Tributes paid to Anne Younger
David Knox • Published 19 Oct 2012 09:30
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TRIBUTES have been paid to the woman who almost single-handedly brought the theatre back to Peebles.
Anne Younger died on Monday following a lengthy battle with illness.
But the 73-year-old wife of Captain David Younger, Lord Lieutenant for Tweeddale, will leave behind a legacy from her years of public service.
As well as her term representing Peeblesshire on Scottish Borders Council she was more recently an active member of Upper Tweeddale Community Council.
Anne held many senior public positions, including chair of Scottish Borders Tourist Board, as she strived to help the region that she loved.
But the one contribution she will be best remembered for is her dedication and commitment to creating a theatre and arts centre in Peebles.
It is unlikley the Eastgate Theatre would ever have gone beyond the initial planning stages without Anne Younger's drive.
Caroline Adam, general manager at the theatre, said: "Anne Younger was one of the most generous people I've ever known.
"She seemed to carry happiness around with her, and shared it freely with the people she met. She had great resources of energy and enthusiasm for many good causes, and a great ability to give wise counsel just when it was needed.
"The transformation of a run-down Victorian church into the strikingly modernised building that is the Eastgate Theatre was due in large part to Anne's vision, commitment and many long hours of hard work as Chair of the Board of Directors in the early days.
"In recent years, as Honorary President, as a committee member of the Friends of the Eastgate, and as an active volunteer, Anne continued to find time to support the theatre's activities in many different ways, and to celebrate its achievements. We will all miss her tremendously."
Current convenor of Scottish Borders Council, Graham Garvie, also expressed his deep sympathy this week at the passing of his long-time friend.
He told the Peeblesshire News: "The Borders in general, and Tweeddale in particular, has suffered a great loss in the untimely death of Anne Younger.
"A true friend to many, she devoted herself enthusiastically to both family and public service in many different ways.
"In particular, when others may have doubted, Anne never wavered in her enthusiasm for the building of a multi-million pound Theatre and Arts Centre out of a disused church.
"She was the driver who secured the resources and converted dreams into the reality which is the splendid Eastgate Theatre.
"She will be sorely missed."
A private family funeral will take place with a Thanksgiving Service to be held at a later date in Peebles.
Amongst the many who came forward this week to pay tribute was former Liberal leader David Steel. Lord Steel told us: "With the death of Anne Younger Peeblesshire and the Borders have lost one of their most dedicated public servants.
"As an independent councillor, as the driving motivator of the creation of the Eastgate Theatre and as the caring consort of the Lord Lieutenant, Captain David Younger, her modest but infectious enthusiasm inspired many, and her loss will be greatly felt."
Anne Younger is survived by her husband, Captain David Younger, their children and their grandchildren.
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