Fond farewell to Mr Woolston

FAMILY and friends have bid a fond farewell to Woolston community champion Arthur Robinson who sadly passed away recently aged 84.

Due to the coronavirus crisis, family and friends were unable to celebrate his life at the Church of the Ascension but plans are in place to remember Arthur once the lockdown restrictions are over.
He had an incredible love for Woolston that ran deeply through his veins to the very end. Younger residents of Woolston will not be aware what he achieved.
Arthur and Jean Robinson moved to Gordon Avenue in 1964, wanting his family of three children, Steven, Ann and Ian, to grow up with a garden, be able to play out and to “go to nice schools”.
He soon became involved in community issues, starting with the smell from the bone works off Manchester Road which was causing health issues for residents, actively working with the council to have it closed down, moving onto lobbying the council to build a new section of Manchester Road, to divert busy traffic away from the residential housing near the Dog & Partridge.
Arthur joined the Parish Council and saw an opportunity to take on the authorities ‘the council’ and the ‘New Town Development,’ to gain funding and investment for Woolston. This resulted in the building of Woolston Leisure Centre, Woolston Hall and the Play Barn.
In 1975 Arthur and Jean moved to Poulton Crescent and four weeks later Arthur was holding resident meetings in his front room after being informed of plans to build a housing estate on what is now known as the linear park. He highlighted a covenant which stated a percentage of green belt land had  to be protected for the recreational use for the people of Woolston. The development was cancelled and the council subsequently developed Woolston Park with pathways to the Grange industrial estate.
Over 35 years as a Parish Councillor, a member of Woolston Community Enterprise Association (who remembers the yearly trains from Padgate station to London?) and school governor. He was also a renouned bingo caller at the leisure centre and Monks club!
In 1994 Arthur was made a Freeman of the Parish of Woolston which he was immensely proud of.
During his retirement years he continued to serve Woolston as an advocate for senior citizens on crime, health and well being boards.
He loved everything about Woolston especially the people.
Son Ian said: “When we beat this awful virus and we get out and about again, we dearly hope his many friends can enjoy Woolston again just as much as our Dad did, in his memory”
Arthur was also a devoted Warrington Wolves fan.
He is pictured here at Wembley in 1950 with his mate George Bradshaw from Latchford, watching the wire beat Widnes 19-0 in front of 94,249 crowd.
He is also pictured with son Ian at his last ever Warrington game.