Gin made here in Ruddington may soon be stocked in bars and restaurants across Parliament if our local MP gets her way.
Please see the update below!*
Ruth Edwards, who is also the co-chair of the ‘All Party Parliamentary Group for Geographically Protected Foods’, raised the issue in a letter to the House of Commons Commission – which is responsible for overseeing its day-to-day running. She pitched for British food and drink to be put at the heart of our democratic institutions, and she wants the change to start with Ruddy Fine Gin! This award-winning brand is made only from local ingredients from in and around Ruddington.
Speaking in Parliament, the MP for Rushcliffe said that she wanted everyone to “…have the opportunity to enjoy a Ruddy Fine gin and tonic, and to have the chance to get their local producers stocked here on the estate, but unfortunately, at the moment, the House authorities will only consider guest beers. Will the Leader of the House work with me to find a solution to this issue, and see if we can get ‘Ruddy Fine Gin’ and other best of British producers on the menus here in the weeks ahead?” asked Ruth.
In response, the then Leader of the House, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP said: “My honourable friend is on to something here. It is a pity that the House does not have guest gins as well, but why leave it at a gin and tonic? Why not have a gin martini, a gin and it, a pink gin, or a whole variety of gin cocktails? We could even put gin into sweets and have a gin Opal Fruit or something like that, to give people a little taster—a little sampler—of gin. Mr Speaker let me say that I am all in favour of Ruddy Fine Gin!”
To follow up, The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, was met by Ruth, to discuss how MPs from across the country could allow local producers in their own constituencies to supply Parliament. Fingers crossed our very special Ruddington gin will be permanently on the Parliamentary drinks menu in London very soon!
*UPDATE 21st APRIL 2022:
IT’S OFFICIAL! ‘Ruddy Fine Gin’ is now on the bar in the Palace of Westminster.
“We could not be more proud” says Rory Thorpe – founder and Director of our village based distillery alongside his partner Cheryl Stretton. “From humble beginnings with Cheryl and I making gin in our kitchen in Ruddington as a hobby, Ruddy Fine Gin has now become the first Guest Gin in history to be served in the House of Commons.”
To mark the amazing milestone the duo were invited to join Rushcliffe’s MP in the ‘Strangers Bar’ at the House of Commons to celebrate their product being made available to politicians from all parties to enjoy in their downtime.
Rory adds: “Huge thanks to Ruth Edwards and her team for all their assistance in making this happen and giving us such an amazing day and we hope very much that our gin is enjoyed by MPs from all over the country. What a great way to showcase just one of the fantastic artisan products Nottinghamshire has to offer.”
You can read more about Cheryl Stretton & Rory Thorpe’s ‘Ruddy Fine Gin’ >>HERE<<; catch them each month at Ruddington Village Market; find their gins at various village outlets; or visit their online shop >>HERE<<.
