Latest news with #TheWhitehavenNews
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cumbria MP launches plan to deliver ‘thousands' of jobs
JOSH MacAlister, Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington, has launched 'Get West Cumbria Growing' - a new industrial plan for West Cumbria which he says could deliver thousands of new jobs across the area and unlock land for new nuclear power generation. The plan is a more detailed version of one he published before the 2024 General Election which laid out his priorities if elected as the area's MP. Included are proposals to grow West Cumbria's nuclear industry by capitalising on the government's plan for plutonium disposition and unlocking land for new nuclear at Moorside. The plan also highlights the need to expand the Port of Workington to open up West Cumbria's economy to new markets and create further opportunities to diversify away from reliance on nuclear decommissioning whilst also supporting future work at Sellafield. Writing exclusively for The Whitehaven News this week, Mr MacAlister says the plan 'sets out a roadmap for a prosperous and diverse economy in West Cumbria'. Central to the plan is the case for unlocking land at Moorside, which has been the 'biggest barrier' to securing new nuclear power generation in West Cumbria since the collapse of the NuGen deal in 2018. According to Mr MacAlister, unlocking this land is 'absolutely critical' to West Cumbria's nuclear future. Mr MacAlister said: 'West Cumbria is the birthplace of the civil nuclear industry, representing the first clean energy revolution in the last century. It has a rich industrial heritage in mining and steel. 'Yet for all of our history, and our ongoing world leading work in nuclear decommissioning, there is huge untapped potential. There are many occasions when West Cumbria has been a pioneer community, and it should be again. That's why I have published this ambitious industrial plan to lay out the direction of travel to secure growth and jobs for our area. 'Central to this is unlocking land at Moorside where we could site small modular reactors and the industry they could power, which has been my top priority as your MP. I have spent endless hours over recent months making the case for this locally and nationally. 'I've held debates in Parliament, had more meetings with ministers on this than any other topic, and established the Cumberland Nuclear Future Board with Cumberland Council to bring together local partners united in our goal to secure our nuclear future. 'Once we have an agreement on use of the land we can motor ahead with attracting nuclear developers to the area, utilising the combination of a great plot of land, our existing nuclear industrial base, and a willing community. I'm doing everything I possibly can to get this over the line. 'I want to emphasise the partnership between me, Cumberland's other MPs, Cumberland Council, the NDA, Sellafield Ltd and unions representing our nuclear workforce who have been working closely together on this for many months. "Our community is clear; we want and deserve new nuclear.' Mr MacAlister is hosting a public meeting to launch his industrial plan and discuss his plan for new nuclear in West Cumbria on Thursday, June 26 at 6pm in Whitehaven. Anyone wishing to attend can sign up at or by calling his office on 01946 458023 and leaving your full name and address. Venue details will be provided following registration.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man donates Second World War air raid bell to West Cumbrian town crier
A MAN has donated a historic bell to the Whitehaven town crier. Tom Roberts had read in The Whitehaven News about Marc Goodwin, the town crier, breaking his bell, and has decided to donate one to him. The crier's bell came unstuck at Muncaster Castle when Marc swung it with vigour, and the clanger flew off into the crowd. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and Marc thinks he knows what was behind it. He said: "It was Tom fool, I'm sure of it. Muncaster's legendary jester would have loved that, and I'm sure his ghost had some influence on the day." Tom Roberts has now given a Second World War air raid bell to Marc on loan. The bell dates back to 1939. Marc has used it in his most recent shout about The Beacon's pop-up exhibition of the lost pubs of Whitehaven. Louise Savage from the Town Crier committee said: "It was a really lovely gesture by Tom, and I'm just keeping fingers and toes crossed that Marc cuts down on his Weetabix while using the replacement bell." For more information about the town crier or to contact him, follow his Facebook page.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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:
