“Mervyn was a fantastic source of local information and gave valuable resources to many projects. If anyone would like to see images of Eastville before the M32 was built, including some take by Mervyn, have a look at this website.”

“He was an inspirational (& very patient!) teacher who I'm really proud to have been taught by. He played his part in shaping my future in many ways... I’ve been a teacher myself now for 18 years and that’s partly down to him.

I'm the girl in the middle (of the photo below) with the Cabbage Patch Kids who he actively encouraged to be part of the class! Like I said, a very patient man!! I'm sure he’s still running his Film Club, somewhere beautiful.”

“I remember Mr Upton, I was in his last class at Glenfrome and regularly saw him in Eastville park until I was in my 20’s when I moved away from Bristol (early 2000’s). He always remembered me and spoke to me. What a great man. He was a legend at Glenfrome. He managed to combine old school discipline; which made everyone going into his class slightly fearful, with a warmth, caring heart and sense of humour. After a few days in his class you soon realised the scare stories of the classes before you where not the whole story. I also remember sitting in the dinning hall, cutains drawn and Mr Upton setting up this fascinating old contraption, the projector, and then playing films, but I did not realise that he had made them. This is a lovely thing to have done. Thank you so much, a wonderful way to remember a man who lived his life for the fulfilment, encouragement and education of others.”

“This looks fantastic! Will have a good read of his memoirs. He was by far my favourite teacher, I had a wonderful time in his class and I didn’t realise just how much he taught me. He always stopped to say hello when I bumped into him in Tescos and have a catch up and a little chuckle. Wonderful memories of long ball, indoor cricket & playing top of the class!!”

“Mr Upton was at school with my dad. When he became my teacher he remembered him and invited the whole family around to his house one evening. At the time he was still unmarried and lived with his mum. We sat in the front room that was full of piles of cine films cases and watched a number of films. His mum brought us in tea and biscuits. It was a bit weird going to my teachers house socially but nice.”

“My mum had cancer whilst I was being taught at Glenfrome and Mr Upton took me and Sarah Jones to Bath for the day. We went to the Roman Baths and also for lunch, I still have the slides somewhere. He did this out of the kindness of his heart I will always remember him with fondness.”

“Being my teacher and also manager of the Glenfrome school football team which won the league championship in 1981/82, excellent teacher and gentleman who I still saw in the neighbourhood for years after I left Glenfrome. Fond memories”

“Such an amazing teacher, am so grateful to have had him teach me.”

“Mervyn was a fantastic teacher. We had so much fun in his class, whilst also learning a lot and being well prepared for secondary school.”

“Your Message: I remember Mervyn as a teacher at Sefton Park Junior school in the late fifties. Although he only took us (4A) for the occasional class, he made a silent film that involved us all. I think it was called “The Missing Exam Paper” and was about a boy who was (wrongly) suspected of stealing the paper before the exam, when in fact another teacher, Mr. Horne, had mistakenly thrown it in the bin. I had a “starring” role as a friend of the accused, but perhaps luckily it’s not been seen since!

He was also keen on football and told us that while at his previous school, a boy called Fudge had been picked for Bristol Boys and still wanted to play, even with a broken leg — that impressed us all!”