Guildford Nepalese Community And Guests Celebrate New Year 2070!

Published on: 14 Apr, 2013
Updated on: 14 Apr, 2013

Happy new year – it’s now 2070. Well, if you are part of Guildford’s Nepalese community.

Sham Lem-Gurung of the Guildford Nepalese Community Association with the chairman of the Park Barn and Westborough Community Association, Wayne McShane.

To celebrate the passing of the old year and welcoming in the new, Nepalese families who have made their home in Guildford, along with some special guests, had a fun time at an event held on Saturday evening (April 13) at the Park Barn Community Centre.

Although, of course, they are fully aware that we are still in 2013 as far as the year is recognised throughout the modern world, it means the traditional Nepalese calendar is, in fact, therefore some 57 years ahead!

There was traditional dancing by younger members of the local Nepalese community.

About 150 people of all ages enjoyed a colourful evening of Nepalese culture, featuring music and dance, a game of bingo and delicious food too.

The chairman of the Guildford Nepalese Community Association, Navaraj Ghale, in addressing those at the event, said that that, step by step, it is working to forge links with the wider community in Guildford. He said: “Now is a very good time for us. It is a new generation.”

The association has been up and running for about two years and is now working towards enhanced integration with all people in the Guildford area.

Julia McShane is presented with her silk scarf as Tracy James looks on.

Special guests at the new year party included representatives from the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum, that has helped set up English as a second language courses for Nepalese women in Guidford; the chairman of the Park Barn and Westborough Community Association, Wayne McShane; his wife, Julia, a borough councillor for Westborough ward; community safety wardens Richard Musgrove and Tracy James; and David Rose, who attended representing the Joining In! project for the Westborough area and also The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

These guests were presented with rosettes when they arrived and later with colourful silk scarves – to bring them good luck in the year ahead.

To see previous stories on The Guildford Dragon NEWS about Guildford’s Nepalese community and its aims and activities, click here, and here.

Click here to go to the Guildford Nepalese Community Association’s Facebook page.

For details of the Joining In! project click here

Here is a gallery of photos from the evening.

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