The Real James Herriot: Jonathon Van Maren interviews Jim Wight

[@VDash-Slesinski]

I was introduced to this story in 1976 while serving in the US Army. I had just arrived in Okinawa and was hanging around the barracks. It was a rainy Saturday and I had not made any friends at that point. I saw a bookcase and selected “All Creatures Great and Small” and was hooked. I grew up in the country and really connected to these stories. I’ve read the series numerous times and my kids grew up hearing about these stories. I’ve watched the first TV series several times and am enjoying the PBS series.

[@carolking6355]

As a young girl 78 years ago, my dad often took me to stay with various friends on farms. I remember those gates. It soon became my job to open them and swing on them to open and close. I wanted to become a town vet as I knew I wasn’t strong enough to work with large animals. Sadly I would have had to move countries and I wasn’t ready to do that. My mother used to say I should marry a farmer but I knew how hard those wives worked cooking and baking for often many people at shearing time. I made up for being allowed many varieties of small animals. Now I am unable to physically care for them and I miss that so much. Thanks to James Herriot I watch the movies and they are so wonderful. Thanks for this interview Jim.n❤

[@dianemadison1679]

From California: Saw him once in Thirsk when he was walking through the book store. His picture was right behind him and I was bold enough to ask if he was James Herriot because he looked just like him. He modestly replied, “No, we’re just very close friends!”

[@williamstamper5395]

What a great interview, I now really like the updated 'All Creatures great and Small' series and of course this radio broadcast, thank you very much, I hope to get to meet Alf someday.

[@lizdoyle7158]

James herriot⭐ made this world a better place 💖 with his excellent books📚 he was like charles dickens his work will Last forever🖋🖋🖋

[@williamstamper5395]

Listened again, I am reading Jim's book taking my time, but not to give up finally I hope to meet Jim Wight someday thank you once again.

[@elizabethcutrofello2572]

What a joy this interview was to hear! Marvelous ❤

[@realcanadiangirl64]

Thank you so much for this interview! Here in Canada I discovered James Herriot in the mid 80's. I've since read every book at leaat twice a year. Being a farmer's daughter from the 1960's-70's, his stories take me right back to the smell of our little barn with our 6 milk cows, then onto the pig pasture full of beautiful squealing pigs. I've recently discovered the television series on KZbin, and rewatch it over and over. I wish I could have personally thanked Alf Wight for all of the joy he's brought me ❤ I'll definitely be buying his sons book!

[@annieabfab6258]

realcanadiangirl64 I can totally relate, I grew up on a farm in Australia! I have read and reread the books and have watched every series on DVD but only recently ly discovered

[@annieabfab6258]

realcanadiangirl64 Oops! Only recently discovered the KZbin interviews- absolutely wonderful.

[@monicahira7936]

Absolutely delightful! Your father was an absolute master storyteller & such an admirable, good man! I'm currently reading If Only They Could Talk and it's an absolute pleasure ❤

[@drusuth5915]

Love the books. You don't want them to end.

[@davidgillies5342]

I love the collection of Alfs books All Creatures Great and Small. They have made me cry with laughter. Alfs description of his son Jim, soon after birth was priceless. Apologies Jim but it was so funny. An excellent series of books.

[@geofflayton3898]

03

[@davidgillies5342]

@@geofflayton3898 I used to live in Glasgow(Scotland) at Scotstoun above where Alfs mother used to live.

[@Theresebonath6077]

This makes my heart so happy i love this interwie fantastic ❤❤❤ I Adore James Herriot ❤

[@tlt689]

What a brilliant interview. I have just finished this ( signed) book and its so very well written,so like Alfs. It was good to hear Jims voice.

[@shanegriffin2215]

I love all of his books. Incredible reading.

[@janellemckinley172]

Read them to feel good, so true. For years after I'd read them all in the daytime, I used them round robin at night in bed to go off to sleep in a good mood. But one night I was laughing so hard at the brucellosis story I was thinking this is crazy I'm supposed to be nodding off soon.

[@MrReganomics82]

Very enjoyable interview. I particularly appreciate learning more about the real Granville.

[@southendpete]

That you Alf for giving me the books, films and tv series x

[@gingerludtke8503]

Actually Alf's daughter, Rosie became a doctor- only his son Jim became a vet.

[@whatevergoesforme5129]

True. According to the book, James said that he discouraged his daughter from becoming a vet because he thought it would be hard for a woman to do the kind of work he did, but later on he regretted it because he had seen how medical technology had progressed so much and how female vets became more acceptable to farmers.