It was a privilege to be part of the large crowd of Maidstone people who attended the unveiling of the Ghurka statue at the museum yesterday. The soldiers led by their own band, paraded from County Hall to Faith Street and was a very moving sight. It was good to see a few of our own Rotarians amongst the crowd. Riverside helped pay for the statue and although I had initial reservations thinking that £15k could be better spent on the poor in Nepal, I have changed my mind having seen the statue and felt the warmth towards the Ghurkas that Maidstone clearly has. I recommend that everyone should go and visit it.
The troops were inspected by the Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant of Kent. Cllr Brian Moss who is a Maidstone Rotarian, was the instigator of the idea of a statue, he gave an excellent speech.
Our own Terry Shead was a guest representing his own industry and was photographed with the statue. I managed to snap one as well, a bit more casual though, than the official ones.
