Former Sidmouth actor dies in Spanish hospital

Paul Robinson remembered as dapper go-getter during his years living in Sidmouth

JUST five days after celebrating his 64th birthday, former Sidmouth am-dram devotee, Paul Robinson, has died in Spain, where he lived for the past eight years.

His funeral was held on Wednesday at Sucina, Murcia.

Born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, Paul, aged 18, was offered a job with the Lincoln Burnley Building Society.

When the company was taken over by National and Provincial, he was transferred to Sidmouth and became branch manager, aged 24.

Good friends Alan and Val Clifford, for 30 years owners of the Devoran Hotel, had planned to visit Paul next week, but will instead travel to Spain to collect his ashes and hope to hold a memorial service and burial at Sidmouth, subject to family wishes.

They will also bring his two beloved dogs back to England.

“Paul was the type of person that whoever he met he became friends with. He had many friends in Sidmouth, which he loved,” said Alan.

“He was a go-getter. I remember when he worked for me as a PA for four years he was always obliging to people.”

Jacqui Self, who knew Paul through Sidmouth Musical Comedy Society, said: “He was dapper, a cheerful guy, full of beans, who was the life and soul of the party.

“He was great fun, he had a wicked sense of humour and was very theatrical.”

Neither she nor the Cliffords were surprised when Paul took a job with a cruise ship as its entertainments manager and cruise director.

“He went off and travelled the world four times,” said Alan, who said during his trips Paul found the home he wanted in Sucina.

While living in Sidmouth, which his late mother also moved to, Paul belonged to Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society, Sidmouth Arts Club Operatic Society and was chairman of the Musical Comedy Society for 10 years, taking over from Gerald Knight.

He leaves a sister, Jill, from Macclesfield.