Joanna Lumley thanks Nuneaton and Bedworth for its hospitality to the Nepalese community

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TV star Joanna Lumley praised people from across Nuneaton and Bedworth for ensuring that a Gurkha memorial proudly stands in the heart of the country.



On what was her first ever visit to the town, Joanna Lumley joined in a special service to celebrate the first anniversary of the dedication of the memorial on the edge of Riversley Park.

She spoke to the crowds, saying: "What an honour it is to be here in Nuneaton, it is my very first visit here and I think that you have arranged a perfect day, the perfect weather.

"The thing about today is that it is more important than any of us here can really imagine, to have a memorial here to the Gurkhas, veterans, the ones who will never come back again, to have their memory right here, in the very heart of our country.

"Nepal runs in my blood, now here in Nuneaton, you have been the warmest hosts and friends, the most welcoming family, to the Gurkhas and Nepalese who have come to live amongst you and that is such a proud thing, which is now established in this absolutely beautiful memorial.

The things that we most admire, steadfastness, good humour, friendship, loyalty and bravery, are all manifest in the Gurkha solider and this, which has this touching inscription, better to die than to be a coward, says exactly what it means to be a Gurkha soldier.

We have seen them, these brave hill boys from Nepal, walking sometimes for many days to enlist and serve our country, for that there are no thanks adequate."

She singled out Om Gurung, MBE, chair of the Nuneaton and Bedworth branch of the British Gurkha Veteran Association, for his efforts.

"Om, you gave done something quote extraordinary in raising this money, thank you so much for everyone in Britain and the Nepale community too," she said.

She concluded: "Thank you to everyone here today, Jai Nuneaton and Bedworth, Jai Nepal."

Prior to the service, the Absolutely Fabulous star was given a traditional Nepalese welcome to the Town Hall in Nuneaton before visiting the Mayor's Parlour.

There she was presented with specially engraved tumblers, which she said were 'absolutely gorgeous', to mark her momentous visit to the borough.

But her focus was very firmly on the importance of the memorial and, how townsfolk had helped Mr Gurung to raise the £51,000 needed for it to be created and installed.

Speaking to the News, she said: "Last year Folkstone had a memorial, I was there for the unveiling, and it took them much longer for it to be created. It seemed to be going for some time, so I am thrilled that people in Nuneaton helped to create this one. It is tremendous.

"It is very important to have these memorials, I think sometimes that can be overlooked, but for places that know and understand the know and love the Gurkhas, it is terribly good, it is a symbol of unity and respect."