TWENTY-one graduates of the RVC in 1959-60, including the Fifty Percent Club, were reunited at the Yorkshire Hotel in Harrogate in April.
Roger Green reports that although a number had also attended the previous reunions after 40 years and 45 years, there were some faces not seen for 50 years!
Some had travelled long distances from Canada and the United States but those from Australia were prevented from attending by the Icelandic volcano.
The occasion gave many opportunities for reminiscences and the telling of anecdotes, some no doubt apocryphal.
On the Friday evening a number of informal groups visited local hostelries and restaurants of which Harrogate boasts many and although a number spent merry hours in the hotel bar, others repaired to their beds as next morning was an early start.
The party travelled on Saturday morning by coach to Thirsk and visited the James Herriot Museum. Much has been done to improve facilities at 23 Kirkgate with the various features of veterinary instruments and medicines, a film set and a video theatre in the barn. Thereare also interactive items, teaching about certain diseases and animal husbandry.
After lunch at the Watermill Restaurant,the coach took us to York for a guided tour of the Minster, during which the choir was heard practising Stanford’s Te Deum in C for the next day.
The dinner in the evening back at the hotel was the high spot of the weekend. The speaker was Jim Wight who spoke movingly about his father and growing up under his influence. The occasion was also graced by the presence of Rosie Page,Jim’s sister,a retired general practitioner, who also worked in Thirsk.
After dinner Jim sold and signed copies of his book, The Real James Herriot, all proceeds going to support the Museum Charity.
Farewells and promises to meet again at breakfast on the Sunday morning brought a memorable gathering to a close. Having overestimated the possible costs, a surplus in the budget of £685 was donated to the RVC Animal Care Trust.
