The magazine of the English-Speaking Union
Winter 2013: The Big Care Debate in The House of Lords News from the England & Wales Branches’ Conference Reports from ESU branches in England & Wales
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About the English-Speaking Union
How to submit to dialogue
The ESU brings together and empowers people of different languages and cultures. By building skills and confidence in communication, we give people the opportunity to realise their potential. Worldwide, the members and alumni of the ESU support these objectives.
Branch submissions
Our vision is to provide people in the UK and internationally with communication skills, confidence and networking opportunities. We endeavour to see that the value of good communication as an essential attribute for individual, community and global development and understanding is publicly recognised and widely integrated into education and social policy.
Submissions should be made to editor@esu.org We welcome all submissions for consideration. Photos and Illustrations Digital photos are preferred. Please send the original file from your digital camera – do not re-save or change the title from the default setting (this can degrade the resolution and limit the file size making photos poorer quality than the original file. For every photo please send a caption. It is only necessary to name key individuals in a large group. Refer to the photo by its full filename in the write-up of its accompanying article and advise us of the names of all the people pictured, e.g. “IMG_345.jpg – (L-R) Joe Bloggs, Bill Boggs,Kate Coggs Postal submissions should be made as a last resort. Postal address The Editor ESU, Dartmouth House 37 Charles Street London W1J 5ED
The English-Speaking Union Dartmouth House 37 Charles Street London W1J 5ED T +44 (0)20 7529 1550 www.esu.org Registered Charity No. 273136
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If you have questions please contact the Editor at Dartmouth House – 020 7529 1572 or editor@esu.org
EDITORIAL A Message from The Chairman_04
FEATURES England & Wales Branches Conference_06 Churchill Youth Lecture & Branch Awards_08 JSMM England Grand Final_10
A Secondary School Exchange Thanksgiving_26 Supporting Professional Development_28
BRANCHES Branch Reports_31
DIARY DATES Regional & Dartmouth House Diary_47
World Members’ Conference_12
PROGRAMMES Meet The Charitable Activities Team_14 The Big Care Debate_16 Project Update_19
CREDITS
ESU Speech & Debate Across the Globe_20
Managing Editor Michael Pryke
ESU Music Scholarships_22
Design Eva Caldas
The 2012 English Language Awards_23
Photography Gigi Gianella The ESU
The Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation 2013_25
The next edition of dialogue will be published in July 2013. Further details of deadlines for branch submissions will be circulated in May.
dialogue is a magazine for, as well as by, members of the English-Speaking Union. If you have suggestions or comments, please email editor@esu.org
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A MESSAGE FROM THE Chairman At the end of an eventful year, I write to give you the latest news of the English-Speaking Union. This time last year our gravest threat was financial and I want to thank you immediately for understanding and accepting that difficult decisions had to be made in the interests of the organisation as a whole. The Governors’ first duty is the sustainability of the organisation. In order to begin to fulfil this responsibility, subscriptions were restored to their real value of ten years ago. Governors’ agreement for a staffing restructure was given to the executive, and a fundraising study was commissioned which is now being developed through the work of the new Business Development Department. Proactive measures are also being taken to earn money and raise funds for example through possible short-term ‘lets’ of some rooms in the Mews House. During 2012, old friends stepped down from the board and from work on committees. Mary Weston’s remarkable contribution to the English-Speaking Union over many years was recognised by the presentation of the Churchill Medal of Honour at a lunch on 12 December. Lady Soames presented this medal. I am delighted that our long, happy and very valued connection with the Weston Family will continue as Guy Weston, Mary’s son, has agreed to be one of our Vice President. He is warmly welcomed and I will bring you more news of that at a later date. Counsellors too have been appointed in accordance with the Royal Charter. At the time of writing this, at the request of the Governors, I have approached twenty people whose networks, status and profile will be of great current value to the EnglishSpeaking Union. I await their reply and will give you more news when I have heard from them. It has been a delight, an honour and a joy to present so many Jubilee Certificates and Medals this Jubilee year and to talk with the wonderful recipients who have lived and worked in a unique period of history. They have fascinating and remarkable stories and I wish that we could find a way to capture these. I look forward to continuing to meet you in your Branches and at Dartmouth House. Finally, HRH The Princess Royal has agreed to honour the ESU by visiting Dartmouth House on 24 January 2013. Invitations will be sent to representatives from: our beneficiaries, Members, Diamond Jubilee Members, Governors; Counsellors; amongst many others. I hope that you will understand that it is impossible to invite everyone to this very special occasion, but we will endeavour to allocate places fairly. I wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful 2013.
