PC Chris and Vicki Baker at Buckingham Palace
A ‘surreal but lovely’ experience was enjoyed by two inspirational Federation members at the King’s Garden Party earlier this summer.
PCs Chris and Vicki Baker attended the exclusive event at Buckingham Palace after receiving an invitation which cited their services to the Cambridgeshire community.
The honour comes after the husband-and-wife duo won a Community Impact Award at the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Make a Difference Awards last September.
Chris and Vicki’s recent run of recognition has primarily been earned by the boxing club they founded as an outlet for the county’s young people.
Established in 2013, the Peterborough Police Amateur Boxing Club has gone on to provide countless teenagers with fitness, purpose, and discipline, growing its membership by hundreds to the present day.
And while this project may have been built from a clear vision which did not include mixing with members of the Royal Family, the pair still managed to enjoy their special day in London.
“We didn’t really know what to expect when we got the invite, but we ended up having an amazing time. It gave us the chance to have a bit of a reflective moment and feel proud about all the people who voted for us to attend the Garden Party,” Vicki, 45, said.
“From start to finish, the event was very well organised – a band played the national anthem as we walked through the palace gates, and then it was onto food and drinks and waiting to catch a glimpse of some royals.
“The queues were constantly flowing and there was always someone to talk to while you waited. I got very close to Prince William at one point, and then I switched lines to see Princess Kate and Princess Eugenie, which was a pleasure.”
Chris added: “It was absolutely wonderful to be there. Beyond the formalities of the party, we got to go and explore the palace grounds.
“We basically had unrestricted access to the grounds, which was quite surreal but a lovely privilege to have.
“This gave us a lot of opportunity to mix with different guests, and we spoke to the Force’s former Chief Constable Julie Spence, who is now Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire.
“Overall, it was just a fantastic day that I think we’ll both look back on fondly for a long time.”
Chris went on to reveal more about the story behind the boxing club, which is based in Paston.
The 48-year-old says the club has gone from strength to strength over the last 12 years and hosts a diverse group of ages, abilities, genders and backgrounds.
“When I was young, I was part of Cambridgeshire Police Amateur Boxing Club, and this gave me a sense of belonging and direction.
“Not only did this see me box all over the world, but it also gave me a foothold in the police.
“My current job in the Force is as a schools officer, and I started to run some school projects through the Cambridgeshire club. In the end, it made sense for us to start our own in Peterborough as a real passion project.
“We welcome anyone into our club, but at its core, it’s always been aimed at young people. Like in my Force role, I want to help make them confident and responsible individuals whose lives are kept away from crime – that’s what our club is all about.”
Vicki, who currently works in the Force’s complaints review team, echoed these sentiments.
“Ultimately, it’s a boxing club, but without being run by police officers, it wouldn’t have that gold standard. It represents Cambridgeshire Constabulary and that’s a responsibility we make sure to get across to all our members,” she said.
“They are the real stars and an absolute pleasure to be involved with.
“Chris and I felt absolutely honoured to be at the Garden Party, but for us, it’s never about the accolades, but diverting these young people away from bad decisions and giving them something in the community they can belong to.”
