Robinson, Edward (1909-2004)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

EDWARD ROBINSON: born in Brotton, North Yorkshire, on 21^st April 1909. He was educated at Brotton, Loftus and Guisborough and worked as a railway clerk until he entered Hartley College to train for ordained ministry in the Primitive Methodist Church. 

His first appointment was as Chairman’s Assistant in Newcastle upon Tyne. Ted then served in the following circuits: Newcastle upon Tyne (Central and Sandyford), Glasgow (Alexandra Parade), Glasgow (Parkhead and Burnbank), Loftus and Staithes, Redcar, Saltburn and Guisborough, Newcastle upon Tyne (West), Gateshead (East), Bishop Auckland, Kimberley, Derby (East), Ashfield and Okehampton. 

Ted was the most diligent of visitors, an efficient administrator and highly respected as a preacher. He was a devoted minister of spiritual depth and perception, had a lively mind and was an engaging conversationalist. Ted and his wife, Doris, retired to Arnside in Cumbria and when she died, he moved to Newcastle upon Tyne to be closer to his daughter, Eileen, and her husband, Mike. He had a life-long fascination with gadgets and when a schoolboy was the first in his village to build a crystal set. This led him to a passionate interest in building wireless sets. At the age of ninety-four he acquired a new computer.

In later years when unable to preach he worshipped regularly at Jesmond Methodist Church, Newcastle upon Tyne, where he was a great encourager for those who led worship and a friend to many in the congregation. His sudden passing due to an accident at home came as a great sadness to his family and many friends. He had remained fit, healthy and active up to the time of his death. He died on 26″ July 2004 in the ninety-sixth year of his age and the seventy-first year of his ministry.

Family

Edward was born on 21 April 1909 at Brotton, North Yorkshire, to parents James Robinson, an ironstone miner (1911), and Isabella Jarred. He was baptised on 16 May 1909 at Brotton..

He married Doris May (1908-1998). (I have not been able to identify the marriage record online.)

Edward died on 26 July 2004 at Jesmond, Northumberland.  

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1933 Presidents List
• 1934 Newcastle Central
• 1937 Glasgow Alex
• 1939 Glasgow Park
• 1943 Loftus &c
• 1945 Redcar &c
• 1950 Newcastle W
• 1955 Gateshead E
• 1960 Bishop’s Auckland
• 1963 Kimberley
• 1967 Derby E
• 1971 Ashfield
• 1974 Penrith (Sup)

References

Methodist Minutes 2005/40

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers