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Grieving mum who ‘experienced visions’ after her son’s death dies in same place
‘Her family has suffered enough tragedy for 100 lifetimes’
A grieving mum who ‘experienced visions’ after her son’s death also died in the same place just weeks later.
A devastated family has suffered two losses after a mother who lost her teenage son, after he took his own life, was found dead in the same place he was just two weeks later.
Ethan Hardman’s body was found in a wooded area of Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, on October 14th last year.
The talented footballer took his own life a few months after celebrating his 16th birthday. His mother, Camille Hardman, told family she ‘no longer felt able to survive without’ him.
Days after Ethan’s death, Camille was admitted to a mental health unit after her family raised the alarm about her expressing suicidal thoughts.
As reported by Lancs Live, an inquest heard she was discharged in order to allow her to attend his funeral, on November 9th. But as the weeks went on, she continued to voice her intention to end her life.
Despite ongoing support from her partner Richard Benson, as well as her siblings and input from the community mental health team, Camille ‘no longer felt able to survive without Ethan’ and began to experience visions of his body being found.
On December 8th, just six weeks after Ethan’s death, Camille walked to the spot where he had died and took her own life, aged 45.
An inquest held on Monday, May 22nd, at Preston Coroner’s Court, extracts from a statement by Camille’s partner Richard described how her mental health had been ‘extremely fragile’ after Ethan’s death.
He persuaded Camille to stay at his home in Leeds after the funeral but police were called when she left his house and booked herself into a hotel for three days.
Officers from West Yorkshire Police visited Camille at the hotel but only spoke to her through the door. Camille’s family said that had they gone inside the room they would have seen items purchased in order to end her life.
Area Coroner Kate Bisset described the force’s actions as ‘appalling’ and also criticised them for failing to inform Richard of Camille’s death when asked to do so by Lancashire Constabulary.
On the morning of December 8th, after Camille moved back to her home in Walton-le-Dale, Tony Gardener was walking his dog before heading to work when he came across her sitting on the footpath in a wooded area.
In a statement he later told police: “I said ‘good morning, it’s a bit cold to be sitting on the path’ and she seemed a bit wistful.
“I felt it was a bit suspicious and then she said ‘just over there my son killed himself six weeks ago’. I realised who she was. Ethan was a similar age to my son who knew him.”
Mr Gardener said he helped Camille back to her feet and was reassured that she was going home.
Later that afternoon he came across a Facebook post made by her which seemed a little more ‘upbeat’. Mr Gardener messaged Camille inviting her to go for a walk but she did not reply. A few days later, he discovered she was dead.
Mr Gardner said he was ‘shocked and horrified’ and that he would ‘always wonder if there was anything different’ he could have done.
Area Coroner Kate Bisset addressed his concerns and said his concern was a ‘reflection of his kindness’, adding: “He is not responsible and did everything he could including reaching out to her.”
Detective Inspector Mark Riley, the senior investigating officer, said that when police searched Camille’s home they found several pictures of Ethan on the sofa.
She had left her home via a side gate which her family said was so ‘concerned neighbours wouldn’t have been alerted to her leaving’ and so she wasn’t captured on her Ring doorbell camera.
Camille’s family praised the community mental health team who they said did ‘everything they could’ but added that as an intelligent woman she was capable of convincing people she was ok when she wasn’t.
When she was struggling with her grief she would say that she had ‘lost her purpose’ and was ‘constantly thinking about what had happened’ to Ethan.
General Practitioner Dr Manoon Nair said Camille was last seen at a face-to-face appointment on December 5th. Medical notes indicated she stated she had no suicidal thoughts and was ‘hoping to get better’.
The inquest heard that on December 8th Camille’s sister Dana called police after discovering Camille wasn’t at home and had left her phone. The family also later found a note in which she had described what she wanted to happen after her death.
In his statement her partner Richard said: “It is clear in the note she had thought carefully about what was going to happen. She was simply in too much pain and couldn’t imagine living without her son.”
Returning a conclusion of suicide the coroner said: “Camille, understandably, was destroyed by the loss of her much-loved son and her heart was broken beyond repair. She suffered from catastrophic grief.
“The loss of her only child is unthinkable. It was unsurvivable for Camille. She felt no longer able to survive. Her family has suffered enough tragedy for 100 lifetimes.
“Suicide tears lives apart and sends shockwaves through families and communities. The world is never a better place through the loss of any life through suicide.”
You don’t have to suffer in silence if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Here are some groups you can contact:
Samaritans: Phone 116 123, 24 hours a day, or email jo@samaritans.org, in confidence.
Childline: Phone 0800 1111. Calls are free and won’t show up on your bill.
PAPYRUS: Suicide prevention charity offering professional help and support to children, young people and anyone concerned for someone struggling with life. Call HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039 967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
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M&S share first look inside huge new Stockport store ahead of opening
Shoppers can expect an even ‘bigger, better and fresher’ experience
Marks and Spencer have released first look images of a huge brand new ‘market-style’ Stockport Foodhall ahead of its opening next week.
The retailer has released more details about the massive new Foodhall at Stockport Retail Park to offer residents a picture of how it will look and what to expect before its grand opening on Wednesday June, 14th.
The 16,000 sq ft space promises to offer a ‘fresh market-style design’, with shoppers able to browse displays filled with ‘great quality, trusted value’ produce from the retailer’s Select Farms.
Customers will also be able to pick up freshly baked bread and pastries from its ‘show-stopping’ bakery, including M&S new collection sourdough, which is made using a traditional 30-hour process.
The high street brand confirmed the news of its opening earlier this year where it said it would create more than 70 jobs in the area.
