ESU News THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION
Creating global understanding through English ISSUE No. 132 JULY 2007
ESU Makes History in the House of Lords Kenny Nicoll and Netan Dogra of Grove Academy receive the Silver Mace from Lord Hunt
Contents Schools Mace Final . .Page 1 Yemen Wins . . . . . . .Page 2 Schools Mace cont'd . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 3 Yemen Wins cont'd . .Page 4 Lord Hunt in Bavaria . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 John Smith Memorial Mace . . . . .Page 4 Romania Lecture . . . .Page 5 Talk on Iraq . . . . . . . .Page 5 Experience English Launch . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5 Emerging ESUs . . . . .Page 6
The ESU made history recently when the International Final of the Schools Mace, the national debating championships for Britain and Ireland, saw more than 200 school children, teachers, ESU members, Alumni and representatives of partner organisations, fill the famous red seats of Britain's Upper House. This was the first event ever to use the Chamber of either of the Houses of Parliament for nonParliamentary business, a recommendation of the Puttnam Commission on the Communication of Parliamentary Democracy. The Hansard Society was there to evaluate the occasion and its success will, no doubt, set a precedent to inform future discussions on the use of the two Chambers. Continued on page 2.
English in Action . . . .Page 7 No Confidence Debate . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7 Cheltenham Double . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7 Anglo-Brazilian Evening . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8 Mozart and His Operas . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8
Yemen Triumphs in International Contest
Global Young Leaders . . . . . . . . . . .Page 9 Vision of Stanley Spencer . . . . . . . . . .Page 9 International at Home . . . . . . . . . .Page 9
The final of the 26th annual International Public Speaking Competition took place, in May, at the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square, and was the culmination of a week-long programme of events. The winner's trophy was lifted by Ali Hussein Saleh Mohammed from Yemen, whose speech Planning for a World with Light Water highlighted some of the environmental problems facing the global community. Yemen participated in the competition for the first time last year. Ali will return to London later in the year to receive a certificate from the President of the EnglishSpeaking Union, HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. Continued on page 3.
Hines Page Scholarships . . . . . . .Page 6
Jamestown Celebration . . . . . . .Page 10 Alumni Officer in New York . . . . . . .Page 10 Travelling Librarian . . . . . . . . .Page 11 Nurse Work Programme . . . . . . .Page 11 This year's winner, Ali Hussein Saleh Mohammed
Diary Dates . . . . . . .Page 12
Telephone : 020 7529 1550 Fax : 020 7495 6108 Email : esu@esu.org Web : www.esu.org
ESU Makes History in the House of Lords continued
The Rt Hon Baroness Hayman, Lord Speaker, welcomes debaters and audience members to the House of Lords
Delivering a speech of welcome, ESU Chairman, Lord Hunt, a former student debating champion himself, said of the historic event, “I think it is vital that parliamentarians give their full support to programmes like this, that teach the skills of debate and engagement in our schools, and that demonstrate the vital link between that engagement and the structures of parliamentary democracy.” Baroness Hayman, Lord Speaker, chaired the two debates from the Woolsack, although the rules of procedure were those of the ESU's competition. She expressed her delight at being able to look around the chamber and see such a dramatic change from “the usual faces”, and also spoke of her own association with competitive debate, from setting up a schools’ debating club in Wolverhampton and entering ESU competitions as a student, through to her entry into elected politics. The national winners of competitions in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, debated for the Silver Mace and the title of champions in the world's oldest and largest parliamentary schools debating competition.
committee, who spoke on the heritage of the contest, and Lewis Iwu, a former International Mace winner. Ndanga Kamau, the Chair of the judging panel, eventually declared the Scottish team, Netan Dogra and Kenny Nicoll from Grove Academy, to be overall champions. Grove is the first Scottish state school to win the competition. As part of their prize Netan and Kenny will attend the annual ESU Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace later this year. Netan was also awarded the Kenneth Harris Prize for the best individual speaker in the final, named in memory of the competition's founder, an ESU Alumnus and renowned Observer journalist. The prize was awarded by Kenneth's widow, Mrs Jo Harris. The day concluded with a reception in the Scotland Office, Dover House, on Whitehall, by kind permission of the Secretary of State. The ESU will cooperate again with the Scotland Office when we hold a debate to mark 300 years of the Treaty of Union in September.
