The Gurkha Wing (Mandalay) from Dering Lines, accompanied by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, paraded in the garrison town followed by entertainment by the band, members of the Gurkha regiment and the Nepalese military wives.
Despite the grey weather, The Bulwark was filled with music and colour as the parade put on a spectacular performance for residents and visitors to mark the occasion.
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The last Gurkha parade took place in 2019 - it was not able to go ahead for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Brecon’s Mayor David Meredith inspected the troops along with Deputy Lord Lieutenant Ceri Havard, Ambassador of Nepal Gyan Chandra Acharya, Major D O’Connor representing the Colonel Brigade of Gurkhas, CO of Infantry Battle School Lt Col D J Flanagan (MBE), and Major Prembahadar Gurung MBE (OC TSD).
Cllr Meredith welcomed members of the Brecon and Nepalese communities along with honorary guests and the Gurkha regiment.
“We today are not only celebrating the 37th anniversary of the Gurkha company being awarded the honorary citizenship of the town of Brecon, but moreover, we are celebrating 207 years of the Gurkha regiment serving in the British Army.
“The honorary citizenship was initiated by the town council at that time to recognise the presence of the officers and men of the demonstration company based at Dering Lines Camp and to signify the esteem in which they were held by the people of Brecon. Your bravery, deeds and battle honours are world-known and the people of Brecon have come to know you for what you represent to our society.
“You’re all courteous, disciplined and loyal subjects - a shining example to the young people of today and a great credit to your company.
“The Gurkhas first came to Brecon to serve in 1974 and it was not until some six years later that the then Gurkha Demonstration Company, comprising 85 officers, was formed.
“In September 2004, the company was retitled Gurkha Company (Mandalay). It was such a shame that the pandemic prevented you from exercising your right to march through our town, but I’m delighted that you are here today to do so.
“Since the introduction of the Gurkha Married Company and Service, there are now in excess of 100 families living in and around the surrounding areas of Brecon. These families and their children have added a new dimension to our society, and you all contribute so much to our community.
“For me too, this is an extra special event having visited your wonderful country on nine occasions. One of which was to identify a place in Nepal which Brecon could be twinned with. On our return, I recommended to a meeting of the town council in 2018 that Brecon should twin with Damphus in Nepal, and this was agreed unanimously.
“This small but beautiful village is set within the backdrop of Dhaulagiri range and in the Kaski District. It was a proud moment for me when on February 11 2019, witnessed by 23 people from Brecon, the then-mayor Manny Trailor signed a charter and in July 2019 we celebrated the event here in Brecon following the Gurkha Parade.
“We are the very first in the UK to twin with a place in Nepal, which is something I personally am very proud of. It further bonds our relationship with both your company and your families here in Brecon.
“On August 6, we will be supporting Hike Nepal 2022, organised by the Damphus Society in the UK.
“The local Brecon Damphus committee will be supporting this event as a means of supporting tourism in Nepal.
“It is essential that we do all we can to support the community which provided such heroic men to serve in the Gurkha Mandalay Company.”
Cllr Meredith, who said he hoped the crowd enjoyed the parade and the music, added: “I think it’s also very important to remember that many of the soldiers here today will be taking part in dangerous military operations, and on behalf of the community of Brecon, I wish you all a safe return to your homes and yours loved ones.”
The regiment was led by the Parade Commander, Captain Madan Jimi RGR, and the Parade Sergeant Major WO2 Hemraj Rana RGR.
The troops marched around the centre of the garrison town in a loop, accompanied by the band.
The streets around The Bulwark were packed with people trying to get a look at the event outside The Brecon & Radnor Express office and the Wellington Hotel.
Children could be seen sitting on their parents’ shoulders and dancing in the street, meanwhile, other onlookers could be seen standing on benches and the monument to get a better look.
There were even the faces of local residents hanging out of upstairs windows to watch the parade.
The Ambassador of Nepal Gyan Chandra Acharya praised the event when he spoke to the crowds.
He said: “It is indeed a great pleasure and privilege for me to take part in this Gurkha Annual Freedom Parade 2022, which has now returned after the Covid-19 Pandemic, and I’m very glad to see it is organised in a very solemn way and in a spectacular manner with the participation of so many community members.
“It is a source of really great pride for us to see all of you present here today to participate in this particular event.”
“There is a very long historical connection between Britain and Nepal that goes back 207 plus years. Our relationship in fact, which we are so proud of today, is founded on the British Gurkha’s relationship with the United Kingdom and therefore it is a special honour for me to take part here today in this particular Gurkha parade.
“I am particularly delighted that in recognition of the valiant service which is provided by the British Gurkhas to the community, that Brecon awarded honorary citizenship to the Gurkha Demonstration Company which is now Gurkha Wing Mandalay.
“You all know that whenever we talk about the Nepal Britain relationship, British Gurkha’s bravery, British Gurkha’s loyalty, and the British Gurkha’s contribution, in many parts of the world, immediately comes into our mind.
“Therefore we are very pleased to see that Brecon has recognised this service and has taken into account their contributions and their indignation to the society here today. I am also very pleased to see here that the village of Damphus was twinned with Brecon.
“The last time I was here I was very pleased to take part in another project, which is coming up in this particular town, which is to rebuild a Nepal Village UK which again promotes the culture, relationship, tourism and perhaps even the collaboration and friendship between Nepal and Britain - taking our relationship to another level.”
The ambassador said he was also happy to see Brecon helping with Nepali Village UK and to see the Gurkha Path which he described as “another important hallmark” of the Gurkha’s contribution to society.
He added: “Thank you once again for organising this wonderful event in recognition of the service provided by the British Gurkhas to the United Kingdom.”
Brecon and Radnorshire’s Senedd Member James Evans and Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds also joined the procession along with Powys County Council’s newly appointed chairman Gareth Ratcliffe.
Other guests included deputy-mayor Michaela Davies along with Brecon Town councillors and Honorary Bailiffs as well as the High Sheriff, Mr T Jones Esq OBE, and members of the Nepali Community
The crowds clapped along to the music both from the band and the incredible dancers.
The dancers, who wore traditional Nepalese clothes for their performances, were made up of Dipti Rai, Shanti Gurung Rai, Sasi Tamang, Aruna Gurung, Lalita Ale Rai, and Kabita Gurung.
Dancers wowed their audience with clouds of vibrant pink, orange, purple and green.
Meanwhile, members of the Gurkha regiment completed an impressive and intimidating performance with their Khukuris - a type of machete associated with the Gurkha soldiers.
