Credit: Derbyshire PoliceA man has been charged with attempted murder after an alleged attack inside a prison
is accused of carrying out the assault at HMP Frankland in County Durham on 10 May 2024
It is reported the incident took place in a workshop
Durham Police charged Bendall with attempted murder in February 2025 after what they called a serious assault
The victim suffered serious head injuries and was taken to hospital but is now recovering
Bendall appeared at Teeside Crown Court on 4 March but did not enter a plea
He will next appear at the same court on 21 May
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories
Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know
Housebuilder Honey will build 174 new two
Derbyshire after being granted planning permission for the £50million development
Called Aurelle, the development is located off Upperthorpe Road and is just a short commute to Chesterfield and Sheffield
The development will comprise 18 of Honey’s house types and include terraced
Prices at the development will start from £259,995 for a two-bedroom semi-detached house type
The Sheffield-headquartered developer says its house types have all been specifically designed to combine “style
substance and sustainability” for the benefit of buyers
Allocated as part of the North East Derbyshire district’s local plan
35 of the site’s 174 homes will be designated as affordable housing
Honey will also be contributing to local initiatives
including a commitment to an overall biodiversity net gain for the development
Work at Aurelle is expected to start on site by March
with the first residents able to move in from October
Honey has secured 21 sites across Yorkshire and the East Midlands that will deliver 2,850 homes and a combined gross development value of £795million
The housebuilder is backed by private equity firm Alchemy Partners and its Alchemy Special Opportunities Fund IV which has £937million of fully committed capital
commented: “We are very pleased to have received planning permission for Aurelle
we have seen strong interest from a range of buyers looking for homes which combine substance
we look forward to starting work on site and launching the first homes for sale at this new community we are creating in Killamarsh.”
Copyright © 2025 Show House
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience
We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions
You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below
The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site
We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website
and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you
These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent
You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience
Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site
such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences
These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data
Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website
These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns
Sign up here for your daily business digest direct to your inbox
Sign Up
Discover our talented editorial team and the principles that drive them
A housebuilder is pressing ahead with a £50 million scheme
Honey has secured planning permission for a 174-property development in Killamarsh
chief executive at Sheffield-headquartered Honey
said: “We are very pleased to have received planning permission
“We look forward to starting work on site and launching the first homes for sale.”
Honey is backed by private equity firm Alchemy Partners and its Alchemy Special Opportunities Fund IV
the builder has secured 21 sites across Yorkshire and the East Midlands
Sign up to receive our popular Yorkshire & The Humber morning email for free
25 Feb 2025 By Ciaran Nerval
Already registered? please Log in to continue
Try Property Week For Free to finish this article
To access this article TRY FOR FREE NOW
Don't want full access? REGISTER NOW for limited access and to subscribe to our newsletters
Already registered or subscribed? SIGN IN here to continue
Property Week’s 2025 Power of Proptech survey, sponsored by Freeths, seeks to explore the robustness of this digital infrastructure and how prepared businesses are to meet the technological challenges facing the property sector.
Win HappyPremiumSearch
Rayogreatest hitssouth yorkshirenewsKillamarsh man Damian Bendall charged with attempted murder over prison attackDamian Bendall is accused of assaulting a fellow inmate at HMP Frankland last May
A Killamarsh man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a prisoner in County Durham
35 year old Damian Bendall is accused of assaulting a fellow inmate at HMP Frankland last May
It's emerged he was charged with attempted murder by Durham Police last month
appearing before Teesside Crown Court on March 4
Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.
Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited
Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House
Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing
Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern
London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales
VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898)
Damien Bendall killed three children and his pregnant partner after having been classed as posing a low risk of serious harm
Probation workers involved with a man who went on to murder three children and his pregnant girlfriend have described being “overwhelmed” by their workload
An inquest opened on Monday into the deaths of Terri Harris
who is serving whole-life sentences after he admitted last year to killing them in a series of “brutal
The victims’ bodies were discovered at the family home in Killamarsh, Derbyshire
A review of how probation staff supervised Bendall in January found that there were several failings
said the assessment and supervision of Bendall was of an “unacceptable standard” at every stage and “critical opportunities” to correct errors were missed
Inquests into all four deaths began at Chesterfield coroner’s court on Monday and will explore how Bendall
who had a history of serious and violent offences dating back to 2004
was classed as posing a low risk of serious harm to partners and children
The inquest heard evidence from two probation officers who worked at Swindon probation office
near where Bendall lived before he moved in with Harris
They said their heavy workload left them feeling stressed
a probation officer who worked at the Swindon office between May 2016 and April 2017
said he moved to the branch to help because it had staffing and recruitment issues
Read told the inquest how an former partner of Bendall had made allegations of domestic abuse against him
but this could not be recorded in the offender assessment system because it is a document seen by the offender and thus could put the woman at risk
That meant the potential risk of domestic violence was not passed on to other probation officers who took on Bendall’s case
said she was not aware that a former partner had made allegations of domestic abuse and therefore she assessed him as being at a medium risk of violence in relationships and a low risk to children
Thomas told the inquest she took over Bendall’s case from a probation officer who had gone on long-term sick leave
She said that at one point while working at the Swindon office she was working at 170% capacity
She said: “It felt overwhelming at times in Swindon
I was very stretched for roughly a month because I wanted to do a good handover for my colleagues
When Thomas took over the management of Bendall’s case
he was in prison for assaulting a prison officer
She said he was assessed as a risk to prison staff because of the attack and a risk to the public because of an armed robbery he had previously carried out
Thomas told the inquest “in an ideal world” she would have had time to look over two years’ worth of assessments on Bendall
play iconWATCH: The moment Damien Bendall was arrested for the murders in 2021
A convicted killer who murdered four people has bludgeoned a fellow inmate with a claw hammer
who killed his pregnant lover and three kids
is said to have smashed the inmate’s skull in a jail workshop
Sources from within Frankland Prison, Co Durham, told The Sun the victim was bludgeoned three or four times and may not survive.
An investigation has been launched into an assault at the Category A men's prison.
Damien Bendall allegedly assaulted another inmate at HMP Frankland
A source said: "This is a shocking and horrendous attack even by the standards of Frankland, which is a grim and violent place. The prison officers and medics who attended were traumatised.
"Police will investigate it as either attempted murder or murder, depending on whether the victim survives. Bendall has been put into a segregation unit."
A spokesperson from Durham Constabulary told GB News: "An investigation is underway following a serious assault which occurred at Frankland prison, Durham on Friday (May 10).
"The victim was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries. Enquiries are now ongoing."
A Prison Service spokesperson told GB News: "We cannot comment on a live police investigation but prisoners who are violent face tough punishments."
On the evening of September 18 2021, Bendall murdered 35-year-old Terri Harris, her 11-year-old daughter Lacey Bennett, her son John Paul Bennett, 13, and Lacey’s friend Connie Gent, 11 in Killamarsh, Derbyshire. Bendall also admitted raping Lacey "as her life ebbed away".
He then rang the police to tell them he had murdered four people, before meeting them outside the home to ask for a cigarette.
His trial at Derby Crown Court heard how Bendall and Terri had met online about 18 months before the killings.
The couple's relationship was said to be categorised by his drug use and unstable behaviour and the family said they "witnessed in effect a disastrous effect on Terri's wellbeing".
The scene in Chandos Crescent in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, where four people were murdered in 2021
In October last year, an inquest found several "very stark" failures by probation services led to Bendall being categorised as low risk before the murders.
Peter Nieto, the senior coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, ruled there were "several very stark acts or omissions" by both the probation service and individuals that "cumulatively" contributed to the deaths.
This includes clear signs that Bendall posed a serious danger to women and children.
Credit: Derbyshire PoliceA factory worker who was the victim of a random drive-by shooting has spoken of how he was found "cowering" by his boss after a loud bang induced a panic attack
The man, in his 30s, was driving along Ashley Lane in Killamarsh, near Sheffield, when he was shot at by a passenger in a passing car.
He was hit by shrapnel but was otherwise unhurt in the attack, but in a victim impact statement given in court said he suffered "night terrors" following the incident.
The man, who has not been named, said he was "dumbfounded" about why he was targeted.
He added: "I was working in a factory at the time of the shooting and every time a forklift truck dropped a load of sheet metal on to the floor and it made a loud bang, it reminded me of being shot at and I would jump out of my skin.
"My boss found me cowering behind a machine after one such bang, due to having a panic attack."
The man said: "The consequences of having a shotgun fired at me has also been to make me paranoid. I am wary of any car that drives up behind me at speed.
"I also constantly monitor the doors and fire escapes at work in case someone comes in who is looking at doing me harm."
The incident happened on 23 July, 2020, when the victim slowed his car to let a Ford Fiesta pass after it drove up behind him flashing its lights.