This year, the tournament attracted a record number of schools more than 800 - with a significant number taking part for the first time. Access to the competition has become easier, in part, thanks to a nationwide road show of free workshops for new participants, funded by the Ministry of Justice (formerly the Department for Constitutional Affairs), who see the programme as an effective way to encourage young people to examine and discuss current affairs issues. In the first of two debates Howell's School, Llandaff proposed the motion This House would create a fully-elected House of Lords against opposition from Haberdashers' Aske's School for Boys, Hertfordshire. Mount Mercy College, Cork and Grove Academy, Dundee debated This House would make it illegal to advertise gambling. During the judges' deliberation the audience heard from David Bussey, Chair of the ESU Centre for Speech and Debate's 2
(L-R) Andrew Goodman, Nick Sloboda and Lewis Iwu enjoy the reception at the Scotland Office, Dover House
Yemen Triumphs continued Participants were welcomed to the Embassy by the Hon. Robert H. Tuttle, The Ambassador of the United States of America, who congratulated the finalists on their achievement and wished them luck. Valerie Mitchell, ESU Director-General, opened the proceedings and, at the conclusion of the event, presented each competitor with a certificate and a copy of the Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners, kindly donated by Macmillan.
Ambassador Tuttle welcomes the competitors
Runner-up was Vikram Joshi from Australia, who also won the Audience's Choice Award, and the prize for Best Non-native English-Speaker was presented to Xing Chen of China. The theme for speeches in this year's competition was Dynamic Earth, and the diversity and quality of responses to this brief impressed the judges of both the Grand Final and the Heats, which took place in the morning at Dartmouth House. Since its inception in 1981 with just four countries participating, the International Public Speaking Competition has gone from strength to strength. This year we welcomed 59 students from 34 different countries, each of whom had already achieved success in their own national competitions. The competition is not only a showcase for some of the most exceptional public speakers from around the globe but is also an opportunity for young people to meet and gain an understanding of each other's backgrounds and beliefs.
Judging the Grand Final were Sir Brian Fall, former British Ambassador to Russia, who chaired the Panel, Professor Stanley Wells, one of Britain's foremost Shakespearean scholars, Lady Boyd, author and Chairman of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and Mr. Robert Rowland, former Editor of BBC's Panorama. The ESU would like to thank the Ambassador and his staff for allowing us to use the Embassy as the venue for this year's final. During their week in London, participants enjoyed the chance to learn more about our sponsors during a tour of HSBC's global headquarters in Canary Wharf. They also took part in a mock parliamentary debate, visited the House of Commons, and
The ESU is extremely grateful to HSBC Holdings plc, who have sponsored the event since 1997, and without whose continued support the competition could not take place.
attended a performance of The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre. This was preceded by a talk with the show's director, Robin Herford, a former ESU scholar. Many of the participants spent the weekend following the final with ESU members in different parts of England. This is a highly valued part of the programme, and we would like to thank the host families and Branches for their generous hospitality. We would also like to thank Branches who gave financial support to the participants, those who judged during the heats, and ESU Colchester Branch member David Watson who kindly filmed the Grand Final. "I am so happy about being part of the programme in London more than winning. I had a golden opportunity to make friends with students from around the globe. Being a winner of the International Public Speaking Competition is a great achievement. It is an accomplishment for all the Yemenis, and I am proud to bring Yemen to the top of the world and this is the least I could for my country�. Ali Hussein Saleh Mohammed
(L-R) Vikram Joshi (Australia), Runner-up and Audience Choice; Ali Hussein Saleh Mohammed (Yemen), Winner; Xing Chen (China), Best Non-Native English-Speaker
Judges and participants at the International Public Speaking Competition 3
Lord Hunt Joins ESU Bavaria Celebrations Lord Hunt spent a long weekend in Munich to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the oldest non-native-speaking ESU Branch in Europe. On the evening of his arrival, HM Consul General, Mr Steve Plater, hosted a reception at his private residence to mark the occasion. Lord Hunt met a number of ESU members and also representatives of the Diplomatic Corps in Munich, namely the Consuls General of South-Africa, Slovenia and France and the Honorary Consul of Cyprus, as well as members of other organisations with similar aims of the ESU, the German-British Association and the Cambridge Society. A dinner followed at a Bavarian restaurant nearby.
