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The Alnwick Garden
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Meet The Peter Robinson
We caught up with Peter Robinson , our man behind the phone calls and emails .
“ G ood morning this is The Alnwick Garden , Peter speaking ”, I say those words numerous times each day and in my sleep ! I live in the village of Shilbottle up on the hill looking down on Alnwick , but originally I am from Seahouses , a small ( once vibrant ) fishing village up the coast . I grew up the youngest of four children , with my mum and dad - who was the Customs Officer for that stretch of coast line .
At 22 I moved away to a foreign land called Bradford in West Yorkshire . I lived there for 13 years and then returned to Alnwick with my children , where I became involved with junior football , running and coaching a team in Alnwick and then Longhoughton Rangers . Time flies and my youngest of 5 children , Little Peter ( although he is 6ft tall ), is leaving for the Navy in April . So it will be me and my wife , Lisa , who is also a Volunteer at The Garden at home except when one our 6 grandchildren come to visit . All of my daughters have worked in the Pavilion Café at some
Words : Peter Robinson , Receptionist
point and my eldest son , Liam , was one of the Visitor service Team during the last few summers whilst he was at university , so it is quite the family affair ! I began working at The Garden in 2010 , on a 6 week training course , at which time I was asked to stay for the season , and 6 years later I am still here . I run the reception desk along with Julie Chambers , a new addition to the reception team last summer who has become a valued friend and colleague . We are the first point of contact for all phone calls , we are the front line , and it can feel like being in the trenches some days as we can be so busy , particularly in the summer months and Christmas . Most days , time flies by ; I sit down , and the next thing a couple of hours have flown by . We handle all enquiries and endeavour to have all answers to hand , and I think more often than not we do . My role also sees me assisting Tracy Cullen , the Friends Manager , with renewals and enquiries . I also assist the charitable programmes like Elderberries including the selling of tickets for Pilates and Yoga sessions with my usual mantra of , “ correct money Ladies !” We are a friendly bunch , and I am just one member of a welcoming and approachable team .