Walkie Talkie and Tea in the Orchard Bar every Monday night at 7:30pm. The driving force behind the initiative is AnnMarie Sexton (in the high viz Jacket in front row). PHOTO: Sean McMahon

Anyone for a walkie, talkie and tea?

Autumn has shown its true colours - the leaves are turning fabulous shades of yellow, orange and brown and the black evenings are upon us.

While it can be a beautiful time of year, many people can experience loneliness as long nights compel them to the sitting room with the fire on and the curtains drawn.

Cosy and all as it sounds, there are people in Cavan who are eager to be out and about, chatting and walking during the long evenings.

This rang true and the very first 'Walkie, Talkie and Tea' evening in Cavan on Monday September 29. Organised by AnnMarie Sexton, a group of 24 people came out to walk around Con Smith Park before finishing up with a cup of tea and a chat in the Orchard Bar.

"It was set up to combat winter loneliness, also known as the winter blues," AnnMarie told the Celt.

The Cavan woman is hoping the initiative gains traction nationwide, so that others will set up similar groups.

"We do think it's a group that's needed and it has been welcomed."

In the near future, AnnMarie hopes to invite young people in Cavan to join their tea time to perform their talents - be it reading a poem, singing a song, or even pitching their school enterprise ideas.

"They do their pitch and then everybody continues to talk. The mission in the group is to make one new friend on that night."

She was delighted to see this taking place on the first night of the event. The group walked for about half an hour before meeting at The Orchard Bar for tea. The atmosphere was "very upbeat".

"People actually did start mingling and it was really good to see. It was only 24 people but it was 24 more people than we thought was going to show," she laughed.

"It's a simple idea but it has a lot of purpose behind it," she said, adding "it's a long evening for people who live alone."

Aside from the walking, AnnMarie is a great believer in the power of a cup of tea and a chat - the ultimate Irish welcome.

"Tea has comforting and healing effects, which is most important," she believes.

A lady at last week's meeting didn't do the walking part but came at 8pm for tea, and that's okay too.

"We mosey around Con Smith park and everybody takes their time. They wait for one another at The Orchard and then we go in for tea.

"The tea will be ready," she assured.

"I think loneliness is definitely something we can all relate to. Loneliness can appear for any reason, it can be through grief, it can even be children starting school, children maybe going to college.

"It could be for young people who are living at home sharing a house with family members when they should be out getting their own house. There are a lot of elements in our community that adds to loneliness at the minute."

Studies conducted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre recently showed that Ireland had the highest prevalence of loneliness of all European countries. AnnMarie said this is "sad to see" and it needs to change.

One small step and the 'Walkie, Talkie and Tea' group was formed with a cead míle fáilte for everyone.

"Everybody has somebody to walk with, you never feel like there's nobody to go out with."

"It's just an outlet," she described.

The group is currently looking for sponsorship for their tea evenings with a temporary cost of €2 per person on the night. AnnMarie encouraged people of all ages to come along.

"Just because you are in this group doesn't mean you are lonely, it's to create awareness," assured AnnMarie.

The group meets at 7:30pm on Monday nights outside The Orchard Bar.