Freedom Award for Ralph McNeill

At a recent ceremony in London, Ralph McNeill, an SPRA Council Member and Past President, progressed from a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Horners to receiving the Freedom of the City of London. Ralph, Managing Director of Safeglass (Europe) Ltd in East Kilbride, follows in the footsteps of two other SPRA Past Presidents, Hugh Smith and Colin Hindle, who are also Freeman of the Horners. Colin has already proceeded to the next stage of membership as Liveryman.

Worshipful Company of Horners

The Worshipful Company of Horners, one of the ancient guilds with links to the City of London, dates back to the 13th century. As the craft of horners declined, the Company made the bold decision in 1943 to adopt the modern equivalent of horn, plastics. Today they support education and design in plastics through a number of initiatives such as the Polymer Study Tour (a residential course for teachers) and the ‘Fantastic Plastic’ Schools Lecture. They also support a number of awards for plastics design and innovation.

Report by Charlie Geddes, SPRA Hon Secretary, September 2011