Rony Robinson
Rony Robinson (born 24 December 1940 in Sheffield) is an English writer, educationalist and Sony Award-winning BBC Radio Sheffield daytime presenter. His novels include: "The Ted Carp Tradition" (Hodder), "The Beano" (Faber). His plays include "Snapshots" (Theatre Royal, Stratford East), "Events In An Upper Room" (Belgrade, Coventry and ICA) and the Sony Award-winning "Last Loves" on BBC Radio 4. Childhood and education. Born John Goronwy Robinson, he was educated at All Saints Church of England Primary School and King Edward VII School. He won a scholarship to Keble College, Oxford, where he studied History. While he  was at Oxford he was the Editor of the weekly University newspaper "Cherwell". He also gained a Diploma of Education. Working life and early writing. Robinson taught English at two large inner-city London comprehensive schools, Eltham Green school and, as head of department, Sedgehill. He wrote a number of text and source books for the "New English" in the 1960s. He published his first novel in 1971 and has been a full-time writer since 1974. Writing and broadcasting. Twice resident playwright at The Crucible Theatre (Sheffield) and once each at the Theatre Royal (Stratford East) and Deptford Green  School, Robinson has had over a hundred plays produced all over the country. He has written stories and plays and poems for young people: most successfully with "Down Your Way" (Nelson), "A Time Of Bears" (Macmillan) and "I Want Doesn't Get" (Faber). His "The Beano" has been adapted for various stage performances broadcast by the BBC and published in the United States. As a broadcaster, Robinson has presented a daily show on BBC Radio Sheffield uninterrupted since 1984. For the BBC network he has written and voiced various documentaries and scripted seven radio and one television play. His children 's poetry includes the much anthologised "We've Got A Wawa At Our House". He currently lives in Totley and plays and writes songs for the autoharp. He has had a lifelong interest in the revolutionary poet Edward Carpenter (1844 - 1929) who lived near Sheffield, about whom he has written in two of his plays, including "Edward Carpenter Lives!" and also appearing in a number of his novels. In 1999 he received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University. He supports Sheffield United.