The following day saw a sightseeing trip to the city centre, including a visit to the renowned church of the brothers Cosmas Damian and Egid Qurin Asam, who both, as sculptor and painter, stand for the transitional period of baroque- and rococo-style in Bavaria. In the evening, Lord Hunt gave a talk entitled Shaping a Free Europe Together: The Spirit of Cadenabbia, which raised some aspects of British-European and British-German relations. In his talk he mentioned his first acquaintance with politics as Cabinet Minister in both Margaret Thatcher's and John Major's administrations. He also highlighted his participation in the British-German Round-Table events
organised in Bonn, by members of the Young Conservatives and the Junge Union and, since 1985, at the summer residence of the late Konrad Adenauer in Cadenabbia, by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. It was here where he - among other friends from the CDU and CSU - also met Angela Merkel for the first time, and it was she who once coined the aforementioned title of his talk. Dr Claus Bruegmann, Chairman of ESU Germany-Bavaria, presented Lord Hunt with a memento - a cartoon, which linked his capacity as Chairman of the ESU to the topic of his talk, depicting Sir Winston Churchill, whose views of post-war Europe were, as Lord Hunt admitted, the reason he began life as a politician.
New Sponsors View Final of the John Smith Memorial Mace As testament to this, the Baillie Gifford delegation included not only people new to the ESU, but also Ken Barker, no stranger to competitive debate as a former finalist in this competition. A crowd of supporters from the four home nations filled the Inn's portrait-lined dining hall as the speakers prepared to deliver their speeches. Teams from the Glasgow University Union, Cardiff University, the Cambridge Union Society and University College Dublin Literary and Historical Society debated the motion This House would create a directly-elected executive President of the European Union. Proceedings were opened by Jon Dye, Chairman of ESU Scotland, and chaired by Derek Lande, convenor of the competition in Ireland. The judging panel, chaired by Clark McGinn, a member of the Centre for Speech and Debate's committee and a winner of the competition for Glasgow University Union in 1983, declared the John Smith Memorial Mace winners, Adam Bott and Sam Block (centre), with (L-R) England team of Sam Block and Adam Bott as Ken Barker, Richard Barry and Clark McGinn champions. Sam was also awarded the Kenneth Representatives from Baillie Gifford, the new sponsors of the Harris Memorial Prize, named after the late founder of the John Smith Memorial Mace, the National University Debating competition, for best speaker in the final. Championships for Britain and Ireland, had their first view of ESU debating programmes at the Honorable Society of King's Inns, The ESU would like to thank Baillie Gifford for their sponsorship, Dublin in April. Camilla McAleese and the Honorable Society of King's Inns, Clark McGinn, the rest of the judging panel, and the four national Richard Barry, HR Manager for the Scottish-based independent convenors for their time and support in running the competition investment managers said, “In any team environment people will and ensuring the success of the event. have different opinions, and debating allows all options to be explored. Many companies look to recruit people with debating skills; the ability to construct a persuasive argument, the confidence to speak in front of others and the flexibility to be able to think on their feet. This contest plays an important role in encouraging students to get involved in debating and the skills they learn could benefit them hugely in later life.� 4
Prince Radu Gives Second Romanian Lecture At the invitation of Director-General Valerie Mitchell, Prince Radu of Romania was delighted to come to Dartmouth House to give his second lecture on Romania, entitled What Does Romania Contribute to the European Union? The meeting was held in the Revelstoke Room at Dartmouth House, under the aegis and chairmanship of Professor Alan Lee Williams and the Mid-Atlantic Group. Prince Radu gave a most thought-provoking and up-to-date talk on Romania and was delighted with the enthusiastic response he received from the audience, particularly through their challenging questions. (L-R) Prof Alan Lee Williams, HSH Prince Radu of Romania, Valerie Mitchell, Helen Meixner, Former Country Director of the British Council Romania and Ralph Land, Chairman, British Romanian Chamber of Commerce.
Hans von Sponeck Provides Iraq Perspective In April, The English-Speaking Union, in association with Liberal International and The British-German Association, hosted a lecture with Hans von Sponeck, former UN co-ordinator on Humanitarian Affairs in Iraq, who presented his acclaimed book A Different Kind of War at Dartmouth House.
Valerie Mitchell presided and Robert Woodthorpe-Browne and Saroj Chakravarty, ESU Governor, also said a few words.
The speaker offered guests a critical, lucid, and well-informed survey of political developments in Iraq as well as a heart-rending account of the suffering of the Iraqi people. Drawing on previously unpublished internal UN documents and discussions with UN decision makers, Iraqi officials and politicians as well as ordinary Iraqis, Mr von Sponeck questioned who really benefited from the UN's sanctions policies against Iraq. He also discussed the role the UN Security Council played, and whether there were then, and are today, alternatives to these. Hans von Sponeck described his own attempts as he tried to direct the sanctions programmes in a humane manner and gave a challenging and meticulous lecture offering guests a unique insight into a highly topical subject.
(L-R) Robert Woodthorpe-Browne, Hans von Sponeck and Saroj Chakravarty
Experience English Programme Launched In early May, a group of 15 carefully selected volunteers was welcomed to the offices of the Helen Bamber Foundation for an evening information session marking the beginning of the Experience English programme. In an exciting new partnership with the ESU, this programme pairs volunteers with clients of the Helen Bamber Foundation in order to provide conversational support and to help facilitate the transition to life in London. The Helen Bamber Foundation is a human rights
organisation working with asylum seekers and refugees. Each pair will meet for one hour per week in and around the City, making use of the galleries, museums, parks and cafes available. The ESU is thrilled to be working with such a high calibre of volunteers and we would like to offer our thanks to them and to the Helen Bamber Foundation for making this project possible.
For more information, please contact Katherine Plummer, Education Programmes Manager, or Anne Hodgson, Programmes Co-ordinator. Please visit www.helenbamber.org for more information on the work of the Foundation.
ESU Merchandise When visiting Dartmouth House, why not take a moment to look at the display cabinet, where you will find an exclusive range of gift items, all featuring the ESU logo. The items for sale are reasonably priced starting from just ÂŁ3.50 and range from key fobs to an impressive assortment of glassware, ties, and jewellery. Ask at reception for details. 5
Encouraging Emerging ESUs Mr William Miller, Chairman of the International Council, together with Lord Watson and Valerie Mitchell were delighted that Brian Monteith represented Iceland at the International Council in London, in September 2006, and are now looking forward to receiving members of the Committee at the International Headquarters at Dartmouth House. In April, Professor Alan Lee Williams, a former Director-General of the ESU, visited Bangladesh on behalf of the Sir William Beveridge Foundation. A prior meeting had been held with Valerie Mitchell, where Professor Lee Williams suggested that, through his present contacts, we may be able to help to sow initial seeds to form an ESU in Dhaka. Valerie responded enthusiastically to the idea and followed it up with a letter to the British High Commissioner in Bangladesh, who has given great support to the concept. (L-R) Jon Dye, Brian Monteith MSP, Kristin Ingolfsdottir, Rector of University of Iceland and HE Mr Alp Mehmet
Two potential new ESUs are taking shape in Iceland and Bangladesh with recent visiting ESU representatives offering their support.
A steering committee was formed with Mr Aftab Ul Islam as its Chairman and a dinner was held with Professor Lee Williams as the guest of honour during his stay. Mr Islam will be given an invitation to attend the international Council Meeting in Tokyo in October.
Spreading the ESU word in Iceland was part of the remit when Brian Monteith MSP, Hon President of ESU Scotland and Jon Dye ESU Governor and Chairman ESU Scotland visited the country in early March. As well as awareness building, the duo met individuals who might form an ESU steering committee in Iceland. Following a letter of introduction from Valerie Mitchell to British Ambassador HE Mr Alp Mehmet, who had pledged support to ESU Iceland, a packed programme was organised with a number of key individuals in Icelandic Society.
Centre: Prof Alan Lee Williams and Mr Aftab Ul Islam with members of the steering committee
Octet Wins Walter Hines Page Scholarships Eight Walter Hines Page Scholarships were awarded following interviews held in March. The scholarships provide teachers with the opportunity to spend two weeks in the United States visiting a variety of schools and educational organisations to investigate a particular area of professional interest. The English-Speaking Union is grateful to the ATL, NASUWT and NUT teaching unions and the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference for supporting the scholarships.
All of the award winners are looking forward to sharing their own teaching experiences with colleagues in the United States and promoting current UK educational initiatives and approaches, as well as exploring and comparing US strategies and ideas.
