HE WILL be remembered for his encyclopaedic knowledge and for being a friend of Mayfield School.
But now the memory of teacher Gerry Oldfield will live on as a library in the school he taught at has been named after him.
As reported, Mr Oldfield, 66, died last month.
He taught at Mayfield School, in Mayfield Road, Copnor, for 36 years, teaching history and PE, as well as his main subject of religious education.
But even after he retired in 2006, his relationship with the school did not end.
He continued to work as a historian and archivist for the school’s 80th anniversary in September.
Yesterday Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt, Mr Oldfield’s cousin Angela Morris, her husband Ian, and headteacher David Jeapes opened the refurbished school library.
It has been named the Gerry Oldfield Library.
Mrs Morris said: ‘It is a wonderful and deserving way to remember Gerry.
‘He would be so grateful and his family feels it’s an appropriate tribute.’
Around £75,000 has been spent on doing up the library.
Work carried out included refitting carpets, repairing shelves and buying new books.
Ms Mordaunt cut the ribbon to formally open the library.
She said: ‘This is a brilliant way for Gerry’s legacy to live on.
‘He had such an encyclopaedic knowledge of the city and not only helped pupils at this school, but other schools in Portsmouth.
‘He went to great levels to help students.’
Mr Jeapes hopes the revamped facility will encourage children to find a love of books.
He said: ‘It was shocking news to hear of Gerry passing. Given that he spent so much of his time in the library, and he was a friend of the school, we decided it would be fitting to name the library after him.
‘I hope it inspires children to find a love of reading.’
Comments