Derby Crown Court heard the car pulled alongside him before the passenger fired shots at his vehicle.
The two occupants torched the Fiesta in Sheffield before getting away in a silver Vauxhall Astra.
Police chased the Astra as it drove at speeds of 90mph in a 40mph zone, overtaking other cars and driving on the wrong side of the road.
Two men then got out of the car and ran off.
The driver, Daniel Clarke, 21, was arrested nearby.
He pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent cause fear of violence, dangerous driving and arson.
Clarke, of Highwood Place, Eckington, was jailed for five years and banned from driving for three-and-a-half years.
Det Con Jason Wyatt, who led the investigation, said: "Anyone who believes that they can behave like Clarke should know that we will work across borders to bring those responsible to justice."
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Credit: Family handoutThe families of a pregnant mother and three children murdered on a night of violence have spoken of their loss at the opening of the inquest into their deaths
was killed by her partner Damien Bendall at her home in Killamarsh
Bendall also murdered Ms Harris's 11-year-old daughter Lacey Bennett and her son John Paul Bennett
was found guilty of murdering all four victims and of raping Lacey Bennet
He was given a whole life jail term in December 2022
An inquest is being held into the deaths at Chesterfield Coroner's Court
In part it will examine the role the probation service played in assessing Bendall
who had a violent history dating back to 2004 and had been described by one probation officer as "cold and calculated and quite psychopathic"
Damien Bendall was given a whole life prison order
meaning he will never be released from prison
Credit: Derbyshire PoliceOn the first day of the inquest
the court heard from the families of the victims
Terri Smith's mother Angela described her daughter as "completely dedicated" to her children
She said: "I could not possibly put the void this has left inside me into words
Some days I question the meaning of my existence."
She added: "When Lacey and John were younger they used to say they were scared of monsters
I told them there was no such things as monsters
described Lacey as outgoing and theatrical
with a love for making TikTok videos and performing
He said John was "quiet and thoughtful" and "a caring young man"
Charles Gent said his daughter Connie loved to sing and act and to read. She had just started secondary school at the time of her death. He said: "You were my wonderful girl and I will always miss you."
The four victims were discovered dead at a house in Chandos Crescent, Killamarsh, North Derbyshire, on 19 September 2021.
Bendall had attacked them with a claw hammer, in different rooms of the house.
He later called police saying he had carried out four murders.
Bendall told officers he had consumed "three to four bags of cocaine and then blacked out".
He initially denied the murders but later pleaded guilty and was told he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Rayohits radiosouth yorkshirenewsDad of two children murdered in Killamarsh plans to 'keep their legacy alive' this weekend Jason Bennett's put together another charity football game in memory of his children who died almost three years ago
The dad of two children - who were murdered in Killamarsh shortly after selling sweets for charity - plans to 'keep their legacy alive' once again this weekend
Jason Bennett's two children - John & Lacey - were killed at home - alongside their pregnant mum Terri
Damien Bendall pleaded guilty to the murders in 2022 & was sentenced to a whole life order in prison
For the second year running - Jason's putting on a charity football match in Sheffield to raise funds for the Youth Cancer Trust
A team of his family & friends will take on a side including a number of Sheffield Wednesday legends tomorrow from 2pm
It's because his children & their friend Connie were raising money for the charity in the hours before their death - by selling sweets
He says arranging the event has given him a focus:
"I've come to terms more with it
"Every day is another day further away from when I last kissed and hugged my kids
but I get myself to work and pick myself up
"I'm grateful that I've had this event to focus on and help to raise money for the Youth Cancer Trust
"The more I carry on this journey remembering them like this
the more it feels like they are still here with me
it's something I've got to continue doing for myself."
Over £6,000 pounds has been raised ahead of the event at the Sheffield Wednesday Community Facility in Hillsborough on Saturday
You can read more on Jason's fundraiser on the link below:
First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.
The house where Damien Bendall murdered his partner and three children has been demolished
Bendall attacked 35-year-old Terri Harris along with her children
11-year-old Lacey Bennett and 13-year-old John Paul Bennett at the property in Chandos Crescent
Bendall, now 33, is serving five whole-life sentences for the murders
diggers were used to pull down the semi-detached property and its neighbouring house
North East Derbyshire District Council said the work was being carried out following consultation with residents and families
Killamarsh murder victims (clockwise from top left): Connie Gent
35.It added: "We will continue to liaise with them throughout the demolition process and following completion of the works the area will be grassed in line with the wishes of the victims' families."
