Nigel Dennis Young (28 Apr 1945 - 4 Sep 2016)

In loving memory of Nigel Dennis Young who sadly passed away on 4th September 2016

Our Dad

Built in 1937, Sir Nigel Gresley – an A4 class steam locomotive was named after its designer.

Early in 1945 Nanny Young was at a level crossing in Stamford when the train passed and if the baby was a boy, the name had been chosen.

Our Dad was born 28th April 1945, the youngest child of Horace and Francis – brother to Dorothy, Ray, Ivor, Myra, Colin, Vida and Peter – sadly Peter didn’t survive infancy.

Dad’s arrival was a complete surprise to Myra and Vida who had been sent to live with an aunt in Colsterworth – long enough to go to school there, returning home to be introduced to their new baby brother.

Dad was Stamford born and bred living at 1 Trafalgar Terrace, very close to the rec – we all have very fond childhood memories of going to see the fair arrive and start setting up there before delivering slippers to Nanny Young for Mother’s Day.

Going to the fair became a tradition that continues today – we will miss dad swinging the carriage at the top of the big wheel, racing us around the cape walk and daring us to go on bigger and better rides as the years passed. We have all been scarred or life after Dad introduced us to Rona the rat woman.

As the baby of the family, growing up Dad spent a lot of time with his older sisters Myra and Vida who must have been very patient with the little boy hanging around –pushing his pram up Green lane and when a little older taking him to the beach.

As a young boy dad enjoyed fishing at the meadows – something we also did with Dad, learnt to play the violin and swimming in the outdoor pool.

As a young teenager Dad stayed with Vida and John when Nanny and Grandpa Young went to visit Dorothy in Hull and even moved house with them. Dad also spent time with Myra when Ray went off to do his National Service – returning the favour helping to look after his niece, Julie.

23 May 1959 – Sir Nigel Gresley set a speed record of 112 mph – for those of us who still use old money or 180 km/h with a full train of passengers. We can’t help but think that Dad’s love of speed whether on land or water was inspired by this event.

Dad left school and became an apprentice panel beater and then started his own business with a major customer being Mike Hindmarch – this was the start of a long business relationship with Mike and his family which has lasted until today.

Our Mum, Viv and Dad met in 1963, followed by marriage in 1965 – Dad now shared his birthday with his new mother-in-law, the newly-weds set-up home in Blackfriar Street in Stamford.

1966 saw the arrival of Nicole – a memorable year, nothing to do with England winning the World Cup.

The sale of Dad’s car to raise the deposit meant a move to Chatsworth Road in Stamford – this was swiftly followed by the arrival of Charlotte in 1968.

Chatsworth road is where our family was extended to include the Horspools – we think we can speak for both families when we say that growing up would not have been the same without our shared Xmases and summer holidays.

A move to Scotgate in Stamford followed where Adam arrived in 1971 – the first night in our new home, Nicky and Charlotte crept down to the shop in the early hours of the morning and took every car sticker from the shop to redecorate our kitchen, neither of our parents were impressed with their interior design skills.

1972 - we moved again, this time to Ryhall, Mum, Dad, and the two labs Rusty and Judy. There was the time when Dad brought home a fox thinking it would be a great pet – it was swiftly sent back to where it came from by Mum, much to our disappointment

We were allowed to keep the feral kitten – Inkspot, Inky for short that Dad brought home, not producing her until he had told us the following tale – Dad then said something along the lines of “I’ve found this kitten on its own at work – separated from its mother and thirsty – it had started to drink petrol” we are all listening with bated breath – and asked what happened next, Dad continued “it started running around very erratically and then just stopped dead” we then all asked what happened to it – thinking the worst – Dad continued with “it had run out of petrol” and produced this tiny, furry black blob.

1973, Leanne arrived and our family home was bursting at the seams – an extension was built but there was still not enough room for the chimp that Dad would’ve really loved to have had, although we did wake up one Sunday morning to a Shetland pony in the garden – unfortunately it’s owner came forward.

Family life continued for a number of years – long, hot summers (why are childhood summers always long and hot). We were introduced to and shared dad’s love of speed from the simple pleasures of driving along Nine Bridges or taking off over a humpback bridge to trial bikes and speed boats. To this day Adam thinks he got away with telling dad he took out the sump in his car by going into a pot hole when he really replicated an incident Dad had had previously.