Mary Weston Received Churchill Medal from Lady Soames
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FEATURES The ESU runs a range of activities across England & Wales for our members and beneficiaries. Read all about some of the exciting developments from the past 6 months in the reports overleaf. England & Wales Branches Conference_06 Churchill Youth Lecture & Branch Awards_08 JSMM England Grand Final_10 World Members’ Conference_12
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BRANCHES
ENGLAND & WALES BRANCHES CONFERENCE
Dame Mary Richardson awards Mike Shankland, Chairman of Liverpool & Merseyside Branch, with their trophy
The 2012 Branches Conference took place at the ESU Headquarters at Dartmouth House in London on 19 and 20 October. The conference plenary session was held from 11-4pm on 19 October which was followed by an evening cocktail reception, annual presentation of the Branch Awards, a three course dinner and the inaugural Churchill Youth Lecture provided by guest speaker Luke Lancaster, CEO of Young Pioneers. A supplementary session took place the following morning to allow for continued discussion and debate. Members filled the Long Drawing Room at Dartmouth House to learn about plans for the future direction of the ESU as well as the latest news, programmes and best practice from around the branches.
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ESU Chairman Dame Mary Richardson opened the conference by discussing the development of the ESU’s strategic plan for the next three years. This plan will be a statement of what, why, who, when and how much. The strategic plan will look to the next generation and will underline the ESU values of friendship, respect, transparency, integrity and excellence. There then followed a lively discussion on the future of the National Council for England & Wales (NCEW) and the recommendation to replace it with a new Members’ Council for England & Wales (MCEW) with strong arguments put forward both for and against. Following the 2011 conference a working party had been set up which had consulted with the NCEW members, the regional chairmen and branch chairman before offering its recommendations. The conference was invited to give its views before a decision by the Board of Governors.
The proposed MCEW will be a committee for action on behalf of the members. It was argued that the new committee was necessary because there could be occasions where there were conflicts of interest between the Governors and the members of the ESU. Others put forward the case that the time had come to streamline the ESU, that a less bureaucratic approach was necessary, and that a members committee would be an unnecessary strain on resources. An informal vote was taken and, although the vote was not counted, there appeared to be a clear majority in favour of the proposals. The recommendation has now been approved by the Board of Governors and the MCEW will meet for the first time in March 2013. Branch and regional chairmen have been asked to invite nominations for this committee. Steve Hodkinson, the ESU’s Company Secretary, then provided a progress update on the review of the Royal Charter. Drafts of the proposed changes had been shown to the Privy Council who had raised no objections and Steve hoped for implementation of the proposed changes by the time of the election due in November 2014. All members have been sent a copy of the amendments and Steve asked for comments to him by 4 February 2013. During the afternoon session delegates heard presentations from three branch chairmen. Mike Shankland from Liverpool, Ann Peerless from Canterbury and East Kent and Coral Sebag-Montefiore from London spoke about the current challenges faced by their branches but also shared some real success stories. The need to recruit younger members and the competition from other local organisations
were common themes. Their branches were focussing more on education; among the latest initiatives were an ESU lecture at Canterbury University and the sponsorship of a young writers’ competition in association with local radio and newspapers. There followed presentations from the all new senior management team at Dartmouth House. Director General, Peter Kyle noted that in spite of concerns that the rise in membership subscription rates would lead to a loss of members, membership had actually increased from 5092 in September 2011 to 5111 in September 2012. Peter explained that the Dartmouth House team were living with the pressures of a 25% reduction in staff over the past year. Peter also discussed the international state of the ESU, the recent renovations to Dartmouth House and the digitisation of the Dartmouth House archives. Director of Charitable Activities, Steve Roberts, gave an update on new initiatives which includes a contract to deliver the House of Lords outreach training programme, bespoke primary school projects, the celebrations of the Magna Carta 800 in 2015 which will be reflected in the ESU’s public speaking and debating activities, and the launch of a creative writing competition from February 2013. The ESU strives to offer creative, high quality, impactful, relevant, socially inclusive programmes. Director of Business Development, James Ward said that his first aim was to put in place a development programme which will attract philanthropic support. This programme
Matt Congreve receives an award on behalf of South Wales Region
Richard Oldham presents Coral Sebag-Montefiore, Chairman of London Region, with their award
Patricia Allison, Anthony Harris and Bill Ramsay enjoy a cocktail reception before the Branch Awards
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will include a three year fundraising plan and a three year membership strategy. Engagement with alumni will form a key aspect of these plans. Director of Finance and Operations, Marie Bond, spoke about the need for an organisational structure Hilary Patel, Chairman of which is forward looking Tunbridge Wells Branch, receives and not simply reactionary. her award from Richard Oldham To ensure profitability the ESU must look to the performance of its programmes, to safeguarding its assets, to improving internal financial controls, to creating clear investment criteria, to realise the potential of Dartmouth House and maximise the return; whilst ensuring that everything the ESU does is aligned with members’ interests. Marie encouraged members to contact her if they had any concerns.
