BERWICKSHIRE NEWS AND GENERAL
12 December 1876

DEATH OF ALDERMAN YOUNG.—It is with very deep regret that we have to announce the death of Alderman Young. Although he had not been in good health of late, his decease was unexpected and took place under very melancholy circumstances.
He was the guest of R. Crossman, Esq., at a dinner party at Cheswick House on Tuesday evening, and although he at first appeared in his usual health, he suddenly, before entering the dining room, became unwell and gradually sank and died. Alderman Young had conducted a very successful business as
fish merchant, &c., in Bridge Street, from which he retired only a few weeks ago. He was for many years connected with the Town Council, to which he was first elected in Nov. 1858, and was Mayor in 1868. In a contest for the South Ward in 1870 he was defeated, and did not again appear in the Council till October 1873, when he was elected an Alderman. In November of that year he was again elected Mayor. He always discharged his duties in the Council faithfully and eloquently, and was very much esteemed. In politics he was a staunch Liberal, and supported his party to the utmost of his power. He was also Chairman of the Experimental Committee of the Tweed Commission, in which he took much interest, and was considered an authority on the natural history of salmon. His funeral took place on Friday afternoon at Berwick Cemetery, and was very largely attended. The cortege which started from Bankhead Cottage reached Berwick shortly after two o'clock. Besides the hearse there were four mourning coaches, followed by the private carriage of R. Crossman, Esq., who with party occupied it. At Berwick Bridge End the Mayor and Town Council and a large number of the principal inhabitants of the borough joined the procession. Throughout the route to the Cemetery the shops were closed, and every mark of respect was shown.

 

ILLUSTRATED BERWICK JOURNAL

12 November 1885

A SALE OF WORK IN CONNECTION WITH CHURCH STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
WILL BE HELD IN THE GEORGE YOUNG MEMORIAL HALL, CHURCH STREET, BERWICK, ON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH, Commencing at 2 O’Clock.

The proceeds to be devoted towards Furnishing the Hall, and the purchase of a Musical Instrument.

The Work, which consists solely of articles left unsold at the Japanese Fancy Fair held during the month of August last, comprises a quantity of USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL WORK, BOOKS, DOLLS, CHRISTMAS CARDS, &c., and a large variety of NICK-NACKS suitable for Christmas and New Year Gifts—all of which will be marked at VERY GREATLY REDUCED PRICES.

Admission: From 2 to 6 o’Clock, 6d Each;
After 6 o’Clock, Free.
Tea from 4 to 6 o’Clock.

 

ILLUSTRATED BERWICK JOURNAL

19 November 1885

GEORGE YOUNG MEMORIAL HALL

On Tuesday afternoon, a pleasing incident took place, when an addition was made to the already numerous public edifices in the borough, by the handing over to the managers of Church Street Church the George Young Memorial Hall, a gift to the chapel from Mrs Young of Bankhead, an estimable lady and a willing worker in every good work, in memory of her late husband, Alderman George Young, a prominent townsman and member of Church Street Church. The hall has been built in a most substantial and inviting style, at a cost of £200, and will be used in connection with the church and congregational purposes. At the top of the interior of the structure is an archway, within which a platform may be conveniently placed. The masonry was entrusted to Mr Mark Grahame, Tweedmouth; the joinery to Messrs John Irvine and Son, Tweedmouth; the plumbing work to Messrs Wilson & Son, Bridge Street, Berwick; and the slater work to Mr Peter Rule, Church Street, Berwick, and it is almost needless to add that the above mentioned have executed their various trusts with expedition, and in a manner creditable alike to each of them.

At the opening ceremony, on Tuesday, there was a good attendance of ladies and gentlemen of all denominations. The proceedings were opened by the singing of the “Old Hundred,” and suitable prayer offered up by the Rev. Mr Lauder.

