Lumley meeting Gurkhas in Nepal

**dirtydog** · 26-07-2009, 07:03 PM

Lumley meeting Gurkhas in Nepal

Joanna Lumley fronted a high-profile campaign supporting veterans

Actress Joanna Lumley has arrived in Nepal at the start of a week-long trip to meet ex-Gurkhas and their families.

Ms Lumley, whose father was an officer in the Gurkha regiment, fronted their campaign to gain UK settlement rights.

Accompanied by members of her family and by Peter Carroll, who started the campaign, Ms Lumley will meet Nepal's prime minister and president.

The actress said she was "humbled" by a visit which would be "such a privilege".

"It's thrilling, it really is," Ms Lumley said at London's Heathrow Airport, prior to her flight on Saturday evening.

"We were met by the most wonderful group of Gurkhas outside Terminal 3, with silk scarves and bunches of flowers.

I don't think it can be anything other than wonderful

Joanna Lumley

"It's just incredible. I've never been to Nepal before, and this is really going to be just stunning," she added.

"I feel so humbled by the fact I'm going to meet so many ex-Gurkhas and their families, and see where they are and how they live.

"I don't think it can be anything other than wonderful."

On Tuesday Ms Lumley will visit Jhapa and Dharan to meet Gurkhas.

Mr Carroll said some people were expected to walk for three days just to be there.

"I think it's going to be an amazingly emotional experience," he said.

In May, the government said all retired Gurkha soldiers - originally from Nepal - with at least four years service in the British Army, could stay in the UK.

BBC NEWS | UK | Lumley meeting Gurkhas in Nepal

pompeybloke · 26-07-2009, 08:31 PM

She's still horny IMO.

**Nietzsche** · 26-07-2009, 08:45 PM

I like Jo, but she's trying to rebuild her career on the back of a bunch of worthless Gooks.

I think it's going to be an amazingly emotional experience

I think she'll take a camera crew along, too.

Says it all.

**Propagator** · 27-07-2009, 01:34 AM

Come on Nietzsche - trying to fan the flames again. You know my stance on that.

Originally Posted by Nietzsche

but she's trying to rebuild her career on the back of a bunch of worthless Gooks.

**jizzybloke** · 27-07-2009, 01:53 AM

Thousands of Nepalese people are travelling from their mountain homes to Kathmandu, so they can pay tribute to Joanna Lumley, who they credit with single-handedly winning them a famous victory off the battlefield.

Heroine's welcome for Lumley

Lumley's arrival in the world's youngest republic is being treated as a state visit.
The Nepalese will officially honour her role in the campaign to secure justice for Gurkha soldiers who loyally fought for Britain, but until this year were denied the right to live in the UK.
Lumley's determination to force Gordon Brown to give the Gurkhas what years of lobbying and litigation failed to deliver has earned her a special place in the hearts of the Nepalese people.
Organisers of the visit estimate that as many as 5,000 Gurkhas plan to gather at four different locations across the country to see the former model, who one former soldier said "is now lauded as a goddess".

**kmart** · 27-07-2009, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Nietzsche

I like Jo, but she's trying to rebuild her career on the back of a bunch of worthless Gooks.

I think it's going to be an amazingly emotional experience

I think she'll take a camera crew along, too.

Says it all.

Most Cynical Post Of The Week.

**baldrick** · 27-07-2009, 03:11 PM

they should also have the right to emigrate to Australia if they wish.

THE GURKHA SOLDIER

Bravest of the brave,
most generous of the generous,
never had country
more faithful friends
than you.
Professor Sir Ralph Turner MC

**Attilla the Hen** · 27-07-2009, 03:23 PM

Good on 'er, I say.

**goostewart** · 27-07-2009, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Nietzsche

on the back of a bunch of worthless Gooks.

Who have fought and died for the UK in many, many wars. Some of the bravest and hardest soldiers on the planet. Why would you call them 'worthless'?

**BugginOut** · 27-07-2009, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by goostewart

Originally Posted by Nietzsche

on the back of a bunch of worthless Gooks.

Who have fought and died for the UK in many, many wars. Some of the bravest and hardest soldiers on the planet. Why would you call them 'worthless'?

I'm giving ya a green for that, goo! Stone-cold killers in the service of the empire.

**Happyman** · 27-07-2009, 06:08 PM

As I have said in a previous thread the only Brit military that I am 100% behind ( with a few exceptions with my chums in the REME) are the lads from Nepal - life and soul of the social scene in Cyprus and more patriotic to the UK and Betty Windsor than I am !
The fact that Joanna Lumley did something totally un-celebrity like and used her 'fame ' to actually do something to get a result , rather than do a 'caring, tear jerking publicity tour ' is bloody great !

**Michael** · 27-07-2009, 10:47 PM

Joanna's grandparents trekked to Bhutan in 1931 to bestow the KCO to the then King.

I watched a documentary of her and her sister doing the same trek.

Breeding, intelligence, compassion and beauty, not necessarily in that order. As a geneticist, does it for me!

**Michael** · 27-07-2009, 10:49 PM

OK, intelligence, compassion, and beauty, but nice manners helps.

**Michael** · 27-07-2009, 10:50 PM

Dug myself a hole now!

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