There was an update on the ESU website from Head of Communications, Michael Pryke, and Anthony Harris, a member and IT consultant from the Brighton Hove and District branch. The migration from the previous website was complete and there is now a viable platform in place after much work. The next challenge is to bring the skills for using and developing the website in-house rather than outsourcing them at huge expense. The Branch pages need to be controlled by the branches themselves but the administrative facility which had proved too complex is being redesigned and will be live shortly. There was an upbeat air to the afternoon’s proceedings with a healthy and a constructive debate and dialogue between members in the audience. Hilary Patel from Tunbridge Wells said that the ESU should be the go-to place for professionals seeking skills such as public speaking. This would be an effective way for the ESU to re-engage with its alumni network. Peter Kyle wrapped up the day’s discussions by commenting on the number of examples of good practice within the Branches that had come to light and had to be shared, whilst others commented on the positive mood of the day.
CHURCHILL YOUTH LECTURE & BRANCH AWARDS In the evening of the Branches Conference, delegates reconvened in the evening in the Long Drawing Room of Dartmouth House for a winter cocktail reception. This was followed by the annual presentation of the Branch Awards. The Hardacre Trophy, awarded to the branch with the most imaginative branch project, was awarded to Liverpool and Merseyside branch. The ESU Media Award, awarded to the branch which has achieved the best media coverage throughout the year, was awarded to South Wales branch, for the second year running. The Valerie Mitchell Award, awarded to the best branch project promoting international cultural links, was won by the Bristol branch. The Lord Watson Award, awarded to the branch that demonstrates outstanding achievement in promoting global understanding through English, was awarded to the London branch. The London branch was also the recipient of the Membership Prize for the branch with the highest recruitment total for the year. Whilst the Mrs Edward Norman Butler Gavel, for the highest percentage increase in membership for the year, and the NCEW Prize, for the highest net increase in membership, were both won by the Tunbridge Wells branch. DIALOGUE 8
Congratulations to all the winners. After the presentation members enjoyed a three course dinner which was followed by the first ever Churchill Youth Lecture. The Churchill Youth Lecture is a new Luke Lancaster delivers this year’s initiative; one which, is inaugural Churchill Youth Lecture endorsed by Lady Soames, Winston Churchill’s daughter. Winston Churchill himself was Chairman of the English-Speaking Union from 1921 to 1925. It was therefore fitting that the inaugural lecture should be delivered in the Churchill Room at Dartmouth House. The lecture was given by Luke Lancaster, the 17 year old CEO of Young Pioneers, a charity he founded at age 12 after being bullied at school. Luke’s vision is to portray young people in a positive manner and to enable disadvantaged
young people to make a difference, overcome adversity, be successful and lead change. Young Pioneers provides educational programmes and support services that motivate vulnerable young people to progress in life and support young social entrepreneurs to become “Tomorrow’s Leaders”. Over the past three years the charity has provided education for thousands of young people and has won a number of national and international awards for its educational programmes and the work of its Junior CEO. In 2012 Luke was asked to carry the Olympic Torch, twice. The lecture was entitled Tomorrow’s leaders: the problems, perils, challenges and opportunities facing the youth of the English speaking nations. Luke discussed the image of a ‘Broken Britain’ and the negative stereotypes in which young people are often portrayed. In this environment a great many young people suffer from low self esteem and low expectations. Unlike their parents’ generation, many of these young people in the UK today have little hope, aspiration or motivation. This forgotten generation is a generation without a voice. There are 155,000 young people in the UK who are not in employment, education or training. Luke cited the UN labour office in saying that many young people have simply “given up looking for work”. The problems, perils and challenges facing the youth of today include childhood obesity, poverty, homelessness, unemployment and family breakup. Luke quoted the fact that 3.6 million young people are living in poverty in UK, equivalent to one in four, the affects of which are devastating. He said that it was hard to be motivated to find work when you are hungry and have nowhere safe to sleep.
