AFTER their popular event last year, Ferndown and Parley CIO’s “Meet the Producers Gin and Rum Festival” returns.

The event, hosted by Ferndown and Parley Rotary Club, will welcome up to a dozen Producers of Gin and Rum displaying their products as well as two artisan food stalls selling breads, deli meats, cheeses and more.

Held at The Barrington Centre in Ferndown on Friday November 1 from 7pm, the festival will be raising money for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

President Elect of the Ferndown and Parley Rotary Club Keith Adams said: “After last year’s very enjoyable and successful fundraising Gin Fest event we have included Rum Producers this year

“This is our second year of running the event which raises money for local Rotary Club supported charities. John Thornton Young Achievers is one such Charity and it is also our President Maddy Phillips chosen Charity this year.

“Visitors will be able to taste samples from all the producers of gin and rum and then enjoy a full measure of gin or rum with mixer of their choice from any producer.”

Special gift packs will be on sale along with bottles of all the products on display. The entry ticket to the event gives visitors a free ticket to a raffle, with the artisan gins and rums as prizes.

Dorset Drinks Ambassador, Lloyd Brown will also be on hand, giving presentations on ‘Gin Lane’, as well as Martini and Distillation demonstrations.

Tickets for the event will be £17.50, with designated drivers able to purchase a ticket at a reduced price of £5.