No raining on City of Portsmouth College’s flashmob parade!
PUBLISHED 12-06-2026
The weather gods smiled upon 250 City of Portsmouth College (COPC) students and their friends on Thursday (11 June) as they celebrated 100 years of Portsmouth’s city status with an iconic flashmob dance.
In the build-up to the event, swirling winds and driving rain threatened to put a dampener on the party, but miraculously it all disappeared for the duration of the dance, which marked Portsmouth’s centenary with dances through the decades. Music from Grease, the Glenn Miller Band, the Bee Gees, the Beatles and more were honoured in a seven-minute burst of joy.
The performance at Guildhall Square was led by COPC’s Foundation Prospects staff and students alongside local SEND schools and adult daycare services – and a surprise appearance Portsmouth’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Abdul Kadir – and was sponsored by Hampshire Flag Company and Solent Sky Services.
Sarah Hume, SEND Transitional Coach at COPC, who organised the event and led the dancing, said: “I feel very fortunate and proud to work in a city with so much creativity, talent and community spirit. Thank you to all those who participated, Hampshire Flag Company, Solent Sky Services and everyone who came along to support and join in with the celebration. It has been such a joyous and memorable day!”
Daniel Runham, who is studying English, maths and functional skills at City of Portsmouth College, played Danny Zuko in the dance. “It was the best – it was everything!” he said. “The best part was Golden by K-Pop Demon Hunters, since I joined the flashmob it’s now my favourite song. I hope I get to do this again next year and I want to thank Sarah for everything she’s done for me.”
The flashmob is just one event this month involving our city’s SEND community – on June 27, the SENtury festival at the Bandstand, Southsea Common, takes place between 2pm and 5pm. Led by COPC, it’s promising to be a fantastic event for everyone, with live entertainment by COPC SEND students, community stalls and activities, great food and fun surprises.
