Blessing and Turf-cutting for Gurkha Memorial Statue

Last week saw the "turf-cutting" ceremony and blessing for the new Gurkha Statue and memorial that will be erected in the Garden of Remembrance (by Christchurch Tower) in Sandgate Road, Folkestone.

It is expected that the statue, by sculptor Rebecca Hawkins, will be unveiled in early October as one of the final acts of public commemoration of 200 years of Gurkha service to the UK.

The statue will mark the 200 years of service to the British Army of the Gurkhas, and has been paid for entirely through donations and fundraising from the public in Folkestone and across the country - no taxpayers funding has been sought or received for the statue.

BBC South East covered the blessing at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-33244294