By David Summers
Published 1st Sep 2026, 09:44 BST
Northampton Chronicle & Echo Morning Update Tuesday 1 September, 2026
A widow has described popular Chatty Café sessions as a “lifeline” after initially discovering the group through her late husband.
The Chatty Café Scheme, which aims to tackle loneliness and help people connect, has signed up its 1,000th venue in the UK – with Brackley recording the highest attendance nationally.
Around 80 people attend Chatter & Natter sessions in the town each week, including 67-year-old Lydia Martin.
Her husband Brian first began attending after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in late 2020 at the age of 64.
Brian, who had retired from Jaguar Land Rover in 2017 and was a passionate Brackley Town supporter, quickly became a regular.
Lydia said he would return home from sessions “buzzing” after meeting people and enjoying conversations.
Even as his health deteriorated and he could no longer drive, Lydia continued dropping him off so he could attend.
Brian enjoyed four years in remission before the couple learned in late 2025 that his cancer had returned more aggressively.
As he received palliative care, his Chatty Café friends kept in touch and some visited him.
Lydia initially attended a session at The Crown Hotel simply to update the group on Brian’s condition – but soon found the friendships were helping her too.
She said: “I was hooked immediately and I’ve been back every week since.
“The Chatty Café Scheme had been a lifeline for Brian and now it’s become one for me. It made things a bit easier.”
Brian died in March, just weeks before his 70th birthday, following a five-year cancer battle.
Lydia, who was married to him for 45 years, continues attending sessions at The Crown on Tuesdays and The Paisley Pear on Thursday evenings.
She said: “The Chatty Café table is a saviour for me. It’s a non-judgemental embrace. It really is a hug in a mug.”
Volunteer host Jon Haslam established Brackley’s first session four years ago and now helps run three tables in the town.
He said: “The hardest part is walking through the door for the first time. After that, people realise there’s no pressure, just a cup of tea and a friendly conversation.”