Luke Lancaster with Peter Kyle OBE, Director-General of the ESU
But these problems are not unique to this country; there are similar trends across other English speaking nations and across the world. The global youth unemployment rate stands at 12.7%. In Spain the rate is 52%. As Luke argued, the way to tackle these challenges is by creating new opportunities; opportunities for social responsibility and to empower young people to make a difference in the lives of others. The key starting point is by teaching English language skills; skills for communication, leadership and enterprise, skills young people need to get a job and be successful. The Chartered Management Institute conducted a survey of employers and asked what skills they wanted young people have - 92% said effective communication was the most important skill. Luke quoted Margaret Thatcher by saying that “English is not only the language of politics, diplomacy and finance, of international business and travel: it is also, and most important of all, the language of values”. But, Luke said, young people cannot do all of this on their own. As Luke himself can attest “it is hard being a child in an adult’s world”. He issued a call to action to politicians and corporate leaders to support young people and charities like Young Pioneers by making it “cool to care”. As Winston Churchill said “attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”. We thank Luke, and Young Pioneers, for providing such an inspirational lecture.
Luke spoke passionately about his vision for the future, where young people were empowered to affect change
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JSMM ENGLAND GRAND FINAL A public debate on press regulation by Janine Ryan
The English leg of this year’s John Smith Memorial Mace, England’s oldest University debating competition, took place on 24 and 25 November 2012 at Dartmouth House, with the final held at Church House, Westminster. On the Saturday, 52 teams from across the country came together for four rounds of impromptu debating, followed by a further round on Sunday morning. After five rounds, the top 8 teams progressed to the semi-finals. As part of the ESU’s commitment to promoting speech and debate in educational institutions across the country subsidies were offered to any institution that hadn’t participated in the Mace before. This resulted in a number of new entrants who we were delighted to have on board and we hope continue to debate in the future! This year the John Smith Memorial Mace was an official Parliament Week event. The final took place in Assembly Hall, Church House, with an audience of nearly 300. The final itself was on the motion “This House Believes That The Press Cannot Be Trusted To Regulate Themselves”. However the afternoon kicked off with a pre-debate forum on press regulation chaired by Chris Blackhurst, editor of The Independent. The panel, made up of Chris Bryant MP (Shadow Minister for Immigration), Professor Natalie Fenton (Department of Media and Communications, Goldsmiths College), Jason Cowley (Editor of The New Statesman) and Joan Smith (Author and Phone Hacking Victim) spoke compellingly of their own experiences in light of the Leveson Inquiry. The four teams in the final itself were from Kaplan Law School; The University of London Union and two teams from Oxford University. They engaged in a thoughtprovoking, engaging debate. The Rt. Hon. Lord Hunt of the Wirral PC, MBE chaired the judging panel for this year’s Grand Final. Lord Hunt, a previous winner of the John Smith Memorial Mace and former ESU Chairman, is also the Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, making him particularly appropriate to chair this competition. Lord Hunt was joined on the adjudication panel by speakers from the Public Forum: Chris Blackhurst, Professor Natalie Fenton, Jason Cowley and Chris Bryant together with the Chief Adjudicators of this year’s John Smith Memorial Mace, Maria English and Richard Robinson; and Janine Ryan the ESU’s Speech & Debate Competitions Officer. Lord Hunt particularly praised the extensive and compelling arguments made by the teams, as well as their style and DIALOGUE 10
engagement in his summing up before declaring that the team from Kaplan Law School, featuring Charlotte Thomas and Stuart Cribb, were the England Mace winners. They were presented with the ESU Trophy plus a cheque for £500 and a Mont Blanc Pen each courtesy of Sponsors Baillie Gifford. Richard Barry, Baillie Gifford’s Head of Human Resources presented the prizes alongside ESU Chairman Dame Mary Richardson. Ben Woolgar was named the overall best speaker of the competition and was also presented with a Mont Blanc pen. Kaplan Law School will now go on to represent England at the International Final in Edinburgh next April.
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WORLD MEMBERS’ CONFERENCE
Istanbul sits beautifully perched between two continents. It is undoubtedly one of the great cities of the world. Whilst the old section of the city still retains its medieval charm, the modern heart of Istanbul has become increasingly international and cosmopolitan. It is now a major centre for commerce and ever more attractive to Western businesses. It has also become, we were told, the “conference capital of the world”. It is no surprise that the city hopes to attract the Olympic Games in 2020.
and the challenges facing international diplomacy. Among the programme of social events was an evening reception at Pera House, home of the British Consultate-General.
Within this climate the demand for English skills, the language of global business, has become increasingly strong. Given this, and the fact that the city’s location places is squarely at the cornerstone of current global affairs, Istanbul was a fitting location for the ESU’s World Members’ Conference from 18-21 September 2012.
This was followed by a discussion and debate session which was opened to all members. The session was chaired by Chairman of the International Council, and former US Congresswoman, Patricia Schroeder who nurtured a broad discussion on how to drive forward the charitable aims of the ESU. Among the key themes of the conversation were; emracing new technologies for the expansion of the English language and ways for the ESU to engage with a younger audience. Ideas included bringing together ESU members to share their experiences of the business world with young professionals; offering debating skills for the business community and hostings ESU conferences and events at a weekend in order to attract more working people.
Located at the Harbiye Museum and Cultural Centre in the heart of Istanbul, representatives from more than 20 countries descended on the World Members’ Conference for more than two days of discussion and debate (with a bit of fun thrown in!) This gathering of the international family of the ESU offered the chance to form new and lasting relationships and renew old friendships. The conference showed the continuing desire and appetite of ESU members from across the world for co-operation and the exchange of ideas. There was a warm welcome from the host Dr Riza Kadilar, Chairman of ESU Turkey and President of the ESU International Council. The conference opening address was given by the British Ambassador to Turkey David Reddaway who talked eloquently about the use of English as a language for global understanding. Other stimulating presentations included the future shape of Europe, tomorrow’s leaders, the use of English and technology to achieve a global dialogue, DIALOGUE 12
The World Members’ Conference was also the setting for the 2012 ESU International Council Meeting. The Council was attended by 34 representatives from 18 ESU’s worldwide, showing the enduring appeal and strength of the organisation on the international stage.
This was the first time that a World Members’ Conference had been in a non native English speaking country. It succeeded in bringing people together for mutual benefit to promote global understanding where the use of the English language is seen as an instrument for change. A member from ESU Yemen said that “in developing countries there was an awakening that the English language offers a gateway to a better future”. The host Dr Riza Kadilar, hoped that everyone would leave the conference with fruitful ideas and lasting friendships. Our thanks go to all of you who were able to join us in Istanbul.
PROGRAMMES Updates on the ESU’s Charitable programmes and activities from July to December 2012. Meet The Charitable Activities Team_14 The Big Care Debate_16
The Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation 2013_25
Project Update_19
A Secondary School Exchange Thanksgiving_26
ESU Speech & Debate Across The Globe_20
Supporting Professional Development_28
ESU Music Scholarships_22 The 2012 English Language Awards_23
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MEET THE CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES TEAM The ESU Charitable Activities department had undergone a major overhaul over the last six months so we are taking this opportunity to introduce members and other readers fully to the new team across both Speech & Debate and Education.
Speech and Debate Team Leader Alex Just is a former President of the Oxford Union, Capitol Hill Exchange scholar and a previous World Masters debating Champion. He has taught and mentored speech and debate in more than 20 countries and, among his many achievements, he was a founder of QatarDebate, the first national debating organisation in the Arab world, and Vocalise, the first national prison debate organisation in the UK. Alex comes fresh from a year teaching at the School of Industrial and Labour Relations at Cornell University in the USA.
While studying Business and Law at University College Dublin, Competitions Officer Janine Ryan competed successfully at the World, European and US National Debating championships. She is a seasoned event organiser and convened the Irish Junior Schools Debating Competition, the largest of if its kind in Ireland. Janine will take responsibility for running the ESU's schools and university competitions.
A former Best Speaker at the European and World Championships and Chief Adjudicator at the European Championships, Projects Officer Leela Koenig is a graduate of Leiden, Utrecht and Budapest Universities. In 2009, Leela won the Best English as a Second Language Speaker Award at the World Championships, since when she has focussed on passing on her impressive skills to a new generation of debaters both in Holland and all around the globe.
Paul Holleley is the team’s Senior Mentor. With 35 years teaching English in Secondary Schools and a highly experienced speech and debate coach, Paul is ideally qualified to look after the ESU’s international debate training tours. He is also presently Convenor for the National Mooting Competition (run jointly by the ESU and Essex Court Chambers), and for the International Public Speaking Competition.
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Mary Greer is the Education Team Leader. Mary joined the ESU in the summer from the Royal Commonwealth Society. A Londoner and an Anglo-American, she enjoys working in partnership with ESU US, and has previously worked with NGOs in East Africa and South Asia. Mary works across ESU Scholarships, fellowships and exchanges for students and professionals, our Book, President and Marsh Awards and English-Language volunteer programmes.
Lucile Kamar is working as Education Officer on a short term contract whilst permanent appointment Cole Campbell awaits his Visa. More news on Cole in the next issue. Lucile holds an MA from the London School of Oriental and African Studies and has worked in London, Los Angeles and the Assemblee National in Paris.
The Speech and Debate line-up is completed by Team Assistant Rina Halimi. Rina joins the Speech and Debate team from the ESU's membership department and will be supporting the team in the administration and delivery of its growing number of programmes.
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SPEECH & DEBATE
THE BIG CARE DEBATE by Alex Just
Throughout the autumn of 2012 an exciting new partnership was forged between the House of Lords Outreach Team and the ESU. The Lords’ team commissioned the ESU to create topic and debate guides and undertake debate training for state school students and University of the Third Age cohorts all around the country. This training climaxed in Parliament itself on 7 December when school and U3A students came together in an intergenerational debate on the future of social care in a packed House of Lords Chamber - presided over by The Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza. The question discussed at The Big Care Debate was: “Who should be responsible for providing support to the vulnerable in our society?” The debate focused on how our society should treat its most vulnerable members. It tackled the pressing social, economic and ethical questions that arise out of how we care for the disabled, support children living in care and address the impact of an ageing population. The ESU team were joined by Peer Mentors Lord Haskel and Baroness Pitkeathley at several of their sessions and this combination of member of the House of Lords augmenting the ESU team’s skills worked very well. It was the first such chamber event on social care policy, and succeeded in its aim of encouraging an inter-generational exchange of ideas and experiences. The debate also highlighted how different generations are affected by social policies and the options for improving the environment for those most in need. It was the first time that most of the school students had debated at all but pre-match fears that making their debate debut in the House of Lords itself would prove too daunting were totally unfounded. Students of all ages rose to the challenge with gusto and eloquence.
• Banbury School, Oxfordshire and members of the Banbury U3A and Carterton U3A • Mentor: Baroness Pitkeathley Students from the following schools and colleges also took part in the floor debate: • Magherafelt High School, County Londonderry • Churchill Community College, North Tyneside • Cockermouth School, Cumbria • Fakenham High School, Norfolk • Penicuick High School, Edinburgh • Colne Park High School, Lancashire • Pembroke School, Pembroke U3A members from regional centres around the UK also took part enthusiastically in the floor debate. At the end of a spirited, good humoured and highly informative debate, in the best traditions of the House of Lords, Baroness D’Souza called a vote on who had the primary responsibility for social care at the end of the debate and the result was. • The state (local/national/devolved government): 138 votes • The family (with a focus on inter-generational issues): 48 votes • The third sector (with a focus on the role of religious and voluntary organisations): 21 votes The Big Care Debate was recorded in a special edition of Hansard and broadcast live on Parliament TV at http:// www.parliament.uk/business/news/2012/december/ lords-chamber-event---big-care-debate/
The key speakers comprised students from the following three schools and U3As
A highlights package including vox pop interviews is available to view on the House of Lords You Tube channel http://www.youtube.com/ukhouseoflords)
• Westminster City School, London and members of the Ealing U3A and Harrow U3A • Mentor: Lord Haskel • St Anselm’s School, Kent and members of the Canterbury U3A and Thurrock U3A
The debate is the latest event in the House of Lords outreach programme that aims to raise awareness of the role and work of the Lords. The ESU look forward to the possibility of working with the House of Lords team again with great enthusiasm.
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A speaker form the UBA addresses the House.
Team prepare in Westminster Hall
One of the day’s teams assembled, with members of the ESU’S Speech & Debate department. DIALOGUE 18
PROJECT UPDATE
January will be another busy month for the Speech and Debate team. The ESU competitions are going on all over the country and the team will be travelling to help branches whenever they can. However there are also new tranches of work that will get underway in the New Year January heralds the start of our exciting new partnership with ARK Academies and our in-house and mentor teams will be training students at eight primary and secondary Academies in London and Birmingham. We have planned 12 and 16 week debating curricula for students to work towards ARK’s own Primary and Secondary debating competitions, administered by the ESU, where they will demonstrate their newly acquired skills.
In January and February, following the successful pilot project in Leeds in 2011, the ESU are once again helping UK Refugee Council’s public speaking training programme for refugee women – this time in London. The key purpose of these training sessions is to empower the women to communicate their own message; find their own voice and to develop the confidence to face any audience. There are several other projects on the horizon including some ground breaking work in Hereford – please check the website for updates or see the next issue.
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ESU Speech & Debate Across the Globe -The ESU’s Speech & Debate team regularly send groups of the world’s best debating and public speaking mentors to train both students and adults. Hosted by the local international ESU, places on these tours are highly sought-after by those in the ESU mentor programme. In the past 6 months, we have sent tours to the USA, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Japan, Denmark and Turkey. USA Janine Ryan “It was an incredible privilege to go on the US tour. We met people from all over the USA, possibly travelling further than any previous team; we went on a route that roughly took us in a U shape drawn from Hawaii to Massachusetts, covering 41,000 miles in all. We met people from all walks of life; everyone from convicts to Ivy league professors. I’m sure it’s incredible every year, but this year, in the middle of a hotly contested election campaign, people’s passions were particularly close to the surface, which made the experience all the more fascinating.
