Sun, sea and sand – always the perfect ingredients for a trip to the beach and when around 40 international visitors arrived at the weekend, they saw Tenby at its best.

Members of Stand up to Racism, West Wales and other Tenby residents welcomed the University of South Wales’ Speak to Me group to the town on Saturday June 11 with a picnic on North Beach.

It was the latest in a series of days out by the University of South Wales’ Speak to Me project which brings people seeking sanctuary together with local English speakers.

The Stand up to Racism West Wales group and other locals provided a warm welcome and set up a buffet on the beach for the visitors, who originally come from countries including Syria, Sudan and Iran.

The town’s mayor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall also came with her consort, Laurence Blackhall to meet the party.

The Speak to Me group consists of people who are seeking sanctuary in Wales and local English speakers in order to aid language learning in informal settings. Besides learning English, the partnerships between people has led to greater understanding of each other’s cultures and real friendships.

The group has previously travelled to London, Bath and walked up Skirrid Fawr in Abergavenny. When they were asked where they wanted to go next, Tenby was at the top of the list.

One of the organisers of the project, Zaina Aljumma from Treforest near Pontypridd, came to the UK with her two young sons after escaping danger in her home country of Syria.

She said, ‘The host community in Tenby gave the warmest welcome I’ve ever seen, big smiles and a big feast. Local shops and the host community in Tenby showed what it means to show compassion and solidarity.’

Zaina, who works with USW lecturers, Mike Chick, Beccy Leach and Barrie Llewelyn on the project has links to Carolyn Cox and Patrick Connellan and the Stand Up to Racism group who offered a warm welcome. There were games on the beach as well as a sumptuous picnic.

Mohammad Kheir Hasan who lives in Cardiff who came on the trip with his family was struck by the beauty of the town and said it reminded him of home.

“Walking in the narrow streets reminded me of a few coastal towns I have seen like Latakia and Tattoos in Syria.

“The people are especially generous and did a lot to make our day joyful and fun.

“Everyone in the local community and shopkeepers were so friendly when I was exploring with my family,” he said.

The group would like to thank all the staff at Fecci’s ice cream and Fecci’s Fish and Chips, also Welsh Sweets and treats for their generous contributions.