A BRING and share party was held in the home and garden of Laura and Gerald Conyngham after school on Wednesday, July 19, for families and individuals new to Crediton.

This included a Kurdish couple from Syria, three families from Afghanistan and several Ukrainians with their hosts.

Klezma music was played by Anita and Lisa followed by Ukrainian songs and dances by Sasha and Iryna.

The Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking, spoke to welcome everyone on behalf of the Town Council.

The Mayor of Crediton, Mrs Liz Brookes-Hocking and Iryna.
The Mayor of Crediton, Mrs Liz Brookes-Hocking and Iryna. (L Conyngham)

Cllrs Frank and Natalia Letch attended briefly before their Mid Devon District Council meeting.

While children took turns in the hammock and played on the grass, adult conversations in different languages continued with lashings of food representing different homelands. 

Crediton has a long tradition of welcoming refugees, including many Belgians at the start of the First World War, fleeing the oncoming German invasion.

Welcoming Refugees in Crediton and the Ukrainian Support group are coming together and this was an enjoyable way to do it.