THE Professional Oldham business networking group held a gin-tasting night at Gallery Oldham, with a local gin company and Handelsbanken.
The tasting event featured a talk from Paul Sheerin of Defiance Gin, based in Lees, Oldham.
Visitors had a chance to see a British Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition at Gallery Oldham – along with its rooftop garden and panoramic views across Oldham towards Saddleworth.
Suzanne Wright of Pearson Solicitors & Financial Advisers welcomed guests and spoke about Professional Oldham’s growth over the past two years, recalling its debut wine tasting night which took place at the nearby Naked Bean Café in the summer of 2016.
Handelsbanken Oldham branch manager Scott Parkinson then gave a speech about the bank’s work in the borough and introduced colleagues Chris Ainsworth, Wendy Mawdsley and Nicola Mitchell. The Oldham branch of Handelsbanken opened at Salmon Fields Business Village in 2015. Since then, its staff have become regular attendees at Oldham business and charity events. Earlier this year, Handeslbanken organised a quiz for businesses which raised £1,500 for Mahdlo Youth Zone in Oldham.
Paul Sheerin, of Defiance Gin, offered a number of different gins to taste, with different ‘botanicals’ for flavour. These included one flavoured with British strawberries and another Italian gin served with grapefruit. His own Defiance Gin is made in small batches with ‘botanicals’ gathered across the north of England – Lancashire, Yorkshire – and Scotland.
For news and photos of Professional Oldham over the past two years, see Oldham Business Edge magazine, the Oldham Chronicle Online and The Oldham Times, and Darren Robinson Photography.
Professional Oldham is a non-profit making networking group for local businesses. It is run by a volunteer steering group with Suzanne Wright of Pearson Solicitors & Financial Advisers, Bridget Batty of Limetree PR, Stephanie Doherty and Helan Graham, both of Caremark Oldham; Robbie MacDonald of Oldham Business Edge magazine and Cornerstone Design & Marketing; and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.