Around 1982 our lives changed - business took a dive and Dad went bankrupt, we moved house yet again, Mum and Dad divorced.

Lucy and her family came into our lives – many more happy memories were created.

Water Furlong became Dad and Lucy’s home – the birthplace of Lucy’s kitchen and home to Charlotte whilst attending Rutland College.

Priory Autos was born and Adam joined Dad when he was 17 as his apprentice, teaching him everything he knew – Dad and Adam shared a passion for classic cars. Out of Dad’s ability to negotiate a deal and Adam’s ability to restore anything, they shared a very special bond. When the Humber was restored it went straight from the workshop to their first car show on Stamford Meadows – Dad still has the Trophy for ‘Best of Show’, a very stand out moment for father and son. Working together every day, Dad and Adam shared a special connection and Adam is proud to be carrying on the family business.

June 1988 Dad became a granddad for the first time when Jacob arrived, although he did ask if he could be called Uncle Nigel as he didn’t feel old enough to be a Grandad.

July 1988 Dad and Lucy married swiftly followed by the arrival of Karli – the role of Grandad was starting to sit a bit better with Dad.

Ragstone Cottage in Barnack became home, Lucy’s kitchen was relocated and Dad’s love of horses was ignited with Jelly and Droman in a paddock close by. Charlotte was re-homed again and arrived with Karli and Sam this time. Tractor rides were illicitly enjoyed by the grandkids on Dad’s first vintage tractors – we don’t know whose field it was but if you’re here we apologise on Dad’s behalf.

1995 – Dad had a 50th birthday party at Priory Autos with local band ‘March to the Grave’ playing. Saul conveniently arrived 5 days early so that Nicky could attend. Adam you’ve a tradition to uphold in 2021 for your 50th!

Sam, Fern, Saul, Jordan, Freya, Joshua, Ethan and Ava all arrived at fairly regular intervals bringing the total of grandkids to ten.

1999 - A move to Belmont House accommodated the growth in Lucy’s kitchen, enabled Dad to indulge in his passion for anything mechanical that he could collect (by collect we mean beg, steal, borrow, barter or buy if he really had to). Guess who made the move here from Ragstone Cottage too – Charlotte, Karli and Sam.

Mel and Moss came into Dad and Lucy’s lives along with a number of cats, chickens and ducks – but still no chimp!

2002 – Mel Wilson tragically died leaving Dad and Lucy with a hole in their hearts

2007 – Lucy’s 50th – a cowboy party and Dad had a great time lulling us all into a false sense of security on the Rodeo Bull before unceremoniously dumping us.

A visit to Dad was never without an invite to come and look in his shed and admire his latest acquisition slash project - Dad’s passion for cars, motorbikes, boats, anything vintage or retro, was shared by us all but especially Adam.– Dad ruled nothing out as a project.

We have been asked many times to validate our children boasting to friends that their Grandad owned the fastest production motorbike – a Suzuki Hayabusa. Proud Grandchildren of a proud Grandad.

Dad and Lucy and Dad’s harem otherwise known as the girls in the kitchen had many foreign adventures to far flung places – from Barbados to Hunstanton and back with many places in between.

Dad really enjoyed the simple things in life with Lucy – especially taking the motorhome and Moss out to the East Coast

Burghley was an annual event and Dad took great delight in getting as many family and friends in for free, hidden in the back of his van.

2011 – we sadly lost Lucy and worried that Dad would not be able to go on but he did with the support of us, Lucy’s family and friends.

Maureen and her family came into dad’s life when he was ready to laugh again and make new memories – sadly, their time was too short.

We sadly lost our dad in the evening of 4th September to cancer – it was, without a shadow of doubt, Dad’s worst nightmare but he showed us an inner strength that we didn’t know he had. When he passed away he was surrounded by love.

We have, each of us, inherited elements of the essence of Dad; his big grin, his cheeky sense of humour, his calm and fair demeanor, his instinct for a deal, the worry gene and the ability to peel an orange in his pocket so he didn’t have to share.

Dad was a man of few words but each of us knew we were loved - Dad you’ve seen us grow from children to adults and we hope we’ve made you proud, as we are of you

Nigel was son, brother, uncle, friend, husband, partner – but to us, he was, and will always be, our Dad

Nicky, Charlotte, Adam & Leanne
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