Thereafter, Mr R. Douglas, Town Clerk, who, on behalf of Mrs Young, asked the managers to accept the neat hall, said when Mrs Young first expressed the wish to him to attend that afternoon to open that beautiful hall he hesitated in doing so, for he thought Mrs Young might have got one from the congregation more entitled to perform the pleasing duty or saying anything he desired to say. Although he might have the pen of a ready writer, he had not the gift of a ready speaker. But when Mrs Young put it to him, he felt constrained to acquiesce in her wishes, for he knew Mr Young for many years. It was in 1851 or 1852, during the political struggle, that he and Mr Young became friends. Mr Young at that time spared himself no trouble to succeed in what he thought the right cause. Several years after, in Alnwick, he (Mr Douglas) met Sir George Grey, the then successful candidate, and grandfather of the present Sir Edward Grey. Sir George said, “You know my old friend, Mr George Young; give him my respects, and tell him I was enquiring after him.” After that Mr Young became engaged in the borough elections, when he proved himself a capital worker, a wise counsellor, and one ready to take an interest in every good work. Mr Young was also held in great respect by Lord Tweedmouth, for the last time the noble lord was in Berwick he expressed the desire to him (Mr Douglas) that he should drive out and see Mrs Young. Mr Young was also a Town Councillor, Alderman, Sheriff, and twice Mayor of the borough.

Those simple facts spoke volumes for him in his public capacity. In his private life, he was a true and good friend, and a friend to be depended upon. He was also a great reader, and was well versed in history and theology, his principal authors being Clark and Henry. He was altogether a generous, free, and liberal-minded man. Happy in himself; happy in his household; and always trying to make everyone else happy. He became a member of Church Street Church in 1835, in the time of the late Rev. Mr Young. The congregation knew how earnestly he took a share in their interests, and how he worked in their vicissitudes and trials. The very last act of his life was to appear before the Presbytery as one of the congregation’s Commissioners to ask leave to apply for a new pastor. In order to perpetuate his name and memory, Mrs Young has not only given a stained glass window to the church, but she also has given as a present, this very handsome building. He trusted, on Mrs Young’s account, it would be for the good of the congregation, and also be for many, many years to come a Godsend and a blessing to everyone connected with the church. He then asked the managers to accept as a gift, the noble hall.

Councillor W. Young, on behalf of the managers, expressed their sincere thanks for the gift. They accepted it with feelings of great thankfulness, and he had no doubt it would prove a great help to the congregation in its several interests.

Rev. Mr Rorke stated that Alderman Adam Darling regretted exceedingly that he was not able to be with them that afternoon, for Mr Young was one of the best, most honest, and straightforward men he ever knew. (Applause.)

Thereafter, a sale of work was proceeded with. The goods, which were of the most useful as well as ornamental kind, had been left over from the Japanese Fancy Fair, and were arranged on stalls erected round the hall. The stall-holders were: Misses Young, Miss Douglas, Miss Whitehead, Mrs Rorke, Mrs Young, Bankhead, Mrs Young, St. Leonards; Miss Manners, and Miss Bell. Tea was served during the afternoon. Sales proceeded briskly, and £69 was realised. The proceeds of the sale are to go towards defraying the expense of furnishing the hall, and purchasing a musical instrument.

 

BERWICK ADVERTISER 

20 November 1885

CHURCH STREET CHURCH, BERWICK.

OPENING OF THE GEORGE YOUNG MEMORIAL HALL.
SALE OF WORK.

On Tuesday afternoon a sale of work was held in  connection with Church Street Church in the George Young Memorial Hall. This is a new building which has been erected by Mrs Young, Bankhead, in memory of her late husband, Alderman George Young, of Berwick, who was a prominent member of Church Street Church. The hall is spacious and well suited for Sunday School classes, prayer meetings, and other like purposes. It is very comfortable, and at the upper end is a portion elevated above the remainder, and reached by means of steps. This is to be screened from the other part of the hall by means of a curtain, so that it may be utilized as a vestry. A door opens from it into the manse which leads into the kitchen. The work offered for sale consisted solely of articles left unsold at the Japanese Fancy Fair held during the month of August last, and comprised a quantity of useful and ornamental work, books, dolls, Christmas cards, &c., and a large variety of nick-nacks. Advantage was taken of the sale, to combine with it, the inauguration of the new hall and a sort of public transference of the building to the managers of the Church Street Church. The proceedings began with devotional exercises, after which Rev. J. Rorke, pastor of the congregation, called upon the Town Clerk (Mr R. Douglas) to make some remarks.

