Feeling festive: Survivors and guests at the Hyatt hotel in Birmingham before a rousing proms-night concert with the British Police Symphony Orchestra (BPSO)
COPS festive get-together features feast of seasonal cheer
A fabulous festive feast of seasonal cheer and classical favourites was all on the menu for survivors recently.
The Christmas-themed survivor get-together kicked off with a turkey lunch and was topped with a rousing proms-night concert with the award-winning British Police Symphony Orchestra (BPSO).
Fanfares heralded the long-awaited return of the BPSO to the Birmingham Symphony Hall and survivors experienced something special.
It was the first time the orchestra has performed live at the iconic hall after a lengthy absence and included the theme from A Space Odyssey 2001; the poignant You Raise Me Up; and hits from The Sound of Music as well as proms staples such as Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.
Donna Cox, sister of PC Jo-Ann Jennings from Essex Police, said: “The performance was amazing, the BPSO were excellent. All of us were properly getting into the spirit of the evening. We were singing along and waving our flags – it was really good atmosphere.
“The orchestra played a lot of well-known material such as music from Harry Potter and James Bond, as well as the more traditional songs. They even finished with a Christmas carol.”
There was plenty of time for survivors to catch up and chat over lunch and impromptu visits to the Birmingham Christmas fair.
“The whole event was excellent, really well planned,” Donna added.
“It’s great that we get to do these things, I think it’s very important for us. It’s good being able to get out and see people, chat to old friends, and make new ones. I met people I’ve never seen before and had a lovely talk with them and that’s what it’s about – connecting with people.
“We are very grateful to COPS for organising events like this, and everything that the charity does for survivors. We are lucky to have COPS so thank you.”
The event is part of a number of peer-support weekends and events run by COPS to bring the families of police officers and staff who have died on duty together to help build peer-support networks.
