Last updated 12:12, Friday, 16 May 2008

Joe Bragg MBE, one of Whitehaven's most popular personalities, has died at the age of 80.

Joe Bragg was presented with a miners lamp at the William Pit memorial service on Sunday August 12th 2007 in St Nicholas church ground

Six years ago Joe was awarded the MBE for services to the community specifically in recognition of his efforts to make his home town a nicer place in which to live.
Kells-born Mr Bragg was one of the founders of the Whitehaven Heritage Group and for 13 years organised the Civic Pride Awards. In 1997 he received The Whitehaven News Person of the Year Award to to mark his achievements.
Joe spent most of his working life with BNFL at Sellafield, retiring as work administration manager in 1985 after 33 years' service.
During the latter part of his career he played a key role in BNFL's £3 million scheme to restore Whitehaven's Georgian properties.
Besides being a keen churchman he was also actively involved in the Miners' Memorial Committee which created the miners' mosaic at St Nicholas' Gardens and the William Pit memorial.
At the time of his MBE award, Joe said: "I love Whitehaven. I think it's a great place and has improved so much. There is such a great community spirit here."