An air cadet who is currently serving as the Lord Lieutenant’s cadet for Cambridgeshire has shared his insight of a recent ceremony to commemorate Peterborough’s Chinese community. 

Cadet Warrant Officer James Munday, of the 1094 (City of Ely) Squadron Air Training Corps, is often out and about on duty for Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence.

This month, he had the honour of attending a service at Peterborough Cathedral where the Chinese Community of Peterborough was handed the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.  

It is the highest award that can be given to voluntary groups in the UK and is kept for life. 

Ely Standard: Faustina Yang, founder of the Chinese Community of Peterborough and Cadet Warrant Officer James Munday, of the 1094 (City of Ely) Squadron Air Training Corps.Faustina Yang, founder of the Chinese Community of Peterborough and Cadet Warrant Officer James Munday, of the 1094 (City of Ely) Squadron Air Training Corps. (Image: Chinese Community in Peterborough / Volunteer Shirley Zhang)In his report, Cadet Warrant Officer Munday said: “The Chinese Community in Peterborough was founded by Faustina Yang, emerging from a desire to help provide an understanding and appreciation for her daughter's Chinese heritage, given her dual-cultural household.  

“The community's primary motivation is ensuring that children from Chinese families could meet one another. 

“This year marked the 10th year anniversary of the community gatherings, which over the past decade, saw these gatherings grow into a centre-point for cultural preservation and community engagement.” 

The ceremony was held on February 8.  

Other guests included: Deputy Lieutenants Daryl Brown and Sue Freestone; Dr Bharatkumar Khetani, the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire; Paul Bristow, MP for Peterborough and Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.  

Ely Standard: Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Julie Spence presents the the King’s Award for Voluntary Service to Faustina Yang, founder of the Chinese Community in Peterborough.Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Julie Spence presents the the King’s Award for Voluntary Service to Faustina Yang, founder of the Chinese Community in Peterborough. (Image: Chinese Community in Peterborough / Volunteer Shirley Zhang)Revd Canon Tim Alban Jones, the Vice Dean of Peterborough Cathedral, provided an initial welcome which was followed by a speech from the Lord Lieutenant.  

Ms Yang then spoke afterwards and particularly thanked the volunteers and supporters of the Chinese Community of Peterborough.  

Cadet Warrant Officer Munday added: “To round out the event, we had the pleasure of experiencing an operatic performance as well as a Tai Chi performance."   

Ely Standard: A group photo of guests and dignitaries following the services at Peterborough Cathedral.A group photo of guests and dignitaries following the services at Peterborough Cathedral. (Image: Chinese Community in Peterborough / Volunteer Shirley Zhang)To find out more about the 1094 (City of Ely) Squadron Air Training Corps, visit its Facebook page.