News / Loneliness
Former wicketkeeper’s quest to stump societal loneliness
The foundation for Walkers and Talkers was laid in Bristol during the lockdown, when many people were suddenly cut off from human interactions, where connections felt precious.
It perhaps took a pandemic to remind people the value of a simple conversation over a cup of tea.
The concept for Walkers and Talkers was disarmingly simple: turn up at the Seat Unique Stadium on a Wednesday morning, walk around the ground in the fresh air, then stay for tea, biscuits and an engaging Q&A with a distinguished guest speaker who gives their time pro bono.
Now approaching its 200th instalment, Bristol24/7 went to meet its architect – former Gloucestershire County Cricket Club wicketkeeper Andy Brassington.
The walking session is followed by an engaging Q&A session with a distinguished guest speaker – photo: Walkers and Talkers
What began as a modest local gathering has since spread to other county grounds, from Cardiff and Taunton to Worcester and Durham. There are no bookings, no requirements and no payments – just turn up.
In 2024, Walkers and Talkers marked a milestone by receiving charity status.
In his playing career for Gloucestershire, Brassington kept wickets to a battery of fearsome fast bowlers including Courtney Walsh, Mike Procter and David ‘Syd’ Lawrence.
Agile behind the stumps with sharp reflexes, particularly against spin, he stumped the likes of Geoff Boycott, David Gower, Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother.
Among the many distinguished speakers include professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor at the University of Bristol
In a post-playing career as colourful as his time on the field, Brassington’s most recent venture which began in 2022, has been there to stump something far more daunting than a pinch-hitter: loneliness.
He kept wickets for 15 seasons for Gloucestershire, sharing a dressing room with bona fide cricketing greats such as Tom Graveney, David Shepherd, Mike Proctor and Zaheer Abbas – part of an era he describes as “extraordinary”.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Brassington came south for a two-week trial in the 1970s and then adopted West Country as his home.
From a football-obsessed city and a football-fanatic father raising five boys, he nevertheless chose cricket and Gloucestershire – the county once graced by the likes of W. G. Grace, Wally Hammond, Gilbert Jessop and Tom Goddard.
The concept for Walkers and Talkers was disarmingly simple: turn up at the Seat Unique Stadium on a Wednesday morning – photo: Walkers and Talkers
When Bristol24/7 met him after a Walkers and Talkers session, he was at the centre of a small whirlwind of activities.
Even amid the hustle and bustle, he spotted me, waved me over to the Grace Room and greeted me with a firm handshake. And immediately ordered me a cup of tea. His northern warmth and easy charm remain intact.
“It was an amazing time,” he said.
“Every county side had international players. You’d be playing against teams full of Test cricketers. I was really lucky.”
Yet his most impactful community engagement came long after he retired.
At the end of his playing career, he moved into a marketing role at the club, beginning a 24-year off-field association that later helped him build a successful corporate hospitality business, Finders Keepers. But in 2020, lockdown brought everything to a grinding halt.
“It was during the lockdown my business came to a close overnight,” he said.
“So I needed something to do. But I always kept in touch with the lads. It was clear a couple of them were struggling.”
Andy Brassington, who played for 15 seasons for Gloucestershire as a wicketkeeper, is keen to stump loneliness – photo: Milan Perera
After some persistent persuasion he managed to bring his friend to go for a walk on the Downs.
“We just went for a walk and had a chat,” he said.
“So I rang a few other boys and said, ‘I’m meeting him again next week – why don’t you come along?’ Two came, three came, ten came. And I thought, this does us all good.”
That became the template for Walkers and Talkers.
He pitched the idea to Gloucestershire Cricket, and received a resounding thumbs up. Brassington launched his initiative at the County Ground on Nevil Road.
The first session drew 29 people. When we met him recently, more than 300 had attended that morning’s session.
“I just wanted to get people out, give them a cup of tea, a biscuit, free of charge,” he said.
