THERE was a distinct Highlands flavour to proceedings as the Friends of Great Dunmow Maltings held a whisky tasting evening on Saturday. Fifty people attended the fund-raising event for the Dunmow attraction to listen to a lecture from whisky expert Gary

THERE was a distinct Highlands flavour to proceedings as the Friends of Great Dunmow Maltings held a whisky tasting evening on Saturday.

Fifty people attended the fund-raising event for the Dunmow attraction to listen to a lecture from whisky expert Gary Riley and try a variety of different varieties of Scotland's traditional tipple.

"It was a fantastic evening and everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable time" said Claire Reeve, member of the Friends of Great Dunmow Maltings.

Mr Riley kicked off the night by giving what was described as an interesting, informative and amusing presentation on the history of whisky. This was followed by a three-course meal of dips, a ploughman's supper and a dessert of mini cakes.

"There was a good variety of people who came along ranging from some obvious whisky enthusiasts right down to people like me who knew virtually nothing about it," said Mrs Reeve.

The event raised £346 for the Great Dunmow Maltings.

The next Friends of Great Dunmow Maltings event is an illustrated talk on 'The Birds in Your Garden' by Mike Logan-Wood Chelmsford Branch of the RSPB on February 22. Tickets cost £3 and are available by telephoning 01371 873109.