Photography exhibition in Aldershot celebrates Nepali community

  • Report by ITV Meridian's Juliette Fletcher

A new outdoor photography exhibition has opened in Aldershot to celebrate the heritage, stories and cultures of the Nepali people.

A participant viewing the pictures

Photographer Shaun Jackson spent weeks capturing images for the Beyond the Lens gallery now in the town centre. Seventy people helped with the project and twenty one pictures are on display.

Photographer Shaun Jackson looking at the pictures with Roshni Gurung
The pictures are a celebration of different Nepali stories and cultures.

The area has one of the highest Nepali populations in the UK and it's hoped the artwork will increase understanding of the community.

The Beyond the Lens exhibition is supported by Rushmoor Borough Council to celebrate the diverse cultures in the community.

Retired Captain Birbahadur Thapa stands next to his picture

The Borough is proud of its Gurkha heritage. Last month a new statue was unveiled in Aldershot to honour Kulbir Thapa - the first Ghurka to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during World War 1. Gurkha soldiers have been part of the British Army for more than 200 years.

Ghurka statue unveiled in front of crowds in Princes Gardens

The pictures were taken of a cross section of the Nepali community and the artwork will be on display for six months.