But it has now been confirmed that more than 110 jobs have been created to support the new M&S Foodhall. It comes after the retail giant closed down its Stockport store in Merseyway shopping centre in 2021.
Store Manager, Anna Priest, who has worked at M&S for seven years, said: “We are excited to be sharing a sneak peek of the new Foodhall and are really looking forward to welcoming the community to our new Stockport store when we open next week!
“The new store is packed with so many exciting new features, so we’re really excited to finally open the doors and see local customers experience it for themselves.
“Whether you’re looking for a big family food shop or dropping in for some daily essentials – we’ve got you covered.”
The new M&S Stockport site follows the retailer’s recent announcement it plans to invest £500 million in its store rotation programme, creating over 3,400 new jobs nationwide.
A new full-line store is also set to be created at the former Debenhams site at the Trafford Centre, and another full-line store being created in Liverpool.
Also included in this investment is a new Foodhall in Macclesfield, opening November 30th, and the store in Bury’s the Rock has also been enhanced.
The new Stockport M&S is located at Unit 4B, Stockport Retail Park, Stockport, United Kingdom, SK1 2HH and will be open Monday – Saturday 8am – 8pm, and on Sunday, 10:30am – 4:30pm.
News
Boy, 15, on e-bike who died after collision with ambulance in Salford named
Local residents and friends have left tributes for the teenager at the scene of the tragedy
A 15-year-old boy riding an e-bike has sadly died after colliding with an ambulance in Salford, after he was followed by the police.
The teenage boy died after crashing into a parked ambulance after being followed by police officers on the afternoon of Thursday, June 10th.
The teenager has been named locally as Saul Cookson.
A huge response of emergency services, including an air ambulance, rushed to the scene at Langworthy Road, Salford, shortly after 2pm.
Officers in a police car began following the teenage boy who was riding an e-bike on Fitzwarren Street at 2pm, but stopped when they were prevented by bollards.
Moments later a ‘collision happened between a cyclist and an ambulance’. Officers were not in pursuit at the point of impact, Greater Manchester Police have said.
The teenager was taken to hospital where he died and the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
A spokesperson for GMP said: “At around 2pm today, GMP traffic officers began following a boy riding an e-bike along Fitzwarren Street in Salford, onto Lower Seedley Road.
“Bollards prevented the police vehicle from continuing to follow the e-bike. A short time later, a road traffic collision occurred between the e-bike and an ambulance on Langworthy Road. The 15-year-old boy riding the e-bike sadly died.
“In line with normal proceedings, the incident has been referred to IOPC, who are now leading the investigation. A cordon remains in place on Langworthy Road.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the boy who tragically died.”
Locals and friends who knew the 15-year-old have been leaving tributes at the scene of the accident, where a police cordon still remains in place, as flowers have been placed with messages.
One read: “Saul, gone but never forgotten. RIP. I love you always keep smiling your cheeky smile.”
Another said: “Saul. You will always have a special place in my heart. I love you loads my dude.” And a message on a cardboard sign tied to a nearby fence declared: “Kids on bikes don’t kill.”
News
Mancunian-born brand selling Northern t-shirts and apparel to open first shop
The clothes have proven to be a huge hit amongst northerners
A Mancunian-born Northern slogan clothing brand is opening its first shop next month.
Northern Power Garms was created by makeup artist Jules Daniels, who began selling t-shirts from her house in Manchester after finding herself out of work during the pandemic.
The cool independent clothing and accessories store specialises in hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts, baby grows, bags and hats with Northern slang words and phrases such as ‘Ey up’, ‘Absolutely buzzin’ and ‘It’s not grim up north’ — we love this one!
Jules’ idea took off like a rocket and after three years of selling online and gaining over 7,000 followers, her creation Northern Power Garms is now opening its very first in-person shop in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Adding a delightful pop of colour to Horton Street come July, shoppers can treat themselves to trendy garments that show off how proud they are to be Northern, and will be sure to brighten up many a grey rainy day — and there are many!
Beam Design, who curate bespoke interiors, worked with Jules to help bring her vision of a physical shop to life, creating some stunning CGIs – bringing a slice of Miami to Halifax – for us to have a sneak peek at ahead of its completion.
Last week, Jules shared an update on the transformation of her soon-to-be shop as it undergoes a head-to-toe renovation.
In a caption on the Northern Power Garms’ Instagram page, she wrote: “Two weeks ago I was literally clambering over boards trying not to fall down to the basement and die because there was no floor. Now look at it!
“There’s a floor (!!) and boards are going up on the ceiling and walls. It’s properly starting to come together now.
“We’ve had some incredible floor samples from @polyflorltd and paint samples from @crownpaintsuk – have you seen the visuals we posted, from Helena at @beamdesigninteriors? I could cry with happiness that the team and I will get to work here, every day!
“I met up with a gorgeous new supplier today too! We have some BEAUTIFUL earrings ready to stock, all handmade by Lauren at @plainjaynedesign – if you’re into colour, sparkle and WOW, then these are for you!
“There’s just so much going on, and honestly we cannot wait to get open and welcome you all in! Have you been past the shop? Let us know!”
At the minute, the determined entrepreneur is working hard alongside a team of builders and designers at fitting out the unit along Westgate Arcade, as well as running her online business and updating followers on social media.
But once it’s open, shoppers and curious browsers can expect to step into a world of pretty pastels and modern terrazzo tables with a colour scheme that brings sunny Miami to Halifax, with carefully crafted garments that embody the heart and soul of northernness.
Check out Northern Power Garms online for more, and make sure to visit the shop and its stylish apparel when it opens in July.
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