“Animals are born who they are, accept it and that is that. They live with greater peace than people do.” ~ Gregory Maguire
Last week, youngest daughter Sophie and I took a drive over to the little market town of Thirsk in North Yorkshire to step back in time and visit the James Herriot Museum. This was my second visit and Sophie’s first.
The museum is the former home and surgery of the world famous country vet James Alfred Wight, better known as Alf Wight, but to the rest of the world he will always be the very wonderful James Herriot, the vet from fictional Darrowby.
Having lived on a small farm for almost 2/3 of my life and all of Sophie’s, the visit to the museum was of particular interest to us both.
The staff here were talkative, friendly, extremely helpful and very proud of their veterinary museum and even more proud to have won ‘The Best in England Small Visitor Attraction’
The first character we bumped into was Mrs Pumphrey and Tricky Woo and who could possibly forget these two? Based on a lady by the name of Miss Warner and her pampered pooch Bambi.
Sophie and I spent two fascinating hours inside the museum. We were encouraged to explore every room, take photographs and ask questions of staff members. Alf’s son Jim, also a vet (retired) called in whilst we were there.
Picking up a bar of red soap in the old kitchen, Sophie said the smell was strong and evoked memories of horse shampoo and looking after the horses she had when growing up.
In the television studio Sophie examined the cameras and monitors and I had fun pretending to be the Skeldale receptionist by answering the old fashioned sugery phone, still sporting its original telephone number.
Upstairs in the childrens’ interactive gallery we reverted to our childhood and had a great time trying out the many activities.
We took lots of photographs but filming proved difficult due to the presence of other visitors. Later, however, I found this super video presented by Alf’s son, which is far superior to anything I may have produced and also saved me uploading the many photographs we took on the day. To view the video, click the graphic below.
Today the the real Skeldale practice has moved to much bigger premises just a short drive away and where the staff, farm animals and pets, both pampered and otherwise, have become stars in their own real life veterinary series ‘The Yorkshire Vet’. The new series begins again on channel five Tuesday 26th September. Peter the senior vet and Julian his partner are absolute naturals in this program, Peter actually began his career as a Herriot trainee.
If this series has or does make its way over the pond, it is a definite ‘Must Watch’ series.
© nansfarm.net September 2017 – Article linked to the word-prompt ‘Pamper’
Click below to read some of the previous articles of farm life at Nan’s Farm.
Thanks for the Museum story, fascinating and I thoroughly enjoyed the film clip. Well Done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much Ivor. I’m so glad I found the clip and so much better than my own effort would have been. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely Sue. Never been to the museum, although have passed it on a few occasions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Peter. It’s one of those places that has that ‘feel good factor’ and so worth a visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations Peter, you’ve finally made it! You’ve read each and every one of my posts, I’m so impressed with that. Thank you for taking the time to read them all.
LikeLike
Your blog is evolving, Sue, into this wonderful regional bright spot on the WordPress Highway! I thoroughly love your explorations. Sue and Sophie starring in their own show…now I’d like to see that one day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your lovely comments Ethel. Ooh the Sue and Sophie show, now that sounds like fun. 🙂
LikeLike