A PRIVATE funeral will be held tomorrow of a well-known former councillor, campaigner and businesswoman.

Joan Ellis, 66, died of Covid-19 and underlying health issues at The West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, last Wednesday. She was much-loved by her family and many friends.

Details of the funeral cortege’s route have been made available so that people can pay their respects. It will leave Kirkgate, Cockermouth at 2.10pm and travel through Market Place, along Main Street, up the Gote to the Papcastle roundabout then down onto the A66.

The family has asked people who may line the route not to clap, and there are to be no funeral flowers except the family’s own and a single red rose from the Labour Party. Donations to Oxfam and Greenpeace.

Ms Ellis stepped down from her role as an Allerdale borough councillor in February, due to ill health. She lived in Papcastle and was an active member of the Labour Party.

Born in Workington, her early career involved working for Oxfam in their Whitehaven and London offices. She went on to be marketing officer for West Cumbria Development Agency and later worked as development project manager at Cockermouth School.

Obituary and tributes in this week's Times and Star.