In Profile – George Stewart         Iain Todd

Ever since the age of 5 George has been singing a joyful song unto the Lord, as the psalmist exhorts us all to do!

From that tender age he was part of the Thurso Salvation Army Singing Company. They sang a solo of 'Still the night' at Christmas time to grey faced German POWs with tears streaming down their faces, he first discovered the spiritual power of music - and to this day he has believed passionately in singing to God's glory - in conveying the message from the Lord - not as a performance but as an offering to God.

When I was asked to interview George I was delighted to accept but George's response was typically humble - ' there must be more interesting folk in the church'.

My problem has been to condense and do justice to such a rich, varied and fascinating life.

Born into a Salvation Army family in Thurso in 1938, George's mother was from Thurso and his father was a fisherman from Aberdeen. He has two sisters and also an adopted brother and sister. He was educated in Thurso, finding his bent in technical subjects, which was to stand him in good stead in later life. He left school at 14, without any formal certificates, to help the family, as his father was unwell. Fortunately his dad recovered and joined the Prison Service and in 1953 the family moved to Inverness when he was posted to Porterfield.

After a short stint in Camerons, licensed grocers in Queensgate, George gained a joinery apprenticeship with Caledonian Builders, starting off at the princely sum of 6d farthing per hour. For our younger readers , a farthing was a small round bronze coin, a quarter of an old penny!

George was actively involved with the Salvation Army in Fraser Street singing in the choir and then becoming the solo tenor horn. The family attended worship at least twice on a Sunday and other mid week events. His musical passion provided what was to become a life changing meeting for at the age of 18 he spied Elizabeth Grant, one of the songsters. George was immediately captivated by her and in October 1958 they married - so this is a big year for them! George became the Choirmaster at the ripe old age of 19 - not bad for a boy who had never had a singing lesson - and still hasn't!

He finished an interesting apprenticeship and then got called up to do his National Service with the RAF. There his musical talent was allowed to flourish and, as has happened so often in his life, his faith opened doors for him and he eventually got the move he sought - RAF Kinloss - to complete his service.

George and Elizabeth were blessed with the arrival of Mark, just before he was demobbed, at which time he joined the Inverness Burgh Police. Daughter Sharon was born in Inverness where her dad was one of 3 bobbies on the Westside beat which he covered for 7 great years, really enjoying getting to know the families on his patch. This was before the arrival of panda cars and personal radios. He recalls that he was obliged to be in sight of street-mounted police pillars every 30 minutes, for if HQ had a message for him the light on the top would flash!! A move to Court Officer at the Sheriff Court followed and then to become the Crime Prevention Officer for the entire force area which he really enjoyed. He finished his service in 1992, having become the Force Architectural Liaison Officer who had a security input into all planning applications in the Highlands. Throughout his career he enjoyed serving the people and always tried to do so in a loving Christian way.

The family joined Ness Bank Church in 1969 and, thanks to his sister-in-law Jaye Rankine, they moved to St Stephens in 1986 and felt at home very quickly, thanks to Ian McIntosh's pastoral care and fine preaching and the warmth of the folks in the pews. He was ordained as an elder and needed little encouragement to join the choir, of which he remains today one of the mainstays. He is a great encouragement and inspiration to lesser mortals in the choir and the congregation also love to hear the warmth and depth of his solo voice.

George and Elizabeth are now blessed with 4 grand daughters and the musical genes continue to flourish - his lovely smiling face lights up as he recalls the most recent 'jam session' they had with various members of the family!

Long may he continue to use his God -given talent to sing his joyful song to the Lord!