News 2024
Refugee Week June 2024
Article from the Craven Herald here gives an overview of activities across the district
Kite flying in the Park 2024
Syrian and Afghan families joined friends to fly some kites in Aireville Park in Skipton. Afghans love to fly kites. This has been banned by the Taliban so across the world kites are flown in August as a symbol of defiance and to remind Afghans of home.
NEWS 2023
Refugee Week June 2023
Summary of Events is here
Craven District of Sanctuary
Before the ending of Craven District Council it was unanimously agreed to support the registration of a Craven District of Sanctuary. It contines as a geographical community group registered with City of Sanctuary nationally.
Several online sessions for the public have taken place. To learn more and apply to join the mailing list check out the Craven District of Sanctuary website
More background information here
National Holocaust Memorial Day January 27th 2023
A vigil was held outside Skipton Town Hall which was lit up in purple light for the occasion. Thirty people came to stand in silence and remember. Richard Hargreaves and Chris Rose spoke at the start.
Refugee Stories 2023
A booklet was produced for Refugee Week containing writing from refugees and helpers in the Craven Area.
Harrogate Visit January 2023
Afghan & Syrian families currently living in Harrogate met up with old friends when two Afghan families from Skipton travelled to Harrogate to meet them for a social event in the Meeting House. About 60 people gathered to share food, for children to play & lots of talk & catching up. Thanks go to Harrogate District of Sanctuary volunteers and befrienders. Thanks too to the befrienders and friends supporting the Skipton families, who helped to arrange the day & provided transport.
PNN August 2023
visits from Nelson included trips to Haworth, Colne Town Hall and Pendle Hill
NEWS 2022
Visit to Thornton Hall Country Park, September 2022
Three families from Skipton were joined by friends from Harrogate for a very enjoyable day out at the park. Petting animals. big slides, ice creams, magic, go-karts and soft play were all on offer. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were pleased with the hospitality and kindness shown by the staff.
A picnic and a barbecue at a volunteer’s house both held in the Summer of 2022
A picnic in Aireville Park, Skipton with Afghan and Syrian families. 
B4B TV Special: Refugee Week 2022, Will Sutcliffe: Bradford City of Sanctuary, June
An interesting discussion featuring Will Sutcliffe from Bradford https://youtu.be/YOlSToVm2tE
Craven District of Sanctuary
An introductory Zoom session attracted around 40 people on 2nd November 2022. The recorded session link is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlbVw9q2tyg
Kite flying in the Park in Skipton, August 2022
As part of a national event to mark one year since the fall of Kabul and to celebrate Afghan culture, kites were made & flown together.
Harrogate -Skipton joint kite flying event Kite flying in Harrogate was very popular with the family from Afghanistan currently living in Skipton. Harrogate District of Sanctuary organised the kite making event on 20th March to celebrate Nowruz & invited us over. Volunteers helped with transport & the family was able to meet old friends and meet new ones.
