Remembering Stephen Tearse

I remember my Mum showing me the cutting from the Coventry Evening Telegraph not long after I left Cleobury. It was quite a shock and tears welled in my eyes. Stephen was only 16 years old, had left Cleobury only 14 days beforehand, had just signed his indentures as an apprentice dental technician. He was on his way home from his first day at work on his scooter.

Stephen was one of the good guys, one of the best. I can't think of anyone who didn't like him. He was intelligent, fun, easy going and no trouble to pupil or master. I never knew him to bully or chide, a really decent guy of the kind the world could do with more of. It wasn't to be, but I think all those who knew him at school will join me in paying tribute to Stephen on this special place for the school. This was one good guy with a world of potential.

His older brother, John Tearse, equally popular and a former pupil at the school (whom some of you clearly remember), has kindly sent some photos of, or belonging to Stephen to share on this site and thanks go to Peter Melhuish, who, by contributing the cutting, prompted this post.

There are also a couple of items relating to the school from John Tearse towards the bottom of this post.

Remembering Stephen Tearse

Stephen Tearse with his woodwork  produce c 1967

Stephen with the snooker cue in the New Block

The young Stephen

Remember the letters home each week on headed paper? Stephen was 11 and had just started his first year at the school and was coming up to the end of the first term, looking forward to Christmas (as we all were). The next term would see the huge snowdrifts that dwarfed most of us first years. Stephen was clearly a bright lad who knew it and made the Upper Stream but with the self-awareness to add the line "I hope you don't think I'm bragging". How cool is that for one so young and typical of how well balanced Stephen was in dealing with others. I never knew him to look down on people.

John has asked if anyone knows what part of the school this is. I think it's the steps up to the coffee bar (which would have been the old science lad in John's time), which means it would have been early 1967. Am I right?

Stephen in the middle with others on a school trip. Can any one say which trip and who else. I seem there's Rowsell and McCann on the right but not sure. Possibly 1966 / 67 ish. Sarah Williams thinks this is the Clyde trip and there are more pictures of that trip on this blog - see the index.

Comment from Chris (Pip) Applebey

"I am on the right of the picture, and I think it is Alec Hudson between me and Steve. Can't remember the other two kids but I think one may have been Simon Armstrong. This was in the first week of the school holidays 1967, shortly before Stephen died. We stayed on when school finished for a few days before Mr Parker drove us north in his car. How we all got in is a mystery. It was a fantastic experience for all of us. He arranged to get us a guided tour of a submarine - his navy connections no doubt. I think this photo was taken either at Helensburgh, or Rothesay. We all got to have a go at steering the boat - not just five minutes under supervision, but full responsibility. Stephen was fantastic company, always smiling, always positive. What a loss. Christopher (Pip) Applebey

GCE woodwork piece

Stephen was good at woodwork and John Tearse adds 

"Our Dad was a master Cabinet Maker so Steve must have inherited some of his skills. Unfortunately it passed me by."

John still has Stephen's GCE work made in Gordon Place's class.

Excellent dovetail joints

This is from 1958 when John Tearse joined the school. Mr Morris was headmaster. It wasn't only Mr Thorn who used the phrase 'May I remind you' then!

Letter to the parents! 1958

Clearly the format of the school report changed by the time stephen started the school in 1962, possibly as result of  the new headmaster, Mr Rowland. Note that English, maths and science are broken down into elements more so than later on. March 1959.

Stephen left school summer 1967 while Sergeant Pepper was riding high in the LP charts.

Stephen is remembered 

With A little Help from His Friends

And some more photos from Stephen's collection

Stephen Tearse - prep room / study new block

Stephen 1965

New block dorms

Frankie Fasulo? / Stephen Tearse

In this photo - Mick Lovatt? Hudson? Dean Revell?

Alan Packham? Frankie Dutton - Can  anyone be more precise? Photo A

Frankie Dutton, Mick Lovatt, Charles Joyce (top row)

Frankie Fasulo? Peter Wan, Ian Woolridge? Bottom Row

Can anyone be more precise - Photo B

Not sure where or who this is.

Sarah Williams thinks the location is Stokesay Castle, near Ludlow

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stokesay-castle/

but who is in the photo?

Mr Place - skiing trip to Switzerland in the 60's - not sure of who or where.

Possibly Andorra or Switzerland - but who are the pupils?