A new book club is launching in Chard this autumn.

The Silent Book Club is designed to promote literacy and companionship and will provide a warm space for readers at the Chard Community Hub.

The first session will be on October 9 and will occur every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm.

The club is free to join, and refreshments will be provided.

The Silent Book Club is a global community of readers with over 1,000 chapters in 50 countries, all managed by volunteers.

Members meet in public spaces such as cafes, bookstores, and libraries, or online, to enjoy reading together in silence.

The concept began in San Francisco in 2012 when friends Guinevere de la Mare and Laura Gluhanich found traditional book clubs didn't suit their needs.

Silent Book Club removes the pressure of finishing a specific book or preparing for discussions.

Instead, members can read whatever they like, whether it's a physical book, eBook, audiobook, textbook, or comic book.

The only requirement is to bring a book.

The club provides a platform for friends and strangers to gather, share what they're reading, and enjoy an hour of uninterrupted reading.

At the end of the hour, attendees have the option to socialise or continue reading in silence.

The Silent Book Club promotes community and inclusivity.

Volunteers around the world regularly launch new clubs across the world.

For more information, interested readers can contact Tessa Goodridge-Reynolds at tgreynolds@holyrood.bep.ac.uk.