The widow of an asbestos victim needs memories from Leicestershire’s Ellistown Pipeworks and Ibstock Bricks
Posted: 15th Apr 25 10:00 AM
A grieving widow is appealing for help from former workers at Ellistown Pipeworks, in Woodville, and Ibstock Bricks, in Ibstock, after her husband died of a cruel asbestos-related lung cancer.
Margaret Jollands’ husband, Ronald, was exposed to asbestos whilst working in both factories as a mechanical fitter.
An inquest into Ronald’s death by the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Coroner’s Service on January 31 (2025) recorded that the 89-year-old died of progressive sarcomatoid mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos during his employment.
Mesothelioma is a terminal form of lung cancer caused by breathing in asbestos dust and fibres. The cancer is aggressive and leaves its victims exhausted and struggling for breath.
With the help of The National Asbestos Helpline and Alderstone Solicitors, Margaret is making an industrial disease compensation claim to get justice for her husband and to secure their family’s future.
To be able to do so, Margaret needs assistance from anyone who can remember working in the Leicester area for either Ellistown Pipeworks, in Woodville, between 1969 and 1976 or Ibstock Bricks, in Ibstock, between 1982 and 1995.
You or a family member may have worked alongside Ronald and know of the working conditions and presence of asbestos. Or you or a family member may have worked in one of the two factories and have memories of the use and presence of asbestos materials.
Margaret, from Burton-on-Trent, says: “It never occurred to us that Ronald had any form of asbestos related illness. We were shocked and devasted when the hospital doctor told us in September that he had mesothelioma and wasn’t well enough to have any treatment. Less than nine weeks later my Ronald was gone.”
Mesothelioma is caused when asbestos fibres are inhaled and get lodged in the lungs. The fibres enter the pleural lining of the lung and chest wall where they injure the cells of the pleura, and, over time, cause the terminal cancer.
Jan Garvey, from the National Asbestos Helpline, says: “Mesothelioma is a cruel and aggressive lung cancer. To watch your husband deteriorate so quickly and be in constant pain is heart-breaking. The cancer is devastating a generation of working people who go on to face this terrible illness. More needs to be done to help people like Ronald, Margaret and their family who are impacted by mesothelioma.”
Before his death, Ronald recalled working at Ellistown Pipeworks in the early 1970s when a second tunnel kiln was built called TK2. The kiln was insulated with asbestos.
Whilst working for Ibstock Bricks between 1982 and 1995, Ronald remembered working under the roof of the South Works Number Three Mill. The roof was made of corrugated asbestos. During regular maintenance and repairs, the asbestos roof would be drilled and broken up. This resulted in the asbestos dust falling on Ronald and his colleagues below as they worked.
Joanne Keen, a specialist asbestos solicitor from Alderstone Solicitors, says: “For a family to lose their father to this cruel and aggressive cancer is unjust. Mesothelioma can take up to 50 years to develop. We would be grateful if anyone who worked at either of the two companies would come forward with any information to help with our investigation. We need the support of former employees of Ellistown Pipeworks and Ibstock Bricks. Please get in touch and help Margaret. Your details will remain confidential.”
Anyone who has information about exposure to asbestos while working for Ellistown Pipeworks, in Woodville, and Ibstock Bricks, in Ibstock, please get in touch with Joanne Keen on 01244 688 762 at Alderstone Solicitors. Alternatively, email jkeen@alderstonesolicitors.co.uk. Your details will remain confidential.