Preconvision Limited - Constructionline Gold Member, RICS Tech Partner

On Thursday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the National Liberal Club Annual Summer Party.

It was an evening filled with live music from singer Miss Jones, and a summer buffet enjoyed on the stunning Terrace overlooking the Embankment, the River Thames, and views towards the London Eye, in the City of Westminster.

I particularly enjoyed taking in the French Renaissance architecture, and the Victorian interior design of the Smoking room and the Dining room tiled Corinthian columns. I also enjoyed exploring the massive marbled main staircase, which is apparently a simplified reconstructed design after the wartime bombing.

In my research before attending this event, I learn’t that this Private members club was, at the time of completion in 1911 - the largest ever club house built in London.

It was a pleasure to have met John Sweeney and his partner Maria Iacuzio, Charles G Gillett - Honorary Archivist of the National Liberal Club and Karin Rehacek Chair of the National Liberal Club.

Thank you to Luke Birkett for coming as my guest.

Did you know the oldest business institution within the UK and still in existence to this day is The Royal Mint?

This company is the Home of Gold for the UK and stretches back more than 1,100 years and founded in 886. The first sliver penny was struck in the 9th Century during the reign of Alfred the Great. From 1279 a single mint was formed within the Tower of London. This Royal fortress provided a secure location for striking the nation’s coins for centuries.

A new mint was built on Little Tower Hill in the early 19th Century, a short distance from the Tower. Due to increase demand for coins, this site became obsolete and the decision was taken to move The Royal Mint out of London to South Wales in 1968.

I learnt this from two recent events; one with the The Worshipful Company Of Constructors on Wednesday 05 July - where we toured the Grounds of the Tower of London by a professional tour guide, and the second event with Simone de Gale ARB RIBA on Thursday 13 July - where we toured the 886 by The Royal Mint at Burlington Arcade in Piccadilly, London.

What I enjoyed to learn the most was how today The Royal Mint continues to be the original maker of British coins, the home of precious metals, and is the worlds largest export mint.

It was good to meet Tim Cameron, Anna Monich, Leena Le, Laxmi Vaghani and Lainey Sheridan-Young.

It was great to see again Dane Ellis, Andre Harvey and Luke Birkett.

Thank you to Andrew Hastie for the grand tour at the Tower of London with our fellow Constructors.

Thank you to Simone de Gale ARB RIBA for the inspiring event at 886 boutique shop.

#886

On Monday 19 June at 10:30hrs, that day Christopher Breiner was the youngest person to be admitted into the The Freedom of the City of London Corporation.

During the ceremony - it was an absolute honour to read aloud the Declaration of a Freeman and sign the Register of Freeman in witness of the Chamberlain and the Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court.

This is a very ancient and unique tradition in the City of London, dating back to 1237. A privilege that follows in the footsteps of Lord Nelson, The Duke of Wellington, Florence Nightingale, Sir Winston Churchill and most recently - Harry Kane.

The ceremony was held in the Chamberlain’s Court at Guildhall, where I was allowed to invite friends and good acquaintances I have made at the The Worshipful Company Of Constructors.

Thank you so much to Stewart Owen, Tim Fitch, Terry Withers, Gary Jackson, John Sayers and Luke Birkett for attending. I felt honoured to have had shared this experience with you all.

I can now proudly progress to Liveryman with the The Worshipful Company Of Constructors.

A special thank you to Master David Sheehan, Derek Farrow and Kim Tyrrell for your support leading up to the ceremony.