This year's scholars will explore issues including: reading and its role and importance in the curriculum of American schools; the placement of learning centres into premiership sporting venues; teaching English to boys; and approaches to dyslexia. The panel also interviewed candidates for the Chautauqua scholarship which enables a teacher to study at the prestigious Chautauqua summer school. This unique establishment offers scholars the opportunity of reflection and self-expression through its arts, education and religious programmes. Diana Bath is the recipient of this award. 6
(L-R) Dr. Colin Niven, ESU Education Committee, Elizabeth Stokes, ESU Director of Education, George Wiskin, ESU Education Committee and NUT representative, Alison Wheatcroft, Chair of the Walter Hines Page Interview Panel
English in Action Coffee Morning English in Action provides one-to-one English support to students at Dartmouth House. The schools programme sends pairs of volunteers into London primary schools to work with small groups of children who have English as an additional language. The coffee morning gave the volunteers a chance to share their latest experiences of the two programmes, and also to hear about new developments at the ESU. Katherine Plummer, Education Programmes Manager, informed the volunteers about the launch of a new and exciting ESU project, in partnership with the Helen Bamber Foundation. The ESU is recruiting and training volunteers to provide conversational support to refugees and asylum seekers which will aid their transition to life in London. (Please see separate story for more information on this project.)
English in Action volunteers with Katherine Plummer (right)
All the English in Action volunteers are now enjoying the programme's new summer term, which promises to be as successful as ever.
Volunteer tutors from the English in Action and English in Action in Schools programmes met at Dartmouth House, in April, for coffee, cake and conversation.
For further information about volunteering with English in Action, please contact Katherine Plummer, Education Programmes Manager.
Young Politicians in No Confidence Debate Some of Britain's brightest young political minds came together at the ESU Headquarters for the Dartmouth House Debating Society's annual No Confidence Debate. Suella Fernandes, a barrister and former Chair of the Cambridge University Conservative Association, and Mark Gettleson, Chair of the Liberal Democrat Youth and Students, proposed the motion This House has no confidence in Her Majesty's government. Defending the status quo were Tom Hamilton, a former World University Debating Championships Finalist and Labour Party Member, and Stephen Longden, Campaigns and Membership Officer at Labour Students. Several thoughtful and impassioned floor speeches followed the debate, and after summations from Tom and Suella, the audience voted, with the majority supporting the motion. Our thanks to each of the speakers for giving up their valuable time to participate. The next session of debates will start with the Shakespeare debate on Wednesday 3 October.
No Confidence Debaters: (L-R) Mark Gettleson, Suella Fernandes, Stephen Longden and Tom Hamilton
Cheltenham Double Cheltenham Ladies' College won the The National Public Speaking Competition for Schools for the second year in succession. This contest is run by ESU Branches around the country for pupils in Years 10 and 11. The prize for Best Speaker went to Lorna Badham of Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls, for her speech entitled, Gun crime among the young is impossible to stop. Please see Branches News for further information about the Competition.
The winning team from Cheltenham Ladies' College, with Chair of the judges (and Deputy Chairman of the ESU) Edward Gould 7
Anglo-Brazilian Cultural Evening He went on to say that he was born in the north of Brazil, from where some of the country's greatest musicians and artists had emerged, and that the audience that afternoon would be enjoying music written by some of these outstanding composers. The renowned Brazilian singer, Adma took the floor and sang many beautiful songs. She charmed the audience with music by Gilberto Gil, Antonio Carlos and Dorival Cayme. Accompanying her were several talented musicians, who played cello, bass, percussion and guitar, and Phil Dawson, who sang with her on one of the songs. It was indeed a truly magical experience for all who attended. The atmosphere of Brazil impregnated Dartmouth House and so enthusiastic was the audience that Adma managed to get all to stand and finally dance to the last song. The Reception which followed included Brazilian empanadas and delicious canapĂŠs provided by Leith's. Adma with Michael Gabriel, Chairman of the Anglo-Brazilian Society
On 26 April the Brazilian beat of samba and bossa nova filled the Long Drawing Room at Dartmouth House and thrilled ESU and Anglo-Brazilian Society members who were there to celebrate the links between the ESU and Brazil. Sipping their caipirinha cocktails at the pre-show reception, they anticipated the delightful afternoon ahead of them. ESU Director-General Valerie Mitchell, opened proceedings by explaining the importance of holding such a special show of Brazilian popular music. In 1999 the ESU was launched in four cities in Brazil, and today there are many education programmes running between the two countries. HE Mr JosĂŠ Mauricio Bustani, the Brazilian Ambassador and President of the Anglo-Brazilian Society, was the Guest of Honour. He emphasised how pleased he was that two such important organisations had merged on this special occasion and also expressed his delight at being in the beautiful international headquarters of the English-Speaking Union.
