THE Duke of Gloucester visited Herriot country yesterday to unveil a regional centre of excellence for medical training.
A £480,000 training centre in Thirsk, expanding the first aid services provided by St John Ambulance across North Yorkshire and Teesside, was officially opened by the Duke, who was greeted by several local dignitaries.
High Sheriff of North Yorkshire Gerald Turton and the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, were among the guests at the centre, where the Duke took part in a ceremony to name a conference room in memory of Lady Serena James, of Richmond, who died last year.
The Duke, who is the Grand Prior of the Order of St John, received a Yorkshire hamper from national Cadet of the year, Anna Harrison, 16, of Bedale.
Later in the day, the Duke spent more than an hour at the £1.4m World of James Herriot Centre, opened almost two years ago as a tribute to vet-turned author, Alf Wight.
He toured the recreated living rooms with Alf Wight's son and daughter, Jim Wight and Rosie Page
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