United Rushmoor GRNC

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• published: 09 Feb 2012
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By: Roshni Gurung Posted On: 2012-02-09 22:13:23 The first and important event of community cohesion organised by the United Rushmoor took place on Saturday 4th February 2012 in Aldershot at the King's Centre . At 12pm the chief guests MP Gerald Howarth and Major (retd) TikendraDewan were escorted by the GulmiZilla first Nepali cultural band to the centre stage. The opening commenced by a speech from Gerald Howarth followed by TikendraDewan. This was followed by the Gulmi band continuing to play typical cultural tunes to which the Gulmi ladies performed a traditional dance. There were various forms of entertainment both Nepali and English. Aside from the performances up stage there were many stalls and bazaar selling foods, beauty products and clothings of both cultures. Food stands included homemade baked cakes alongside Nepali delicacies provided by the Real Gurkha Restaurant (Camberley). The atmosphere of cohesion was highly evident and it was encouraging to see each and everyone enjoying themselves, while the Hello Kitty bouncy castle entertained the young ones. There were many charity stands who provide an excellent service to the whole community, explaining their cause while also raising funds. The near thousand people who attended the programme certainly marked the aim of the even a United Rushmoor. The hard work by Sam, Richard, Baz, Raj Gurung, NemThapa and our NayaYuva paid off by what was a very successful first step towards cohesion. 'Day in history' as Rushmoor communities unite By Richard Pain February 08, 2012 HUNDREDS of people gathered together on Saturday to mark what some have described as a unique day in Rushmoor's history. The Best of Both event saw an estimated 1,200 people turn out at the King's Centre in Aldershot High Street to celebrate 'the best' of both Nepali and British cultures. The event, which included food, music and dance, was the first of its kind organised by community group United Rushmoor, which was set up in the wake of rising tensions between the two cultures. Rich Cooper, a United Rushmoor committee member who came up with the Best of Both idea, explained people were referring to the event as a historic day for Rushmoor. He believed it marked the start of a new, more positive era in Aldershot and Farnborough. He said: "People really were describing it as a day in history. I guess it is the first time the two cultures have so openly come together like that. "At the end of the event, a group of British boys and a group of Nepali boys were dancing together on the stage to traditional Nepali music, having a great time. "These are groups of young people who were at loggerheads with each other just a few months ago. "I have honestly never seen anything like it. It was an absolutely incredible day." Residents of all ages turned up, from young children and their families, to retired Gurkhas. The day included traditional food, some of which was provided by the Real Gurkha Restaurant in Camberley, plus dozens of musicians, singers and dancers. There were also market stalls selling goods from Nepal, as well as information stands for those wanting to know more about community work being done to support integration. Alex Crawford, the Mayor of Rushmoor, said there was a "great positive atmosphere" at the event and it went some way to showing other residents that racist attitudes would not be tolerated. The event, which was opened by Aldershot MP Gerald Howarth and Greater Rushmoor Nepalese Community president, Major Tikendra Dewan, was put on by United Rushmoor free of charge. But Mr Cooper warned there would have to be funding available if the group was to continue organising similar events, another of which is planned for the summer.