On 15 June 2026, Diamond & Son Funeral Directors in Lymington celebrated the grand opening of the town’s first “Buddy Bench” as part of Loneliness Awareness Week.
Officially opened by the Mayor of Lymington, Colm McCarthy, the bench was created as a gift to the local community, offering a welcoming space for reflection, conversation, and remembrance. Inspired by the growing number of “lonely benches” appearing across the UK, the team wanted to create a place where people could connect with others, find companionship, or simply take a quiet moment to remember loved ones.
The project was brought to life with support from local partners, including Gavin Roach, Bill Bicknell and Tony Mortimer from New Milton Men’s Shed, who designed and built the bench, and Sarah Wilkins of Corbins Florist, who donated plants to enhance the surrounding display. John and Teresa Nivison from St Mark’s Church in Pennington also attended and we were also lucky to be joined by Rosie’s two registered pet therapy dogs.
For the Diamond & Son team, the most rewarding part of the project was seeing their vision become a reality and creating something that will bring comfort, peace and connection to local families for years to come. The Buddy Bench stands as a lasting symbol of hope, unity and community spirit in the heart of Lymington.
