The James Herriot Statue installed in the gardens of the World of James Herriot on Saturday 28th March 2015. The official installation ceremony performed by James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland.
The World of James Herriot has a new exhibit, the James Herriot (Alf Wight) Statue, a life-size bronze sculpture of the author, who became the most famous vet in the world for his books based on his life and practice in rural Yorkshire.
On Saturday, 28th March 2015 the official installation ceremony of the statue will take place when James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland will perform the official proceedings. As a tribute to Alf’s wife, Joan, the statue of her famous and much-loved husband will be installed in the garden on what would have been her 96th birthday.
Jim Wight and Rosie Page, son and daughter of the author will join James Berresford along with Sean Hedges-Quinn, the sculptor of the statue, 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.
The Statue is a tribute to Alf Wight and forms the focus for the ‘James Herriot Legacy Fund’ that has been formed 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.
Jim Wight and Rosie Page, son and daughter of Alf Wight, speaking about the Legacy 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. Our father would be proud to be associated with this initiative and we consider the statue to be a very fitting tribute.”
James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland, says: “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 (real name James Alf Wight) 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 ‘The World of James Herriot’ attraction and even donate funds to his fantastic Legacy Fund”.
For further information please contact:
Ian Ashton, The World of James Herriot, 3 Kirkgate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1PL Tel: 01845 524234 E-mail: mail@worldofjamesherriot.com
Press Contact: John Gallery, Tel: 07967 032623 E-mail: johngallery@greatpotential.co.uk
Notes to Editors: The World of James Herriot is a unique tribute to Alf Wight, vet and author of the James Herriot stories. Based in his original surgery at 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk, North Yorkshire – the ‘Skeldale House’ of the Herriot books – it takes visitors on a journey back to the 1940s. Contributions to the Legacy fund can be made online at: http://www.worldofjamesherriot.com/the-james-herriot-statue/