Chris Young 1947- 2024
Chris Young, who was one of the first journalists in BBC Local Radio and a life member of the NUJ, has died after a short illness aged 77.
Chris was a Mirror Group trainee and worked on various newspapers in South Devon, Torbay and then the Cambridge Evening News before joining the BBC’s first new “experimental” local radio station, Radio Brighton in 1970. His news editor there,Tony Talmage, described Chris as “an editor’s dream. He’d always come back with the story and get it on air by the deadline. He would not let you down.”
His next job was as a television reporter at Anglia TV based in Norwich where he became a keen supporter of Norwich City football club, a passion which lasted the rest of his life and saw him travel the country to support his team even when he lived 400 miles away. Chris stayed in Norfolk for 16 years and was a familiar face on ITV’s regional news bulletins.
His next move was to Cornwall and a short time as the county council’s press officer before returning to journalism at the West Briton newspaper and finally completing the circle with a return to BBC local radio at Radio Cornwall, where he worked until his retirement in 2012.
Colleagues from throughout his career have described his integrity, compassion and social conscience. He was an active member of the NUJ throughout out his working life and was awarded life membership when he retired. Chris was on the picket line at the most recent strikes supporting his former colleagues in a protest against BBC local radio cuts.
Chris’s son Trystan, who is a BBC journalist and NUJ member, said “His integrity, wisdom and compassion were an inspiration to his friends, family and colleagues. His passing has left a gap in so many people’s lives. His family miss him so much but take comfort from the many people whose lives he touched.”
In retirement he joined the Samaritans and eventually became one of their trainers. He also volunteered at his local Food Bank.
Hundreds of people were in the congregation at Truro Cathedral for his memorial service on December 16th, 2024. Chris leaves four adult children, Alex, Jessamy, Tamara and Trystan, and his partner Linda.
Tribute by David George