MEN in the Abbotts Ann area are being encouraged to come along to a new coffee morning and make lasting friendships. 

St Mary’s Church, in Church Road, Abbotts Ann, has started a Men's Café to provide an opportunity for men to get together and chat. 

Monthly meetings have become so popular that they are now weekly and some lasting friendships have been formed. 

The meetings are usually hosted an the Abbotts Ann Village Shop and Post Office. 

A spokesperson for the group said: "We come from Abbotts Ann and the surrounding area and all men are welcome. Weather permitting we sit outside but, of course, during the winter we are able to meet inside the shop. 

"We carried on all through lockdown by having a Zoom Café again what a difference for people on their own. We discuss everything under the sun and the world is always a better place by the time we go home."

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"It’s the social heart of the community with a great atmosphere and members are thoroughly spoiled by hospitality and the  friendly volunteers make a great coffee."

Organisers say that around a dozen people drop-in on Thursday mornings at 11am to spend an hour chatting over a cup of great coffee or tea. Homemade scones, either cheese or fruit, are made especially for the group.

The spokesperson added: "The Men’s Café has made such a difference to many people so it would be wonderful if other community’s copied it. Amazing what an hour a week can achieve."

For more information contact Tim Taylor at LLMTimannabenefice@gmail.com.