LETTERs

Fine tribute to a unique man

The report of John Young's memorial service by Adam Edwards perfectly captured the atmosphere and sense of occasion at Southwark Cathedral and in the Wheatsheaf, the Young's house nearby.

I have never attended the funeral of a drinker, a brewer or a licensee without at least one friend or relative holding up a pint glass, proclaiming: "This is the way old so-and-so would have liked to go",

and then tucking in with great relish. I heard this sentiment several times as we emptied the casks of Young's Bitter that had been set up in a marquee beside the cathedral and I probably said it myself. It was the way John Young would have liked it. And Adam Edwards's fine article is how he would have liked it to be reported.

Thank you for a fine tribute to a unique man.

Michael Hardman

Head of Public Relations, Young's Brewery, Wandsworth,

South West London

Moving memorial to John Young

Congratulations on the space and the style you devoted to John Young's memorial service at Southwark Cathedral.

This was truly one of the great industry occasions - 1,200 colleagues, family and friends celebrating a good man and a great champion of beer and pubs and people, and undoubtedly there were 10 times more, feeling the same, but who could not be at the wonderful and moving service on 30 November.

But there is a parallel story. Picture a car moving smoothly and not too fast on the roads between the Brewing Research Institute in Nutfield, Surrey, and Bedford. In the car was Ken Don, former head brewer of Young's, and cradled in his arms was the flask of the yeast strain for Young's Special. The yeast had been collected from the yeast repository at Nutfield, where copies are kept securely to insure against infection or other cataclysm.

So when we saw the four huge Young's Shire horses stamping magnificently away from the cathedral and perhaps blinked away a bit of emotion at the end of an era, we can surely also take satisfaction and comfort from the new chapter of that wonderful ale being born calmly and expertly at the Eagle Brewery.

Nick Bish

Chief Executive Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers,

John Kain's ceremony in Bury

I wonder if I could add to your brief notice on the passing of John Kain.

On Friday 5 December more than 300 friends and family gathered at St Peter's Church, Bury, to pay their respects to John.

A past governor of the Society of Licensed Victuallers and "J&B" Personality of the Year award winner, John, as reported last week, was a serving trustee of the Licensed Trade Charity from its inception.

Tributes and readings were made by both his daughter, Joanne, and son, Philip. A very moving tribute was made by the Rev Malcolm Smith who reflected on John's humour, his humble beginnings and his willingness always to help others less fortunate than himself. His great love of the trade, his family, fishing and at all times his wonderful sense of humour. The early years of Pat, his wife, and John's beginnings in the licensed trade to their last freehouse, the Albert Park Inn in Salford.

Many of us will have very fond memories of John, his kindness, his generosity and at all times his wicked sense of humour. The trade has again lost a great character and the charity, a great supporter.

Colin Wheeler

Chief Executive, The Licensed Trade Charity