St Andrew’s Church in Wiveliscombe hosted a special party for a royal guest who was visiting the town to meet members of the community who have worked tirelessly to provide support for families forced to flee the war in Ukraine.
The Countess of Wessex met Ukrainian refugees and members of the charity Wivey Welcomes Refugees (WWR) which was set up to provide a co-ordinated approach to helping people settling in the area.
A Welcome Hub was established to provide wrap around care for refugee families. St Andrew’s Church offered its facilities for use by the group. The church now hosts English language lessons, and its Thursday morning café has become a place where Ukrainian families and their host families can meet regularly.
The Countess, who is thought to be one of the first royal visitors to Wiveliscombe, joined a special tea party attended by 50 Ukrainian guests, members of WWR as well as was set the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Mohammed Saddiq and his predecessor Annie Maw, founder of the Somerset Supports Ukraine charity.
WWR Chairman Peter Pearson, explained that there are a number of families with children living in the Wiveliscombe area. Many of the number are mothers with children as men are unable to leave Ukraine and many older people do not want to leave the country.
The Countess sat with refugees as a choir sang a popular Ukrainian hymn and she was presented with a handmade card signed by all the Ukrainian guests at the event.
WWR Chairman Peter Pearson said: "The church hospitality team laid on a fantastic tea party, with British and Ukrainian cakes on offer. Around 50 of our Ukrainian guests attended, some hosts, volunteers and local dignitaries.
"We briefed the Countess about the work we have been doing and everyone welcomed her warmth and her genuine interest in and knowledge about the situation. She was presented with some locally grown flowers and a homemade card by one of our Ukrainian guests and it was a special occasion indeed.”