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The Company

       So, while I may not be able to wax lyrical about site plans or rail tracks or scaffolding, I do love
       listening to stories about your work. Hopefully you can look past my ineptitude with a compass.”

                Alexandra Burrell is not only another of our Freemen but is also Alicia’s older sister, so
                like Alicia, she shares the incredible Burrell history within the Company.  She writes “My
                family has been involved with the Company of Constructors for many years, and my
                sister and I are now the third generation Burrells to be members.  I was 14 years old
       when I became an apprentice and then I always appreciated the grandeur of the Halls; met a lot of
       interesting people; and felt proud to be involved in such a long standing City tradition. I also
       understood how important it was to my family that the tradition of our family’s involvement
       continued to the next generation and was pleased to be carrying that on.  Although the family link is
       the reason I initially joined, and remains important to me, the Constructors has come to mean a lot
       more to me as an individual. When I moved to London and started working it became easier for me
       to come to more events - I was also working in the City so I saw first-hand some of the quirkier
       activities that the City supported (sheep over London Bridge!). I began to learn more about the
       philanthropic side of the Constructors, the importance of supporting the industry for future
       generations and the huge benefits that newer companies like the Constructors bring. It has also
       enabled me to do things and meet people that I wouldn't ordinarily get to e.g. learning about bomb
       disposal has been great dinner party conversation!  As I get older, I can only see that I will become
       even more involved and hopefully will be able to contribute to the Company in the same way my
       father and grandfather did.”

                Andrew Hornby is one of our Court Assistants.  His first event was the Christmas service
                at St Lawrence Jewry where, as the newest recruit, it was his duty and privilege to read
                one of the lessons. At the reception afterwards he was recognised by a fellow
                Constructor as being a member of Round Table and was soon introduced to a number
                of ex-Tablers within our membership.  Straightaway he knew he was in good (or bad!)
       company, and the knowledge of this shared background gave him the confidence that as a
       Constructor he would be among friends.  He also recognised that the unofficial maxim of Round
       Table would apply to this organisation too: ‘the more you put in, the more you get out’.
       As he writes, “From that point I made a point of getting involved and attending whatever I could, and
       soon found out which were the best value events for a young(ish) Constructor to come along to – it’s
       not all fancy dinners! Within a couple of years of joining I found myself on the Events Committee and
       since then have helped ensure that our social calendar comprises a broad spectrum of activities to
       reflect members’ interests. It has also been my aim to incorporate sufficient low cost activities into
       our programme so that everyone (and particularly our newer members) can join in, meet their peers,
       and develop their social networks, without a significant financial burden.
       I am indebted to former Clerk Tim Nicholson and Past Master Roger Adcock for the respective parts
       they each played in welcoming me into the Worshipful Company of Constructors.
       Continued support for our new members by their sponsors and others, to ensure they are aware of
       the opportunities available and to help them get involved, is crucial to their long-term engagement
       and retention and to the future of our Livery Company.”






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