Nepalese Heritage Centre - Grand Opening

“We didn’t believe it would happen...”

The Nepalese greeting ‘Ghar Jastai Thannu Hola’ could not be more fitting here. It means ‘make yourself at home,’ and this is exactly how personnel at RAF High Wycombe were made to feel at the launch of the new Nepalese Community Heritage Centre on the 28th of July. In a blaze of colour and excitement, an old theatre club meeting room was transformed into a centre that will preserve the culture and traditions of a proud people.

To cheers of ‘Namaste,’ guests were given a traditional welcome of brightly coloured scarves – brought from Nepal - as a symbol of good luck and support. The plaque unveiling commemorating the opening was performed by Gp Capt Arnold to rousing applause. The elder of the group also presented him with a Kukri knife. Serving a dual purpose as a weapon and a cutting tool, the Kukri knife had its earliest recorded use in the seventh century and is traditionally associated with Nepalispeaking Gurkhas.

Although the centre was completed in a mere four weeks, the journey to get to this auspicious opening was far from smooth.

The idea of a centre just for the Nepalese community at RAF High Wycombe was first mooted over eight years ago. “The Nepalese were very few then. But we wanted to let the station know that we were a family and an acknowledgement that we were here,” said Sgt Lal Gurung of MPSG 4 Sect Comd and a leading light in getting the project off the ground. “The costs to build a new centre were deemed too high and things went silent for a few years.”

With the appointment of Gp Capt Phillip Arnold as Stn Cdr two years ago, everything changed. Passionate to ensure that something would be done during his tenure, the Gp Capt invited Sgt Gurung and his colleagues into his office to help him understand more about Nepalese culture. Several places were considered, including sites by Greenwood, the nursery school, the barn and the station church. The old theatre club room was chosen for its good access to the Oakeshott Centre after prayers and meditation. Crucially, it had room to house cabinets to display an array of arts, crafts and religious artefacts.

The design and eventual build of the centre was a team effort. “We had a WhatsApp group to discuss and decide on various issues, then we all came to an agreement. There was no committee. It was definitely a team effort,” commented Sgt Gurung. Assistance came from a variety of sources including the Station Communities Officer, Daniel Boyle who was able to raise £300 for paint, a new door, and carpets. The rest was sheer elbow grease!

So, what will the centre be used for? “Apart from preserving our culture and passing on our traditions to the next generation, it will be used as a multi-faith room and to mark our festivities,” said Sgt Gurung. Did you know that Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of religion, with the two main faiths being Hinduism and Buddhism? There is a tradition for every one of the 365 days in the year.

The centre is likely to hold main prayer meetings at least twice a month. Although primarily for the Nepalese community, anyone can use the room for praying and meditation. When not in use the centre will be locked, but keys can be obtained from the guardroom.

Not only is the opening of the centre a proud moment for the Nepalese community, it also places RAF High Wycombe in the record books. Although there are temples for serving Gurkha soldiers around the United Kingdom, High Wycombe is the first base in the country to have a Nepalese Community Heritage Centre. The first of many in the country? You never know!

Personnel from all sites were invited to join the Nepalese community in a sumptuous curry after the ceremony, served alfresco next to Smithy’s Bar. The event raised £1157 which will go towards buying articles for use in the centre.

There is an old proverb that says ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.’ And arguably this has been a journey. The opening ceremony was a very emotional time; “We didn’t believe it would happen.....It means everything to us and we are very thankful to the Stn Cdr,” said Sgt Gurung as he welcomed people into the centre for the first time.

For being a true trailblazer, well done RAF High Wycombe!