East Lancashire business leaders go full steam ahead for networking event

[caption id="attachment_70925" align="f-align-medium-right f-align-center" width="266"] ALL ABOARD: (left to right) Mike Damms, of East Lancs Chamber of Commerce, with Ian Hewitt of Heritage Painting in Darwen and Les Nutter, Managing Partner of Cassons[/caption]

More than 60 business leaders from across East Lancashire took part in a networking event with a difference on board a steam locomotive.

Ian Hewitt, whose Darwen-based company Heritage Painting won the contract to repaint the world’s most famous steam engine, The Flying Scotsman, then gave a talk.

The event coincided with the 170th anniversary year of the first train journey on the historic line.

“The East Lancashire Railway is part of the fabric of Rossendale, with a rich history dating back 170 years, so to be able to stage our event on such an historic line was a real privilege.

He added: “Ian used to be a pilot in the RAF until a serious injury meant he had to quit his job.

“After teaching himself the art of heritage painting, Ian set up his own business – Heritage Painting in Darwen – and won contracts to re-paint some of the world’s most iconic steam engines, such as The Mallard and The Flying Scotsman.”

The next event is on Friday 16 September at Helmshore Textile Museum and tickets cost £15 per person. To book online visit www.chamberelancs.co.uk