Friday 24 June 2016

Obituary ~ Norman Sanders

Yesterday the Sanders family regrettably announced the death of the founder of Sanders Coaches, Norman Sanders, after a short illness.

Norman was born in Woodford, Essex in 1930 and worked as a steam fitter for British Rail for many years. After the change to diesel in the early 1960’s he was retrained, but found the fumes caused him illness, The family doctor suggested a new start and in 1968 the family moved to Sheringham in North Norfolk where they had enjoyed many holidays.

Norman first worked at Kingsland engineering but hated the indoor factory life so took a job with Mascot Coaches at Cromer as a mechanic where he first learnt to drive a coach. Mascot was taken over by Reynolds Coaches and in summer 1975 Norman left Reynolds to join the 5 coach business of Bennett’s coaches at Holt.

George Bennett unexpectedly told Norman in October of the same year he was going to retire and Norman was worried about his job and income. Having discussed with George what might happen, George again unexpectedly said 'Look Norman, you seem to know what your doing why don’t you take it over' Norman who had six children at home and no money said he couldn't afford to and George said 'No worries you can pay me as you go'.

On Norman’s 45th birthday, at the end of the day, he was handed the keys of the six vehicles and Sanders Coaches was born the next morning of the 1st December 1975. Little did he envisage that day how the company would expand and grow over the next 25 years. By the year 2000 the company was operating close to 100 vehicles. As other companies dropped rural routes a way was found to replace them, Norman was passionate about serving his local community and ensuring peoples transport links remained open. He was often to be found out in his car collecting someone who had mistakenly missed the bus and had an important appointment. Norman and his wife Gladys spent many years personally escorting many of the 50 plus coach holidays and short breaks they arranged each year. Their personal style and delivery of these holidays was unique and very successful for that reason.

Norman hung up his driving gloves on his 80th birthday November 30th 2010 after what can only be described as a job very well done – The Company he built will go on as a living testimony to his life’s work.

Our sympathies go to the Sanders family and their friends

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