The Town Mayor of Whitehill Town Council, Cllr Catherine Clark, and Woolmer Forest Lions president John Lewis braved the rainy weather to unveil a new Happy to Chat bench in Malmsbury Open Space.

Donated by the Lions, the bench forms part of the national initiative, which aims to tackle loneliness by encouraging people to stop, sit down and start a conversation with others in their community.

Happy to Chat benches are typically marked or promoted as welcoming spaces, signalling that anyone sitting there is open to a friendly chat. The scheme is designed to provide simple, everyday opportunities for social interaction, particularly for those who may feel isolated.

Positioned on the far side of the green and away from the road, the new bench offers a quiet and peaceful spot where residents can pause during a walk and connect with others.

Cllr Clark said the project “provides a simple way for people to talk and listen to others in the community,” adding that small initiatives like this can make a meaningful difference to people’s wellbeing.