A MASTER craftsman who has been glassblowing for more than 60 years has said he is “overwhelmed” to receive an MBE.
Tom Young, 79, is recognised for services to glassblowing in the New Year honours list. He began work as an apprentice glassmaker aged 16, learning the technical skills to create scientific glassware and working for firms which supplied scientific instruments.
He worked in universities before setting up his own business and a few years ago came out of retirement to found Angels’ Share Glass with his daughter.
Commenting on his MBE, he said: “I’m overwhelmed, humbled and very grateful for this award, which I never expected to receive and had no idea I had been nominated for.
“Glassmaking is my passion in life and is something I’ve done and enjoyed doing for the past 60 years.
“Glassmaking is a great Scottish creative industry and I’m still training apprentices who will help keep the tradition alive for many years to come.”
Young, who lives in Bridge of Allan near Stirling, worked for Loughborough University before returning to his native Scotland to take up a post at the newly-opened Stirling University in 1967.
He worked for all the university’s science departments while also developing his own creative skills – setting up a home workshop and producing innovative glass gifts such as pigs with a half-penny sealed inside.
He was one of the first two Scots to be named “master craftsman” by the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers in 1977 and was a founding member of the Scottish Glass Society.
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