Nigeria Apeike Umolu The launch day was a big success. It was attended by the acting British High Commissioner and a Political Officer of the British High Commission. In addition there was a former permanent secretary to the President, local tribal leaders and the former MP and head of SCT UK in attendance. The show debate was the highlight of the event. We were blown away by the improvement in structure and reasoning displayed by the participants in such a short space of time. However, the greatest and most rewarding change we observed was the increase in the confidence of some of the more shy participants who spoke with an authority and passion not evident at the beginning of the first day of training.
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TURKEY Leela Koenig, ESU S&D Projects Officer During the tour we worked with schools across the region, training groups of all ages and giving a workshop to teachers on how to develop Speech & Debate activities in school. We were exceptionally well received everywhere, the kids were great and eager, and the teachers very grateful. The training days are long, but definitely worth the effort!
DENMARK Lizzie Bauer Both teams (in the grand final show debate) performed extremely well in front of a large audience, which included ESU Denmark’s patroness Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg. We were very impressed by the standard of debating we saw in Denmark, and we hope that the students’ enthusiasm for debating continues into the future!
Japan Ruth Faller I believe that our show debates went very well and particularly that the public sessions increased the exposure of the ESU in Japan. The level of enthusiasm was incredible. Workshops and show debates were well attended and we were asked countless questions afterwards. I have been in contact with a number of students and attendees who thanked us and have asked for further advice. I do believe the show debate is a great way of introducing people to debating. Stefano Imbriano We were told by one of the members of the ESU that our true goal was to ‘inspire’ and ‘excite’ Japanese debaters, and I really feel like we did that. After Osaka we returned to Tokyo for the presentation to business people, which was the culmination of the tour. The audience were generally very responsive, but the most important part, in my opinion, was the questions we were asked about the benefits of debating.
Hong Kong Kate Brooks The ESU Hong Kong is a credit to the main organisation through the work it does in keeping the English Language alive in Hong Kong and in continuing to improve the role of debate within the evolving education curriculum. It was also great to witness substantial improvements over the course of the sessions as many students who started off extremely shy were able to participate very well in the debates at the end. Advice for next year’s mentors: bring several pairs of flat shoes - there will be a lot of walking! And come prepared to eat more dumplings than you ever imagined possible.
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EDUCATION
ESU Music Scholarships The ESU Music scholarships, founded in 1975, were the brainchild of Belinda Norman-Butler, a long-serving member of the ESU and a former Governor. She devised a project close to her heart and, advised by Sir Robert Mayer, she organised a concert for the Boston Chamber Players in the Banqueting House in Whitehall to raise enough money to establish the first scholarship to Tanglewood, the summer school run by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Having raised enough money she waited until an outstanding young musician from the Yehudi Menuhin School was recommended and thus Nigel Kennedy became the first to hold an ESU Scholarship. At his audition he broke a string after very few notes, but was still recognised as an outstanding player. The following year Simon Rattle was recommended for a scholarship only to be turned down by Seiji Ozawa, the conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Ten years later the mistake was realised and a letter of apology written to Simon!
the International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove in Cornwall. On their return, the young scholars give their services to raise money for the cause and have played at St. James’s Palace, City Livery Halls, embassies, and cathedrals all over the country. The ESU Music Scholarships allow exceptional individuals to develop their talents and further their training. They also provide a common ground on which young people of different communities can work together and exchange ideas. The musicians who have derived benefit from this valuable experience are now making a significant contribution to the musical profession, both as performers and as teachers. As Belinda herself modestly said, she planted an acorn and it has become a beautiful oak. www.esu.org/music
Since then the scheme has expanded and, through Belinda’s many contacts, her endless enthusiasm and boundless energy, it now includes other major summer schools: Banff (Canada), Yale, the Maurice Ravel Academy in St. Jean de Luz (shared with the Franco-British Society) and
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Mishka Momen (Piano) from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama was recently presented by the Tillett Trust at the Wigmore Hall in London. From a very young age Mishka has won both national and international prizes. She was awarded the Franco-British Society Scholarship to the Ravel Academy in France.
Emily Hooker (Piano) from the Royal College of Music has given a number of major performances in London concert halls. Emily was also one of the outstanding contestants in the TV production of Classical Star. She was awarded the ESU Norman-Butler Scholarship to Tanglewood Music Centre in Massachusetts.
