Abergavenny Town Councillors have given their unanimous support to a motion calling for Abergavenny to be a Town of Sanctuary.

Members of the local “Abergavenny Town of Sanctuary” group gave short presentations to the council at its monthly meeting when they spoke about about the widespread community support offered to the Syrian refugee families who have suffered so much through war and who are courageously working to try to rebuild their lives here.

Proposing the motion, Councillor Martyn Groucutt said “ It is important that the council takes a lead in making the town an inclusive and welcoming one, offering support to refugees and valuing people of many different cultures and backgrounds.”

The Council then adopted the following motion:

"We support the vision of Abergavenny being a Town of Sanctuary; welcoming those fleeing violence and persecution in their own countries. We are committed to taking practical steps to welcome and include people seeking sanctuary in our activities and are actively seeking ways of supporting them wherever we can, working with the Abergavenny Town of Sanctuary group and the wider community to develop further ideas for how we can turn this pledge into practical action."

The motion was seconded by Councillor Gethin Thomas Jones who has strong links with the Town of Sanctuary group, which has offered informal English conversation classes and organised walks and visits for refugees. The meeting heard about the Cities of Sanctuary movement and the steps the Welsh Government is taking to become a Nation of Sanctuary.

Councillors emphasised that refugees and asylum seekers have a great deal to offer to our community, bringing skills and new ideas. A recent example of this had been the very successful Syrian supper held at the Community Centre.

Deri View school also had held a very interesting meeting for parents and teachers about Syrian culture and history, and the headteacher praised the children who were so keen to learn.

Abergavenny Mayor Councillor David Simcock thanked the Town of Sanctuary group and asked them to provide the council with updates and let them know how they could offer practical help in the future.