pixrobin (Robin Brooker)

Sorry to hear this sad news. Condolences to his family and friends.

Sad indeed. Yet another reminder of the fragility of life. Fly high Robin, may you find light happiness and peace.

Sorry to read such sad news.

So sorry to hear the news. Condolences to all the family. RIP

Very sad indeed. Before I retired I often used to see Robin coming back from Tescos with his shopping on one of his collection of mobility scooters. He always had time for a chat and a laugh and had a great sense of humour. He believed in photographing everything before it disappeared and was lost forever which is a great philosophy. My condolences to his family.

We are feeling so sad. We enjoyed a monthly newsletter from him telling us many things and photos of where he and Steve had been. Steve if you are reading this please accept our sincere condolences. He will be sadly missed by so many. Les and Gilly.

Thanks so much. I've been in touch with Steve and will pass this onto him.

I'd like to thank the moderators for setting up this page for Robin, who became a friend of mine over the past six years. Reading your memories of him collected here is very moving as well as a tribute to him as a person, his sense of humour, being a one-off character and half, and such an experienced photographer always ready to share his knowledge. I'll tell his friend and helper Steve about these memories/tributes and also his daughter - they will be moved and grateful too this has been set up. I was very sad to hear Robin passed away. I spoke to him on the phone briefly when he was in hospital and hoped he'd pull through but unfortunately he didn't. I first met Robin online when he responded to a blog I'd written about working men's clubs, or it might have been through this Forum in fact. Can't recall exactly but I'm glad he got in touch anyway. Like me, he had grown up in Canley. Another Canley kid. My older brothers were at school with him. But he'd not lived in Cov for many years at the time we corresponded but he was planning to move back to the city of his birth. He wanted to spend the last part of his life where he had begun it. And he even got back to Canley, moving into Willowbrook sheltered accommodation a few streets away from his childhood home. Willowbrook is actually on the site where our old primary school once stood - Charter Primary school, near St. Stephens Church and the old clinic where as kids we'd get our injections and free orange juice. So, me and Robin started exchanging memories but also research notes as I write about Canley, Coventry, clubs, pubs etc. He was interested in much older history and was looking at the Fletchamstead area/Westwood and all the related land going back centuries. He had strong links going back generations. He wanted to write some sort of history but you all know he was a photographer so as soon as he was settled in Canley, he was off photographing places. He very kindly let me use some of his images in some of my work, and am very grateful. He started his monthly (sometime more frequent) Canley Comments which some of you received. When I was visiting my family in the Canley area, I'd try and pop in to see him. He'd put the kettle on and I'd have a coffee and chat before heading back down to London. We had plans to go round Canley together one day and take pics. But he took plenty anyway though I knew he wanted to do so much more and right across the city. Along with Steve, he's been documenting a changing Coventry for several years and I'm sure at some point that body of work might be brought together somehow. I'd like to think so as it's a fantastic record for everyone. His plans were all put on hold, as with us all, due to the onset of the pandemic. He couldn't wait to get out and about on his mobility scooter to get clicking again. Sadly now that won't be happening. I'll miss him so much when I visit Canley now. Thanks for the friendship Robin, RIP.

Lovely tribute Ruth. I was glad we got a couple of breakies in with Robin when we last could. Has anyone heard from Steve - apols not sure of his Forum name. Hope you are ok mate, we're all here if you need support, mate.

R.I.P. Robin

Thank you NeilsYard, the least I could do for Robin. He really enjoyed the brekkies and chat with you all and looked forward to them. I am in touch with Steve and told him about this special page for Robin. I'll send him the link. Can he access it if he's not a member? Hope so. Best wishes to all of you.

Adding my thanks Ruth. Steve can view the posts but can't respond without logging in. Reassure him that there are no responsibilities for joining and posting, many never do. He'd still be very welcome when we get back to breakfasts as is anyone if they decide to suddenly turn up.

Thank you Helen F. Steve has been able to read these pages and that's good for him, knowing how much people respected and liked Robin. I aim to get to a breakfast once they resume again. I never had chance before, a matter of timing it with my visits to Coventry. I live in hope! Would love to put some faces to the names here. All my best to you.

RIP Robin. Condolences to friends and family.