“It’s very simple. But that’s why it works.”
Each Wednesday, people arrive without prior booking. They walk, talk, and then gather for tea, biscuits and a guest speaker drawn from sport, academia, healthcare and public life.
The first speaker was the late David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, whose emotional honesty set the tone for future sessions.
The first ever guest speaker for Walkers and Talkers was the late great David ‘Syd’ Lawrence – photo: GCCC
“He broke down talking about his parents,” Brassington said.
“I looked up and everyone was aghast. But I thought, this is great. If this big, strong man can show his emotions, then we all can. That was it.”
Since then, speakers from across sport, media, academia and the NHS have volunteered their time.
Some of the speakers include David Graveney, Jon Lewis, Fran Wilson, Ian Holloway, professor Evelyn Welch, David Garmston, Bryony Roberts, Josh Eggleton, Peaches Golding, Gareth Chilcott, Gary Johnson and the late Matt Salter.
In his playing career for Gloucestershire for 15 seasons, Andy Brassington kept wickets to a battery of fearsome bowlers such as Courtney Walsh, Mike Proctor and David ‘Syd’ Lawrence – photo: Andy Brassington
“They come because they see what we’re trying to achieve,” he said.
“They want to be part of it.”
The impact extends far beyond Wednesday mornings.
“One person told me it’s the only time they leave the house, the only exercise they get, the only time they speak to someone,” he said. “That means everything.”
Walking side by side makes conversation easier, he said.
“If you’re not making eye contact, you feel more comfortable opening up,” he explained.
“It works wonderfully.”
Two walkers under the gaze of the Gloucestershire Hall of Famer, the late Mike Proctor – photo: Walkers and Talkers
What began with a handful of former cricketers has become a diverse community of hundreds – retirees, professionals, students and people recovering from illness or isolation.
“It’s a community,” he said.
“People reconnect. They support each other.”
Brassington still personally funds much of the initiative, often starting Wednesday mornings with a supermarket run for biscuits.
Late great Matt Salter (far left), who led Bristol Rugby back into the Premiership also took part in the initiative – photo: Walkers and Talkers
“My first call at eight o’clock is Tesco,” he laughed. “They know me there now.”
Four years on, his ambition remains the same.
“I just want to leave a legacy – something people feel comfortable coming to, making friends, and it doesn’t cost them anything,” he said.
He vehemently opposes even the thought of charging a nominal fee.
“I just wanted to get people out, give them a cup of tea, a biscuit, free of charge,” Brassington said
“Even five pounds is a lot for some people. That’s why it has to be free.”
But running Walkers and Talkers is not without a cost.
He appreciates any support from local firms who would like to extend their social impact. Contributions can come in various forms, but he is grateful for any help, even if it is a fiver.
Our interview was constantly interrupted by people saying hello to him and having a little conversation.
Celebrated chef and co-founder of Anti Banquet Josh Eggleton also spoke at Walkers and Talkers – photo: Walkers and Talkers
But without losing the train of his thoughts he told us, “to see 300 people walking out with a spring in their step, buzzing, talking – it’s a great buzz. It’s so simple. But it makes such a difference.”
Before we bid farewell to him, we sent down a googly, “City or Rovers?” But he played with a straight bat.
“Stoke City.”
He is still devoted to Stoke City, but he enjoys the friendly banter between Rovers and City fans, especially during the sessions. “It’s all good fun really,” he concluded.
A grandfather of four, he said he tells them to “play all the sports”.
200 walks is a huge milestone, but Brassington thinks its simple non-committal format has the capacity to grow even further, prompting him to buy more jaffa cakes and chocolate biscuits.
“I just want to leave a legacy – something people feel comfortable coming to, making friends, and it doesn’t cost them anything,” said Brassington
“They have their favourites,” Brassington said with a big laughter. “Not any old cheap stuff.”
Main photo: Milan Perera
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