Norwich Market trader Ramon 'Mr Bags' Swinger dies aged 64

Ramon Swinger, known on Norwich Market as Mr Bags, grew up in the city with two older sisters and was always destined to be a salesman.  

His older sister Marilyn said: “Ramon was always very naughty and thrived on getting into mischief.  

Ramon pictured with his sister Marilyn and mother Ramona (Image: Camilla Swinger)

“He would never share his sweets and would shove them all in his mouth while we chased him.”  

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He was also a troublemaker at school, receiving a report that named him as the worst pupil his teacher had ever taught. 

But his family always knew he would be successful.

Ramon took over from his mother Ramona on the Norwich Market stall (Image: Camilla Swinger)

Marilyn said: “The market stalls were passed down from our Indian grandfather, it was first taken on by our mother and she used to take Ramon down and keep him in a cardboard box until the table.  

“When Ramon started, he was selling jewellery, but later moved to bags and that really did take off.” 

Ramon sold all types of bags and quickly became very popular among the other market traders.

Ramon loved his family. Pictured: Ramon with 3 of his 4 grandchildren Sapphire, Elias and Maddison (Image: Camilla Swinger)

His daughter. Camilla Swinger, 36, said: “Dad got cancer, and we only realised how bad it was when he stopped going to the market.  

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“He worked from home until the end, and he wanted to get better to go back to his stall. 

Camilla Swinger, pictured with her dad Ramon said there is a huge hole in the family since her dad's death (Image: Camilla Swinger)

“It’s heartbreaking, he was the head of our family, now there is just a hole where he was.” 

The family are now determined to keep the market stalls owned by Ramon alive in his memory.  

Camilla said: “My son Elias Jolly is 12, but he promised his grandad he would look after the stalls when he was old enough.  

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“I see so much of my dad in him.”  

Ramon, who died on October 30, leaves two sisters, two children and four grandchildren.  

His funeral will take place on November 28 at 3.30pm at St Faiths Crematorium with a wake taking place at The Plough in Marsham following the service.  

Ramon's love for his stall has rubbed off on grandson Elias who wants to take over when he is old enough (Image: Camilla Swinger)

Donations can be made to Norfolk and Norwich University Trust following their great care for him.

Ramon’s Lotto Win

Mr Bags was the talk of the city when he won £103,399 on the National Lottery in 2008.

Then 48, Ramon matched five numbers and the bonus ball on the Lotto, having used his ‘lucky numbers’ for 12 years to finally win on June 7.  

Ramon Swinger on Norwich Market after picking five numbers and the bonus ball on the National Lottery in June 2008 (Image: National Lottery)

At the time Mr Swinger said: “I just couldn’t believe my luck!’ 

His daughter, Camilla, added: “He took all of his staff away on holiday with his winnings.  

“He also spoilt me as I was pregnant with his first grandchild at the time.  

“He bought his mother new carpets and a new kitchen for her house and also donated to cancer research.”