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The heart-warming and humorous tales of a rural veterinary surgeon's day-to-day life in 1940s Yorkshire have delighted generations of animal-lovers, young and old. All Creatures Great and Small was a TV series based on the memoirs of real-life vet, James Alfred Wight, who was known by his pen name of James Herriot. Published in 1970, his first book, If Only They Could Talk, related the story of the down-to-earth farmers and other village folk he met in the market town of Thirsk, in the Yorkshire Dales, where he was a vet for his entire adult life. Back in the 1940s, without the aid of modern medicines and technology, being a country vet was an arduous task. Wight's life consisted of driving around the often remote farms treating the resident animals, while also caring for domestic pets at his surgery. Where it all began Born in Sunderland in 1916, he qualified as a vet in 1939 at Glasgow veterinary College when he was 23. He worked briefly in his hometown before moving to 23 Kirkgate in Thirsk in 1940, where he remained for his whole career. He was also employed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to treat farm animals. After marrying local girl Joan Danbury in 1941, they had two children, James Alexander and Rosemary. Wight was too busy with his work to fulfil his ambition of writing a book until 1966, when his first efforts were rejected by publishers. When he wrote If Only They Could Talk in 1969, book publisher Anthea Joseph called him to say she was interested in his story, although he had to use a pen name due to professional etiquette. Being an avid football fan, he chose the name James Herriot after Scottish goalkeeper Jim Herriot, who played for Birmingham City. Writing career Wight's debut book, published in 1970 by Michael Joseph Ltd, was an instant hit. He wrote his second book, All Creatures Great and Small, in 1972, which was also a success in the UK and the United States. He went on to write a further five books based on the memoirs of his lifelong career as a vet, with his final book being Vet in a Spin in 1977. The true stories switched from humour to tragedy in an instant, as he recounted his successful animal treatments, followed by his sadness at the patients he hadn't been able to save. The books were made into the BBC TV series, All Creatures Great and Small, which ran from 1978 to 1980 and from 1988 to 1990. With an all-star cast, Christopher Timothy starred as Herriot, Robert Hardy was the owner of Skeldale House veterinary surgery, Siegfried Farnon, and Peter Davison played Siegfried's younger brother, Tristan. Realistic scenes Timothy wanted to meet Wight so that he would get the part exactly right. The producer said Wight was a private man who didn't enjoy all the fuss about his books. Filming had begun by the time the vet finally went to the BBC set to meet Timothy. The two hit it off and Timothy described Wight as "friendly" and "hospitable". Timothy also spent a week going out on call with a real vet, Jack Watkinson, getting up at 4am and being taught how to treat cows. He said everything on the show was real, although squeezy bottles of fake blood were used in some of the scenes. The film of All Creatures Great and Small was released in 1975, starring Simon Ward as Herriot. Wight died, aged 78, in 1995, leaving a legacy of his wonderful books, which have sold 50 million copies to date, all over the world. His practice in Thirsk opened as a museum, called The World of James Herriot. Life in the great outdoors If you enjoy a country lifestyle, MA Griggs' exclusive range of country clothing, including many famous brands, will ensure you can enjoy the great outdoors in style and comfort this winter! Please contact us for more information, or pop into our store in St Austell, Cornwall, where you'll be assured of a warm welcome.