Hundreds turn out to pay tribute to former journalist and his wife
Hundreds of people turned out for an emotional memorial service in memory of a well-known journalist and sporting stalwart and his wife, who died recently.
Mike Robinson, 65, a former journalist, editor and sub editor for Shropshire Newspapers, the Wrexham Evening Leader and later with the Border Counties Advertizer and the Whitchurch Herald, passed away following a short illness on September 8.
His wife Lesley, who was a retired learning support teacher at the Marches School, died the previous day.
Large crowds turned out for a memorial service at Oswestry Cricket Club yesterday to pay their respects to the popular and much-loved couple.
Mr Robinson, who was the backbone of Oswestry Cricket Club for many years, has left a lasting legacy across Shropshire cricket, as his good friend Dave Vart described in a fitting tribute to the late journalist. He said: “Mike was a passionate man, whether it was cricket, football, racing, dominoes or quizzes, he hated losing.
“His chuckle was never far away. I was once told the class of a person was their ability to talk to anyone from any class in life.
“Mike had that class, he could speak to anyone no matter what age, class or creed.
“He had a reluctance to see the boards go up on his watering hole, the Bell Inn.
“When he first retired from journalism he took over the running of the pub, and although he would admit it was a business disaster, he enjoyed being known as ‘the man who saved the Bell’.
“He was a mad keen cricketer, and when he retired he started the Oswestry CC football side, and was proud to see hundreds of youngsters to come through the cricket club to play for the senior teams.
“He has left a lasting legacy in Shropshire cricket.”
Mr Vart and Mr Robinson hosted race nights around the area, raising around £150,000 for charity.
Geoff Potts, a family friend and former colleague of Mrs Robinson’s, and paid tribute to her.
He added: “Mike always said he was unlucky, but he was the luckiest man to have married one of the best looking girls and one of the nicest people.
“They were delighted to become parents and Paul and Mark have grown into fantastic young men.”
, and they have been inspirational the way they have dealt with his time, that is the greatest tribute.
“Leslie wanted to get back to work in the 90s, and worked at the Marches School as a learning support teacher.
“She made a difference to staff and children alike.”
Donations were taken following the service, with money split between the Oswestry Cricket Club junior section, Child Autism UK, and Safe Standing campaign at Shrewsbury Town FC.
