Go Behind The Scenes of the All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special
Nothing beats cosying up in front of the TV in anticipation of the traditional Christmas specials
Having announced its sixth series, the critically-acclaimed show based on bestselling author James Herriot’s iconic collection of stories continues to warm the hearts of its viewers, and its filming sees the pretty Yorkshire villages of Grassington and Arncliffe transform into the fictional market town of Darrowby.
The series' locations manager Katy Metcalfe was born and brought up on a farm in a small hamlet near Malham. She started out in TV at Channel 4 HQ in London, and won an award for a series about the Yorkshire Dales on her return north. 'I'm very loyal and passionate about “God’s Own Country” as they call it here. Then I had cancer, Covid hit, my youngest flew the nest and I decided it was time to do something very different career-wise, as life is short and it’s always good to push your boundaries.'
Katy loves being part of the 'All Creatures family' now. 'We get to film in some of the most amazing places in this country,’ she says. ‘Every day out on location is a privilege (whether we are subject to the extreme Yorkshire weather or not!).’
This year’s filming has been particularly special, with two new cast members – the babies playing Jimmy. ‘The cast and crew were wonderful with them and the babies got to recognise people as time went on and they obviously became more interactive as they grew,’ says Katy. ‘It was very much a new way forward and I’m sure sometimes difficult for the director as babies will be babies, but whoever said that wonderful line – “never work with children and animals”? Well, we do both and I can honestly say that this particular part of the job makes All Creatures Great and Small so unique and special to work on.
‘A beautiful donkey called George has featured a few times this year. One time, just as “action” was called, George decided to let rip with the loudest and most deafening of brays. You could hardly hear the word “cut”! It couldn’t have been timed more perfectly – it brought a smile to everyone’s faces. We’ve had a few mischievous pygmy goats on set causing a bit of chaos too, not to mention some of our sheep when we were filming at a farm above Kettlewell. They had a better jump than a kangaroo!’
By comparison, the horses on set are well-trained. ‘Life was very simple in Yorkshire in the 1930s and ‘40s and we do try and replicate this in filming,’ Katy says. ‘People still used horse-drawn carts in the Yorkshire Dales and horses still worked the land so it’s great having those on set. The horses we use are incredibly well trained and are so calm amongst all the TV equipment, massive lights on cranes, and large numbers of people dashing around. We have a great horse master and team who bring these beautiful equines to set and I think they absolutely take you back to that era. The vintage cars, buses and vans are exquisite too. I’m a great fan of both.’
In March, whilst filming in ‘Darrowby’, Yorkshire’s brutal weather meant the costume department had to come to the rescue with period umbrellas, and staff at ‘The Drovers’ offered a temporary shelter for around 30 soggy extras. ‘As their costumes steamed and the coffee and hot chocolate flowed, the saturated supporting cast started to sing wartime songs, completely filling the main bar area,’ Katy reminisces. ‘Customers joined in. The atmosphere for 40 minutes or so was incredible. It felt like we were really in the time of James Herriot.’
Christmas filming for All Creatures Great and Small starts in June, when the summer colours and light can cause more challenges. ‘The obvious thing that we look for are locations above the tree-line or at least very few that need to be removed in the post-production phase,’ Katy explains.
‘This year’s special is a typical heart-warming and traditional Skeldale House Christmas with extra poignancy, naturally a slight disaster, and of course it’s an extra special day for wee Jimmy too which makes it more magical than ever. In Grassington, the introduction of a 28ft Christmas tree into the cobbled village square by our props team is always interesting. It definitely draws a crowd! Visitors and villagers are quite incredulous that we film Christmas in June, and our lovely cast and supporting artists (extras in old money) are wearing wool coats, tweed and trilbies. Eyebrows are definitely raised when the special effects team start putting frost down and get their snow machine out – especially when it’s 28 degrees!’
