Plaque to honour Alf Wight in his hometown

THE GRANDDAUGHTER of James Herriot author Alf Wight will unveil a plaque in his memory on his childhood home in Glasgow on Friday.

Mr Wight spent the first 20 years of his life living at 2172 Dumbarton Road, and attended Glasgow Veterinary School before moving to North Yorkshire to become a practising vet, and later, author of the books that became the television show, All Creature Great and Small.

The plaque has been organised by Herriot fan, Glaswegian David Henderson.

He said: “It seemed to me that something should be done to recognise his early life in the city.”

The plaque will be unveiled by Zoe Wight, the vet and author’s granddaughter, who now lives near Glasgow and who will be joined at the ceremony by her father Jim Wight. Also attending will be colleagues including Professor Ewan Cameron, the principal of the Glasgow Vet School, Professor Peter Holmes, former vice principal of Glasgow University, Glasgow City Councillor Michael Cullen, vets from the nearest practice and from the Scottish SPCA, along with representatives of the World of James Herriot in Thirsk, which, prior to becoming a visitor attraction, was the vet and author’s home and surgery in the town that was named in his stories as Darrowby.

Managing director of the attraction, Ian Ashton said: “It is fitting that a tribute should be set in the location where he grew up and completed his veterinary training.”