Robin Pooley (OB 1946-1952)

Robin died in January 2021 following a Corona virus infection, aged 84.  He had been living in a care home since losing his wife a couple of years earlier. He had mobility problems, but despite running repairs following an accident to his brain he had retained his intellectual capacities almost intact. 

Robin joined Newnum house at the age of ten, and very quickly showed an interest in music, joining the choir as a treble and remaining with it, and the Choral Society, as a bass.  He played the trombone in the School Orchestra.  His other enthusiasm was for drama. He acted in a notable Summer Dramatics production of The Comedy of Errors, the first on the outdoor stage, with his twin Peter.  He left with a clutch of O and OA levels to join the Smithfield business run by his father.  National Service took him to Egypt and Libya in the turbulent times leading to the Suez adventure.  His outstanding exploits as a transport office earned him promotion to Acting Captain, very unusual for a National Serviceman, and a medal.  He became a well-known figure in the meat industry, as CEO of the CWS and then Buxted Chickens, and served his turn as Master of the Butchers Company.  In mid-career he switched to potatoes, first as CEO of the Potato Marketing Board and then heading a large East Anglian Co-operative.  He was a non-executive Director of several farm-related companies, and was elected to the Council of the National Farmers Union.

Living in Norfolk Robin was able to enjoy shooting and fishing.  He travelled widely round the world on business, and in pursuit of very large game fish. He put a lot of effort into his City Livery Company and in freemasonry.  He loyally supported Brentwood throughout his life, financially and through Old Brentwoods social events.  He was awarded the OBE in 1997.