Refugee families welcomed at Talybont community day

A well-tested partnership between Hay, Brecon & Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees (HBTSR) and Henderson Hall brought together the community of Talybont-on-Usk and families seeking sanctuary from Swansea on Sunday, July 26, for a joyful day of friendship, welcome and belonging.

The coach arrived full of excited families, with children eager to discover the activities waiting for them. By the end of the afternoon, everyone left with smiles, new friendships, happy memories, and bags filled with fresh food, toys, flowers and gifts to share with family and friends back in Swansea.

The event showcased the very best of community spirit, with local organisations, businesses and volunteers working side by side to create a day where everyone felt valued and welcomed.

The day was organised by Rhiannon Davies and Ailsa Dunn of HBTSR, whose careful planning was met with extraordinary generosity from across the local community.

One of the highlights was the abundance of fresh produce donated by Chas of Talybont Market Garden, including beans, salads, courgettes, beetroot, cauliflowers, garlic, peppers and tomatoes. There was so much that families were encouraged to take plenty home and share it with others. Cwtch Angels donated bananas, while The White Hart Inn, The Royal Oak, and Talybont Shop and Café all contributed food and supplies.

Funding from the local church, together with support from Morrisons, enabled every child to receive gifts including skipping ropes and bubble wands, ensuring the fun could continue long after the journey home.

Visitors enjoyed a packed programme of creative and outdoor activities. The Brecon Frazz team led art workshops, including cyanotype printing and a collaborative banner celebrating the Bannau Brycheiniog landscape. Tamara from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park helped children create handmade postcards for the special Dyfodol Postbox.

Sports activities organised by Nicola Jones from Powys Sports Development, assisted by Adil, included football, volleyball and archery, while circus skills proved popular with all ages. Anna Bell transformed children into butterflies, superheroes and magical creatures through face painting, while Emily Hedges led a quilting activity. Younger children enjoyed a large soft play area alongside colouring activities and a quiet space for reflection.

A gentle summer shower accompanied a peaceful walk along the canal to the community orchards. Rather than spoiling the day, the rain was welcomed after several days of hot weather. Coach driver Paul explored the village while the families enjoyed the activities, spotting butterflies, ducks and even the local osprey's nest before declaring he would happily have stayed longer.

Behind the scenes, members of the Henderson Hall Committee worked tirelessly alongside HBTSR volunteers to ensure every guest was well cared for. Volunteers prepared refreshments throughout the day, serving fruit, drinks and snacks, alongside delicious homemade curries, dhal and rice so that nobody went hungry.

The Talybont & District Women's Institute donated cakes for afternoon tea, while Talybont Ospreys Cricket Club provided freshly baked scones with jam, cream and strawberries. Beautiful flowers decorated every table and were later given to families to take home as a lasting reminder of the day.

One particularly moving moment involved a young girl who had dearly missed being around animals after her family was forced to flee the United Arab Emirates, where her mother had rescued and cared for many animals. Her delight was evident when Margaret arrived with her foster dog, allowing the girl to spend time walking and playing with it. It was a simple act of kindness that brought enormous happiness.

As the day came to an end, volunteers and visitors worked together to tidy the hall before the coach departed, carrying not only food, flowers and gifts, but also new friendships and treasured memories.

The response from participants spoke volumes about the impact of the day.

One guest wrote: "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."

Another commented: "Everything was amazing. We really enjoyed the trip. The place was beautiful, everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and the food was excellent. Thank you so much for your kindness and hospitality."

Others described the visit as "beautiful and wonderful", praising the warm welcome, delicious food and the opportunity to relax, have fun and create lasting memories. Several participants said it was their first outing for many months and thanked the organisers for making them feel safe, comfortable and included.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Ailsa Dunn of HBTSR said: "The day was a wonderful reminder that communities become stronger when people come together to offer friendship, hospitality and hope. We are incredibly grateful to Henderson Hall, our volunteers and everyone across Talybont who gave so generously of their time, skills and kindness. We look forward to welcoming our new friends back again."

HBTSR and Henderson Hall would like to thank everyone whose generosity made the day possible.

Special thanks on the day go to Rhiannon and Nick for coordinating the event; Brecon Frazz (Pip, Gil, Ryan and Kirsty); Tamara, Nicola Jones, Linda Wyndham, Adil, Anna Bell and Emily for leading activities.

The organisers also thank the Henderson Hall Committee — Kirsten, Ruth, Rhian, Barbara and Liz — for their tireless work throughout the day, together with Russell, whose countless trips home for forgotten equipment kept everything running smoothly. Appreciation also goes to Gail, Rowland, Mike, Lis, Margaret, Tim, Seren, Julia, Gillian, Gaynor, Jacqui, Helen, Alice, Julian, Stuart and the many other volunteers who prepared and served food or donated their time.

Grateful thanks are extended to The White Hart Inn, The Royal Oak, Talybont Shop and Café, Chas of Talybont Market Garden, Tom of Talybont Ospreys Cricket Club, Talybont & District Women's Institute, Julie Harrison, Janet Williams, Crickhowell Bakery, the local church and Revs Liz and Jane, Morrisons, Cwtch Angels of Abergavenny, and the many members of the Talybont community who donated food, flowers, gifts and practical support.

A special mention also goes to Nick, whose tireless efforts managing the recycling, composting and waste throughout the day ensured everything ran smoothly.