Family plea to give Steven the funeral he deserves

That’s the plea from the family and friends of the maverick environmental and political campaigner who passed away last week, at the age of 47, after suffering a sudden bleed in the brain.

Steven, who worked hard to improve Boscombe, was a familiar figure around the area accompanied by faithful Airedale terrier Dodger.

He died intestate and his family say they will struggle to pay the funeral costs.

A special account has been set up at the Coastal Credit Union at 531-533 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, for donations to Steven’s funeral.

The Bourne Spring Trust at St Mary’s Road, Springbourne, which described Steven as “an enthusiastic volunteer”, has already offered the free hire of one of its rooms for his wake.

Close friend Beverley Frost said: “We do want to give him a good send off but we are not in a position to do it. Any assistance would be gratefully received.

“Steve was a loveable rogue. He was always open to new ideas and new thinking. I think he started to change people’s perceptions of Boscombe.”

His brother Greg Gilbert, said that in the days leading up to his death Steven had cryptically told him that he wanted Jimi Hendrix and the Doors to be played at his funeral.

Greg added: “I want to give him a church send-off.”

Steven, whose father was a corporal in the British Army, was born in Dusseldorf Germany and grew up in London, Plymouth and Taunton.

Nicknamed Hairbear by friends, Steven actively campaigned against fuel poverty and to get solar panels on every property in Bournemouth.

He was a talented artist who had studied graphic design at Bournemouth University. He read extensively and believed that his ancestors were knights.

Steven had no children but his surviving relatives include his mum Brenda and brothers Greg and Gary.

Bournemouth council representatives plan to meet with members of the Boscombe community next week to discuss a memorial to him.