Former Sergeants' Mess transformed into Gurkha temple at Colchester Garrison

A temple has been officially opened to meet the spiritual needs of a Gurkha unit that has recently moved to Colchester's Merville Barracks.

The new space has been created at the old Sergeants' Mess building and a ceremony was held to dedicate it as a place of worship for soldiers and members of 15 Air Assault Support Squadron Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (QOGLR).

Earlier this year, the Gurkha logisticians were moved from their barracks in Oxfordshire and welcomed back to Colchester as part of the British Army's global response force, after its expansion in size and capabilities as part of the Army's Future Soldier vision.

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Colchester-based Corporal Shekhar Thapa said: "It is a bit hard to find a Hindu or Buddhist temple, so I think this is a very good opportunity for us to maintain our religion and culture."

The temple was dedicated in a joint Hindu and Buddhist ceremony and the service was led by the regiment's own Hindu pundit and Buddhist lama.

It is hoped the dedicated place of worship and facility will provide a focal point for the Gurkha soldiers and their families to observe rites of their religion, celebrate festivals and gather together in unity.