Exhibition celebrates our Nepali community
RUSHMOOR’S Nepali community are being celebrated with an outdoor exhibition in Aldershot.
More than 40 residents and special guests attended the unveiling of the new ‘Beyond the Lens’ outdoor photo exhibition.
The artwork and story boards will be on display in Union Street in the town centre for the next six months.
Over the summer, Shaun Jackson, a local professional photographer, captured histories, cultural traditions, stories, thoughts and ambitions from residents and businesses for the exhibition.
Shobhana Shrestha, the daughter of retired Captain Bishnu
Shrestha, is pictured in the gallery.
Speaking to RBC, Captain Shrestha said: “I was a member of the 7th Gurkha Rifles and served for 26 years, retiring in 1990. Myplatoon was one of the first to go to Queen Elizabeth Barracksin Fleet. I am proud to live in the home of the British Army.”
Councillor David Clifford, the leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, said: “We hope that the gallery encourages our residents to recognise the contribution of the Nepali community to the British Army and the borough as a whole.
“Visitors will discover stories from the community within the gallery and we hope that the project deepens understanding and respect for our borough’s diverse communities.”
Jenny Atherton, events and cultural projects manager at RBC, added: “We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in ‘Beyond the Lens’.
“The project is part of wider work to strengthen ties between businesses, residents and local organisations.”
In the 2011 census, it was recorded that over 6,000 people who identified as Nepalese were living in Rushmoor. This was the highest figure for any local authority in England and Wales.
Former Gurkha soldiers and their families have made towns such as Aldershot, Farnborough and Church Crookham their home.
Aldershot specifically has a proud relationship with the Gurkhas; the 10 Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment are stationed at Gale Barracks.
In 2016, Rushmoor Borough Council granted the regiment the Freedom of the Borough - the highest honour a local authority can grant.
‘Beyond the Lens’ is funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Regional Development Fund’s ‘Re-opening High Streets Safely Fund’ and Rushmoor Borough Council.
The council will also be marking Black History Month in October, celebrating volunteers at the Volunteer Awards in November, commemorating veterans at Remembrance activities in November and working with the LGBTQ+ community in 2022 to launch a new Pride event.
Images and story boards from Beyond the Lens can be also viewed online at www.rushmoor. gov.uk/beyondthelens.