SSAFA Big Brew Up attracts the crowds in Monmouth

Enough tea and coffee to float a battleship, and enough cake to sink it were consumed on Easter Saturday (April 8) at the first Big Brew Up (BBU) held by the South East Wales branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

SSAFA South East Wales – the amalgamation of the Mid-Glamorgan, Cardiff, and Gwent branches of the UK’s oldest tri-service charity – held the BBU at Tŷ Price St Thomas’ Community Hall in Monmouth, and welcomed more than 30 people through the doors during the morning.

Branch Fundraising Co-ordinator James Powell said: “It was a great day to hold a BBU for SSAFA. Monmouth was busy, the sun was shining, and everyone definitely had a spring in their step. Footfall was encouraging, with some who had read about it in the Monmouthshire Beacon, and others who saw our banners up outside Tŷ Price and decided to pop in.

 “It was really good to see so many people support the event; some were old friends and supporters of SSAFA, some were new, but everyone had a nice brew, a good chat, and got to learn more about the work the branch’s volunteer caseworkers do day in and day out for veterans and serving personnel, as well as their families, in the area.”

James added that other events are to follow, including stands at the Monmouth, Chepstow, and Usk shows in August and September, and a novel “busking walk” in Abergavenny on Saturday, July 1, featuring Cardiff-based Choirs for Good.

For more information, visit ssafa.org.uk/south-east-wales.