A CHANCE to sit and have a chat beside the River Tyne is now on offer after a charity secured funds for a bench.

Our Community Kitchen received money for a ‘Blether Bench’, which it is hoped will encourage people to take a break, sit and talk to others.

The idea came from Alison Hunton, who worked with the Haddington-based group during coronavirus pandemic lockdowns.

Elaine Gale, who founded Our Community Kitchen, felt it was a great suggestion.

She said: “It is so much more difficult and worrying to get too close to someone so The Blether Bench has been installed with social distancing in mind.

“We are hoping that the outdoor beauty spot [where it is located], outside Lady Kitty’s Garden and facing the river and the Waterside Bistro, will be welcomed. We know that more people are struggling with lack of contact and conversations than ever before due to the pandemic, so installing this bench in such a beautiful spot will hopefully be used by everyone in our community to combat this, take time to sit and relax, and establish new friendships.”

The group, which was set up to tackle social isolation by bringing people together to enjoy a home-cooked meal, is based in Haddington Bowling Club.

It is hoped that a second bench will be put in place beside the Wemyss Place club.