Hull’s UK City of Culture Trade Awareness Course, 16th & 17th May 2017
With Hull being UK’s City of Culture 2017, the timing couldn’t be better for the Association to run a trade awareness course in and around the City.
The eleven delegates who attended the course were given a first-hand experience of the many different and diverse industries in the area. Where better to start than with a tour of Associated British Ports in Hull, including a visit to IBL Bulk Liquids, one of the numerous companies based at the Port before heading off to their storage plant along a tributary of the Humber. After an enjoyable working lunch everyone headed off to Vivergo Fuels, situated further along the Humber. The day ended with a visit to the Great Newsome Brewery for a guided tour, as well as a well-earned sample or two!
Once back at the hotel, the delegates had the opportunity to take a guided walking tour of Hull’s Old Town. The tour included walking through the High Street where many of the Corn Merchants and Traders originally had their offices as well as passing The Pacific which was purpose built for the Hull Corn Trade Association Ltd in 1910. The Old Town has become quite famous over recent years and has been used as a set location for several films recently. Luckily it was a lovely evening and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to stretch their legs and have some fresh air after a hectic day.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side for day two as it rained on and off most of the day. Not to be perturbed, the delegates braved the elements for a look at New Holland Bulk Services. Despite the weather, they continued on to Adams & Green Ltd in North Cave where they bravely walked around the newly opened anaerobic digester plant. Again, the delegates enjoyed a lovely working lunch before moving onto the final visit of the day: the Oil Seed Rape Crushing plant owned by Cargill plc. Luckily here, the delegates had the luxury of being undercover for the majority of the time.
As always, the Association is very grateful to all the host companies for allowing us the opportunity to visit their premises and we recognise and appreciate the large amount of background work that was undertaken prior to our visit.
Having carefully reviewed the course questionnaires, we were delighted once again with the responses. One of the main responses when asked what was most enjoyable during the course, was the opportunity to visit a variety of different places and broadening perspectives of the industry as well as the opportunity to meet like minded people from within the trade. We recognise there is still a large demand for these types of courses and are always looking for ways to improve them. We assuredly continue our efforts to provide this vital service to our members.