About the Author

Robin William Thornton 1936 - 2020

Robin Thornton lived on the Island for the majority of his life and as a result, he got to know a lot of people who also reside here. Local communities are very active across the Island, and Robin would often help out at our local village hall and church with other members of our community.

Robin was somewhat of a history buff and has held talks with local residents about the local history of the area, and he was always happy to share this knowledge with others.

He had also lent a hand at church fetes and other local events that often raise money for local causes and organisations.

The Thornton family are the current owners of Ford Farm House and they used to own Old Park Hotel in St. Lawrence for over fifty years.

The child-friendly hotel was then sold on in 1999 before Robin and his wife Shirley moved on to run a successful bed & breakfast in the heart of Whitwell at The Old Rectory may years, which is mentioned on the website.

The Thorntons moved to Ford Farm House in 2008, they currently offer a one-bedroom continental bed and breakfast, as well as a converted self-catering cottage called Little Granville with a queen-size bed, ideal for a couple.

Robin was always happy to share his knowledge with his guests, where ever they were living at the time.

Sadly, Robin passed away peacefully at the Mountbatten Hospice on 23rd July 2020 aged 84.

He is missed by so many, not just his family, but those he got to know over his time here.

Tribute to Robin

A tribute was posted within the Isle of Wight County Press, you can read it here.

Read the tribute here