ERDINGTON COURT BOWLS CLUB

The Robinson family ran the dental surgery at Wylde Green for over 90 years. The last of the family to work there, Rob, retired this year.

The surviving family members Keith, aged 98, his brother Phil, aged 94, and Keith?s son Rob, aged 63, all live in Sutton Coldfield.

Keith and Phil?s father, Fred, was brought up in the Sir Josiah Mason Orphanage. Fred was one of the founder members of the Erdington Recreational Trust created by the local Methodist Church. He had 5 children - and all of them and their spouses helped at the Club. In total, Fred, Keith, Phil, Russell and Rob have contributed over 350 years of voluntary service to the Club.

The Trust is a registered charity and today incorporates Erdington Court Bowls Club. It makes facilities available to Walmley Cricket Club, having previously had its own cricket teams.

The Bowls Club is the largest of its kind in the north side of the Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and South Staffs. The vast majority of its 250 members come from Sutton Coldfield. Its indoor arena is the only one of its kind south of Tamworth. Indoor Rink time is also made available to local community groups such as Probus - and support groups for adults with learning difficulties.

Fred was a Trustee until he passed away in 1972. Russell (Keith and Phil?s brother), also a Trustee, died in 2009 after a lifetime of service to the Club.

Rob has been the Chair since 2011, and Keith and Phil remain Trustees. In that role, they have overseen expenditure of over £100,000 in the Club in the last 3 - 4 years and led its resurgence in membership and competitive involvement.

In 1976, Keith, Russell and Philip were Trustees of the Club which drew up plans for the sale of land, the rebuilding of the outdoor green and the building of the new indoor arena. The outdoor arena remains one of the few all-weather greens in the region. At the time, it was one of the first artificial greens in the world.

Led by Rob, the Trustees have also recently implemented a restructuring of the Club?s management team and overseen annual open days - which have led to the recruitment of over 100 new members. Under their encouragement, the Club has also taken part each year in the Sutton Expo and the Sutton Community Games.

KEITH ROBINSON

He first won a cricket batting cup in 1939 and a further 9 times after WWII. He was MCC cricketer of the year in 1978 for his contribution to administration of the game. His services to club cricket included being Captain, Committee Member and Groundsman (!) for 35 years.

In Bowls, Keith first won the Club?s Singles Championship in 1938. He held over 31 Club titles in total. He also won numerous Birmingham, Warwickshire and Midlands titles. Together with Russell and 2 other Club members, he won the English Bowling Association?s National 4s Championships in 1978.

Keith and Russell represented England in the British Isles Championships in 1979 and Keith also had 6 international trials.

He was Club Secretary for many years and a Birmingham delegate to Warwickshire for 48 years.

He was made a life member of Warwickshire County Bowls Association for his services.

Keith has been a trustee of the Club for over 70 years.

PHIL ROBINSON

Has been a trustee since 1947 and Chair of the Trust until 2011. Was a cricket and tennis club captain during the 1950?s.

He has been Bowls Club President and Committee member for long periods during the interim.

ROB ROBINSON

In 2017 he:

?           Was winner of the Birmingham Bowling Association Singles Champion of Champions.

?           Also led the Club?s ?A? team to win the Birmingham Bowling Association?s (BBA) top division for the second consecutive year in 2017.

?           Led a team to the finals of the BBA?s Walker trophy in 2017.

?           Was the winner of the Club?s 2017 2 Wood Singles and of the Pairs competition (for the 10th time).

?           Also led the Club to victory against the combined might of the BBA to win the coveted Tony Cook trophy.

In 2014:

?           He was the winner of the Bowls England National Double Rink Championship.

?           He won the BBA 4 Wood Singles and Pairs.

In 2015 he was:

?           Warwickshire Pairs Finalist

?           Warwickshire Triples Winner

?           Midland Counties Triples Finalist

?           Warwickshire Senior Pairs Winner

?          

In 2016 he was:

?           BBA Triples and Fours winner

?           BBA Singles finalist

?           Captain of the Club squad that won the BBA?s prestigious Walker Trophy.

He continues to play bowls outdoors for the Warwickshire County Bowls Team in national competitions. HE IS ONE OF VERY FEW BOWLERS TO HAVE PLAYED 100 MIDDLETON CUP GAMES. He also won the English Bowling Association?s National Pairs Championships with Club mate Richard Brittan in 1993 and represented England at the British Isles Bowls Championships the following year.

RUSSELL ROBINSON

He was:

• Captain of the Cricket Club on a number of occasions and a committee member for many years.

He was a Bowls player for Warwickshire County, won several County titles and also won the English Bowling Association?s National 4s Championships in 1978 with Keith. He then went on to represent England in the British Isles Bowls Championships (see above).

• President of the Warwickshire Indoor Bowls Association in 1986/1987, and again in 1992/1993
• Secretary of the Warwickshire Vice President?s Bowling Association for 15 years.
• A Club trustee from 1947 until his death in 2009.