Tributes paid to former Selby head teacher (From York Press)
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Tributes paid to former Selby head teacher Graeme Lowe
10:31am Saturday 12th May 2012 in Selby & Tadcaster
FORMER Selby head teacher, magistrate, and local musician, Graeme Lowe, has died.
Mr Lowe, who was aged about 70, was head teacher at Barlby Hilltop Community Primary School for almost 20 years before his retirement in 2002, and also worked as a magistrate at criminal and family courts in the Selby district for 13 years.
He was also a founder member of the Barlby Foot-Tappers Band, who he performed with as a guitarist, and was a former member of the Selby Round Table.
David Jones lived close to Mr Lowe. He said Mr Lowe was “a smashing bloke”, who “took everything in his stride”.
Mr Jones said: “He was always cheerful, I never, ever saw him in a bad mood.
“He always would have a laugh and a joke and he’d a very good sense of humour. I don’t think many people saw him in a bad mood. I think he was extremely fair as a magistrate with anyone he dealt with.”
Andrew Joy, current deputy head teacher of Barlby Hilltop Community Primary School, knew Mr Lowe for 35 years, and said he was instrumental with his support as head teacher in setting up the band.
Mr Joy said: “He was a superb head to work for, respected by the pupils, staff, parents and governors. He played bass guitar in the band, and was self taught, determined to teach himself because he enjoyed music so much, and wanted to be a part of it. He was a pleasure to work with and a very, very good friend.”
Former magistrate Ron Humphrys was deputy to Mr Lowe, and said: “I learned a lot from him. I never saw him flustered, he was very, very fair in his judgement, both in the adult and the family panel.
“As his deputy, I couldn’t have wished for a better chairman to work under. He was an absolutely wonderful man, and it’s a sad loss.”
Mr Lowe, who died at home on Thursday evening after a short battle with cancer, is survived by his wife, Carole, their two children, Carolyn and Chris, and grandchildren.
