York journalist John Alston Scott dies age 95

John Alston Scott, MBE, who was the Yorkshire Post’s chief reporter in York for some 40 years passed away on Wednesday, June 7, at York Hospital.

His funeral will be held at York Crematorium on Monday, June 26, at 10.20am.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years Meriel Scott, their daughter Penny, and grandchildren James and Louise.

Born in Newcastle, John was evacuated from the city to Wales during the war, and then his family moved to York just in time for the York Blitz, in 1942.

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John started his journalism career at The Press – then the Yorkshire Evening Press – as a copy boy in Coney Street, which involved carrying copy from the sub editors on the top floor of the ancient building down several flights of stairs to the hot metal printing machines in the basement.

Then following his time in National Service in the War Office in London, he joined the Yorkshire Post in 1948.

John spent most of his life in York, and reported defining moments in the city's recent history, including when York Minster caught fire in 1984, and the discovery of a Viking city beneath Coppergate in 1978.

He visited Yorkshire soldiers serving in Belize, Central America, Cyprus, Germany, and Norway, and closer to home, he visited Northern Ireland during the troubles, and went out on armed foot patrols with the soldiers in Londonderry.

On one patrol he had bricks thrown at him, thankfully bounced off the armoured car he was travelling in.

Despite his success, he almost didn't became a journalist, originally wanting to be a railway engineer, but didn’t pass the interview as he was colour blind.

Outside of journalism, he was a parish councillor for Strensall for nearly 40 years, and a chairman for the village hall committee, and had the hall room named after him – The Scott Room.

He was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2013 for services to York and Strensall.

During retirement, he studied a BA Degree in English Literature at the University of York at the age of 62, having missed out on university when he was younger due to the war.

John Alston Scott, with his book, University At Last (Image: Supplied)

He graduated with a 2:1 and described the three years as “the most stimulating and satisfying years” of his life, but felt a keen sense of loss upon finishing.

He recalled in The Press in 2010: “Everybody was waltzing around saying ‘I’m going to teach English in Japan!' or ‘I’m going to be a barrister!'.

“And I was thinking, ‘what am I going to do? It’s retirement all over again'.”

He went back to writing and authored two York city guides and four books, including three autobiographies detailing his life during the war, his time as a journalist, and at university.

In his free time, John was a member of the York Archaeological Trust, and was a keen tennis player.

He was a founder member and later President of the York Tennis Club, still playing the game in his 90s.