at Pinewood Park and whilst we are delighted that Welcome to Yorkshire secured the Grand Depart in Yorkshire, we are hoping that visitors following the Tour’s marketing campaign will come to Scarborough and learn how they can enjoy the Yorkshire Coast and experience our unique accommodation and service.” comments Kerry Woodhead director of Pinewood Park.

Eileen Lowery, general manager at The Old Lodge Malton said; “We were more than disappointed when the route was announced and does not include Malton but also realised that there will be some people who are not interested in the Cycle Race and this initiative will provide an excellent alternative. There are also potential opportunities for followers of ‘Le Tour’ to extend their stay to discover our part of Yorkshire after the weekend.”

Concerned that Malton and Scarborough’s part in this world spectacular is not limited by the geography of ‘Le Route’ but optimistic that their offer will be taken up by visitors whether they be following ’Le Tour’ or not both businesses will provide accommodation options and a series of activities as part of the initiative including:

For Cycling Enthusiasts:

• Route planner from ‘Le Tour Route’ to The Old Lodge Malton and Pinewood Park Scarborough.
• Cycling Route Options around Malton and Scarborough
• List of Cycling Shops/Specialists in the area
• Learn to Talk Tyke for overseas visitors to Yorkshire

For non-cycling enthusiasts:

• Alternatives activities to cycling – to watch or participate in.
• ‘How to avoid the Tour de France’ checklist.
• Cycling ‘impossibles’ – routes that cyclists would avoid but ideal for driving.
• Cycling without Wheels – Special Interest Walking Routes around Malton and Scarborough.

In a joint statement Kerry Woodhead and Eileen Lowery said: “The Grand Depart is a fantastic showcase for Yorkshire and we feel it is important that parts of the County such as ours that are not on Le Tour route will have equal benefits. The Detour de France offer provides different accommodation options and is part of our joint effort to keep visitors coming back and to encourage the cycling audience to extend their visit to the Moors, Wolds and Coast. “