Weekender: Helmsley says cheers to first gin festival

Helmsley is to host its first ever Gin Festival later this this summer.

The Ginilicious Festival will take place on the first floor of Helmsley Town Hall on August 4 and will give festival-goers the chance to sample from a selection of 50 gins and meet specialist craft distillers .

Two sessions will run – one from 12.30pm to 4.30pm and one from 6pm to 10pm.

A ticket to either session is priced at £15 per person, which includes a Copa de Balon glass, which can be kept and taken home. The ticket price also includes two tokens, which can be used to purchase two G&Ts on the day, along with a Ginilicious guide to the gins available.

Additional gins will be available to buy using a token system.

The event is being organised by Helmsley Wines, a wine merchant and specialist in gins, whiskies and brandies, based in the award-winning North Yorkshire market town.

Jayne Potter, who owns Helmsley Wines with husband Mal, said: “We have been mulling over the idea of a gin festival for quite some time, so we’re delighted that the plan has finally come together. We will be announcing more details about the event over the coming weeks, but it should be a fantastic day and evening, with entertainment, the chance to socialise and meet some true gin experts – and of course, being able to sample some of the very best gin available on the market. There’s so many wonderful varieties out there, and what better way to have the opportunity to try them out and find your favourites than by having them all under one roof.”