Festive filming took the cast and crew to Skipton. ‘We filmed up some of the wonderful terraced streets that are still as stunning today as the year they were built,’ says Katy. ‘But removing the modernity for our scenes, namely cars, and transforming long streets into the 1940s could not have been done without the marvellous spirit and love for All Creatures from the local community. We can’t thank the people of Yorkshire enough for allowing us to film in their part of the world. Skipton was a huge challenge because of the large number of vehicles that we had to ask people to move, to use their back door not their front, and to close their street for the duration of filming. But it looks stunning and was definitely worth all the hard work and effort by the locals and our team.’
Many Yorkshire locals have fond memories of watching the BBC’s All Creatures Great and Small series in the 1970s, including Katy. ‘James Herriot and his stories are part of my Yorkshire heritage,’ she says. ‘I always call the vet the “veterinary”! I even went with my farming family to the cinema (or pictures as it was called then) in Skipton to watch the Herriot films. We had all the books, and my mum used to read extracts to us as a family on caravanning holidays. It’s great to see and hear how much the world loves our interpretation of All Creatures Great and Small. The fan following is massive, with people coming from all over the world to visit the locations used in filming and get a taste of life in James Herriot’s Yorkshire.’
Recurring locations such as Heston Grange (Helen Herriot’s family farm up at Yockenthwaite) and Pumphrey Manor (Broughton Hall near Skipton) are always a pleasure for Katy to return to during filming. But for the Christmas special, the locations were chosen because of little or no evidence of summer, their period features, and one in particular for its significantly different type of stone. ‘We needed a red-brick period building for a scene with Tristan that felt like a very different part of Yorkshire – away from the traditional limestone buildings in the Dales,’ Katy explains. ‘I knew of a particular location but was hesitant to approach the owners because they are elderly and I wasn’t sure if they would want our “circus” coming to town. But I knew it was perfect, so I approached their daughter who I knew and the entire family welcomed us with open arms into their uniquely beautiful period property. The crew were even invited by the owners to have their lunch out on the front lawn on a glorious summer’s day with the most amazing uninterrupted view of the Yorkshire Dales. The most memorable of locations for this year, I feel.’
The team decorate with swags of fir tree over the door of Skeldale House and use traditional decorations. In those days Yorkshire farmers still kept a few geese to supplement income over Christmas so there’s always a few geese around or being transported somewhere. ‘Simple but heartfelt Christmas presents are the order of the day – homemade or hand-me-downs,’ Katy says. ‘Yorkshire folk in that era, and particularly during the war years, were renowned for being industrious and somewhat frugal. Families made paper chains together. Life was much more simple and we try to reflect that.’
The rest of the Christmas magic happens in post-production. ‘Some snow may be added in the far distance at this point if required,’ says Katy. ‘The Christmas special always has a slightly different feel to the previous six episodes as it is a very different time of year – lots of roaring log fires, traditional decorations, the feel of winter cosiness, and a time to celebrate friends, family and indeed life during the war years. Mrs Hall is always found making mince pies, though on limited rations this year, but trying her best with the few coupons she has. And where necessary, we add some special effects of snow and frost. I’ve been asked so many times if we use icing sugar for frost. We don’t!’
The sense of community depicted in the series still exists in the Yorkshire Dales today, but Katy says it was even stronger during the war. ‘Everyone pulled together to try and help navigate a tough period in history,’ she says. ‘And I love those small moments in our scripts that reflect that immense sense of caring for neighbours, and anyone who needed help in the community.’
All Creatures Great and Small returns with a Christmas special this December on Channel 5. Stream all series on My5.
Yorkshire puddings on a Christmas dinner – yes or no?
Absolutely not! As a Yorkshire lass, Yorkshire puds have their rightful place on a Sunday roast with beef.
Where you’d love to spend Christmas if you could go back in time.
Skeldale House!
How are you celebrating Christmas this year?
At home in Malhamdale in the Yorkshire Dales with family and friends, carol singing in front of Malham Cove with a brass band, raising money for children’s charities, singing carols in the pubs and a traditional turkey roast at home with the dogs asleep in front of a glowing wood burner. I absolutely love Christmas!
