Yorkshire Vet star Peter Wright will share memories of growing up in a North Yorkshire village as part of celebrations marking the 175th anniversary of its church.
The vet will speak about his childhood in Thirkleby and his family’s links with All Saints’ Church during a weekend of events on September 19 and 20.
Peter’s parents were married at the church, while he and his brother were both christened there.
He said: “I have very, very vivid memories, as a child, coming here.
“My granddad was churchwarden for 32 years, and my granny used to come every Friday and clean up the church, and it was immaculate.
“My brother and me used to come with her on a Friday afternoon because it was a place of good fun, it was a perfect place for hide and seek.”
Peter has promised plenty of humour during his talk, including a story involving a former villager which he later recounted to Alf Wight, the real-life James Herriot.
“When I told Alf what had happened involving this gentleman, I thought he would never stop laughing,” he said.
Peter will also use his appearance to highlight the uncertain future facing many rural churches.
He said communities needed to support their churches now rather than waiting until they were threatened with closure.
“I find it very sad, and I do worry for the future of our churches,” he said.
“If it came to a point where the churches were going to have to close, as I know quite a number have done in North Yorkshire, then you get to a point where people will then say, well, what happens when we want a funeral? What happens when we want to christen a child?”
Saturday’s celebrations begin at 2pm and will also feature the Sessay Songbirds children’s choir and a community sing-along which everyone is welcome to join.
Organisers are collecting people’s memories of All Saints’ and are asking anyone with stories to contact Gill Walmsley at gillwalmsley@tiscali.co.uk or on 07969 571002.
The weekend will conclude on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at 2pm, followed by a Victorian afternoon tea in the village hall and a prize draw with a top prize of £175.
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