PUMA Lichfield weekend, July 2005.

PUMA members met for a weekend of social and memorial events between 29^th July and 1^st August 2005. 

These dates were chosen to allow the majority of members to participate, and to coincide with similar activities arranged by Care of Police Survivors at Lichfield, Staffordshire.  The largest regional group came from Northern Ireland, and comprised of members from many of the various organisations there, including the RUC GC Widow’s Association and the Ulster Special Constabulary Association. 

They initially traveled to the Holiday Inn, Lichfield, where COPS hosted the Police Survivors within the group.  
The remaining PUMA members traveled to the Hotel Metro, Measham, where the Metropolitan Police Historical Fleet soon joined them.  
Many other serving and retired officers from various forces throughout the area arrived during the evening.  
A large contingent from the Northern Ireland Veteran’s Association, specially invited to participate in the weekend events, also arrived.  
Following an evening meal sponsored by PUMA, the various groups were soon engaging in both serious and light-hearted topics of conversation, lasting well into the night.

On Saturday morning the group was transported by luxury coach to Lichfield for a guided tour of the Cathedral.  
This was followed by refreshments in the nearby Visitor’s Centre.  
The Cathedral bells striking 12 mid-day signalled the commencement of the inaugural PUMA Service of Prayer and Remembrance.

Immediately after the service the members enjoyed some free time exploring Lichfield City Centre. 
Soon, it was time to board the coach once again, and travel to Curborough Farm for a PUMA presentation evening and barbeque meal.   
Troy Cannon, Staffordshire, and Lee Brierley, West Midlands, gave a talk about their participation in the Police Unity Tour, USA.  
Both then presented framed cycling shirts to the family members of the fallen UK officers they had represented.  
The evening finished with a candle light vigil in honour of all those who had died in service.

Sunday morning came early and the group left for the memorial events being held at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas.  
This commenced with the arrival of the COPS survivors and senior officers representing many UK police forces.  
Soon afterwards the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club and Metropolitan Police Historical Fleet entered in convoy.  
The Service was poignant for all concerned and many members took the opportunity afterwards to walk The Beat, remembering lost loved ones and colleagues alike.  With the culmination of the COPS events, the majority of their party moved on to another location, whilst the PUMA group remained to carry out an additional Service of Remembrance at the Ulster Ash Grove.

Later that evening the entire PUMA group attended at the Trooper Restaurant for an enjoyable evening of fun and relaxation before heading back to the hotels and homeward bound in the morning.  The weekend’s events evoked many emotions including grief, sadness and remembrance, mixed with laughter, pride and honour of service for all those involved.