AN exhibition celebrating the life of a former Bishop of London with roots in a small Darlington village drew the crowds to St Peter’s Church, Cleasby.
The church also welcomed two special visitors to the exhibition on Sunday to mark 300 years since Cleasby-born John Robinson became the Bishop of London in 1714.
A distant relative of Mr Robinson, Simon Robinson, presented a portrait of his seven times great uncle to St Peter’s Church and the newly enthroned Bishop, Right Rev Nick Bains, Bishop of Leeds (West Yorkshire and the Dales) led a Songs of Praise worship.
John Robinson was born in Cleasby in November 1650 as the son of a cooper, but thanks to his aunt’s marriage to a wealthy London linen dealer, he was able to study at Oxford University.
Before becoming the Bishop of London, Mr Robinson was an English Ambassador in Sweden, the Dean of Windsor and the Lord Privy Seal – one of the most important ministerial jobs in the country.
However, he never forgot his Cleasby roots and funded the building of a new chapel, school and parsonage in the village.
He also donated pieces of silverware to the church, including the Cleasby Cup made by Queen Anne’s silversmith, which was on display at St Peter’s on Sunday from Ripon Cathedral where it is usually housed for safekeeping.
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