HBTSR were invited by John Meredith to attend the year 6 school leavers’ service to offer some activities and promote School of Sanctuary. We offered heart shaped planes, Mexican eyes, cards to your future self and a wishing tree for messages . We had planned to offer badge making as well but the blanks were faulty and there was so much else on offer we decide to save the kit for another occasion.

Ailsa accompanied Llangorse school pupils so wasn’t any help on the stall at all but Rowland, Rhiannon, Margaret, Anna, Lawrence and Claire did plenty to entertain the many visitors when they were able to look at activities.

All thirteen Church In Wales Brecon and Swansea diocese schools came to the service which was about 260 pupils and there also were many adults so there was standing room only for some.

The service started at 10.35 with singing and then presentations by Llangattock school about becoming a School of Sanctuary and the joy they felt about this, St Mary’s in Brynmawr also a School of Sanctuary and several other schools shared thoughts and prayers. The Bishop addressed the large congregation and an appearance by Bernard the Norman completed the long but interesting service.

A quick lunch and children were free to look at and participate on the stalls. It was good to see our friends Love Zimbabwe doing drumming and the National Park promoting saving curlews. There were many other interesting things to see and do and Rowland was able to talk to some teachers about Schools of Sanctuary.

It was also an opportunity for pupils to see the winning entries from the schools competition run for Refugee week.