The 10th European Blackcurrant Conference will be held in the UK on May the 25, 26 and 27 2004.
The conference, which will be supplemented by visits and field trips around the west and south Midlands, begins with an afternoon of visits on May 25, hosted by local growers to discuss new varieties and machinery. The first evening will feature an informal growers meeting with national production reports presented during dinner.
May 26 is conference day and will include presentations by the GSK Coleford vice president and general manager, an update on one of the blackcurrant industry's largest customers Ribena and discussion of technical issues associated with processing and growing blackcurrants.
Field Trips are the order of the day on May 27. Firstly, delegates will be given a tour of the GSK Coleford factory, to see the company's r&d laboratories, sensory labs and the production of Lucozade and Ribena. Secondly, a visit has been arranged to a trial site followed by a Wildlife Trust walk/demonstration. These trips will run concurrently and groups will have either a morning or afternoon appointment.
Accommodation is available at the Cheltenham and Gloucester Moat House, Gloucester.
There is a conference fee. All applicants will be notified as soon as these costs are available.
This year the members of the European Blackcurrant Growers' Association will be joined by members of the GSK Growers' Association. This will make this, the 10th conference the largest ever. For that reason, it is advisable to book places as soon as possible at fourwents@aol.com or by fax to 0044 1580 213616.
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