Tribute night for ex-officer

Friends and family of popular Black Country business figure Mike Holder gathered to celebrate his memory and raise money for a new trust set up in his name.

Mr Holder died last month, aged 64, at Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, after suffering a stroke.

Following a 30-year career with West Midlands Police, latterly as chief superintendent at Dudley, he became a leading figure in the Black Country business community, serving as president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce for four years, while running his CCTV security firm Cougar Monitoring.

Last night his family, widow Lillian, daughter Nicola and son Andrew,  were joined by friends from Mr Holder’s police and business careers, as well as the deputy mayor of Dudley, Councillor Pat Martin, at A Night For Mike at the recently-refurbished Regis Suite, in Cradley Heath.

Nearly 200 people flocked to celebrate his life and help the family launch a new trust in his memory. Ticket sales and a charity auction are thought to have raised around £3,000 to kick-off the Mike Holder Trust which will help disadvantaged young people – a cause close to Mr Holder’s heart.

Regis owner Tony Billingham provided entertainment with his Europa Jazz band, accompanying vocalist Maggie Hara, and Black Country comedian Tommy Mundon kept the audience in stitches while another Black Country business figure, Charles Hanmer, acted as compere for the evening. There were also tales from Mr Holder’s life, in particular remembering his sense of humour and his love of practical jokes. Daughter Nicola recalled one incident when he convinced her grandfather he was about to arrive by police helicopter and persuaded him to stand on the balcony of his block of flats, waving a tea-towel, while the family watched from the car park below.

There were also memories of Mr Holder’s many acts of kindness, his willingness to help those in need as well as his pride in his Black Country origins.

And a tribute from Black Country poet Marline spoke touchingly of Mr Holder’s close relationship with his grandson Philip, who has now said he wants to follow his grandfather into the police force.