A mainstay of the Kirkby Stephen community who ran a cycle shop and for many years was the only taxi service in the town has died, aged 88.
Herbert Stanley Robinson, of Kirkby Stephen, was known to all as Stan. He was born in 1933 at Garrigill, near Alston, the second of four brothers, and went to Samuel King’s school in the town.
The family moved to Mains Farm, Crosby Garrett, in spring, 1947. Stan farmed with his father and brothers until 1957, when his parents retired.
He met his future wife, Edna, in 1955 at Kirkby Stephen, and they were married in 1957 at Fletcher Hill Methodist Church (now the Hostel) and lived at Hill House, Crosby Garrett, for the first couple of years of their marriage. Stan undertook various jobs during this time, including spells as a builder’s labourer and a door- to-door brush salesman.
In 1959, Stan and Edna, with new son Stephen, moved to Mellbecks, Kirkby Stephen, when Stan took up the position of taxi and bus driver for Waltons.
This included driving children to the schools in Kirkby Stephen, various taxi fares around the area and, during the summer months, taking holiday makers by bus from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle to Blackpool and Morecambe.
In 1963, Stan and Edna — who by this time had added a daughter, Linda, to their family — acquired the cycle shop of W Jackson in Market Street, Kirkby Stephen.
The family moved from Mellbecks to live above the shop and developed it over the years to sell all manner of toys and sports goods (Dinky, Corgi, Hornby railways, Scalextric, Britains, Airfix, fishing tackle, darts, footballs, bikes, cycle spares and more). Stan also undertook bike repairs.
In the early days, Edna ran the shop, while Stan continued to drive for Waltons. In 1968, Stan bought the taxi business from Waltons, which he also ran from Market Street. He took great pride in his cars, always looking to improve the fleet.
For many years, his was the only taxi service in the town. Wedding cars were a speciality, many a bride being driven by Stan on their big day. He also supplied hearse and funeral cars to local undertakers.
In 1985, Stan sold the taxi business to concentrate on running the shop business with Edna, which they continued to do until retirement in 2000, remaining in Kirkby Stephen.
In his spare time, in the winter months, Stan enjoyed playing billiards and snooker at the British Legion reading room, regularly winning trophies and also playing in league matches all around the area. His biggest claim to fame was playing against Dennis Taylor in a demonstration match.
In summertime, he was to be found at Kirkby Stephen bowling green and was again successful. One year, he either won or was runner-up for every trophy, except one — the Ladies’ Cup!
Stan was brought up to attend chapel and enjoyed a long and active association with Kirkby Stephen Methodist Church, where he held many different roles over the years, including door steward and property steward. He regularly attended prayer meetings and Bible study groups. He loved singing, not only in church but also with Kirkby Stephen Choral Society, he especially enjoyed performing in Handel’s Messiah in Kirkby Stephen Church.
For many years Stan wasn’t too interested in holidays, but once he got prised away for the first one he was bitten by the bug, always looking forward to the next trip. They enjoyed various holidays including in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Canaries, Canada, USA and a cruise of the Norwegian fjords, to name but a few.
Stan was also very much a family man and took great pride and pleasure in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In later life, Stan encountered various health issues and was last year diagnosed with dementia. Following a fall and a short stay in Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, where he was well cared for, he passed away peacefully on April 26.
He is survived by wife Edna, son Stephen, daughter Linda, grandchildren Rachel and Suzanne and great-grandchildren, Jett and Beatrix, and also two younger brothers, Percy and Norman.
The funeral service at Kirkby Stephen Methodist Chapel was followed by interment at Kirkby Stephen Cemetery. Donations in memory of Stan may be made to Dementia UK and can be sent c/o Walkers Funeral Directors, Chapel Street, Appleby.
