We should all make time for expanding our cultural awareness.

The world is an amazing place for the most part, sure there is evil, but it is much rarer than you would think.  I think we all have the capacity for evil, as much as we all have the capacity for love too.

There are so many cultures in the world and they all seem to view things differently from their collective perspectives, usually from taught responses, that we should remain open to these different views.  It makes us more tolerant of others I think.

With this in mind, I had the opportunity to support our Gurkha soldiers as they celebrated with their families and colleagues the Hindu and Buddhist Dashain festival.

Billed as their cultural equivalent to our Christmas, to me by this community, it is essentially a great party, with dancing and food.

It is always great to see communities come together in this kind of party, the mood is excellent, the food was superb and the cultural influence was amazing in its colour and vibrancy.

One thing I did notice though, children are great levellers, as this Gurkha community is settled in the UK, so they become enthralled by the same influences as our own children.

Enjoy these photographs of the event.