REFUGEES danced to Stand by Me during one of many happy moments shared with new friends at Hay Castle on Sunday.
The 25 men, women and children who have fled homes across Africa, and Iraq in a bid to find sanctuary, left their troubles behind for a day as they enjoyed a warm welcome at Hay castle and the hospitality and kindness of volunteers from Hay, Talgarth and Brecon.
Amongst the refugees was a young lad from Libya and a mother and her three young children, including a two-month-old baby.
They danced to live music from local musicians, made clay pots and figures, baked, ate, chatted, and toured the castle and Hay town.
The away day was organised by Ceri Hayes and Louise Money of the Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees (HBTSR) group which has joined forces with the Swansea City of Sanctuary Charity.
The refugees are all currently living in Swansea. Some have been there for just a few weeks, others for more than a year. They were all in need of a day out.
Ceri said she and Louise went to Swansea a month ago to find out more about the needs of those displaced from their home countries.
“One of the things they told us would be really welcome was the opportunity to get out and about. I think they are quite isolated and can get quite bored. They don’t have much money, about £35 a week, which is quite prohibitive,” said Ceri.
The women discussed the situation with members of HBTSR and planned the first away day for refugees.
“We have had huge amounts of help from other members of the group, and volunteers from Swansea, as well as the refugees themselves, which is what made the day happen.
“It was a real coming together of communities, that’s what was so inspiring about not just the day but making refugees welcome.
“There are a huge number of people that think it’s important to make refugees feel welcome and be hospitable.”
With sharing rather than showcasing the main thread of the day, she said everyone at the castle had fun together and took comfort in sitting and chatting and drinking homemade chai.
Some baked mince pies and bread with ingredients from Hay artisan baker, Kate Brotherton-Ratcliffe, others made pots and figures from clay with Cusop potter Tim Rawlins.
There was also a tour of the castle with Mari Fforde of the Hay History Group and Anna Heywood from Drovers in Hay led a group on a walk around the town.
Storyteller, Wayland Boulanger, brought a band of musicians and ladies from the craft shop at Talgarth Mill gave hats, scarves and gloves as presents for the children.
Ceri said the day was a huge success.
“They were just very excited. One said seeing the countryside on the bus journey was exciting. One was so interested in the castle and its history and quite a few remarked on what a beautiful place they lived in. Some were really happy to see the mountains,” said Ceri.
Part of the day, she said, was also an escape from the memories of traumatic experiences, forgotten as they enjoyed themselves in Hay.
“There were a couple of musicians playing which got everyone up and dancing by the end of the afternoon. Everyone was dancing to Stand by Me which was a real crowd pleaser.
“The Christmas spirit was alive and kicking in Hay Castle, which was quite incredible really. It was very, very moving. We got as much out of the day as they did. They are so keen to be part of our communities.
“These people are highly skilled and don’t want to sit around doing nothing. It enhances all our lives to make friends like this.”