A Heartwarming Day of Community and Connection for Sanctuary Seekers in Clyro

A spectacular day of warmth, generosity, and community spirit was celebrated on Sunday 2nd November as over 50 individuals seeking sanctuary from Swansea joined together with staff, families and other local residents in Clyro Church in Wales Primary School for a special day of connection and support. The event, organised by Hay Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees[ HBTSR ] and Clyro Church In Wales School aimed to create a welcoming space where guests and hosts alike could share in the joy of good food, fun activities, and meaningful conversation.

Led by compassionate and hardworking Headteacher Heulwen Stephens , with Claire and Lynne for HBTSR , the day was an overwhelming success, filled with moments of kindness, laughter, and shared experiences. Families, children, and supporters came together to make this event a truly memorable occasion.

And without the enormous help of the coach company, First Choice, it might have been impossible to bring most of the guests as a bus strike in Swansea meant few would have been able to travel to the City centre pick up point. Thanu worked tirelessly to find out where people could walk to and the coach company picked up from a number of places to ensure everyone could participate. We are very grateful to First Choice for their support and flexibility.

The atmosphere was nothing short of wonderful, with delicious food prepared by volunteer chefs Gayan and Thanu, alongside hearty offerings brought by Bernie, Jan, Gail, and other friends—stews, soups, and cakes that were enjoyed by all. The generosity of the community was evident in every corner, from the volunteers to the local businesses who provided essential support for the event, including Hay Wholefoods, Talgarth Mill, and Castle Greengrocer’s Shop in Hay-on-Wye.

A range of engaging activities ensured everyone had a chance to take part in the fun. Children enjoyed face painting by Claire and Michelle, while Gaynor led a pottery workshop where participants crafted their own unique creations. Heulwen organized a Forest School experience, complete with toasted marshmallows and nature walks. For those with a creative flair, Emily, Jenny, and the quilting group helped to bring out the artistic talents of the visitors. A walk led by Gez and Sue was also much appreciated.

One of the most touching moments of the day was when the local community police officers joined the event. The officers’ willingness to engage with the guests, including letting them sit in their patrol car and activate the siren, brought enormous smiles to the faces of both the children and adults present. It was a heartwarming display of solidarity and kindness, reinforcing the positive and welcoming atmosphere of the day.

Part of the event’s success were the local supporters and volunteers that made it all possible. Special thanks are owed to Melrose and Rob, Philip, Chris, Lis, Margaret, Nadia, Tim, Carola, Sue, Gez, Christina, Ian, Virginia, Adil, Annie, Gail , Angharad and many others for their tireless efforts. The collaborative support from the Hay supporters, including Kieran from the Castle Greengrocers Shop, Alex at Talgarth Mill, and Harriet and Hilary, exemplified the deep community spirit that exists in the Brecon area.

Lynne shared, “This event has been an incredible demonstration of the power of community. We’ve come together to show the people seeking sanctuary that they are valued and appreciated. Everyone involved, from the volunteers to the local businesses, has helped to create a day that will be remembered by all for years to come.”

The generosity of the day extended beyond the event itself, with surplus cakes and biscuits taken to the drop-in support group in Swansea, ensuring that the kindness shared in Clyro would continue to spread.

The feedback from the attendees was heartfelt. Many families expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Welsh countryside, enjoy the activities, and most importantly, be treated with respect and kindness. One attendee shared, “We will never forget this empathy and sincerity. We hope to continue living a good life with you dear people.” Another guest said, “The food was colourful and delicious, and the hospitality was amazing. It’s something I will always cherish.”

The event also reinforced the importance of community connections and the role of local residents in dispelling negative stereotypes. “This is what community is about—coming together, supporting one another, and showing that we are stronger when we stand united,” said Claire one of the event organisers.

The day concluded with happy travellers making their way back to Swansea, their hearts full and spirits high.

A big thank you to all the volunteers, supporters, and participants for making this day a true celebration of community spirit. We look forward to hosting many more events like this in the future and continuing to build connections between people from all walks of life.

THANKS and Appreciation from Swansea and some participants

News of your warm welcome and magnificent event reached me here on Holiday ! 

I enclose some of the wonderful feedback received and I hope that you all enjoyed the event as much as these participants did.  Ailsa

We had a lovely day at Clyro this afternoon and sent happy travellers back down to Swansea.  Claire and Lynne did a great job; 

Hope y’all are having fun! We did today @ Clyro. Spectacular weather after the storm & scrumptious food & a great crowd inc. Clyro folk.

Thank you so much for today’s event. My family and I are very grateful for the wonderful effort you make to allow us to focus our minds on something so beautiful and wonderful. Thank you for your efforts and may God bless you for this lovely contribution to us.

Hello

How are you?

I would like to thank you for your good and frequent information, myself and my family.

And to all the dear people of the Brecon group who put all their energy into making this gathering a success. (A warm welcome and welcome, a good reception, Nescafe tea, juice, cake, biscuits, hot dishes, various salads, excellent evening meal) In addition, we are extremely grateful and grateful for the sincere cooperation of the Brecon group.

We will never forget this empathy and sincerity of the people of Wales and the country of Britain.

We hope to continue living a good life with you dear people.

I really enjoyed my visit to the Clyro Ciw primary school ,The atmosphere was welcoming and everyone I met was incredibly friendly and helpful.

The staff and volunteers were outstanding. Their passion for their work truly shines through, making the experience both informative and inspiring.

What a fantastic initiative! The activities provided were well-organized and engaging. I learned a lot and felt very connected to the community members.

The facilities were clean, bright, and inviting. It’s clear a lot of effort goes into maintaining such a positive environment for everyone.

And last not least the food was colourful and so delicious.thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you so much for the wonderful attention from all the volunteers and for spending time with us.

Hello, thank you for the trip today. It was great. Everyone respected us.

Thank you very much Thanu, it was a very good trip, I had a lot of fun, everything was great. The food was fresh and delicious. The hospitality was very good and the people were very friendly and kind. Please thank them for this beautiful trip and also thank you for this trip.

Hi

It’s was an enjoyable day   really appreciated  the support  from the organisation  Wishing them all the best for the  coming future  outstanding  hospitality  from all thank you Adele  please keep  me updated on future  trips 

Have a good night

We are very happy to see the countryside. I amazing views. The kids love play football and face painting. And the food is very good and the staff very friendly. And I also love walked. Thank you so much.