Chairman 2015- JRA(Administrator)

Yes, I saw the posting.  Incredibly crass and tactless, I thought, seeing as how he has no idea of the story.

When I wrote "sensitive", I was considering how his wife might feel having complete strangers phoning up with business enquiries for him, as there's a home phone number up there.

Can't imagine she'd be upset at my suggestion he was worthy of the 'Hall of Fame'.

I'm happy to be judged by Mandy for my suggestions.

I would like to thank all the members of the JRA for their kind words about Robin and I have received many cards as well.

The official announcement came out in the Daily Telegraph today and I hope to make the day a celebration of his life.

BLAIN, Robin William originally from Melbury Bubb and latterly of Titchfield, on Wednesday 25^th October peacefully at his new home in Broadmayne after a short illness aged 76.  Husband of Miranda (Mandy), loving father of Christopher & Guy, grandfather to Amber and Rosie.

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired to RNLI and Melbury Bubb PCC, c/o A.J. Wakely & Sons, 16 Newland, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3JQ. Tel: 01935-816817.

Funeral service to be held at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Melbury Bubb (DT2 0NQ) at 2 p.m. on Saturday 18^th November followed by refreshments at Leigh Village Hall (DT9 6HL) where all will be welcomed.  Please let Mandy or Wakely’s know if you are attending.

Many people have kind enough to post pictures of Robin and if you have a picture the family would love to see it.  I am afraid most of our photos are of Christmas celebrations which have for many years remained identical except for the sons' facial hair!

Mandy

I had a delightful visit with Robin and Mandy in 1999. I traveled with him on his rounds, including a boat delivery to the Isle of Wight. We made a pilgrimage to the former office of Angus Primrose and Associated to speak with Bill Dixon who remembers packing up the plans for my NA-29 (Marco Polo III/Teleport in 1976.) Another pilgrimage took us on a day trip to the Kensington Science Museum in London to view the junk model Maze Collection. Just amazing> It's a pity the collection has been removed from display.

I corresponded with Robin over the years during construction. I regarded him as part of my whole junkrig experience. RIP

David and I joined the JRA from abroad when we were building our Tom Colvin designed boat.  We came to know of the JRA through another member who was building a 'sister ship' in Southampton.  The JRA was then in its infant, pre-computer days.  Our welcome into the relatively small membership was a personal note from Robin along with a copy of an early newsletter.   A face-to-face meeting did not happen until we returned to the UK on an fittings, engine and instrument buying expedition.  It so happened that there was a rally and AGM at Warsash while we were back in the UK and I was,  at last,  able to meet Robin, the driving force behind the JRA.  A kind and generous man for whom nothing, especially if related to junk,  was ever too much trouble.   Contact between Robin and ourselves was minimal during our years of cruising - largely because we had to rely on snail mail delivered to Poste Restante offices in our ports of call.   On returning to the UK,  our membership with the JRA continued despite no longer having a boat.  This changed in 2015 when Robin kindly helped me to find a junk rigged boat suited to our changed lifestyle.  He and Mandy generously had me to stay in their home when I drove to Portsmouth to view and sail aboard the boat once owned by the JRA.    Robin knew the boat very well and was concerned that I should feel it was the right boat for my purposes.  He joined me on my inspection of KRKA and accompanied me on the trial sail.    His generosity did not end there as he also prepared the boat for transportation to my home waters and saw that she was loaded safely for the journey.

While staying in the Blain's home,   Robin was keen that I should inspect the 'nerve centre' of the JRA.    His office - a veritable junk themed museum - displayed an amazing collection of junk pictures and photos,  and shelves containing every conceivable book on the subject of junks and their sails.   His fascination with, and his knowledge of the subject was second to none.   His unfailing willingness to help anyone who showed an interest in the subject to learn more,  his generous gifts of time for teaching and sharing his knowledge is a huge loss to junk enthusiasts the world over.     

We shall all miss you,  Robin.    Rest in Peace.

Condolences to Mandy and the rest of Robin's family.    

he did a lot for the junk–rig community – what a loss! 
my deepest condolences!!  

may g–d comfort his wife and his child!!!