By lila Selung Mabo
Victoria Day was held on Saturday, 8th June 2024 in Aldershot town,UK. The parade was organised by Rushmore Borough Council and is one of the biggest events in the local calendar.
Victoria Day is a fun-filled day of family activities, live music, dance and many stalls throughout Aldershot town centre. It celebrates Aldershot’s close ties with Queen Victoria and attracts thousands of visitors to the town. The event brought a carnival atmosphere to the whole town centre and this year ‘s theme was ‘Animal’, and we all put on the greatest show!
The highlight of the day was the grand parade. It started at 11 am and included more than 1000 people, local school children, community groups, samba bands, dancers, army veterans, Nepali and Indian Dancers.
Most of the Gurkhas’ families (Nepali) are living in this area, which is part of the Greater Rushmore Nepali Community, and which has actively taken part in this parade for many years.
GRNC has many other sub- communities and more than 200 Nepalese (Gurkhas)
attended the celebration. Participating sub –communities and leaders from this area were Naumati Baja UK (Om Thapa), Dal Gurung( Gulmi Samaj UK),Setimaya Gurung (1st Gurkha Ama Samuha), Mamta Gurung (Sai Centre Farnborough) Rishi Rana (Magar Association Rushmore Branch), Jumkaji Gurung(Tamudhee Association UK), Mr Krishna Yonghang (Kirat Yakthunbg Chumlung Rushmore Branch), Dhan Maya Gurung (Gurkha Ama Samuha Aldershot Empire), Mr Harka Gurung ( BCCUK), Retd Capt Bishmu Shresta & Retd. Capt Bir Bahadur Thapa ( Madadhat Samuha), Bikram Bhattarai (Shiva Cultural and Community Centre UK and Chandra Rai (Kirat Rai Yayokha UK).
Aldershot’s very own Queen Victoria, Betty Bryce, gave her royal wave to the crowds in Aldershot. This year’s parade was larger and more colourful than ever before with 1,000 people taking part in the spectacular ‘Carnival of the Animals’. Best in Parade was awarded to the Aldershot Lions.
At the end of the parade the President of GRNC Man Gurung presented appreciation certificates to all Nepali sub community leaders and volunteers for their support and participation in the parade. 