Musicians at the Anglo-Brazilian Cultural Evening
Prize-winning Author Presents Mozart Multiple prize-winning author, David Cairns, presented his new book Mozart and His Operas at a music lecture at Dartmouth House in early May. The book traces Mozart's life through his music and focuses on the seven mature operas. David Cairns dissected each opera with an infectious combination of musical insight and vivid recreation of the historical facts. He provided a most instructive and entertaining guide to the Romantic novelty of Idomeno and the Shakespearean drama of Don Giovanni, giving guests a true glimpse of the composer's personality. The talk brought his extraordinary knowledge and love of his subject to show that Mozart's operas are pivotal to our understanding of him as a man and a composer in this most warm and passionate lecture on Mozart and His Operas. Veronica Franklin-Gould, Deputy Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Sub-Committee introduced the lecture with Anne Skeggs, Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Sub-Committee giving the Vote of Thanks. (L-R) Anne Skeggs, David Cairns and Veronica Franklin-Gould 8
ESU and Global Young Leaders Offer International Debate Support attending the two-week residential GYL programme in London. Here, they will learn from ESU-trained tutors, using ESU materials, and their courses will feature a weekly visit to Dartmouth House. OWES has offered each international ESU that has hosted a tour working with students aged 16-18 this year, a free place on the course. The Centre hopes to widen access to the course as the partnership with GYL continues, and is keen to develop the programme as a global equivalent of the ESU's own Debate Academy for UK students.
Mongolian competition winners with members of staff at ESU Mongolia (Orkhon Gantogtokh, Chairman ESU Mongolia, far left) and Squad members Sam Block and Andrew Goodman
The Centre for Speech and Debate has partnered with a brand new debate course, Global Young Leaders (GYL), to offer young ESU Alumni from around the world, expert tuition. The ESU Speech and Debate Squad has already benefited from a donation from Our World English Schools (OWES), the parent of GYL. So far this year members of the Squad, drawn from the ESU's pool of
trained mentors, have supported public speaking and debating competitions for school children in Hong Kong, Mauritius and Mongolia, and have taught university students in Lebanon. Later in the year, debate experts will be off to Israel, Japan and Mexico. International ESUs are offering those students involved in their programmes the chance to take their skills further by
The links between Debate Academy and GYL have already been forged this year - as the ESU cannot offer the Oakhambased weekend of intensive training in July, OWES has created a week-long GYL course, with both residential and non-residential options, as an alternative. Debate Academy will return for UK students in 2008, but we hope that its international 'sister' GYL will, by then, be offering a real chance to young alumni of ESUs around the world to get the same kind of expert support in speech and debate from the ESU.
Stanley Spencer's Vision Ann Nevill's family were friends and patrons of artist, Stanley Spencer, so she was well-placed to deliver a lecture on The Vision of Stanley Spencer to an appreciative audience at Dartmouth House in early May.
Her absorbing talk explained how Stanley Spencer expressed his whole life and beliefs through the medium of his pictures, including his war experiences and relations with his two wives.
The lecture was preceded by a reception and raised over ÂŁ1,200 towards the ESU Chilton Art History scholarship.
International at Home Three times a year Dartmouth House opens its doors to overseas guests for the ESU's International at Home. The latest event took place on 9 May when Susan Bull, Chairman of the Promotions Sub-Committee, welcomed guests from 18 countries. Those attending included members of the international diplomatic and business communities in London. The morning ended with a tour of Dartmouth House.
(L-R) Mrs Susan Bull, Chairman, ESU Promotions Sub-Committee, Mrs Radhia Naima Msuya and Ms Caroline K Chipeta from the Tanzanian High Commission
9
Lord Watson Celebrates the Voyage of English in Jamestown birthday. It recognises the extraordinary courage of the original founders who travelled in three small ships across the Atlantic to found the first English colony in the new world.” Lord Watson emphasises, however, that Jamestown also marks the beginning of the voyage of English from being a language used by some 3.5 million people in 1607 to its present role as “the working language of the global village”, with some two billion people now using English worldwide. “The significance of this is profound,” says Lord Watson. “English really is vital to global understanding and it carries in the language the values and history of the rule of law and free enterprise. For the Jamestown Foundation, unlike that of the Pilgrim Fathers, was commercially motivated and supported by 50 Livery Companies in the City of London.”
