Lincoln community centre officially renamed in honour of former councillor

The family of a much-loved former Lincoln councillor were joined by present city councillors at an official ceremony to mark the renaming of a community centre in his honour.

Bud Robinson represented Bracebridge and Park wards for more than 25 years before retiring due to ill health in May 2011.

Bud Robinson represented the Bracebridge ward for over two decades.

He sadly passed away in January 2012, aged 76.

Since first being elected to the city council in 1985, Bud held many roles:

• Representative of Bracebridge ward for 21 years (1985-2007)
• Representative of Park ward for his final four years in office (2007-2011)
• Lincolnshire County councillor from 1989 – 1993 and 2001 – 2009
• Mayor of Lincoln from 1998 – 1999
• Housing Committee Chair
• Portfolio Holder for Housing

Earlier this year, the city council decided to rename Bracebridge Community Centre the Bud Robinson Community Centre, in recognition of his service to the area.

Marie Norman, Bud’s daughter, said: “I think Bud would’ve been a bit embarrassed to have had the community centre named after him but secretly he probably would have liked it and been proud.

“He was a memorable man who certainly made an impression on anybody who met him. He had a lot of respect from all sides of the political spectrum.

“He used to say that politics had no place in the local council as it was all about helping people regardless of what they believed or who they were.

“The fact that people will be using the community centre for a long time is a fabulous legacy.”

Councillor David Jackson. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Councillor David Jackson also paid tribute to his friend, who he had known for more than 30 years, describing him as “a true man of the people.”

He said: “I first met Bud in the late 1970s and I got to know him as I was on the council and he was in charge of the old Bracebridge centre. He used to get his residents there to question the local councillor so I went down there lots of times and got to know him through that.

“Bud was one of the first 24/7 councillors. He’d be walking down the street and someone would stop him even before he became a councillor.

“If anyone came across to speak to him he wouldn’t turn them away and if he could help, he did.

“Some of my best memories of Bud aren’t repeatable but I remember debates in the council and he was always be the first one up having his say. He was great man and he leaves behind a fantastic legacy.”