The next Paper Appreciation Course (PAC FS10) again takes place at The Paper Trail at Apsley in Hemel Hempstead on Wednesday 22nd November 2017. The course lecturer will again be the ever-popular John Watson.

This course is ideal for new employees of any level who have commenced employment in the industry within the last few months and those who have worked in the industry for some little time but never seen a working paper machine.

The Paper Trail is a really interesting venue, well deserving of a visit in its own right (www.thepapertrail.org.uk) and is conveniently situated for most of the UK being 25 miles north of London at Hemel Hempstead. I usually limit the number of delegates on these courses to 12 maximum to ensure quality teaching time for all attending.

This "Paper Appreciation Course" (formerly the NAPM Paper Appreciation Course) is unique in that it focuses on the benefits that paper and its attributes bring to the end-uses. So whilst we discuss the many elements of paper production, at each stage we describe what that part of the process does for the paper, for example, formation, opacity, thickness, stiffness, and so on.

Papermaking is taught from the consumers' angle.

The key objective of the course is not to produce budding papermakers, but for the delegates to better understand the attributes of the various grades of paper and what they bring to the end products.

This one-day course is ideal for employees who would not normally have the chance to visit a fully working paper mill but are working within the paper merchanting, printing, publishing or associated industries.

Agenda
• Introduction
- Paper, the flat stuff - some practical tests that illustrate paper's versatility.
- The market place - UK consumption figures by broad sectors.
- What does the end product require?
- A description of the attributes necessary in the paper to meet end-use needs.
• Papermaking
- The principles and requirements.
- The types of furnish.
- The technical qualities these various furnishes impart to the end product.
- Coating and finish.
• Environmental Issues
- A comprehensive listing of all certification schemes and associations.
• Practical Elements
- Carrying out simple tests.
- Investigating problems.
- Visiting a working paper mill.
• Estimating
- The considerations and formulae.

Timetable
Registration and coffee is at 9.30 am, with the actual course running through from 10.00 am to
1.00 pm, with a buffet lunch. In the afternoon the delegates are taken around the mill and paper machines, and receive a running commentary as to the workings of a paper mill and paper machines. On return to the classroom, the course concludes with a questions and answers session finishing no later than 4.30 pm.

Costs
The cost per delegate includes all refreshments, a buffet lunch and comprehensive course notes is
only £210 + VAT.

Dress Code
Smart casual with "substantial" shoes, as the day includes a tour around a working paper machines.

Car Parking
There is on-site car parking available.

Joining Instructions
These will be sent to all delegates approximately one week before the course date.

There are further details at www.focalstrength.co.uk/pacintro.htm