The TOWN CLERK said that when Mrs Young first asked him to attend there to open that beautiful hall he confessed he hesitated very much before consenting, because others were more entitled to the honour and because although he perhaps had the pen of a ready writer yet he had not the eloquence
of a ready speaker. (Laughter.) But as Mrs Young had put it to him for the sake of his old friend—her late husband—he was there for that purpose that day. (Applause.) He had known the late Ald. Young for many years. Upon an occasion similar to the present political struggle, that was in 1851 or 1852 when the grandfather of the present Liberal candidate, Sir Edward Grey, was nominated for North Northumberland, his opponent were the present Duke of Northumberland then Lord Lovaine, and the present Earl of Tankerville now Lord Ossulston, the Lord Commissioner, Mr Young and he met at Sir George’s committee room and were very friendly in their disputes. He was a very keen and earnest politician and spared himself no trouble, working out what he thought was the right course. He might mention, to show the esteem and respect in which the late Mr Young was held, that some years afterwards he met Sir George Grey and was passing him by when the hon. baronet stopped him and said, “I think you are from Berwick?” He replied “Yes.” Sir George added—“Your name is Mr Douglas.” He answered again in the affirmative. Sir George then asked him if he knew his old friend Mr Young, and on being informed that he did, Sir George added—“Give my great respect and esteem to him.” Sir George Grey was defeated by a very small number of votes; some 30 or 40.
After that the late Ald. Young and he became colleagues in the borough. He was a capital worker, wise counsellor and active canvasser. The Liberals were very much indebted to him for some of their victories. He simply alluded to that to show the respect and esteem in which the late Ald. Young was held by Lord Tweedmouth. He and only Sir Dudley Marjoribanks then. His lordship was passing through the town shortly after the death of Ald. Young, and, finding he had a couple of hours to spare, he went out to visit Mrs Young to express his sympathy and regret at her great loss. (Applause.) Mr Young was a member of the Town Council, an Alderman, Sheriff and twice Mayor—the highest honour his town could confer upon him. (Applause.) These were the simple facts with regard to his public capacity. In his private capacity he was a true and good friend, a capital neighbour, happy hearted, and enlightened in all his views. (Applause.) He was a man who read a great deal, was well versed in natural history and geology. His principal theological books were Adam Clarke and Matthew Henry; he knew these well. He was a very generous and liberal minded man. The only other point he would refer to was in connection with Church Street Church. He believed in 1835, in the time of the late Rev. Mr Young, the late Ald Young became a manager. The congregation knew better than he could possibly tell them, how earnestly and zealously he took an interest in all their affairs, how he adhered to them in all their vicissitudes and trials, through many of which they had gone together. He was one of the best workers that could possibly be got. Indeed one of the very last acts of his life was to appear before the Presbytery as one of the congregational commissioners to apply for a new pastor. (Applause.) His loss, therefore, was much regretted by them and by the whole community. He had
only now to add that in order to perpetuate his good name and memory, Mrs Young had given, not only a handsome stained window to the church which he so long adored, but she had also given that very handsome hall as a memorial of her late husband. (Applause.) He trusted on her accounts that it would be a blessing to the congregation in all the good work which it was now so usefully pursuing. He had now to ask the managers, through Mr W. Young, to accept the gift from Mrs Young, of that noble hall. (Applause.)

Mr W. Young said the Town Clerk had fittingly expressed the sentiments felt by the entire congregation with regard to the late Ald. Young. They accepted that beautiful hall with feelings of great thankfulness, and he had no doubt it would prove of much service to the congregation in all its several
interests. (Applause.)

Rev. J. Rorke read a letter of apology for absence from Ald. A. Darling, who also paid a tribute, in his letter, to the late Ald. Young. He himself (Mr Rorke) would not take up time further. There was a great variety of articles offered for sale, and he trusted they would have an appreciable effect upon the pockets of those present—(laughter)—who, no doubt, were prepared to do them full justice. (Applause.)

The work of the afternoon then proceeded. The ladies presiding at the stalls were—Misses Young, Mrs Douglas, Miss Whitehead, Mrs Rorke, Mrs Young, Bankhead; Mrs Young, St Leonards; Miss Manners, and Miss Bell.

Tea was served during the afternoon. Sales proceeded briskly, and £69 were realised. The proceeds of the sale are to go towards defraying the expenses of furnishing the hall, and purchasing a musical instrument.