The Christie – In Memory of Pete Robinson
Bent and Bongs Charity Donation – The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Bent and Bongs fundamental ethos on who and where they donate to is primarily focused on the local community. This donation, although still based in the North-West, doesn’t necessarily meet the general criteria, however, the purpose of the donation very much does so.
For, literally, decades, Saturday Afternoon entertainment was performed by a local Trio going by the name of Cracked Flag. Pete, Paul and Dave entertained the beer hungry fellowship with their folk music, classic rock covers and not to mention the meandering storytelling between. For the organisers, Cracked Flag was 2nd on the list of things to book, the 1st of course being a venue for them to play at. After that everything else that goes around running a beer festival took place.
Many of you reading this will know exactly who Cracked Flag are and will have enjoyed their music, the energy and of course, before the health and safety tightening, the projectile soft toys getting launched around Formby Hall during the closing songs of their set list as the beer leeriness is in full swing.
Unfortunately, at the beginning of 2024 the organisers of Bent and Bongs got a call that no one ever wanted to hear. Pete had been diagnosed with the C and they had to pull out of playing given his energy levels. As Queen (the band) once said, “The show must go on” and it did but there was something missing on that Saturday afternoon. Bent and Bongs prayed for recovery and hoped it was a blip in the road but unfortunately later that year (October 2024), the news became much worse as Pete unfortunately passed.
As much as Bent and Bong’s heart is filled with sorrow, it is equally filled with happiness that we was able to have Pete and Cracked Flag entertain us for as many years as they did. For that, the Trustee’s knew they had to do something to remember Pete by.
2025’s show saw the entertainment stage be renamed as the Cracked Flag stage just as there is the John Peel stage at Glastonbury, Atherton can have its own musical legends honoured. Words, as kind as they are, sometimes don’t go far enough. In Pete’s memory, Paul, Dave, Pete’s family along with other musicians did some fundraising to remember Pete by and donated the funds to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. It was only right that Bent and Bong’s supported them as they supported us throughout the years. The BBCT sent a donation in Pete’s memory and hope it helps towards the vital work that Christie’s do for everyone battling with the big C.
Arguably, a donation that is not strictly in the local community however I am sure you will agree that people within the community have used Christies and benefitted from the help they give.