The four victims were discovered dead at the house on 19 September 2021
A court heard how each was attacked with a claw hammer
Ms Harris was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time of the attack
a watchdog found the Probation Service had missed opportunities to prevent the violence
His records showed an ex-partner had made allegations of domestic abuse against him and a police child sexual exploitation unit had contacted probation about him a year before the attacks
described him as "cold and calculated and quite psychopathic"
Intelligence about the risk of "serious sexual harm" he could pose to girls was "not explored or recorded sufficiently"
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories
her children and one of their friends in a series of ‘vicious’ attacks
A man has been given five whole-life sentences for the murder of his pregnant partner and three children in a series of “brutal
which included the rape of one of the children
and her two children from a previous relationship – John Paul Bennett
11 – as well as Lacey’s friend Connie Gent
The victims’ bodies were discovered at the family home in Killamarsh
View image in fullscreenConnie Gent
Photograph: Derbyshire Constabulary/PAThe court heard that on the previous night
he had gone around the house attacking Harris and the children with a claw hammer
vicious and cruel attacks on a defenceless woman and three young children,” Louis Mably KC
The circumstances of these offences are truly hideous and dreadful to relate.”
Mr Justice Sweeney sentenced Bendall to five whole-life sentences
The court heard Bendall and Harris met on a dating website and began a relationship in April 2020
Friends described the relationship as “characterised by the defendant’s drug use
said Bendall was controlling in the relationship
which was reported to have a “disastrous effect on Terri’s wellbeing”
and she was concerned about his drug use and violent behaviour
Bendall was convicted of arson in May 2020 and given a suspended prison sentence
Harris told friends she was trying for a baby
and Bendall hinted to friends she was pregnant
View image in fullscreenDamien Bendall. Photograph: Sky NewsThe court heard that Connie went to the house for a sleepover on 17 September 2021 and asked her mother whether she could spend an extra night there. The two girls spent Saturday selling sweets to raise money for the charity Cancer Research UK.
Mably said it was believed Bendall began his attack shortly after 9.40pm that night as the children were getting ready for bed.
After the killings, Bendall took John’s Xbox console and travelled in a taxi to the Woodhouse area of Sheffield, where he exchanged it for drugs.
The court heard that when asked by the driver how his night had been, Bendall said: “Yeah not too bad, bit mad.” Questioned further, he said he had been “just chilling with the family really”.
The following morning, the defendant used Connie’s phone to dial 999 and admitted killing four people, Mably said.
Bodycam footage showed when police arrived, Bendall told them: “I’ve murdered four people,” and when asked why, he said: “I don’t know. I blanked out, it’s like I was, erm, outside my body but looking in.”
Police at first did not believe Bendall, and the officer who first searched the house was “entirely unprepared” for what he found. “The mounting horror and disbelief was evident as he went from room to room,” Mably said.
Bendall had a number of minor stab wounds to his chest and abdomen, which were treated in hospital.
A postmortem found Harris was hit on the head with a hammer at least nine times, and that her daughter, Lacey, died as a result of head injuries and pressure to the neck. It is believed Lacey was raped after losing consciousness.
Bendall later told prison officers there was no motivation for the offences and he had been on a cocaine “binge”.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Smith said the loss of her only daughter and two grandchildren was devastating.
“I remember when John and Lacey were younger they would say they were scared of monsters and I told them there was no such thing. How wrong I was,” she said. “I often have nightmares of Bendall walking round the house looking for the children. I am traumatised by what he has done.”
John and Lacey’s father, Jason Bennett, said he was “living in a continual nightmare”. “I cannot comprehend how someone could take so many innocent lives, it makes no sense,” he said.
Speaking outside court, DI Mark Shaw, of Derbyshire constabulary, said the family of the victims had endured 15 months of “unimaginable distress and anxiety … but at least today, they have some reassurance that Bendall will not be able to cause further harm”.
“Bendall is monstrous. It’s the only word that is measurable against what he’s done,” he said. “The force and weapon used would have meant they were very quickly incapacitated. It’s also difficult to comprehend the nature of the further attacks on Lacey for all those involved.”
Andrew Baxter from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “It is hard to put into words the scale of Damien Bendall’s barbaric and horrifying actions. What he did left two families utterly devastated by grief and a community in bewilderment and shock.”
Bendall’s defence initially put forward theories that his judgment was psychologically impaired, and he later claimed his actions were influenced by a brain injury sustained some years ago.
