Mike Gatehouse writes:-
Llangynidr’s fifth Refugee Welcome day on Sunday 5 October was a grand occasion marked by a couple of HBTSR firsts. A book launch and apple juice making were new activities and both were much enjoyed.
49 guests (people seeking sanctuary) came on the coach from Swansea, and several others
came independently with hosts or helpers. There were lots of children – from babies in
pushchairs to young teenagers. Dozens of helpers from the village and from the wider
community of HBTSR supporters swelled the numbers to around 150 with others dropping by with food, flowers and donations of kitchenware, gardening tools and childrens’ clothing.
Photos show preparations being made and Lucy and Mike explaining the timetable.
The weather, courtesy of Storm Amy, had threatened rain and chaos, but by Sunday
morning the storm clouds had cleared northwards and the sun shone for the most part, with
just an occasional brief shower.
Llangynidr School Choir, conducted by headteacher Siân Shepherdson, sang songs of
welcome, while the Hallellujah Joes [ Thomasin and Lesley] from Penarth provided background song and
instrumentals during the day.
2025 has been an astonishing year of apple glut. Mike brought 100 apples picked from a
single tree, to pile on the tables. Many others also donated apples! Outside Gil and Pip Chambers, helped by Tim Epping, set up their apple press and produced dozens of bottles of juice for everyone to try and guests to take home with them on the coach. Lynne Allbutt provided bottles of freshly pressed juice that were put in each table.
The walk down Cyffreddyn Lane, led by William Gibbs and Arthur Cadman, made their way
to Worcester Cottage. Everyone scattered around the apple trees that line the driveway to
pick sweet eaters and russets. Along the lane children completed a nature treasure hunt
devised by Rachel Cadman. The Horse chestnut tree close to the house yielded dozens of
conkers, and we taught the younger guests how to pierce and string them and begin a
conker championship.
William produced croquet mallets and the visitors learned the vicious truth about this most
deceptively sedate of English games. Meanwhile, Lizzie’s amazing dog Bob entertained
everyone by leaping to head a football. He was duly awarded the title ‘Dog of Sanctuary’.
A last minute panic about food had set Mike and Lucy to cooking extra curry in the early
hours of the day. As usual, we had far more than everyone could eat, thanks to trays of
pasta, lasagne, salads and other dishes provided by the Red Lion, the Coach and Horses,
Walnut Tree Café and numerous local families. Experienced caterer Simon Brooks, from
Bwlch, managed the kitchen with aplomb, helped by Helen, Katherine, Nadia and Tim Epping, Margaret, Sue Keen, Claire, Carola and others. Teas and a vast array of delicious cakes were provided by
Samantha Lowe, Jean Barnes and the communities of Llangynidr Church and the two
Chapels.
The tables were set beautifully. Lizzie Dutton had asked for people to comb their gardens for
late summer blooms and foliage. She made more than two dozen beautiful flower
arrangements, at least three per table, and many of our guests [ and some supporters] took a posy home with them.
Indoors Rachel Cadman had the children making clay models and animals, and set up a
message tree, while Tessa Craig and her family, with Jenny Soave, helped the children
string beads, colour pictures and make pompoms with wool supplied by Claudia and others.
Cat and Josie played with the younger ones.
Local author Catherine Barr brought her brand new book The Colours of Nature (to be published
by Bloomsbury on 23 October) and read it with the children.
Outdoors the children flew kites provided by Loretta and Steve; Katherine supervised tennis
and football.
Throughout the day, Yolanda provided head and shoulder massage to a constant queue of
women. Both Ruth and Fanny mentioned how much this helped them. it was amazing ‘ ‘I enjoyed the trip a lot, especially the massage,’ wrote another.
The coach left about 4pm, laden with extra food, flowers, apples and juice, as well as the
guests. Later, they sent us messages to say how much they had enjoyed themselves, and
what the day meant to them.
Reception, support and wisdom throughout the day were provided by Ailsa, Margaret McBlane Margaret Blake, Adil , Rowland , Rhiannon, Claire and others of HBTSR.
Ailsa commented: ‘It was lovely to catch up with so many friends. The kitchen coordination and
washing up was invaluable and the food was delicious. Please thank all involved.
