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A monthly not-for-profit networking group which aims to bring together business people from Essex, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk celebrates its first birthday this month.

Founded by Kate Anstee from The Time Finder Agency in Castle Camps, Jenni Bradnam from Travel Counsellors in Kedington and Denise Lindsell from Hardcastle Burton LLP in Royston, the networking group brings together 20 business people a month at the Old Red Lion pub in Horseheath.

The group, which sets itself apart from other regular networking groups by not charging a membership fee and being not-for-profit, has welcomed over 40 different businesses from Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex over the past year.

Kate said: “We started the Friday Network because business people in the area were coming to us looking for a regular informal networking group that did not charge a membership fee.

“They wanted to have some lunch and hear from a speaker - but not necessarily a business speaker - and then informally network with other companies in the area. People seem to love the format and we are now planning some exciting new events for 2011.”

The group’s next meeting is on Friday, November 19, when they will host a chilli and curry event at the Old Red Lion from 12.45pm to 2.45pm and will feature as guest speaker website manager and online business advisor Rosemarie Gant who will take guests through ten ways to organise their life online. Tickets are £16 and can be booked online at www.fridaynetwork.com

There will be another chance to network and sample local wine from C2C Wines based in Birdbrook at the Friday Network’s wine-tasting at Birdbrook Community House on Thursday, December 2.

Denise said: “The wine-tasting evening will be a festive break from our usual networking and all profits from the event will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust East Anglia Appeal. C2C Wines are kindly donating the wine and a light buffet will be provided by Ashdon Catering in Ashdon, to complement the tasting.”

To find out more about the Friday Network and book your place for the next event visit www.thefridaynetwork.com