James Herriot Statue unveiling - Jim Wight's speech 

Hooray! There's a statue that's richly deserved, that everybody will appreciate.

One of my biggest regrets will always be never having been able to meet Alf Wight. His books resonated with millions of animal lovers all over the world, myself included...but it wasn't just his often humorous stories about animals, I think, that appealed to so many; it was his gentle nature, his love of animals and the humans who cared for them, and his overall love of the beauty of life. I wrote to him when I was around 17, after reading a couple of his published books....I can only hope that, in amongst the innumerable letters and writings that he surely received, he might have at some point seen my letter, and perhaps smiled.

a brilliant story teller it just transports me away across the seas and a balm on my hurting soul thankyou so much Mr Alf Wight.

Since reading his first book 8n the 70’s, I’ve always considered James Herriot a close friend although I never had the honor of meeting him.

Hearing your dad was a big fan of Maggie Thatcher makes me love and respect his memory even more!

My two sons, 12 and 11 years old and I met Alf Wight just by luck when we were visiting England in 1990. My Grandfather was a Yorkshire man and I wanted to see the area he was born and raised. We happened to be passing the surgery when Alf was there and he placed a sticker with his autograph on it in one of his books my son had in his backpack. He wasn't able to sign his name any longer from arthritis. What a joy these books and the wonderful TV series have brought to our family and now to my Grandchildren.

Would have loved to have visited .

Today Commemorates James Herriot's 100th Birthday

What a lovely statue and adoring speech! I hope to visit the museum. :) While it doesn't alter how I feel about his veterinarian work, the novels and Granada television programme, I have to admit surprise and disappointment to learn Dr. Alf Wight was a fan of Margaret Thatcher.

grandissimo,il mio scrittore preferito.indimenticabile h e r r i o t.

Thank you, it was fitting tribute to Alf Wight. If you watch again, you'll hear Jim's reference to Margaret Thatcher was that the same sculptor was doing a statue of her too, it was not a reference to Alf's political persuasions. Hope you can visit the World of James Herriot soon. best wishes, John

Brill

Pm