Craven shows its support during national refugee week

FROM displays to story-time, from a tent on the High Street in Bentham to an art competition in Glusburn, Craven was full of activities for refugee week.

The theme for this year's week, which ran from June 17 to June 23, was 'Our Home' and many of the events and work done across the district reflected the theme as people thought about what home means to them.

Skipton Library and Skipton Town Hall both had displays from Craven District of Sanctuary and there was also a visit from the mayor, Councillor Claire Nash.

Skipton Refugee Support group spoke at the library coffee morning and a held a stall outside on High Street where passersby could get information. The group also arranged an online presentation about the Middle East as well as a social evening.

Glusburn Institute Community and Arts Centre displayed work by children from Glusburn Community Primary School, which was entered for a national competition where one student Charlie Butcher received a highly commended award for his refugee poem. The competition was organised nationally by the Sanctuary Foundation, with an awards ceremony at the British Library in London.

Skipton's Craven College mounted a display by students in its reception. Students had discussed what the impact might be of losing their homes and wrote about what they appreciated about home.

Settle Refugee Support group had tea and cake in Victoria Hall’s garden café, where supporters could meet one another. There was a poetry reading event in the library, where an extensive display had been mounted. Special story books were made available for children’s story time in both Settle library and in local primary schools.

Bentham Refugee Support group collected signatures for a letter to General Election candidates by the refugee tent set up for a day on the High street. A collection was made for Care4Calais.

The Hub in Bentham put on a display in their bookshop as did Limestone Books in Settle.

Upper Wharfedale Refugee Support group produced their annual fact sheet which is available from Craven District of Sanctuary https://craven.cityofsanctuary.org/

Chris Rose, Chair of Craven District of Sanctuary said: "What a splendid effort from everyone involved, from all across the district. There have been so many events from all sections of the community to celebrate Refugee Week 2024 in style."