Local animals join St Mary's congregation for pet blessing

10 June 2008

Son of ‘James Herriot’ and local pets attend special themed service

The Blue Cross pet charity saw animals of all shapes and sizes descend on St Mary’s church, Thirsk yesterday (Sunday 8 June) for a special animal themed Sunday service.

Local pets and other animals joined the charity and Jim Wight, Thirsk retired vet, whose parents ‘James Herriot’ and Joan Danbury married in the church in 1941. Jim introduced the hymn ‘All things bright and beautiful’, the second line of which became the name for the televised version of his father’s famous stories, ‘All Creatures Great and Small’.

Reverend Nick Bird blessed the animal congregation before they left the church ‘two by two’.

The pet service and blessing raised over £80 to support the planned major rebuild of The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Topcliffe, Thirsk. The project will enable the charity to rehome even more needy pets and care for them in state-of-the-art facilities.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Images of the pet blessing are available. Please credit Sally Rowbotham. For more information, please call Louise Lee at The Blue Cross on 020 7932 4066 / 07880 781637 or email louise.lee@bluecross.org.uk

The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Thirsk has launched an appeal towards the £1.5million transformation of the current site. The project will replace the dated kennel block, create a new isolation building for sick pets and a kitten and puppy facility for expectant mums and newborns.

For more information about The Blue Cross, Thirsk rebuild project please contact the press office.

The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year.  Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees.  For more info: www.bluecross.org.uk