Farnham Maltings hosted Refugee Tales, a fascinating evening of music and literature.

The United Kingdom is the only European country that detains people indefinitely – generally for months, but it can sometimes be years.

The Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group was formed to support folk at the detention centres and to campaign for the ending of indefinite detention.

One of the ways they raise awareness is through an annual walk.

Based on the concept of the Canterbury Tales, supporters and ex-detainees walk together, spending time gaining a better understanding of refugee experiences.

Held all over the United Kingdom, this year’s five-day walk covered part of the Pilgrims’ Way, from Merstham to Winchester. Each evening the local community was invited to gather to hear the Refugee Tales.

The Farnham Maltings event was the finale of day three, after 80 participants had walked from Guildford.

Hosted by actress Niamh Cusack, the audience heard three refugee tales.

The first, The Stowaway’s Tale, was read by prize-winning author and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Amy Sackville.

This was followed by Maurizio Veglio, a lawyer who specialises in migration, reading The Teenager’s Tale.

The final piece – written and read by poet and chair of the Royal Society of Literature, Daljeet Nagra – was The Tale of a Person Seeking Asylum.

The tales were interspersed with music from Syrian-born oud player Rihab Azar and singing duo Hear Me Out.

Rihab was recognised by the Arts Council England as a musician of ‘exceptional promise’, which allowed her to continue her professional pursuit in the UK under the Migrant Talent Scheme.

Hear Me Out is a charity that takes music-making into UK detention centres.

Two of its musicians, Olly and Lucky – who was a refugee – performed a number of upbeat songs, including some with audience participation.

Before continuing on the next leg, the hardy walkers slept overnight on the floor of Farnham Maltings.

For more information visit www.gdwg.org.ok or www.refugeetales.org.uk