Member Article

Award-winning Hambleton networking event celebrates success

Stokesley’s well-known, free networking event returns next Thursday celebrating a prestigious award win.

Thirsty Thursday was named Hambleton Champion 2016 at Hambleton District Council’s Business Awards held on July 7th.

Anna Addison and Sue Thompson, who established Thirsty Thursday in November 2014, were recognised for championing Hambleton as a great place to do business and for their support in working with a host of businesses and organisations through the monthly networking events and weekly newsletter as well as their database of contacts all over Hambleton.

Since its inception, Thirsty Thursday has attracted over 200 businesses to its events at The Mill in Stokesley. Businesses and organisations in and around the market town are invited to attend the events free of charge to exchange ideas and expertise as well as promote their services, skills and opportunities.

The next event is next Thursday, 21st July.

Thirsty Thursday has regular speakers sharing information that could provide local businesses with opportunities and financial assistance. Speakers have included MP Rishi Sunak and representatives from Welcome to Yorkshire, local schools and colleges and Hambleton District Council.

Thirsty Thursday was the brainchild of Anna Addison, who runs PR company Anna Addison Associates, and Sue Thompson, who runs Catch Design Management.

Councillor Peter R Wilkinson, deputy leader of Hambleton District Council, said: “Anna and Sue, founders of Thirsty Thursday, have devoted a huge amount of time and effort to the district and are worthy Hambleton Champion Award Winners for 2016.”

Anna said: “Being named as Hambleton Champion was great recognition for the work that we do within the local business community. We certainly have a thriving and enthusiastic range of businesses and organisations that make Thirsty Thursday such a success and it’s strange to think that what started as Sue and I meeting for dinner and a catch-up about our businesses has become so popular. It’s also really encouraging that we’re constantly getting new people coming along- there’s always someone new to meet and learn from.”

Sue added: “We’re really grateful to everyone who nominated us and who continue to support what we do, not least the team at The Mill. What’s great about Thirsty Thursday is the vast range of businesses that attend each month. In addition, it has led to other exciting developments in Stokesley such as our food week and also our Tourfest celebrations and we’ll continue to encourage events such as this that attract people to the town and showcase our range of businesses.”

Thirsty Thursday, held at The Mill on Springfield, is free to attend.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison Associates .