Suffolk Carpet Bowls Association

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» GRAHAM ROBINSON

From Irene and Fred Robinson

We, as a family, joined the Carpet Bowls Club at the neighbouring village of Brockley over 25 years ago. Graham has, as you all know, continued to play and was an avid enthusiast and supporter of carpet bowls right up to his very sudden and expected death.

Graham organised his first ‘Hartest Triples’ competition several years ago using only two mats in the local village hall. This proved to be a great success and Graham was able to give much needed funds to help with the provision of a local Christmas Meal and Entertainment for the local Senior Citizens and people living alone which, together with a group of friends he helped to organise. This competition, as you know, still runs on an annual basis with with a much larger format and venue with donations having been made to various charities including East Anglian Air Ambulance and The Dogs Trust to name just two.

Over recent years Graham had been secretary of Suffolk Carpet Bowls and over the last 2½ years since his unfortunate accident at work this had been one of the things that helped Graham immensely giving him a much needed focus and helped to keep him busy.

Graham made many friends during the last 25+ years in the carpet bowls world from, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and County Durham. He enjoyed many, many happy and pleasurable hours with you all.

We know he would have wished you all much continued success and pleasure with your carpet bowls and hope the game continued to flourish for many years to come.

With our most heartfelt thanks to you all for the support and pleasure you gave to Graham over many years.

Irene and Fred Robinson
29th July 2014


From Freda Wright

I would like, on behalf of my family, to thank the clubs and individuals from the SCBA and ECBA for their kind words and support since we lost Graham as part of our family, especially Neil Jolly and Mick and Shirley Watktins who came with me to West Suffolk and Addenbrooks.

His death was unexpected and sudden and no doubt a shock to everyone who knew him.

I first saw Graham as a newcomer to Suffolk, when I used to ride my horse past his house in Boxted, little knowing that in a few short years he was going to become part of our lives.

He advertised in the local village magazine for a sponsor for the Hartest Triples Competition. As my late mother used to bowl for Hartest, my son and I said ok! I remember him turning up at my house in Hartest in the "shirt and tie" with brochures, he said thank you for your offer and to all our friends. The rest is history!!

From that day on, he became part of our family.. helping to organise parties we held, to raise funds not only for "charity" but even Brockley Bowls Club, which we held at my home.. I think it was a race night?

My son David loved coming home from Holland to spend a weekend with Graham and friends. Graham used to cycle up to Little Maplestead to help my daughter Susan with her horses on a Saturday.

He was best man for my son-in-law Ian when he married my daughter Susan in Durham and later godfather to my grandson Thomas.. he always looked on him as his and as soon as he was able to bowl he was taught how! He even played at Blackpool! As many know he still bowls for Hoggards Green in the winter, playing wicket keeper for Sudbury during the Summer season.

We spent many happy years bowling together and I will always remember his delight when, despite selling raffle tickets at the English Pairs at Hemsby we made it through to the last 16..the medal I have is very special!!

He loved Carpet Bowls and nothing made him prouder than when he played for his County.. I must have driven miles to watch in the early days, but now I can see why. You are an amazing group of people. In recent years as Secretary of SCBA you would always see him in "the shirt and Suffolk tie" which he always wore with pride.

Once again, thank you all for being there for us.

Love

Freda and Family
5th August 2014