13-05-2025
Tributes paid after death of well-known former miner and council chairman
A WEL-known former coal miner and council chairman has died aged 90.
Ronnie Calvin, of Harbour View, Whitehaven, left school at 15 and followed his dad down the pit to become a coal miner.
He worked at William Pit, where his dad, Herbert Calvin, tragically died in the 1947 disaster. Ronnie then worked at Haig Pit until 1984.
Ronnie Calvin at the unveiling of the William Pit memorial in 1998 (Image: John Story)
He went on to become one of the most recognisable figures on the Cumbrian political scene, representing Hensingham and Mirehouse East on Cumbria County Council for 28 years.
He rose to become chairman of the council and was chairman of the county's local area committee for Copeland for eight years.
Ronnie Calvin was a coal miner for 35 years and a councillor for nearly three decades (Image: Family handout)
During his mining career, Ronnie had a few close shaves underground and in 1966 decided to go to night school, study mining science and train to be a deputy.
Eighteen years later, his career came to an abrupt halt when he was caught up in the first round of redundancies at Haig. He was 49. He set up on his own offering a rock blasting service, shot firing for the mining industry.
Ronnie Calvin loved nature and was 'always active' (Image: Family handout)
Ronnie then worked at WH Smith in Whitehaven part-time, for 13 years until he was 65. He would turn up at the crack of dawn to receive the early morning deliveries from Menzies.
He first got into politics in the 1970s when he lived at Cleator Moor and joined Cleator Moor Town Council.
Ronnie Calvin boring shotholes at Force Crag (Image: Family handout)
In 1981 he had stood for the county council, and won the seat for Hensingham and Mirehouse East. It put him at the centre of decision-making and political power and he soon got the hang of how things worked.
Ronnie's son, Peter, said his dad loved helping people and the council was 'his life'.
Ronnie Calvin (centre) was part of the Midgey Ghyll Allotments committee (Image: The Whitehaven News archive)
Ronnie was also a member of the Civil Defence force, a part-time fireman at Hensingham, a scout leader, and a school governor for 20 years, at Hensingham Juniors.
He was always active and had a love of the natural world. He loved to walk the hills and dales, and was an allotment holder at Midgey, where he was also chairman of the local Allotment Association.
Ronnie Calvin at a Save Our Services protest in 2006 (Image: The Whitehaven News archive)
Ronnie had a keen interest in industrial history and the history of Whitehaven. His son said he was 'always taking photos' and has documented Whitehaven through the years with many photos.
He was a Florence Mine volunteer taking parties underground, a guide aboard the Endeavour tall ship when it visited town and was a founder of the now closed Haig Mining Museum.
Ronnie Calvin (left) at the Whitehaven food festival in 2009 (Image: The Whitehaven News archive)
Ronnie's son said his dad was forever indebted to The Salvation Army for the support they gave to families affected by the William Pit Disaster and donations in his memory are being made to the charity.
Ronnie was married to the late Else and leaves behind his son Peter, daughter Pauline and grandchildren, Peter, Dean and Nicola.
His funeral service will be held at Distington Crematorium on Wednesday, May 14 at 2pm. Donations in his memory can be made at:
