The World of James Herriot will be unveiling the James Herriot Statue in the James Herriot Hall, followed by a black tie dinner in the Thomas Lord Suite at Thirsk Racecourse on Saturday, 4th October 2014 from 7pm. Christopher Timothy who played James Herriot in the TV series, members of Alf Wight’s family, and Jim Herriot, former Birmingham City goalkeeper, whose name, in 1969, Alf Wight chose as his pseudonym is attending together with Sean Hedges-Finn, the sculptor of the Statue and Gary Verity, CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire.
The James Herriot Statue and Legacy Fund has been developed as a tribute to Alf Wight, author of the books about the life of a country vet, which inspired two films and the long running and immensely popular TV series All Creatures Great and Small.
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 launch dinner is an opportunity to support this vision. The fund has already reached £30,000. The initial aim is to double this figure to £60,000, which would finance the completion of the statue and allow the first bursaries to be allocated.”
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.
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.”
A fine dining meal will be provided by chefs from Yorebridge House, Bainbridge in the Yorkshire Dales and a fund-raising auction will be held after the meal by John Tennant of Tennant Auctioneers, Leyburn. A limited number of places are still available and can be booked online at www.worldofjamesherriot.com