"Dashain 2026 at Marks Tey: A Night of Unity, Music and Remembrance"

This year, the main days of Dashain fell on weekdays, when most of our members are at work. The Colchester Nepalese Society (CNS) therefore held its celebration on the weekend before, Saturday, 17 October 2026, at Marks Tey Parish Hall.

Planning and preparation

Preparations began with a committee meeting on Sunday, 13 September 2026, which set the celebration plans. Members were invited to register, and despite work and other commitments, more than 250 people, plus their children, signed up.

On the day, the committee, with help from Bhel, decorated the hall, and Naina installed the PA system, with everything ready by 2:00 pm. Committee members then went home to get ready and returned with their families for the evening.

Opening ceremony

The party began at 4:30 pm as the Cultural Coordinator started the music, and starters were served from around 5:30 pm amid melodious songs. Advisor Kiran Gurung gave the health and safety briefing in the Secretary's absence. The Chair and Vice Chair then lit two ceremonial candles to open the celebration.

The Chair gave a short introduction to Dashain and wished everyone a happy festival, followed by the national anthems of the United Kingdom and Nepal, followed by two minutes' silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the flash flood in Nepal on 26 August 2026.

The Chair told the audience that two days after the disaster he had started a GoFundMe appeal. Those unable to give through it donated directly to the Colchester Nepalese Society's account. Together, the appeal raised more than £21,000. He thanked the people of Colchester, Gurkha veterans, the Nepali diaspora and friends across Colchester for their generosity.

Entertainment

The Cultural Coordinator opened the entertainment with the community's children, who danced their hearts out. Performances followed from Sharon, Sarita, Khagendra and Shova Hamal.

Next, the Chair introduced our special guest singer, Rejina Pariyar, and welcomed her with a traditional khada. She had been sponsored to visit the UK, and after her visa was granted, she arrived in mid-July. Rejina's wonderful songs soon filled the dance floor, and everyone kept dancing until the 9:00 pm dinner break.

Feltham Gurkha Durbar restaurant provided the main meal. After dinner, Rejina returned for another set that brought everyone back onto the dance floor for the rest of the evening.

Thanks, prizes and farewell

At around 11:00 pm, the performers were congratulated and presented with gifts in appreciation of their performances. The raffle draw followed. Priya Thapa Gurung won first prize, Mandy Gurung second prize, and other community members received consolation prizes. Packing up then began.

At 11:30 pm, the Chair thanked everyone, especially the committee members, for their dedication and hard work. He also thanked the volunteers outside the committee who helped decorate, serve drinks, and pack up. He said everyone who took part deserves credit for making Dashain 2026 one of the most memorable events of the year.

Well done, everyone, and thank you!

Udaibahadur Gurung MBEChair/Trustee, Colchester Nepalese Society (CNS)