If you’ve ever spent time at Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea, chances are you’ll have bumped into Ivy Robinson.
Perhaps you spotted the flower in her hair during the Ambassador Cruise Line World Indoor Bowls Championships, waved to her across the International Arena or Garden Restaurant, or simply noticed how many people stop to say hello as she makes her way around the Resort.
Ivy isn’t just a regular guest — she’s part of the Potters family, and on her most recent visit in December, Ivy arrived to a surprise that perfectly sums up what Potters is all about.
After her familiar train journey from Witham, via Colchester, Norwich and Lowestoft, she arrived a little later than usual. Unbeknown to her, Housekeeper Bridie — who has looked after Ivy’s favourite room in recent years — had something special planned.
“I’ve gotten to know Ivy over the last four or five years,” Bridie explains. “She always stays in my allocated rooms, and C5 is her favourite. I wanted to do something just for her.”
After speaking to her managers and getting an enthusiastic yes, Bridie set about choosing the perfect sign — complete with some ivy in the design — to rename the room Ivy House whenever Ivy is on resort.
As the sun began to set, the team kept checking with Reception, eager for Ivy’s arrival. “We really wanted to greet her in style,” Bridie smiles.
And greet her they did.
“When I arrived, everyone said, ‘Let’s get you to your room, Ivy!’” Ivy recalls. “I didn’t really know what was going on… and then I saw the sign. I was gobsmacked. I’d had a bit of a difficult week, and it completely cheered me up.
“That’s the thing about Potters — you forget everything as soon as you walk through the door.”
For Ivy, C5 really is perfect. “It’s got a big cupboard — and I know Bridie is there too,” she says simply.
Housekeeper Bridie organised a memorable surprise for IvySitting down for coffee later that day, it quickly becomes clear just how well known Ivy is. Guests and team members alike stop by to say hello, including Mark Brewer, who jokingly asks how long our chat has been going on for.
Her Potters journey began through Witham Bowls Club. While she once enjoyed holidays abroad and cruises, everything changed on her very first visit. “I sat down in the Bowlers Bar and said, ‘This is the place for me,’” she remembers. “I felt so welcome — and as someone travelling on their own, I felt completely safe.”
That feeling stayed with her. Today, Ivy regularly invites other solo guests to join her for dinner, keen to pass on the same warmth she felt all those years ago.
Bowls, of course, remains at the heart of Ivy’s visits. She still plays for her club and during her breaks, much to the delight of Roy from the Bowls Desk, who during our coffee found himself one player short, but knew exactly who to ask.
Her love of the sport led her to the World Indoor Bowls Championships — initially just for a visit, and now for the full 17-day duration in 2026.
“I even had a chat with Ceris Hewlings from Bowls International magazine when she heard I was staying the whole time,” Ivy laughs. “That’s just another friend I’ve made here.”
Ivy in her front row seat at the World Indoor Bowls ChampionshipsMany may not know that Ivy has her own brush with fame too. She appeared on several TV shows in the 1960s, including Come Dancing and Take Your Pick, where she recalls turning down £18 in favour of a Black & Decker tool chest — which she still owns.
And then there’s the flower. “I started wearing it on cruise ships,” she explains. “But during World Bowls it became part of me. Friends ask me to wear it so they can spot me on TV — but the BBC cameras always seem to find me anyway!”
This year, Ivy was cheering on Les Gillett — Hopton-on-Sea’s Bowls Manager — and Robert Paxton, another of her favourites. “We bumped into each other one night a few years back at the bowls, and had a lovely long chat. We always look out for each other now, and I’ve met his mum and partner too — even my Boo Panda mascot is named Robert!”
Although Ivy has visited Five Lakes and enjoyed catching up with familiar faces there too, Hopton-on-Sea remains her favourite. “It’s a home from home,” she says. “Caroline at the Hair Studio is even my regular hairdresser now — I’m here that often!”
Reflecting on her many stays, Ivy smiles. “I’ve had lots of memorable moments… but I just seem to make more with every visit. It gets better every time.”
And thanks to Bridie, a little sign on a door now makes sure everyone knows exactly where Ivy belongs — right at the heart of Potters.
