Steve Turner's Unseen Gilberd School Photos - Part Two

Steve Turner in the 1980s

Welcome to the second part of our publication of Steve Turner's Gilberd School photos. You can view images from the first part of this collection here. 

Eddie Ross knew Steve well and kept in regular touch with him over the years. To introduce this selection of photos Eddie wanted to share his recollections of Steve:

I first met Steve in 1967 when he joined the Gilberd as an 11 year old. I was his German teacher in class 1G.

Steve was a very alert pupil with an inquisitive mind. He showed a keen interest in German and just a few years ago he asked me about a lesson which I had taught around 1972 about a German who allegedly spoke 72 languages.

He often spoke German with me but he was interested in a wide range of subjects, was very widely read and could talk about literature, art, music, philosophy and many other subjects.

His father was head engineer at Paxmans and Steve inherited his technological ability. He could turn his hand to most things technical and was always willing to help others.

At the Gilberd, Steve thrived under the tuition of Mr. Stanley Burrows, the metalwork teacher, who had done advanced engineering in the RAF during the war and in aeronautics before becoming a teacher. He had a lot to offer beyond the O Level syllabus, and Steve made good use of his extensive knowledge.

Steve was a keen cyclist and restored many a classic bicycle to life. I myself am using a Dawes bike which Steve lovingly refurbished a few years ago.

He loved gardening and kept the family garden in Rowhedge in beautiful condition despite a constant struggle with badgers.

One of his main interests was photography, mainly black and white. He had a wide range of cameras and did his own developing and printing.

Conversation with Steve never finished. It went endlessly from one topic to another. He was a good listener and also knowledgeable on countless topics.

The vast majority of these photos have never been published before and those that have can be viewed in high quality for the first time. If you click on any image you can view a higher quality version of it.

The final part of Steve's collection of photos will be published next week.

Because we can now see these images in high quality we can read what’s on the board at the front of the school in the photo above - ‘Disco tickets on sale today - Room 4 - 30p’.