‘The choir was superb as always and it was lovely that so many of them stayed on to join in the fun. The
Hallelujah Joes were wonderful and seemingly tireless. Rachel and the other crafters were
so much appreciated. The children had such fun with the clay and were thrilled to have
beautiful items to take home. ( I was gifted a heart with my name written on which was
lovely. As you know the flowers were very much appreciated and people said they made
them feel very special. ‘
Of course these welcome days, like all solidarity activities, are a two-way exchange of
benefit. Lucy Lancaster (co-organiser of the day with Tessa Craig) said, in her message
to helpers, ‘Wow, what a day! I can’t believe how much was given and with so much love,
humour and graft. The Llangynidr dream team! I found today so heartwarming and
witnessed so many moments of beauty that I know I will be revisiting in the days to come.
Thank you all so much.’
‘So much fun, it warmed my heart!’ wrote Rachel, ‘Thank you everyone. What a special
village we live in.’ Josie, from next-door village Llangattock, wrote ‘It is so lovely to see that
community spirit and human kindness is so alive and well in our little corner of Powys.’
Our visitors were people from all over the world who are seeking sanctuary. Strangers? No,
these were honoured guests, and it gave us all great happiness to welcome and share with them
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Thanks to everyone who helped in anyway, Really too numerous to list. Lucy and Tessa coordinated a superb day and assembled an enormous team all focused on working together to produce a fantastic day out for all. Again many thanks are due to Bwyd Powys Food for their help in funding allowing us to buy extra fruit locally, some other produce and to pay for the transport. This allow these days to go ahead and be even more special.
Messages of thanks from the guests
Hi, thank you so much for so beautiful Trip. I feel very happy, it’s was wonderful activities, I have had good massage, delicious food and apples juice. Fanny
Hello, dear Thanu, thank you for the kindness we had. It was great. I wasn’t really in the mood, but today was great.
Hello my good friend, thank you for today’s trip. It was really beautiful and I had a great time. Our mood changed and we felt good, thank you.Please let us know on your next trips. Thank you.
it was lovely, we enjoy a lot there is lots activity for adult and children,massage for woman ,that’s was really nice , let me know next time Thank you very much 
It was so good thank you so much
Just wanted to say a big thank you for organizing today’s family trip! Everything was so well planned — from the travel to the food and fun activities. We all had a wonderful time together, and it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves. Really appreciate the effort and time you put into making it such a memorable day for all of us. Thanks again to Thanu and Ruth. Suraji.
Hi thanks for everything it was really nice for my children enjoyed l hope we will have another trip xx
Today was a lovely day , I really enjoyed . Thank you for everything
Hi Thanks a lot for everyone ! It was a really great day in Llangynidr, I really enjoyed it 
Thank you very much As always it was a wonderful trip and we really enjoyed
The trip was really well organized, I enjoyed it a lot,especially the massage . Everything went smoothly, and I appreciated the planning. I liked the balance between activities and free time.
From Maria and Phil of SASS
just wanted to tell you how much we all enjoyed the trip last Sunday to LLangnidr. We were blessed with good weather and everyone had a wonderful time.
As ever, I do not wish to name names for fear of leaving someone out. However, I would like to thank each and every adult and child who contributed to such a positive day.
I acknowledge and appreciate that time is a precious commodity. Every person there on Sunday gave up their free time to warmly welcome a group of people who in general are not made to feel welcome. The efforts made by those who amongst other things prepared, cooked, served, cleared up, set up games, arts and crafts, kite flying, football, tennis, apple pressing, organised walks, sang in the choir, arranged flowers and offered massages to weary shoulders, was huge and greatly appreciated.
The food was nutritious and delicious. Home cooked food tells people that someone has put effort and care into preparing a dish. Homemade cakes, fresh fruit and salads are something that our friends do not have the luxury of, on a daily basis.
Old, young and ‘in between’ all had a chance to step out of their real world and enjoy the warmth and welcome that the community of LLangynidr and friends of HBTSR offered. They left clutching donations, food and fresh flowers with smiles on their faces and a lightness in their hearts.
On behalf of SASS and our friends, I extend heartfelt thanks to anyone and everyone who contributed to the day. You will never know the difference you have made in a world which is increasingly intolerant and misinformed.
I would appreciate it if you would pass this to all concerned.
