BBC antique presenter David Harper visited the World of James Herriot recently and met up with the team at the centre where a new range of memorabilia has been introduced featuring David’s painting of the Austin 7 car driven by the famous vet and author James Herriot (aka Alf Wight) in the BBC TV series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’.
The painting: ‘1930’s James Herriot Austin 7′, is the original, painted for the World of James Herriot and is a limited edition hand signed and numbered print on canvas of only 50 worldwide. The car was used in the TV series ‘All Creatures Great And Small’ and is on display in the World of James Herriot.
“The original ‘All Creatures Great & Small’ is based on the veterinary practice in Thirsk, and one of the most memorable scenes in the series is of the Austin 7 splashing its way through the ford in the Yorkshire Dales where James Herriot based his famous books. It was a BBC production in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Several of the series’ original actors attended the 100th anniversary celebration dinner in October 2016 and David’s visit is a welcome follow up to what is continuing to be an important time for the Herriot story.” comments Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot.
Interest in the World of James Herriot and Herriot Country Tourism continues to grow following the anniversary year in 2016, the ongoing Channel 5 TV series The Yorkshire Vet, based at Skeldale Surgery, the modern equivalent of the James Herriot practice, plus huge interest from Herriot fans in Russia, the USA, China and other countries where the books have been translated.
Kate Pawlett, centre manager said: “It still amazes me at the interest and affection that people have for the books about life in rural North Yorkshire and the impression it made on their lives. To have David visit with his personal and occupational interest in all things about the past is a delight and the new range of memorabilia featuring the Austin 7 painting is already proving to be very popular.”