The CPS said extensive neurological tests did not show this to be the case and when all medical angles had been exhausted, Bendall admitted all charges.
The father of two children murdered by Damien Bendall says only the support of his friends and family has stopped him from taking his own life
along with their pregnant mother Terri Harris
is serving five whole life sentences for killing them with a claw hammer at their home in Killamarsh
Grandmother of Killamarsh victims was ‘scared’ of quadruple killer Damien Bendall will spend the rest of his life in prison
Credit: Derbyshire ConstabularyJohn and Lacey's father
admitted that he had considered ending his life after their deaths
and only the love and support of friends and family had helped him to survive
"I'm lucky that I'm surrounded by lovely and caring people," Mr Bennett said
"I don't think they realise how much strength they give me
He said he was now focused on living his life in honour of his children
I'm going to keep the promise I gave to my children - I'll live their love through me," he said
Mr Bennett was speaking at a charity football match organised in memory of John and Lacey
the siblings said they were planning to sell sweets to raise money for the Youth Cancer Trust
which provides support and holidays for young people living with the disease
Leading out a team called Adadforever United
Mr Bennett and his friends and family took on a team of Sheffield Wednesday legends
including former England stars Chris Waddle and Carlton Palmer
Players wore shirts with the names of Lacey and John on the back and hundreds of people turned out at Jubilee Sports Club in Sheffield to show their support
"The legacy of such a devastating event is just immense," said one woman spectating
"It means so much to so many people."
"We couldn't believe what we'd heard over the news
"I think Jay's done a really really good job for his son and daughter."
John and Lacey's step-sister Lydia Harrison was also there
"To be here to support my brother and sister means so
so much and I'll forever be grateful," she said
Thousands of pounds were raised through the game and post-match auction
"How can I not be inspired by this?" said Jason
"Anger - that doesn't help whatsoever and it won't help me and I won't let it be part of me
"Positive moving forward - that's what I'm going to do."
'Harrowing' footage shows moment 'monster' admits murdering four people Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
but viewers may find the clips distressing
Footage has been released showing the "harrowing" moment a man told police he had murdered his pregnant partner and three children at a home in Killamarsh
Damien Bendall pleaded guilty to murdering 11-year-old Lacey Bennett
The 32-year-old also pleaded guilty to raping 11-year-old Lacey
He had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter
Bendall was handed a whole life order by the judge at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday, 21 December - meaning he will never be released from prison.
During his 999 call, Bendall said: "I need the police and the ambulance here now because I've killed four people."
Once police arrived, he told them that he knew he was "going to go to prison, obviously".
The four victims were discovered dead at a house in Chandos Crescent on 19 September, 2021.
Louis Mably KC, prosecuting, told the court that each victim was attacked with a claw hammer, in different rooms of the house.
He said: "It appears the defendant went around the house looking for them and attacking them each in turn."
Det Insp Mark Shaw, who helped lead the investigation, said that Bendall was a "callous monster" who had carried out a "horrendous attack".
Speaking outside court after the sentencing, he said: "The level of force and violence carried out in the attacks was carried out with one intention - to take the lives of those on the premises.
"They’d all, from the nature of their relationship, come to trust Bendall and he took the opportunity to shatter that trust."
Det Insp Shaw added that while police officers "expect to deal with difficulties, no one should have to deal with such tragedy."
ClosePolice bodycam footage has shown the moment a murderer who killed four people was arrested
Damien Bendall murdered his victims with a claw hammer at a house in Chandos Crescent
The footage shows Bendall tell officers "I've murdered four people"
with CCTV also capturing him buying cigarettes after the killings
He pleaded guilty to murdering Terri Harris
and Lacey's 11-year-old friend Connie Gent
was sentenced to a whole-life prison term on Wednesday
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionEditor's recommendationsFootage shows arrest of man who murdered four
00:01:37Footage shows arrest of man who murdered four
1:37Up Next
Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz
00:01:40Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz
1:40Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day
00:01:25Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day
1:25Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster Video
00:01:21Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster
1:21'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result
00:01:20'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result
1:20Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK
00:02:54Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK
2:54Watch: Key moments from the local elections..
00:01:32Watch: Key moments from the local elections..
1:32Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories
00:01:11Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories
1:11Russell Brand's court appearance explained..
00:00:50Russell Brand's court appearance explained..
0:50Ros Atkins on..
