Hundreds of people crowded into the centre of Brecon to watch the 37th annual Gurkha Brecon Freedom parade.
The event sees locally-based Gurkha soldiers parade through the town, marking their rights as honorary citizens. The afternoon also saw a colourful demonstration of traditional Nepali music and dancing.
Brecon’s Mayor, Cllr David Meredith noted that Gurkhas had served with the British Army for more than two centuries with some soldiers coming to Brecon in 1974. The Gurkha Wing (Mandalay) is based in Dering Lines on the eastern edge of the town.
There are also around a hundred Nepali families based in and around Brecon. Cllr Meredith said: “ These families and their children have added a new dimension to our society, and you all contribute so much to our community.
“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,” he added.
Nepal’s ambassador to the UK, Gyan Chandra Acharya spoke of the importance of the day.
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.
