Over a hundred people turned out to welcome more than 70 refugees as they visited Penpont House at the weekend.
The event, which was organised by Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees (HBTSR), brought together people from Syria, Nigeria, Sudan, Oman, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Iran, Ghana and Sri Lanka for a day of fun, food and activities.
Donations of groceries, toiletries and clothing were provided by Sennybridge school, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, Brecon Foodbank, residents of Llanfihangel Nant Bran, local supporters, Morrisons and Aldi.
More than 100 bags were given to supplement the rations normally available on an asylum seeker’s grant and, after people had chosen from the clothing, more than 30 bags were given to Swansea Humanitarian Aid Response Project [SHARP] to send to refugee camps around Europe and the Middle East as well being made available to local people in need.
The respite day was arranged after HBTSR chair Margaret Blake approached Penpont owners Gavin and Vina Hogg about hosting an event.
Supporters of HBTSR and friends provided a breakfast of eggs, fruit, fish, freshly-baked breads and croissants, a lunch of cawl and vegetable stews and tea of an enormous selection of cakes. So many cakes were donated that large quantites were sent back to Swansea for people attending one of the support groups there.
During the day, even hailstones and torrential rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of guests and volunteers as exploring the magnificent grounds, horse riding, lamb petting and woodcarving required braving the elements.
Indoors, chatting, making friendship bands, dream pillow cases, cards, prints, chilling with friends, playing, music and eating were on offer.
Chair Margaret Blake said “None of this would have been possible without the support, generosity and welcome of so many local people. We live in troubled times and those displaced, through no fault of their own, need friends more than ever and need action and practical assistance, not rhetoric”. HBTSR secretary Ailsa Dunn commented “The people of Breconshire have again demonstrated that they will keep a welcome in the valleys and hillsides and homes.
Website hbtsr.org.uk
twitter account @hbts4refugees
Please see our Facebook Page
More stories