What's in the US-Ukraine resources deal
1:23Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election
00:01:18Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election
1:18Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released
00:00:46Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released
Coopers Tours was founded in 1974 by James Cooper and sons Graham and Alan. A family business, Graham’s two sons James and Richard, along with Alan’s two children, Russell and Laura, are also Directors within the company.
As well as the coach business, there is an active road haulage company – J Cooper and Sons Transport – that delivers bulk aggregates, hires tipper trucks, and provides specialist trucks and low-loader trailers for recovery and the movement of PCVs, HGVs, and agricultural vehicles.
Coopers is based at Killamarsh in North East Derbyshire and primarily covers South Yorkshire and the North Midlands. It runs a maintenance facility for both coaches and trucks and what it calls a ‘one-stop body shop’ which repairs and repaints a range of vehicles including coaches, buses and trucks, cars, vans and even vintage tractors.
Coopers Tours has been a long-term member of the UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA), even prior to 2021 when, as the London Tourist Coach Operators Association (LTCOA), it had a primary London focus. Graham recognised access to London for coach operators from around the country was important and has supported the Association’s efforts in negotiating setting down and picking up arrangements on London’s red routes.
Graham and his family are also firm supporters of the UK Coach Rally and have won the LTCOA/UKCOA Martin Cornell Trophy every year since 2015 (for the highest placed UKCOA member in all classes).
Mechanics is another thing. We used to get a couple of kids a year from the local secondary school and give them first-class practical training in mechanical engineering. But we have had no interest from anyone for eight years. Surely out of a school of 1,400 students there must be a few budding engineers wanting some experience?”
PSVAR is still an issue and Graham has been a champion in pointing out the impracticalities of wheelchair lifts and their operation outside the urban environment, even producing a film to highlight the challenges.
“As careful as we are,” Graham says, “I am worried that we or another operator is going to end up having a serious accident in deploying the lift and then be prosecuted for doing so. I have tried to get the Health and Safety Executive interested in the situation and am waiting to hear what its conclusion is. Where else would you invest £25,000 to £30,000 (for a wheelchair lift) knowing that you would get no money in return for doing so?”
Graham tends to ‘say it how it is’, which is very refreshing, but I can tell he is still passionate about the industry, albeit frustrated with the challenges it is facing.
We look forward to seeing him and the team in Blackpool for the 2023 Coach Rally to defend their title!
routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.
A woman whose daughter and two grandchildren were murdered in their home has started making care packages for domestic abuse survivors
Angela Smith's daughter Terri Harris, grandson John Paul Bennett, who was 13, and granddaughter Lacey Bennett, 11, were killed by Damien Bendall two and half years ago
along with Lacey's friend Connie Gent
Bendall, who had a history of violence, was known by the authorities to be a risk to women and children when he moved in with Terri at her home in Killamarsh near Sheffield
Coroner warns women and children still at risk due to probation service failings Angela said she suffered with post-traumatic stress disorder after the incident
"It's broken all of us really," she said
"I don't think any of us will ever be the same again
Angela says going through life without them "doesn't make any sense"
It doesn't get easier," she said
"They're all hitting milestone birthdays - my grandson would have been 16 in December."
Angela is now making care packages for women fleeing domestic violence to distribute to refuges across the region
Containing small essentials from toothpaste to shower gel
they are a small gesture which could make a big difference to those left with very little
"It's just so they've got that little bag
because a lot of these women leave with nothing," she said
"Just so they've got something that's theirs and to know that someone cares about them
"I just hope it makes someone smile."
The bags are tagged with a heart and a message that reads 'With love from Terri's Fight'
The organisation was set up by Angela and family member Jade Donovan in an effort to help those affected by domestic violence
they have supplied 150 bags to various support groups
"We want to support every woman who needs that little bit of help," Jade said
"It's really sad that women are going through this every single day - it's lovely for us to help
but sad that this is even happening in the first place
"But if we can continue growing then that's what we'll do."
Their mission has already outgrown Angela's kitchen where she began making the bags
has rallied to donate goods and the office space where Terri's Fight is now based
"Everyone in Killamarsh has been amazing
people on the website - without them this wouldn't have even been a thing," Angela said
Jade added: "People go on the Facebook page and they find our wish list which they donate to and it comes straight to us
"But if anyone wants to get in touch they can also do that through the page and we'll talk to them about how they can help us
"We wanted to make positive change in Terri's name
to make her continue helping people because that's all she wanted to do in life," she said
Angela says her grandchildren would have been amazed to see her taking on the role she has
"It keeps their memory alive," she said
Hope that my daughter didn't die in vain."