Richard Parker - Photos and Memories of the Gilberd 1971-78

Some of Richard Parker's wonderful photos from his time at the school appear in the Gazette on Monday 26th July. (This article was published online here on Saturday 24th July.)

We are very grateful to Richard for sharing the rest of his photos and his recollections below:

I only have happy memories of The Gilberd, I’m sure there were sad ones but I’ve long forgotten them.  And where I left my car keys. Most people did well academically but not me – my fault not schools: too little work and too much sport. From 15 onwards I’d play sport twice a weekend, every weekend – Saturday for school, Sunday for club. And don’t forget mid-week training.

 

When forced together with people of different backgrounds, you slowly gravitate around shared interests. For me it was sports – mainly rugby, cricket and volleyball. I got on really well with the PE staff – Mr McAleavy, Mr McMillan and Mr Smith.  I still see John McAleavy in Wivenhoe and Norman Smith at Colchester RFC – he still looks about 30, I hate him. 

Gilberd 1^st XV 1975. The shirts were highly prized for social purposes!

John Bibby, James Manly, David Baxter, Nick Cutforth, Robert Bunce, Robin Deane, Rick Addis, Derek Langley. 

Steven Ovel, Keith Hannahane, Tim Carmichael, Gareth Jones, Carl Garnham, David Freeman, Andrew Teak. 

Graham Clow, Andrew Sharpe, Steven Springett, Richard Parker. 

As the school years went by, the formality broke down. We slowly accumulated more responsibility and rules in the sixth form became more relaxed. I remember playing at Harwich Rugby Club in the 5^th year (it really was men against boys) and buying my first pint of beer for 25p with my blazer on. It would never happen now. The blazer has gone, the affection for beer has not. 

Gilberd 1^st XI  Old Boys Game 1977

 David Simpson (scorer), Neil Frost, Colin Scott, Kevin Morgan, David Bridgeman, Tim Wright, Mr McAleavy.

Simon Page, Graham Clow, Mr Rouse, Nick Cutforth, Richard Clapp, Russel Hansey, Richard Parker

I keep in touch with a few teammates, but many are spread around the world: Graham Clow in Australia, Nick Cutforth in USA, Neil Frost in Luton. But I stayed local and have been a member of Colchester RFC and Eight Ash Green Cricket Club ever since. 

Old Boys, 1^st XI, 9 July 1977

The school did this properly with lunch at the Cock & Pye.  A great day. 

Michael Springett, Lorenzo Austin, Roger Springett, Richard Polley, Unknown, Howard West, David Latta, Steve Henderson. 

John Bibby, Mr Rouse, Simon Ireland, Unknown, Nick Jarvis.

There are not many Old Gilberdrian rugby players still about – just Gareth Rees and Alan Ghent perhaps. Their are quite a few OG cricketers about though – Russel Hansey, Colin Scott, Richard Polley, Steve Henderson, Mark Paget – the last three are still all playing for Suffolk Over 60s which is amazing.  

Gilberd 1^st XI 1977-78.  

Morgan Littlewood and Michael Symons were two Australians over for the year and were both brilliant players. 

 Tim Wright, Simon Page, Martin Betts, Colin Scott, Graham Clow, Richard Clapp, Andrew Champ, Morgan Littlewood. 

David Holmes, Richard Parker, Neil Frost (c), Russel Hansey, Michael Symons. 

Sadly sports facilities at the Gilberd were so poor – the long walk to Sheepen Road and two decrepit huts to change in. Pitches were usually flooded, despite the best efforts of Tom the Groundsman. We were all grateful for Mr (Mick) Rouse, who put so much into cricket at the school - lots of OGs went to his funeral.

Image of Institute showing the paucity of sporting provision at The Gilberd i.e. two huts!  The third was for the groundsman. 

We used to have to walk from the school, across the car park (market on Saturday), over a stream, and through a wood frequented by rough-types from St Helena to get there. 

My only school award was the first ever ‘Springett Sportsman of the Year’ in 1978. I was standing on shoulders of giants – Michael, Roger and Steve Springett – all went to the Gilberd and were outstanding athletes at every sport. Incredibly, about ten years ago I was in Anglia Trophies and there was the Springett Award, sent for engraving by the school over 30 years later - and my name was still on it! It’s nice to be remembered.

Rome - March 1978

(I'm not sure why, but there was a trip to Rome in March 1978 which didn’t help our A Level preparations! Interestingly, most of these people joined in the sixth form from other schools: Richard Clapp, Claire Scott, Gareth Rees, Susan Bloomfield, Claire Chapman, James Bowdidge, Richard Parker, Richard Copsey, Dawn Goody.)

(Another photo from the same trip. Again, most joined in 1976 rather than 1971: Patty Rios, Graham Clow, Claire Scott, Roz Harvey, Gareth Rees, Liz Owen, Richard Clapp.)

Last Day Photos - 26th May 1978

(Dr Smith - Chemistry)

(Frosty)

(Mr Dobson - Physics)

(Mr McAleavy - Games)

(Mr Stanbrook - Economics)

(Mr Stanbrook again)

Old Boys, 1^st XI, 9 July 1977

(Neil Frost bowling to Simon Ireland. Nick Cutforth keeping wicket.) 

(Russel Hansey being caught by Simon Ireland. David Latta watching at second slip.)

(Kevin Morgan bowling to Michael Springett. Nick Cutforth keeping. Graham Clow at mid off.)

(Neil Frost in action! Michael Springett backing up - I think!)