GURKHA soldiers became the unlikely focus of Ledbury on Sunday (August 15) as a day of celebration brought crowds onto the streets.

The national launch of the Gurkha Action Fund (GAF) saw an impressive parade pass through the town and culminate with a commemorative service in the grounds of the Walled garden, held by reverend Paul Dunthorne.

The event, which brought together local dignatories, cadet troops, Fownhope Royal British Legion and Gurkhas themselves, was described as “absolutely fantastic” by organiser Robert Van Es, of Ledbury.

Mr Van Es said the aim was to now make it an annual event raising awareness and funds for the British Army veterans.

“It’s really been something that people enjoyed. From what we have learnt from this event we’re going to put in some improvements. We hope it will be larger with more interesting things about Gurkhas. We have only had two months to bring this to bear,” he said.

Mr Van Es said the aim of the GAF was to offer support to 12,000 Gurkha families due to settle in Britain without relying on hand-outs and providing them with relocations funds and help with finding employment.

Unfortunately, a group made up of a Buddhist lama, Gurkha veterans and young dancers, found themselves stranded on the M4 motorway while travelling up from Surrey.

Mr Van Es said: “They were really sorely missed because it is a beautiful thing to see the dancing which comes straight from the Himalayas. That was something we would have really liked to have had.”

He commended parade commander warrant officer Tina Neslen, of the Navy Reserves, who not only “went the extra mile but did it fantastically” and revealed the next event to promote the GAF would be a Pasar Malam - or ‘night market’ - in Ledbury this December.