A NEW website has unearthed hundreds of incredible school photos that will bring memories flooding back for former Colchester students.

The newly-digitised collection was taken at the Gilberd School by long-serving teacher Eddie Ross.

Former student Jonathan Moran has now uploaded them to a website and ex-pupils and teachers can reminisce and feast on more than 300 images, from the mid-1960s until the late 1980s.

Front cover - Mr Ross book, called ‘The Gilberd North Hill’. Visitors to the site can download a copy for free

Front cover - Mr Ross' book, called ‘The Gilberd North Hill’. Visitors to the site can download a copy for free

Mr Ross taught modern languages at the school from 1966 until 1985.

Until recently, he continued to work at the Gilberd’s former North Hill site for the Colchester Sixth Form College.

He said: “They were happy years and I feel lucky and privileged to have met so many wonderful people there – pupils and teachers.

Making themselves understood - language students in the early 1980s

Making themselves understood - language students in the early 1980s

“I always felt the activities outside the classroom were very valuable, enabling teachers to get to know pupils better in a relaxed environment.

“These pictures of trips abroad and at home have brought back many happy memories for me and will, I hope, do the same for former pupils.

“I’m most grateful to Jonathan for all the work he’s put in. Without his initiative, this would not have happened.”

Can you see yourself? - this picture looks like it was taken at an open day or a similar event in the 1980s. If you recognise yourself and remember why you were there, we’d love to hear from you

Can you see yourself? - this picture looks like it was taken at an open day or a similar event in the 1980s. If you recognise yourself and remember why you were there, we’d love to hear from you

Visitors to the site can view all of Mr Ross’ photos in high quality and also download a free copy of his book, ‘The Gilberd North Hill’.

Mr Moran said: “We hope visitors share details about the site on social media, so we can reach as many former students and teachers as possible.”

Reputation - from the mid-1970s, Mr Ross remembers these students as the ‘hard men of Year 5’!

Reputation - from the mid-1970s, Mr Ross remembers these students as the ‘hard men of Year 5’!

Follow the leader - school leavers on their last day, probably in the 1980s

Follow the leader - school leavers on their last day, probably in the 1980s

Back to the start - staff at the opening of the school building in 1912

Back to the start - staff at the opening of the school building in 1912

End of an era - the last Gilberd pupils at North Hill, in July 1985

End of an era - the last Gilberd pupils at North Hill, in July 1985

On a real high - students outside the old language huts in the mid-1980s

On a real high - students outside the old language huts in the mid-1980s

Anyone for tennis? - teachers and students at the Sixth Form College today might be interested to see just how much has changed at the North Hill site since this photo was taken in the late 1970s

Anyone for tennis? - teachers and students at the Sixth Form College today might be interested to see just how much has changed at the North Hill site since this photo was taken in the late 1970s

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