Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees (HBTSR) held a successful 'Welcome Day' in Llangynidr recently.
It was fourth day of this kind held in the village, following similar events in 2018, 2019 and 2023.
HBTSR's aim during the events is to provide activities, delicious food, the peace of beautiful countryside and the warm of a community welcome that all can enjoy.
Llangynidr's most recent 'Welcome Day' on Sunday, October 6 more than fulfilled that aim.
Organisers Lucy Lancaster and Tessa Craig had assembled a varied menu of crafts, treats, therapies, music and food, offered by dozens of volunteers from the local community in Llangynidr and many others from across the area.
When the coach arrived just before midday, it brought 43 people seeking sanctuary, living at present in Swansea. Others came from Abergavenny, Llandrindod Wells and Cardiff.
The visitors had come to the UK from a countries in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, as well as from Ukraine. All have come to the UK seeking sanctuary, leaving homes, families, friends and their possessions in their own countries when war, violence and threats have made it dangerous or impossible for them to stay. All are in different ways bereft, so the warmth of a 'Welcome Day' can be especially important.
The visitors were welcomed by a choir of 20 or more children from Llangynidr Community Primary school, directed by headteacher Sian Shepherdson. The carefully chosen songs, including Llangynidr's own welcome anthem, were both sung and acted out in gesture.
Many children and parents stayed to join in the numerous activities coordinated by Rachel Cadman - face painting, leaf writing, friendship bands, drawing, clay modelling, butterfly painting, origami, refashioning pine cones, nature table and more. Adults enjoyed manicures and massage, chats and coffee and little ones were looked after in the crèche corner. Every table had a beautiful arrangement of late summer flowers and a bowl of apples - all from local gardens.
Music was provided by the Hallelujah Joes from Herefordshire, Maryna on piano, and singing by Lucy’s daughter, Lottie.
Outdoors there was ‘Llangynidr rules’ tennis, ball games, bubbles and kite flying.
The visitors enjoyed two walks in the area. The shorter walk, led by the Gibbs family, took the guests down to the Usk. The other group, led by Arthur Cadman, walked across the top of the village to the canal by Llangynidr Basin, where guests were able to raise the paddles and swing the gates as a barge moved through the lock. In Fairy Glen (Cwm Crawnon) a heron surprised the group by rising from a pool below the waterfall.
Back in the Hall, there was a constant supply of delicious food throughout the day, expertly supervised by Sara and Simon Brookes. There was hot food from the Red Lion and Coach and Horses village pubs, and the Walnut Tree café and numerous dishes prepared by locals. Children at Llangynidr School had cooked a curry made from the vegetables they grow in the school gardening club. Captain Brown's donated 10 pizzas for all to share. Afternoon tea was laid on by the village church and chapels.
Organiser, Lucy Lancaster said: "A massive thank you for all your wonderful contributions to our Refugee Welcome Day in Llangynidr. Donations of fabulous food, tons of time and thoughtfulness, care and creativity, magical music, hard graft, nature and walks, lavish teas and piles of pizza! You are all superstars.
"What a wonderful community we have and how wonderful to spread some of that goodness to others who are so in need."
For more info about HBTSR, please visit: https://hbtsr.cityofsanctuary.org