A small group of intrepid walkers from Swansea came to Talgarth for a few days to participate in the Walking Festival. Virginia Brown meticulously planned for the visit and was rewarded by a small group of people seeking asylum/refuge and supporters arriving to have a fun weekend. Her plans were carried out and added to by supporters of Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for refugees [HBTSR] and helped by the generosity of all the organisers of the walking festival and indeed the welcoming people of Talgarth.
Accommodation with Sydna at the Bell was praised for comfort and welcome as were the games of Pool. Sydna was delighted to tell me that she'd beaten one of the young men in a challenge match! Generous amounts of food were provided for breakfasts and snacks by members of our group and supper at a supporter's house was much enjoyed on two occasions. There seems to have been enough going on over the weekend for everyone to have a great time and several people commented upon how good it was to get to know this small group better.
The walks were good and sufficiently tiring that only 1 young man from Swansea managed to run in the 10 mile Mill race on Sunday. We all cheered the finishers and he had a special cheer and lots of photos. I suspect anyone watching must have assumed he was famous- which of course he is in our group.
Tired limbs and happy smiles returned to Swansea leaving similar smiles and lots of great memories on both sides.
We know these events make a great difference to the quality of lives of people who are living with the trauma of having had to leave their own country and an uncertain future in this. Thanks to Talgarth Walking Festival for making this visit possible
More stories