A FORMER joiner died from a type of cancer which was probably caused by asbestos exposure during work in the 1970s and 1980s.

Keswick-born Stephen Mandale, aged 80, was head boy at the town’s school and an active sportsman for most of his life.

Stephen was, a Cockermouth Coroners’ Court inquest heard, also a huge supporter of national, regional and local sport, particularly rugby and cricket in Keswick.

A father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he enjoyed the outdoors, his independence, driving his car and visiting friends and family. He looked fit and healthy, and regularly cycled into Keswick on his push bike before becoming poorly in February, 2023.

At that time, Stephen was presenting with symptoms suggestive of mesothelioma, a type of cancer often associated with exposure to asbestos.

No formal diagnosis was made in the months which followed. Stephen was admitted to the West Cumberland Hospital on 17th November with breathing difficulties, and sadly died 11 days later. A post mortem showed that the primary cause of his death was metastatic mesothelioma — a condition which had been suspected for many months.

“Our father’s death leaves an enormous hole in all of our lives,” his son, Simon, said in a statement read to the inquest this morning (thurs).

Assistant Cumbria coroner Craig Smith heard Stephen was employed by Thomas Armstrong for several years as a joiner, based on various sites in the 1970s and 1980s.

At one particular location, Stephen had recalled working with sheeting boards containing asbestos. Cutting them to size with a handsaw created had some dust.

He could not remember whether or not masks were worn while that cutting took place, nor whether he was ever told to wear a mask or received warnings about the dangers of breathing in asbestos.

Mr Smith noted no convincing asbestos bodies had been detected during the post mortem examination —but also said this did not mean there had not been exposure to asbestos which could have caused the cancer.

Recording a narrative conclusion after hearing evidence which included detailed medical notes, Mr Smith said: “It is probable on the evidence that mesothelioma was precipitated by established exposure to asbestos in the course of previous employment.”

More recently, non-smoker Stephen had also worked for Cumbria County Council as a lecturer, as a Keswick hotel maintenance man, shop assistant and general assistant at Keswick’s High Hill Automotive. There was no asbestos-related exposure during these jobs, the inquest heard.

Mr Smith also said: “It is clear that Stephen was a very sociable person and his family was obviously very dear to him. I’ve absolutely no doubt at all that his passing will have left a huge hole in the lives of those he leaves behind, and that he will be very sadly missed by them.”