Revd Andrew Young

We were deeply saddened to hear the news of alumnus and benefactor of the College, Revd Andrew John Young who passed away Saturday, 15 January 2022. We are much blessed by Andrew’s generous bequest which will enable us to continue training people for ministry for God’s church. Andrew’s brother Peter Young, has kindly shared the following tribute.

Andrew was born in late 1950 in Yeovil under the wing of the relatively new NHS system, and it soon became apparent that he was not as robust as other children, needing constant care for the effects of Asthma and Eczema until around 11/12yrs when he ‘grew out’ of them. He also had a severe allergy to all fish and fish products which restricted his lifetime diet.

He shared a great love of music with other members of family, especially at Christmas time gathered around the piano with 4-part harmonies from parents, aunts and uncles. By 8 years of age Andrew became a chorister at St. John Baptist, Yeovil with his brother and remained a member until he left for university, returning to swell the numbers during holiday times. His voice never truly broke and he continued to sing counter tenor or alto well into his 60s.

After leaving Milford junior school he attended the Yeovil School from 1962, an all-boys grammar school, eventually being appointed Head Boy in his last year. He was a true academic preferring the humanities over science and was never really a sporting type despite competing in most of the school’s sport’s activities, including boxing!

Leaving school in 1969 Andrew took a year out from academia joining Westland Helicopters (office based) to gain experience working in industry before leaving Yeovil in 1970 for Durham University, where he spent the next 3 years at St. John’s College, attaining a BA in History with theology. His love of music continued here where he enjoyed the company of other students as part of various choirs including that of the college of St. John’s performing recitals and services in the college chapel.

In 1973 he entered Westcott House college, Cambridge to complete his preparation for the ministry. This was completed in 1975 when he was finally ordained Deacon in Gloucester Cathedral on 29 June by the Rt Revd Roger Deakin, Bishop of Tewkesbury.

Andrew’s curacy was to be at Nailsworth in the Diocese of Gloucester where he quickly integrated himself into the community, especially working with the younger generation and I believe the young wives group. Sadly, his calling was brought to an abrupt end with catastrophic injuries as a result of an RTA in September that year. With severe mental and physical damage sustained, and following almost 2 years of rehabilitation and hospitalisation, he returned to Yeovil to be cared for by our mother until her passing in 2002. Since then, he had been a resident at West Abbey residential care home in Yeovil. He was encouraged to attend church services mainly at Tintinhull at the invitation of the then incumbent, who also mentored Andrew for his priesting in Wells Cathedral, by Rt Revd Nigel Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Taunton on 7 February 1989. He was able to assist with the administration of communion which he often did in full clerical dress until the effort to ready himself in good time became too onerous. He did however assist and participate with the services at West Abbey for many years.

He always enjoyed socialising and with ‘buddy visitors’ was able to enjoy many days out at local places of interest including Sherborne Abbey, Wells, art galleries and Montacute House to name just a few. He loved watching TV and listening to choral music, but his great loves were cricket and comedy. He was an avid devotee to Dads Army, Kenneth Williams and the Carry-On films, and the murder mysteries of Agatha Christi. This gave rise to him having a number of stock phrases including ‘Say Nothing’ whenever he was called out for some misdemeanour! He retained a wonderful sense of humour and was often heard laughing and joking with other residents and carers.

To sum up, he was a kind, generous and compassionate individual whose life was one of sadness, but which he rarely admitted or showed, remaining a devout Christian to the end.

Peter Young – Feb.2023