Although over 50 people have been living in a hotel in Almondsbury since January, villagers only discovered they were there last month. When a member of St Mary’s church congregation was out on the fields walking her dog one afternoon, she discovered a group of unfamiliar looking faces.
They asked her if there was anything that happened in the village, to which she replied, "nothing". But suggested they join her at the church where she could introduce them to some locals. It was there where they met the vicar’s wife, Alison Rowe, who some of the women at the hotel now refer to as “Alison angel”.
Alison has been supporting the refugees who have fled from a variety of war torn countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East for the last month. She said that the local community has been very supportive and through social media she has raised funds to provide them with food and was able on one occasion to take them on a trip to Weston Super Mare where they tried fish and chips for the first time.
