Gurkha veterans helped mark an international day of peace that commemorated 100 years since the start of the First World War.

Schoolchildren planted trees and one Gurkha veteran played the bagpipes as a memorial bench was unveiled infront of dozens who gathered to celebrate Global Friendship Day at Tottenham’s Selby Centre.

The event yesterday, organised by the Selby Trust, charitable organisation Friendship Global and the Nepalese British Gurkha Veterans’ Foundation, marked the WW1 centenary and 200 years since a Friendship Treaty between Nepal and the UK.

Padma Shrestha, director of Friendship Global, said he hoped the bench and trees would serve as a meeting point for people of all cultures and for the next generation of young people.

He said: “The aim is to achieve global harmony through strengthening local communities. I want everyone to be able to come to this place and sit peacefully, but also to meet others and make friends.

“It’s important to communicate with children so that they don’t get lonely, and they feel empowered. If they grow up within a strong community, where people pay attention to them, then they learn respect, understanding and responsibility.”

Sona Mahtani of the Selby Trust said the Selby Centre was proud to support community led projects like those of Friendship Global, which has placed benches and trees in over 15 Haringey primary schools.

Joanne McCartney, London Assembly member for Enfield and Haringey, said:  “It’s really good to take a moment to just remember the importance of friendship, particularly with the schoolchildren here.”