Councillor Ron Whittaker was born in St. Clements Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth and has lived and worked all his life in Bournemouth.
Ron started his working life on the railways, after leaving Oakmead Boys School, as a cleaner then being promoted to footplate fireman on Steam Trains. Then he went on to establish himself with a 26 year career in The Dorset Ambulance Service. Ron now works part-time for a small well run Independent family Funeral Business George Scott who have offices in Kinson and Boscombe.
Ron was first elected as a Councillor to the Throop and Muscliff ward in Bournemouth (then known as Moordown North ward) in 1971. He has held the seat continually for the past 40 years. He was also elected to Dorset County Council in 1973 until the reorganisation of local government in 1997. Ron is proud to have been elected as The Mayor of Bournemouth in 1993/94. Ron met his lovely partner, Jackie when Mayor.
He is a Governor of Muscliff Primary School, Shillingstone Drive, Bournemouth. He also serves on the Planning Board, Environment and Transport Panel and Local Development Framework Panel of Bournemouth Borough Council.
Ron still maintains his interest in steam engines and is lucky to have special happy memories and photos of those better days. Here are some photos of Ron’s early career.
His interest remains to see the area of the Muscliff and Throop ward retain its very special place as a beautiful and peaceful part of the Stour Valley Countryside. He would like to help secure Throop Mill as an open visitor attraction.