Lord Watson and Sir Robert Worcester with the statue of Pocahontas in Jamestown
Lord Watson of Richmond, Chairman Emeritus of the ESU's International Council, was present at Jamestown's celebration of its 400th anniversary, which was celebrated in the presence of HM The Queen on her State Visit and HRH Prince Philip. Lord Watson and Sir Robert Worcester, ESU Governor and Chairman of the Pilgrims, co-chair the committee and have been much involved in the celebrations. “For me,” says Lord Watson, “Jamestown is a celebration at several different levels. It is America's 400th
These themes are the subject of Lord Watson's book, Jamestown: The Voyage of English, recently published. Prince Philip, as President of the ESU, wrote the foreword to the book, remarking that from “the acorn of Jamestown, there has grown the mighty oak of an English-speaking North America”. Lord Watson met The Queen twice during her visit - once while presenting the British Jamestown Committee to her and to Vice President Cheney, and later at the luncheon given by The Queen at Colonial Williamsburg. “This celebration was an exhilarating and exciting moment and one recognised by the Americans and ourselves as of truly historic significance.”
Alumni Officer Visits New York In April, Alison Wardrop travelled to New York to help ESU United States with their annual Shakespeare Competition. The competition takes place over three days and includes over sixty young people from across the United States, who had won the chance to participate and represent their ESU Branch in this exciting event.
Alison also got a chance to meet the SSE Alumna, Megan Sherriffs, who is currently studying in the USA. Megan is from Fife and attended Madras College in St Andrews before being awarded an exchange at Stony Brook in New York State.
Megan has settled in, and is participating enthusiastically in school activities. She told a delighted Alison how much she has learnt from her experiences and also explained how she hopes to have strengthened American-Scottish relations.
Calling ESU Alumni! SSE Class of '54 are having a reunion lunch at Dartmouth House on October 23. If you graduated from the SSE programme in 1954 and are interested attending, do get in touch. In addition, should you feel able to support us with a donation towards the Alumni Association, it would be much appreciated. If you are interested in becoming more involved with the Alumni Association, please contact us. Contact: Alison Wardrop, Alumni Officer. Email: alison_wardrop@esu.org. Tel: 020 7529 1550 10
www.davidcavill.co.uk
We are always interested in receiving stories and pictures of your experiences, particularly for this year's Alumni Update, which is currently being compiled.
Four of our Alumni, (L-R) Martin Skan, Michael Brett, Roderick Chamberlain and Sir Ian Blair at the English-Speaking Union's All Alumni Reunion
The Travelling Librarian Award The Award has given rise to an annual event - the Travelling Librarian Reception which took place at Dartmouth House recently. The ESU Library tracked down all the surviving recipients of the Award and produced a directory of winners. This contact brought new faces to the Reception, which was a great success, largely due to the entertaining speeches by Kate Smith (née Asbery), the first Travelling Librarian in 1965, and Kim Sherwin, from the Joint Services Command and Staff College, the 2006 winner.
Kim Sherwin (left) and Karen Poole at the Travelling Librarian Reception
The 2007 Travelling Librarian, Karen Poole, was selected on 16th May. Karen is Assistant Librarian at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and is currently putting together her trip to visit key health and pharmaceutical establishments in the United States with a view to sharing information on resources and the electronic delivery of information and training.
Kate described the American political situation in the 1960s and the reaction to the race riots which were taking place while she was there and Kim expressed her amazement at the sheer scale of the organisations she visited, which included the Pentagon, with its 17 miles of corridors, shopping mall and McDonalds. She visited military colleges in Washington, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Alabama and managed to fit in the United Nations and several other libraries in New York. Kim was hosted by an ESU family in Washington and praised American hospitality and the willingness of her colleagues to share information. We look forward to hearing about Karen Poole's experiences when she returns from her trip.
