Focus Interview

Philip Eyton Jones interviewed Robin Williams and no skeletons were found in dark corners!  This was a Focus Interview in which members learn something about the background of fellow members and it  took place on October 21^st.  Of course, nothing is revealed without the consent of the interviewee!

Robin described his young life being brought up living in a house within the grounds of the North Wales Mental Hospital where his father was the senior consultant. He talked of numerous schizophrenic patients who helped to keep the garden tidy. Some of them had been transferred from secure hospitals such as Broadmoor and Rampton and had committed murder! However, he talked with some passion about the high quality of the service provided at the hospital.

He went to School first at Oriel House St Asaph and then to Ellesmere College as a border. He told of the austere regime of cold showers and cross country runs. It was there that he was a contemporary of Bill Beaumont who became captain of the England Rugby team. Robin also developed a love of the game and continued to play rugby after he left school.

After school Robin trained at Clatterbridge as a psychiatric nurse. After 3 years there he worked in the community in a very demanding area of Birkenhead before going into hospital management in Chester for four years.

For fifteen years Robin lectured to medical students at the University of Liverpool.  This was a job he enjoyed enormously - dealing with very bright interesting students

Robin is married, has two daughters and now lives in Henllan, having lived in Denbigh nearly all his life.

Other interests are fishing and sailing. Although retired he still wants to work and is actively looking for opportunities to help in the community.