THE Millhouse pub at Cinnamon Brow has launched a ‘chatterbox’ community group which aims to bring people together to meet for lively conversation.
The group which meets every other Tuesday, between 10am and 11.30am hopes to encourage those who feel isolated to get out the house. Owned by iconic brewery Joseph Holt, admission is free and there`s no need to book.
“Loneliness is a terrible thing – and seems to be a particular issue for older people” says assistant pub manager, Kailey Ashurst “though equally it can hit people of all ages. Our pub is so warm and friendly and it seemed the perfect place for people to come together and mingle, chat, enjoy tea or coffee and biscuits and so feel reassured that they are not alone. And what`s more, make new friends and have a really positive experience.”
One enthusiastic regular is 85 year old June Howarth. The Warrington great grandmother has enjoyed coming so much that she has been making it her business to encourage other to join her at Chatterbox too. This includes one 92 year-old friend, Kath, who is a brilliant conversationalist but who spends most of her time at home.
“I have been coming to Chatterbox with my husband, Les, who is 89, because we feel as older people it`s really important to get out every day”, says June. “Meeting people and just chatting is so important for wellbeing. And just because some of us are older Chatterbox is not a place for discussing aches and pains. We have lots of lively chats about anything and everything. What’s important is that a person can come in by themselves, sit down and people will just start chatting with them.”
The next meeting will take place on August 1st where, alongside the regular chatting, there’ll be a guest speaker who will talk about the dangers of scamming.
According to Age UK, around 1.4 million older people in the UK are often lonely. Chronic loneliness has increased in the UK by 25 per cent since the pandemic. As well as being a bleak experience, loneliness can impact on health: research has linked it with an increased risk of heart disease, obesity and depression.
Adds June: “Obviously people love going to pubs for a drink or something to eat. But having a group in the morning also shows the important role pubs like the Millhouse play in the community. As a place to bring people together in a happy and uplifting way.”
Mark Norbury –, Joseph Holt Pubs Director said: “As a brewery we are hugely committed to making our pubs places where people can come together- and in fact we hold activities at various pubs to help combat loneliness. Chatterbox is the latest initiative and we’re so glad it’s helping with the fight against social isolation”.
June Howarth, Kailey Ashurst and fellow Chatterbox attendee Marlene Syers
