Turner, Neil

Neil "Bunsen" Turner

Dates at Bournemouth School: 1975 - 1982
House: Forest
  • CCF Cadet

Neil at school Neil today

Neil studied: Geography, English and Sociology
Neil received the following accolades whilst at school:
  • Senior cadet, Army section CCF
  • First eleven football

After school, Neil went to: I worked locally for two years before going to Medway College of Design in Kent

Neil's biography:

On leaving college in 1986 with an HND in advertising and editorial photography I have been a professional editorial, news and corporate photographer ever since. I spent 14 years working for the Times Educational Supplement and managed to clock up around 4,500 school and college visits through my career Most of my work has been in London but I have never not had a home in Bournemouth. I’ve travelled a lot with the job too and have spent the last couple of years travelling the world with the Archbishop of Canterbury (including a visit to Bournemouth School). I have been with former BSG pupil Joanne since their school disco in December 1980 and we married in 1991.

What was best about Neil's time at Bournemouth School?

It was a very sociable place to be a student and I made a lot of friends whilst there. I felt that I got a great education both formally and socially.

Who does Neil remember most fondly?

Such a long list staff: WG Stokoe was my first form master and my house master and a wonderful person. JR Thomas who ran the Army section of the CCF was wonderful. BJ Sanders, John Andrews, H Hill, Doc Waite, JR Kelsall. I cannot think of more than a handful of members of staff that I wouldn’twant to thank personally.

What would Neil change about their time at Bournemouth School?

I would like to have been friendlier to even more of my fellow pupils.

What is Neil's favourite anecdote/most vivid memory?

The day that Peter Harper left after many years as head teacher it was just before Christmas and we were in the sixth form. We had spray on snow and wrote “happy retirement” across his windscreen expecting to get into trouble. He found out who did it, shook our hands as he got into his car and wished us well.

Neil's final thoughts

I bought my first proper camera whilst a pupil at Bournemouth School. I often brought it into school with me and I got into a little bit of trouble for doing so. However, I do have some fun pictures from my time at the school and I have been back professionally twice since then.