Our very own talented Master Craftsman Tom Young has been honoured with a top award marking his long contribution to glassmaking.
Tom was presented with the prestigious Provost’s Award for Arts and Culture during a glitzy ceremony at Stirling Castle.
He was given the Stirling Council honour in recognition of his amazing achievements in glassblowing since starting out as an apprentice aged 16.
During a long career, Tom has created many innovative glass products by hand using traditional methods - including our popular whisky-filled Angels and unique whisky water droppers.
A founding member of the Scottish Glass Society, he was also one of the first two Scots to be named a `Master Craftsman’ by the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers.
Tom worked at Stirling University from 1977 and founded Village Glass in Bridge of Allan in 1987 as an outlet for the imaginative products he created in his spare time.
He retired in 2011 before coming out of retirement to help his daughter Karen Somerville establish our award-winning family firm Angels’ Share Glass three years ago.
Tom says: “I was honoured and delighted to be given this award which was totally unexpected.
“I had no idea I was being considered for it and it means a lot to me because it has come from the local community where I have lived, worked and brought up my family for the past 50 years.
“Glassmaking is my passion in life and I’m pleased to be able to continue to work and to train apprentices who will help keep the tradition alive.”
Proud daughter Karen says: “We’ve always known that my dad creates amazing products and it’s lovely for him to be recognised in this way and for his fantastic talents to be rewarded.”