What a truly memorable day it was as the local community of Talybont-on-Usk, together with HBTSR, welcomed a coach full of sanctuary seekers from Swansea to Henderson Hall for a day filled with friendship, laughter and kindness. Families arrived excited for the day ahead, with children of all ages eager to explore the activities on offer. By the end of the afternoon, everyone left with full hearts, happy memories, and bags overflowing with food, toys and gifts to share with family and friends back in Swansea.

The generosity shown throughout the build-up to the day was extraordinary. Rhiannon along with Ailsa, planned and coordinated the day and were delighted by the response of the community.

Chas from Talybont Market Garden supplied an incredible harvest of fresh vegetables, including beautiful beans, crisp salads, courgettes, beetroot, cauliflowers, garlic, peppers and tomatoes. There was so much produce that everyone was encouraged to take plenty home and to share it with others. Cwtch Angels generously donated a box of bananas, adding to the abundance of fresh food available, while the local shop and pubs also made generous contributions.

The Church kindly helped fund food and toys for the children to take away, with additional support from Morrisons. Every child was delighted to receive gifts including skipping ropes and bubble wands, ensuring the fun could continue long after they returned home.

The day was packed with activities. The Frazz group kept everyone entertained with creative sessions, including making cyanotypes, while Tamara from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park invited children and adults alike to make beautiful handmade postcards to post in the special Dyfodol Postbox. Nicola from Powys Sports Development, assisted by Adil, organised an energetic programme of sports including volleyball, football and archery, giving everyone the chance to try something new. Circus skills proved a huge hit, and Anna’s face painting transformed children into butterflies, tigers, superheroes and magical creatures. Together, participants also created a wonderful banner of the Brecon Beacons for the Frazz group.

The youngest visitors were thrilled with the large soft play area provided by Jane, Geoff and Anna, where they could safely climb, crawl and play while older children enjoyed the outdoor activities. A colouring area and a quiet space for reflection were also much appreciated. Emily brought along a quilting activity, which was enjoyed by a number of guests.

After days of sunshine and hot weather, a gentle shower of rain arrived just in time for a peaceful walk along the canal to the community orchards. Far from spoiling the day, the light rain was welcomed by the gardens and fields. Coach driver Paul took the opportunity to explore the area and was captivated by the wildlife, spotting butterflies, ducks and even the local osprey’s nest. He declared that he would love to stay longer.

Behind the scenes, many members of the Henderson Hall Committee, together with HBTSR volunteers, worked tirelessly throughout the day to ensure everyone was well looked after. Volunteers prepared endless refreshments, turning fresh fruit into ready-to-eat portions, laying out biscuits, serving drinks and snacks, and heating delicious curries, dhal and rice so that there was always plenty of hot as well as cold food available. Their hard work meant nobody went hungry.

The Talybont Women’s Institute added their own special touch by bringing cakes for tea and Talybont Osprey Cricket Club provided delicious home-baked scones served with jam, cream and strawberries. Beautiful flowers decorated every table, creating a warm welcome, and each family was invited to take flowers home as a reminder of the day.

Among the many touching moments was one involving a young girl who had dearly missed being around animals. Before her family was forced to flee the United Arab Emirates, her mother had rescued and cared for many animals, and the girl had grown up surrounded by them. She was overjoyed when Margaret brought along her foster dog, happily spending time walking the dog around the field with the biggest smile on her face. It was a simple act of kindness that meant the world.

As the day drew to a close, and after everyone had pitched in with the tidying and washing up, the coach was loaded not only with fresh vegetables, food, flowers and gifts, but also with smiles, friendships and precious memories.

One participant summed up the day perfectly, saying:

“Thank you so much. You have given us so many lovely memories from today. These lovely flowers will be in my sitting area and make the days ahead brighter.”

Those words remind us that while food, games and gifts are important, it is the kindness, welcome and sense of belonging that people remember most. This special day was made possible by the generosity, time and enthusiasm of so many volunteers, organisations and supporters. Thank you to everyone who helped create such a joyful day. Together, we showed the very best of what community can be.

Ailsa Dunn for HBTSR reflected ‘The day was a wonderful reminder that communities become stronger when people come together to offer friendship, hospitality and hope. We look forward to welcoming our new friends back to visit again.’

thanks from Rhiannon [ And many thanks to Rhiannon and Nick]

Thanks to Brecon Frazz, [ Pip, Gil, Ryan, Kirsty, ] Nick,Emily, Tamara, Nicola Jones, Linda Wyndham , Adil and Anna Bell for the activities.

The members of Henderson Hall committee – Kirsten, Ruth, Rhian, Barbara and Liz who worked so tirelessly in the kitchen. Thanks to Russell who walked to and from his ouse countless tikmes to find essential equipment. Thanks to Gail , Rowland, Mike, Ailsa, Lis, Margaret, Tim, Seren, Julia, Gillian, Gaynor, Jacqui , Helen, Alice, Julian and others who donated and/or helped to serve loads of food.

The White Hart Inn, The Royal Oak, Talybont Shop and Café, Chas of Talybont Market Garden, Tom of Talybont Ospreys Cricket club, Debbie and Talybont and District WI, Julie Harrison, Henderson Hall Commitee, Janet Williams, The Crickhowell Bakery [ the Church fund and Revs Liz and Jane, Morrisons, Cwtch Angels of Abergavenny, and other members of the local community for all their donations and help on the day.

A special mention for Nick who tirelessly sorted the recycling,composting and general rubbish; that place in heaven is reserved!

A fantastic team effort!

Thanks from Swansea,

Hello, it was a beautiful and wonderful trip. This was my first trip with you, me and my daughter, and my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter’s first experience. Thank you so much. The food was delicious, and the staff were wonderful and kind to us and the children. We were comfortable and enjoyed ourselves, and my daughter enjoyed herself very much. Thank you for all your wonderful and beautiful efforts.
: Hi, God blessed 🙌 me a lovely time at Talybont. Its my first trip out with a group from the time my dad passed away. I was so anxious but everyone was so nice and wonderful 💖
Thank u very much.
Please keep me posted for future day trips
Hi, Thanu thank you so much for really wonderful day.
Thank so much for organising this amazing day ❤️

Good morning, the trip was perfect and the place was beautiful. They treated us with a lot of love and respect. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to take part in the trip. I am very pleased.

Hello, yesterday everything was very beautiful, the place and the games were very fun, the delicious food, the desserts were very delicious, the very friendly people, everything was very comfortable and fun, thank you very much!!
Thank you so much for organising the trip. We had a wonderful time yesterday. The place was beautiful, the people were friendly and welcoming, and the food was lovely. Everything was well organised, and we really enjoyed the whole experience. Thank you again for your time and effort.

First off thank you yet again. I gave a lift to and from the bus to F, who was there with her two boys and she said it was a quite wonderful day. I got the great bulk of the food (and the hoops, the two bowls and some of those bubble-things) round to families this evening who had been on the trip (E, M F, N, M, and a neighbour of M’s who herself is a refugee) and all who had been on the bus thoroughly enjoyed it. Tami also said the day was a great success. So no points or issues for once! I met with Hazle later in the evening and she now has some of the food and fruit that she will distribute tomorrow. 😊