A life sized bronze statue of All Creatures Great and Small author James Herriot has taken pride of place at a museum to his life’s work.
Herriot, whose real name was Alf Wight, became the most famous vet in the world for his books based on his life and practice in rural Yorkshire.
The statue was unveiled on Saturday at The World of James Herriot in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, by tourism chief James Berresford.
As a tribute to Alf’s wife, Joan, the statue of her famous and much-loved husband was be installed in the garden on what would have been her 96th birthday.
The author’s son Jim Wight and daughter Rosie Page joined Mr Berresford, the sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn and staff from the centre during the ceremony.
Mr Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland, said: “James Herriot’s veterinary tales have been drawing visitors to the Yorkshire countryside for decades and it is fantastic that Thirsk is now installing a statue of the famous author in tribute to what would’ve been his wife Joan’s 96th birthday.
“It is a real honour to be invited to perform the official proceedings with James and Joan’s children and I hope that James Herriot’s legacy continues to attract more tourists to the area who can visit and donate to his fantastic Legacy Fund”.
June Imeson OBE, the original driving force behind the opening of the World of James Herriot, plus Councillors Mark Robson & Gareth Dadd of Hambleton District Council, David Shields of Welcome to Yorkshire plus many supporters, volunteers and staff from the Centre watched as the statue was revealed.
It will form the focus of the James Herriot Legacy Fund, created to provide bursaries for young people wishing to join the animal welfare and veterinary sector.
Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot said: “The aim is to provide bursaries for people wishing to embark on a career concerning the welfare of animals, and for whom the James Herriot stories may well have been an inspiration.
“The fund has now reached its target for the Statue to be installed and we will continue to raise funds for the Legacy Fund which is a fitting tribute to Alf Wight and his continuing worldwide appeal.”
The Legacy Fund began with a very generous bequest made to the Friends of the World of James Herriot by the late Mr Thomas Frank Blinks who lived in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, and was a life member of the Friends of the World James Herriot.
Fundraising is now a continuous part of the World of James Herriot’s activities to ensure that the vets and veterinary nurses of the future can apply for support from the Legacy Fund.
Alf’s daughter Rosie said: “This is a unique opportunity to develop a legacy to support young people who wish to become veterinary surgeons, or to pursue a career dedicated to animal welfare.
“My father would be proud to be associated with this initiative and we consider the statue to be a very fitting tribute.”
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