Church Welcomes All Creatures
Where: St Mary’s Church, Kirkgate Thirsk North Yorkshire, YO7 1PR
When: Sunday 18th September 2016 at 10.15am
As part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the birth of local vet and author Alf Wight – better known as James Herriot – St Mary’s Church in Kirkgate, Thirsk, is to host an Animal Blessing Service.
The appropriately named Revd Canon Ian Fox will bless animals and give special prayers and readings at the service at 10.15am on Sunday 18th September when all creatures – large and small – are invited to accompany their owners to an informal service.
“This is an All Age Worship service, open to all, with or without their pet, where anything might happen!! “ comments Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot.
Taking part in the service will be children of St Mary’s Ark Club (Sunday School) and at least one of the “Yorkshire Vets” has promised to attend.
Churchwarden, Margaret Hunton, said “We are looking forward to welcoming a variety of animals into the church, just along the street from the World of James Herriot, where Alf and Joan Wight were married”.
The James Herriot Foundation Trust aims to provide bursaries for veterinary nurses was recently launched following the installation of a statue of Alf Wight (James Herriot) in the gardens of the World of James Herriot, Alf Wight’s former home and surgery in Thirsk. Jim Wight and Rosie Page, son and daughter of Alf Wight (James Herriot) are Trustees.
On Saturday 1st October at Tennants Garden Rooms, Leyburn a black-tie dinner with silent auction in aid of the James Herriot Foundation Trust is to be held to celebrate the Anniversary. Opera star Lesley Garrett will sing at the event, which will be hosted by Harry Gration of BBC TV’s Look North. http://bit.ly/HerriotHundred
