Steve Turner's Unseen Gilberd School Photos - Part Three
I'm very grateful to Steve's sister, Carolyn Donnelly, for sharing with us the eulogy that was read at Steve's funeral. For those who would like to know a little more about Steve or those who would like to be reminded of him, we are publishing the eulogy below to accompany these final photos:
As a child he was bright, curious and imaginative and starting to use the talents he developed throughout his life. Much later, he had a great interest in the teachings of Carl Jung, who said "What did you do as a child that made the hours pass like minutes? Herein lies the key to your earthly pursuits". Steve certainly seemed to take that advice. He always loved making things, and fixing things, and being on wheels - whether that was two, three or four, with or without a motor. Fortunately, other childhood pursuits were dropped - like lighting a fire in a biscuit tin in his bedroom, or jumping off the garage roof, or taking his sister down the steep hill of Albion Street on a go-cart. But, also fortunately, he never lost his childlike enthusiasm and delight in the small pleasures of life.
At school he learnt to play the trumpet and this developed into a life-long love of music. He taught himself to play bass guitar and was in many bands in the 70s, playing at venues throughout the county. He worked as a guitar repairer and even made his own instruments. He composed music too and latterly loved recording with his friend, Kes, in his beloved caravan.
He was an active and talented photographer and worked both in a freelance capacity and, when he lived in Colne, Lancashire, became the resident photographer at Pendle Heritage Centre. When he moved back to Rowhedge, he taught photography at an Adult Community College, and was so popular that some of his students customised an "Action Man" to look like Steve as a thank you present.
It was while he was living in Colne that his love for cycling really developed. He would cycle for miles and miles through the damp, dry-stone-walled moors of the Lancashire countryside at the weekends, on "Desperate Dan", or another of his bikes, stopping off at a telephone box in the middle of nowhere to phone home. In recent years he loved taking off on one of his bikes along the river for chips at Wivenhoe Quay, or into town for coffee and a bit of shopping.
He liked nothing more than rooting around in junk shops or charity shops and it was rare that he came home without some "treasure" for his collection. Although he accumulated so much stuff, he always knew exactly where things were and could retrieve them easily when they came up in conversation.
His wide interests and encyclopaedic knowledge led to a love of quizzes and general knowledge crosswords. He was his sister and brother in laws "go to" for answers about such varied subjects as music or physics as he had the rare combination of a deep understanding of both the arts and sciences.
Steve was a kind and gentle man, engaging and funny, cheery and enthusiastic, and loyal and loving to his family and friends. He had so many interests and loved talking to people, often with a roll-up on the go, or sipping his home-made wine. There are so many stories in the letters we have been sent these last few weeks giving examples of his thoughtfulness and practical help, his "willing and helpful hands". A neighbour told of Steve stopping his motorbike to rescue him as a child from bullies in Albion Street.
Steve was unique, a one of a kind, someone content in his later years to adopt life in the slow lane, living his life on his own terms. He was never happier than gardening, or pottering in the caravan or rebuilding a bike. He was a talented and treasured soul.
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” C G Jung
Steven was born at home in Rowhedge in December 1955 and after a difficult birth was rushed with his mother to Colchester hospital. We are all here today because he survived that perilous beginning and became someone we all loved.
As a child he was bright, curious and imaginative and starting to use the talents he developed throughout his life. Much later, he had a great interest in the teachings of Carl Jung, who said "What did you do as a child that made the hours pass like minutes? Herein lies the key to your earthly pursuits". Steve certainly seemed to take that advice. He always loved making things, and fixing things, and being on wheels - whether that was two, three or four, with or without a motor. Fortunately, other childhood pursuits were dropped - like lighting a fire in a biscuit tin in his bedroom, or jumping off the garage roof, or taking his sister down the steep hill of Albion Street on a go-cart. But, also fortunately, he never lost his childlike enthusiasm and delight in the small pleasures of life.
At school he learnt to play the trumpet and this developed into a life-long love of music. He taught himself to play bass guitar and was in many bands in the 70s, playing at venues throughout the county. He worked as a guitar repairer and even made his own instruments. He composed music too and latterly loved recording with his friend, Kes, in his beloved caravan.
He was an active and talented photographer and worked both in a freelance capacity and, when he lived in Colne, Lancashire, became the resident photographer at Pendle Heritage Centre. When he moved back to Rowhedge, he taught photography at an Adult Community College, and was so popular that some of his students customised an "Action Man" to look like Steve as a thank you present.
It was while he was living in Colne that his love for cycling really developed. He would cycle for miles and miles through the damp, dry-stone-walled moors of the Lancashire countryside at the weekends, on "Desperate Dan", or another of his bikes, stopping off at a telephone box in the middle of nowhere to phone home. In recent years he loved taking off on one of his bikes along the river for chips at Wivenhoe Quay, or into town for coffee and a bit of shopping.
He liked nothing more than rooting around in junk shops or charity shops and it was rare that he came home without some "treasure" for his collection. Although he accumulated so much stuff, he always knew exactly where things were and could retrieve them easily when they came up in conversation.
His wide interests and encyclopaedic knowledge led to a love of quizzes and general knowledge crosswords. He was his sister and brother in laws "go to" for answers about such varied subjects as music or physics as he had the rare combination of a deep understanding of both the arts and sciences.
Steve was a kind and gentle man, engaging and funny, cheery and enthusiastic, and loyal and loving to his family and friends. He had so many interests and loved talking to people, often with a roll-up on the go, or sipping his home-made wine. There are so many stories in the letters we have been sent these last few weeks giving examples of his thoughtfulness and practical help, his "willing and helpful hands". A neighbour told of Steve stopping his motorbike to rescue him as a child from bullies in Albion Street.
Another said Steve would always be generous in offering help and advice, even about goldfish-keeping. A friend describes a cycling holiday in Holland where he maintained everyone's bikes and planned the routes. Another remembers all the long hours they spent discussing music and life over curry and drinks.
Steve was unique, a one of a kind, someone content in his later years to adopt life in the slow lane, living his life on his own terms. He was never happier than gardening, or pottering in the caravan or rebuilding a bike. He was a talented and treasured soul.
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” C G Jung
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.
Eddie and I would like to record our thanks to Carolyn Donnelly for finding Steve's original negatives and allowing us to share his photos with all past pupils of the school.
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