how I make the difference

meet ... the man who lights Hull Fair

Electricity - we take it for granted. But someone has to work behind the scenes to ensure the lights turn on in Hull at night.
Paul Argent is Hull City Council's electrical contracts manager. It's thanks to the work of Paul and his 40 staff that power reaches plug sockets across the city.
And that's why we are never in the dark.
"We cover a wide range of buildings and structures, from domestic homes to schools and places of work such as offices, light industrial buildings, bridges, and warehouses.
"I want to stress it's a team job. I make a difference, with my team, by keeping the electrical current flowing. And when special events come to town, such as Hull Fair, we are on hand to make sure all the bright lights are safely powered up."
Paul's staff have been preparing for Hull Fair since the first week of September. They check the entire site, which is the full length of Walton Street.
Firstly, they look for and repair any damage from vandals. Then they test the twelve electricity connection boxes that serve the fair, which each carry 280 amps.
When they are fully satisfied everything is safe, the showmen and their fairground rides and attractions can move in.
"We always hope for good weather when Hull Fair is on. Heavy rain can cause all kinds of problems with the electrical supply.
"Electricians are on site from the moment the fair starts until the moment it finishes, in case any electrical problems arise.
"It takes twelve men two full days to get the site ready, but at the end of Hull Fair, four men can disconnect everything in 15 minutes."
Hull Fair has a real family atmosphere, Paul (41) said, as fairground families come back generation after generation to the same pitch. The electricians know them and look forward to catching up.
But one much-respected character will not be at the event this year.
Electrician Phil Woodmansey died suddenly twelve months ago, days after Hull Fair. Paul and his staff have unveiled a plaque in West Park to remember Mr Woodmansey's life and his work.
Special one-off jobs are catered for, Paul added, such as illuminating the Wilberforce Monument. And a big job to redistribute the electrical supply at Kingswood High School has recently been carried out by Paul's team.
And the work never stops. As the cold weather closes in, it's a reminder that Christmas is not long away. Paul and his team work on and test Hull's festive city lights.
"We can't switch off - the current has to keep on flowing," he said.