DECADES OF ODOUR SERVICES IN BEDFORDSHIRE

From time to time, the team here at Silsoe Odours like to take some time to reflect on our history. So, in this article, we look back on our years of working in odour services. From where our team started, to how Silsoe Odours came about and how things have changed over the years.

Our Director, Robert Sneath, created Silsoe Odours in 2005 (we will come on to that later). Before that, Robert spent many years at the Silsoe Research Institute. Initially starting life as the Institute of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Oxford, the institute had many iterations and locations. It was internationally renowned for its agricultural, food processing and environmental engineering research. Robert Sneath joined in 1974 when based at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire. Wrest Park is the same site the laboratory at Silsoe Odours occupies today.

SILSOE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

In 1991 it became the Silsoe Research Institute, and Robert was appointed as the Head of Olfactometry. In the ensuing 15 years, Robert led research in all areas of olfactometry and odour services. He is still recognised as a leader in his field. Robert has contributed to many publications and conferences.

Perhaps most notably, Robert acts as the UK expert for the CEN workgroup which is responsible for developing the European Standard for odour, EN13725. He has held this role since 1995.

Occasionally, we re-discover a lost souvenir from Robert’s time with Silsoe Research Institute. For example, this summer, we came across a forgotten stash of these delightful mugs. You will be pleased to hear that we have re-instated them into circulation for the Silsoe Odours tea run.

ODOUR SERVICES AT SILSOE ODOURS

In 2005, the Silsoe Research Institute closed. Robert Sneath decided to continue its olfatometry legacy. He created Silsoe Odours and began offering a range of odour services. He also gained UKAS accreditation for Silsoe Odours – the first odour laboratory in the UK to achieve this. We have maintained this accreditation ever since and gained another for odour sampling.

James, Victoria & Robert Sneath lead the Silsoe Odours team.

Now, Silsoe Odours has expanded into a highly respected family-run odour consultancy. Robert is joined by his children James (Technical Manager) and Victoria (Project Manager). They lead a skilled and trusted team of odour consultants, panel members, laboratory operators and support staff. Together, the Silsoe Odours team delivers first-class quality and service. We also consistently achieve excellent feedback from clients.

ODOUR TRAINING

When Robert founded Silsoe Odours, he also created the Odour Study Day. Initially, he did this to meet training requirements for the Environment Agency. However, we have now expanded the programme to offer odour training to a wider audience. You can join the training if you are a local authority or operator. We also still cater for regulators. In fact, you will find the course useful for any area of odour management. Robert joins several other specialist odour speakers. Namely, Steve Peirson from RSK, Professor Philip Longhurst from Cranfield University, Deborah Sharples from Birketts and James Sneath from Silsoe Odours. The course is now CPD certified. It also boasts an endorsement from the IAQM and accreditation from CIWEM.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ODOUR SERVICES

Finally, please get in touch with us if you would like to visit us for odour sensitivity testing or to discuss our other odour services. We are happy to talk to you about any odour challenge. We can also help with your odour planning activities.

In the first instance, you can reach us on 01525 860222 or click on the button below. You can also stay updated with our team on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. We share our latest blogs and industry information regularly.

Updated 8th September 2022