Nurse Joins Work Programme Salisbury Branch once again welcomed a nurse to the Great Western Hospital, Swindon, in May of this year, for the ESU Nurse Work Programme. She was Anna Luiza Gryschek, a graduate nurse from the University of Sao Paolo Nursing School, Brazil. Anna's particular qualification is in the field of Community Health, dealing with Aids and HIV. In addition to working in the hospital alongside her English colleagues, a special programme was prepared for her, which included a day with Professor Rachel at the Oxford Brooks University Hospital and a meeting with the co-ordinator of the Terrence Higgins Trust. There was also a visit to Salisbury Branch to meet the Members and have lunch with them. On her return to Brazil, she sent the Branch a charming letter that says: 'Please tell Salisbury Branch and all who have supported me this has been a wonderful opportunity and I shall never, never forget it. It has truly been priceless.'
Anna Luiza Gryschek (centre), with Salisbury Branch members, (L-R) Pamela Brudnell-Dale, Gill Prior, Head of ESU UK Nurse Work Programme, Erica Patterson and John Tough
Salisbury Branch wishes to thank Metropolitan Essex, Bristol and Exeter Branches for their continued support; Dartmouth House for Anna's weekend in London, and especially the NHS Great Western Hospital, Swindon for their invaluable co-operation with the ESU Nurse Work Programme, the charity the hospital has committed to support.
English-Speaking Union & the All England Lawn Tennis Club Gap year students (must be 18 or over) are required to help the Head Coach at Wimbledon to run the 2007 Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative:
• Interest in tennis good but enthusiasm is a must • Ability to work well with children • Expenses paid only (food and travel)
• 3-month placements (starting in September) based at the All England Lawn Tennis Club and schools in London
If you know if anyone who may be interested, please contact Alison Wardrop, ESU Alumni Officer. 11
Diary Dates
Unless otherwise stated we regret that no refunds can be made for cancellations within seven working days of an event.
For members: We accept payment for Dartmouth House events and membership subscriptions by credit/debit cards. Cards bearing Visa, Master-Card, Maestro, Switch, Solo or Delta symbols can now be used to make bookings by post, telephone or email. DARTMOUTH HOUSE Telephone : 020 7529 1550
JULY
ADVANCE NOTICE
Tuesday 3 July House of Lords Tea Party 3.30-5.00pm The Rt Hon The Lord Hunt of Wirral MBE will receive guests on the Terrace of the House of Lords. This event is now fully booked. Please contact Gillian Parker if you wish to go on the waiting list. Tickets: £25 Contact: Gillian Parker Wednesday 4 July at 6.30 pm Literary lecture with Professor James Raven at Dartmouth House. Professor Raven will present a talk on his new book The Business of Books: Booksellers and the English Book Trade 1450-1850. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Tickets: £8 to include a glass of wine Contact: Gillian Parker Wednesday 11 July 10.30 to 11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends. Contact: Jacqueline Abbott
Wednesday 3 October at 7pm Shakespeare Debate at Dartmouth House. The Debate is free of charge and open to the public. Contact: Vivienne Thomson Friday 19 to Sunday 21 October 2007 Branches Conference at the 4-star Old Ship Hotel, Brighton. The conference will open on Friday evening with a reception and dinner at the hotel. Conference events will take place in the hotel and there are optional excursions on the Saturday afternoon. A gala dinner with musical entertainment will take place on Saturday evening at Brighton's Royal Pavilion. Contact: Meriel Talbot Wednesday 24 October Lecture at Dartmouth House by Professor Tony Badger, the Master of Clare College, and Paul Mellon, Professor of American History at the University of Cambridge, on
AUGUST
Presidential Oratory: Franklin D Roosevelt's Fireside Chats. Tickets: £7.50 to include a glass of wine.
Wednesday 8 August 10.30 to 11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends. Contact: Jacqueline Abbott
Contact: Gillian Parker Wednesday 12 December at 7pm ESU annual Christmas Concert at Dartmouth House, with seasonal music and readings. Join us for Yuletide cheer,
SEPTEMBER Wednesday 12 September 10.30 to 11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends. Contact: Jacqueline Abbott
festive fare, mulled wine, readings and carols with singers. Tickets: £15 to include mulled wine, sandwiches and mince pies. Contact: Gillian Parker
Support the ESU If you would like to strengthen the ESU’s ever increasing educational programme by a donation or a legacy in your Will, please contact Jo Wedderspoon at Dartmouth House 37 Charles Street London, W1J 5ED, telephone 020 7529 1550 email jo_wedderspoon@esu.org. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Telephone : 020 7529 1550 Fax : 020 7495 6108 Email : esu@esu.org Web : www.esu.org