Friends and refugees at Harvington Hall. Photo: Colin Billett.
Day in the sun at Harvington Hall for refugee families
Bewdley Quakers visited Harvington Hall with Syrian refugees in August
Friends from Bewdley in Worcestershire and Syrian refugees visited Harvington Hall near Kidderminster on 16 August.
Colin Billett, from Bewdley Meeting, told the Friend: ‘A few of us have been involved with the Syrian refugee families in Kidderminster for the last two years. As well as going into homes to teach English, there is a weekly ‘‘conversation café” organised by the Wyre Forest Refugee Support Group. In the summer holidays we organise outdoor trips and activities.’
Harvington Hall was originally built in the 1300s. It was developed in the late 1500s by a Roman Catholic and is famous for having what is thought to be the greatest number of ‘priest hides’ anywhere in the country.
Colin Billett said they prepared their visitors for the day by describing details ‘of the Reformation from Martin Luther onwards, and the changes of fortune of Protestants and Catholics during the Tudor period – sectarian struggles that still last today in some parts of the UK.’
He added: ‘Everyone enjoyed the day, especially playing in the afternoon sun.’
