A CRICKET club is to wear black armbands and hold a minute's silence in honour of a popular Wanstead teacher who died last week, as tributes  continue to pour in.

Steve Lovegrove, 51,  a head of year and PE teacher at Wanstead High School in Redbridge Lane West, Wanstead, is believed to have died while swimming in the Maldives on a family holiday.

Mr Lovegrove loved cricket and was vice captain of the 3rd XI of Reed Cricket club in Hertfordshire.

His friend and captain, Maseeh Naeem, 50, said all four of the club's sides would wear black armbands and observe a minute's silence when they played today.

He added: "This has come as a complete shock to everyone at the club.

"Steve was such a nice guy.

"We have had three promotions in the last three seasons and he was instrumental in that success.

"He was very good at what he did, he was also very unassuming and modest.

"If ever I needed anything, he would be the first to help out.

"We have a lot of young guys in the team and Steve was always happy to give them advice.

"He got on well with everybody and will be greatly missed."

Mr Lovegrove was also highly respected by his fellow PE teachers in Redbridge.

Roger Taylor, secretary of the Redbridge Schools Sports Association said: "I taught PE at a local school and had a great relationship with Steve during many inter school fixtures.

"He will be a huge loss to his students and the school.

"At this time, all our thoughts are with his family.
"I know his fellow Redbridge PE teachers will miss him."

Head teacher of Wanstead High, Chris Van Bussel, told the Guardian yesterday: "This is a terrible tragedy which has left everyone associated with the school deeply saddened and shocked.


“The thoughts of everyone go out to Steve’s family, his wife Heather and son James.


“Steve was a fantastic teacher.  A man of great experience and wisdom who was hugely popular with both staff and pupils."

There continues to be an outpouring of grief and tributes on social networking sites such as Twitter from pupils and ex-pupils.

Did you know Mr Lovegrove? Would you like to pay tribute to him? Email Dominic Sutton at dsutton@london.newsquest.co.uk