Asylum Seekers

generations by our purchases. The Traidcraft catalogue, available online, displays a wide range of good quality items – as well as the tea, coffee, chocolate etc. familiar to everyone (I hope!). On my regular stall, held on the second Sunday of each month, I carry a more limited range (for obvious reasons) but I am happy to take orders.

Do come to browse and buy what is on offer, whether it be for yourself or others. The good value Christmas card collection has something to suit all tastes and there are plenty of seasonal treats. Do not forget that delicious Palestinian goods produced by Zaytoun – olive oil, almonds, dates and couscous - are also available. The December stall, the last of the year, is on Sunday 11 December in the Welcome Centre between the 9.30am and 11.15am services. New customers are always welcome and regulars are encouraged.

Hope to see you there!

Linda Waller

The Cathedral English conversation group has been meeting since January 2022 and continues to offer support to asylum seekers at the Noke, our local Home Office-run hostel.

As many residents have been here six months or more, they are permitted to go to college to learn English and other subjects; we have helped them discover information about this and to enrol. Many are now going to either Oaklands or South West Herts College several times a week and receive help with transport costs. This is a big step forward and is so important for their health and well-being. They are still not allowed to do paid work.

A group of about ten of the Noke residents come to the 9.30am service every Sunday and enjoy friendship and relaxation over coffee after morning service. The

contacts with the congregation and offers of hospitality are much appreciated. Over the summer, we enjoyed a picnic at Ashridge and a bbq at the Deanery; more plans are in the pipeline. As confidence and trust in us have grown, a few have begun to volunteer to help in the Catheddral e.g. one now helps with coffee on Sundays and another helps in the garden. Some helped with the Light Show stewarding at the end of October. One has led prayers for Iran at morning service.

From the beginning, we have worked in partnership with Nick and Teresa Clarke and the team at St Bartholomew’s church, Anna Barrett, and the team at Greenwood URC; it is wonderful to see how this cooperation has developed. The bike scheme organised by the Clarkes continues to be important, as is the walk and football organised by Greenwood. STAR organises clothing, shoes and toiletries. Warm clothes are very much needed now as the weather gets colder. Many thanks to several of the congregation who have donated warm coats. More initiatives are being offered by an increasing circle of organisations and charities in St Albans and neighbouring districts.

This is an ongoing situation with no easy solution. We cannot change the big issues but we continue to help where possible. A big thank you to all those in the Cathedral community who offer friendship, support and hospitality in the Abbey tradition.