Bernard Young
It is my sad duty to report the passing of Bernard Young. Bernard was a honorary member and past President of the Society and had been a member since 1971. He had worked in various roles from Archivist, Secretary, Master of Ceremonies and Vice President before becoming President from 1983 until September 1989. I learned this sad news on the evening of 14 February. My thanks to John Walley for the words on Bernard. Peter Pollard 15 February 2017
It is with much sadness that we learn of Bernard Young’s
passing.
During the 1960’s Bernard was working abroad and didn’t join
the GFS until 1971, when he eventually returned to England.
We became good friends and I often visited him at his London
flat. Later he moved to Ellesmere Port on the Wirral with his
wife Pauline. When he found that there was a Society devoted
to his childhood hero he was “astonished”.
He soon became an enthusiastic member, so much so that in
1977 he was elected General Secretary and remained so for
three years. In 1983 Bernard was elected President of the
GFS and did stalwart work for six years. Later he was made
an honorary member.
Bernard was quite friendly with the Formby family and often
called on George’s mother who, almost blind, lived in a
ramshackle terrace house in Warrington with her daughter
Louise. During his Presidency, the BBC sent their cameras to
the Imperial Hotel to film our September meeting and the crew
followed Bernard to his hotel and in the subsequent interview
he talked about the Formby Family, about Beryl and then sang
‘Blackpool Rock’ (sans uke!). Astonishingly, the programme,
‘Arena’, was repeated only last year in a compilation of British
hobbies and interests covered by their show over the past
thirty years and there was Bernard doing his interview! Later
that day the BBC returned to the Imperial and filmed part of
our convention. Bernard would be the first to admit that his
ability on the ukulele was limited and I cannot honestly recall
him ever performing on stage. He did during the last twenty
years acquire some very fine instruments, mainly ‘Ludwigs’
and ‘Gibsons’ from the USA.
Sadly, Bernard was diagnosed with diabetes and in his later
years was very poorly indeed. After Pauline passed away he
continued to live in Ellesmere Port and had a lot of assistance
from social services. Last year his health declined further and
he went live in with his son Steven, in South Africa, where he
passed away following a heart attack.
All of us in the GFS send sincere condolences to Bernard’s
family. May he rest in peace.
John Walley
17 February 2017
bernard young
Bernard Young
It is my sad duty to report the passing of Bernard Young. Bernard was a honorary member and past President of the Society and had been a member since 1971. He had worked in various roles from Archivist, Secretary, Master of Ceremonies and Vice President before becoming President from 1983 until September 1989. I learned this sad news on the evening of 14 February. My thanks to John Walley for the words on Bernard. Peter Pollard 15 February 2017
It is with much sadness that we learn of Bernard Young’s
passing.
During the 1960’s Bernard was working abroad and didn’t join
the GFS until 1971, when he eventually returned to England.
We became good friends and I often visited him at his London
flat. Later he moved to Ellesmere Port on the Wirral with his
wife Pauline. When he found that there was a Society
devoted to his childhood hero he was “astonished”.
He soon became an enthusiastic member, so much so that in
1977 he was elected General Secretary and remained so for
three years. In 1983 Bernard was elected President of the
GFS and did stalwart work for six years. Later he was made
an honorary member.
Bernard was quite friendly with the Formby family and often
called on George’s mother who, almost blind, lived in a
ramshackle terrace house in Warrington with her daughter
Louise. During his Presidency, the BBC sent their cameras to
the Imperial Hotel to film our September meeting and the
crew followed Bernard to his hotel and in the subsequent
interview he talked about the Formby Family, about Beryl and
then sang ‘Blackpool Rock’ (sans uke!). Astonishingly, the
programme, ‘Arena’, was repeated only last year in a
compilation of British hobbies and interests covered by their
show over the past thirty years and there was Bernard doing
his interview! Later that day the BBC returned to the Imperial
and filmed part of our convention. Bernard would be the first
to admit that his ability on the ukulele was limited and I cannot
honestly recall him ever performing on stage. He did during
the last twenty years acquire some very fine instruments,
mainly ‘Ludwigs’ and ‘Gibsons’ from the USA.
Sadly, Bernard was diagnosed with diabetes and in his later
years was very poorly indeed. After Pauline passed away he
continued to live in Ellesmere Port and had a lot of assistance
from social services. Last year his health declined further and
he went live in with his son Steven, in South Africa, where he
passed away following a heart attack.
All of us in the GFS send sincere condolences to Bernard’s
family. May he rest in peace.
John Walley
17 February 2017
