Don Robinson is a
remarkable man. Who has done many remarkable things. Don is a
self-made businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Born in
Batley, West Yorkshire he moved to Scarborough aged ten. Don left
school aged fourteen and played professional rugby and other sports.
After he had completed his national service he rented a small part of
Scarborough beach and installed trampolines for use to members of the
public. This was very successful and lead him to setting up sites
throughout the country and also hiring and selling trampolines. He
then moved on to have a number of very successful businesses and
tourist attractions, like Scarborough Zoo and Water Scene. Many more
tourist attractions where to follow not only in Scarborough, but
throughout the UK and abroad too.
Don launched a radio
station aboard a ship in the 1960's. He was responsible for the first
direct charter flights from England to Las Vegas. He was a successful
wrestling promoter and wrestler. He became chairman of Scarborough
Football Club and then Hull City Football Club and President of
Scarborough Cricket Club. Don also was a committee member of the
Variety Club of Great Britain and he was a director at Yorkshire
Television.
Don also found the
time to become a Scarborough Borough Councillor and own the Royal
Opera House in his adopted home town too. He also managed to bring
Little Richard to perform at Bridlington Spa and at that very same
gig a then unknown Robert Palmer performed in a supporting band. I
could go on, and on and list all he has achieved! Don Robinson is an
amazing and inspiring man. This book is a fascinating read.
I had a huge
personal interest in reading this book. I am related to Don Robinson.
I am the eldest granddaughter of Joan Milner, nee Robinson. We spent
many childhood holidays with her at Auntie May and Uncle Joe's house
in Scarborough, Don Robinson's parents, until my grandparents moved
to Scarborough themselves in 1985. We were very lucky to be able to
go often to a lot of the tourist attractions that Don owned in
Scarborough. Many happy occasions spent with family at these
locations, like Water Scene, going down the enormous water slide with
my gran! My gran also cared for Joe during his final days at her
home. My grandma herself passed away in 2011 and I am left with many
happy memories of our time in Scarborough. Don Robinson is a huge
part of Scarborough's history.
Don Robinson has a
wonderful story to tell and I think it would be fantastic for it to
be told and brought to life in film. I would very much like to see
Don Robinson's wonderful story go into production and be brought to
the big screen. The book gives a lot of information and although it
does repeat itself sometimes, the author David Fowler has really done
his research.
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