Dinara Klinton (Piano) from the Royal College of Music, is an accomplished Russian performer and has won numerous international competitions, most notably the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in Bolzano, Italy. She was awarded the ESU Charlotte Bonham-Carter Scholarship for the Yale School of Music.
Rachel Spencer (Violin) recently graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has acquitted herself extremely well in chamber concerts and leading orchestras, reaching the highest standards. She was awarded the ESU Scholarship to the Ravel Academy in France.
Ella Rundle (Cello) graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is currently studying at the Universitat der Kunste in Berlin with Konstantin Heidrich. This outstanding British cellist has performed nationally and internationally,winning various competitions She was awarded the ESU Scholarship to the International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove in Cornwall.
Gamal Khamis (Piano) has recently graduated from the Artist Diploma course at the Royal College of Music, where he studied with Ashley Wass and Simon Lepper. Last year he performed at the Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, Buxton Music Festival, Oxford Lieder Festival and in Wales and the Netherlands. Gamal was awarded the ESU Yedudi Menuhin Scholarship to the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada.
THE 2012 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AWARDS Celebrating innovation and good practice in English language teaching and learning The winners of the 2012 English Language Awards will receive their prizes at a special awards ceremony at the House of Lords on 12 February, 2013. Lord Alan Watson will host the ceremony. It will be followed by the inaugural English Language Council Lecture by David Crystal OBE, at Dartmouth House, in association with the British Council. Publishers, authors, and designers will join a host of winners from across our speech and debate programmes for what promises to be a very special occasion for all involved.
for anticipating and avoiding problems in the classroom, whilst allowing scope to develop an individual style. “A must-have for English Language teachers across the world”
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh English Language Book Awards Since 1971, these awards have recognised the best book published each year in the field of English language teaching and learning. The 2012 winners include vital resources for trainee teachers and a vibrant picture dictionary for young learners.
RUNNER-UP Essential Teacher Knowledge by Jeremy Harmer (Pearson)
OVERALL WINNER Classroom Management Techniques by Jim Scrivener (Cambridge University Press)
Jeremy Harmer’s foundationlevel guide covers essential theory, whilst offering practical advice and plenty of creative ideas for new teachers.
As part of the Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers, Jim Scrivener offers teachers practical techniques
“An essential companion to any teacher trainee” DIALOGUE 23
BEST ENTRY FOR YOUNG LEARNERS Collings First English Words by Karen Jamieson (Collins) This picture dictionary for young learners new to English is full of everyday vocabulary alongside fun illustrations to capture the imagination. “A book that will be read over and over again”
ESU PRESIDENT’S AWARD Initiated in 2003 at the request of the President of the ESU (1957-2011), HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the ESU President’s Award celebrates the use of technology in the teaching and learning of English. JOINT WINNERS Access UK by The University of York A video-based, interactive language programme for international students, developed by Chris Copland and Huw Llewelyn-Jones at the University of York, and published by Clarity Language Consultants.
The Traditional Storyteller by Day Two Productions Ltd Each of these five fun apps features a master storyteller including the children’s storytelling laureate. The stories and accompanying games encourage listening and creativity in young children. “Apps with real ‘replayability’ that bring traditional storytelling to a new audience” RUNNER-UP Clicker 6 by Crick Software A computer-based literacy tool catering for children of all abilities, including everything from speech support to a word predictor and picture library. “A truly sophisticated and creative learning platform”
“An indispensable resource for students new to the UK, covering real situations with a local flavour”
2013 Submissions
Regulations
After the success of 2012, we look forward to receiving submissions from publishers and designers across the world for 2013. The closing date for submissions will be Friday 19 July 2013. The ESU will call for submissions in the spring. There is no limit on the number of entries from any given publisher or individual.
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh English Language Book Awards Books published from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 are eligible to enter. Entry is £85 for the first book submitted and £75 for all subsequent books entered. ESU President’s Award Entries must have been published (online or otherwise) between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013. Entry is £25 per submission. The entry should stand alone and should not rely upon additional resources or purchases.
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The Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation 2013
The Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation has celebrated the high quality and diversity of translated fiction for young readers in the UK since 1996. The ESU is delighted to administer the award on behalf of the Marsh Christian Trust, recognising how the work of translators enables children and young adults to enjoy a whole new world of fiction. On 23 October, publishers, translators, authors, and members came together at Dartmouth House for a joint event with the Society of Authors to launch the shortlist. Publisher Barry Cunningham, made famous for discovering JK Rowling, Wendy Cooling MBE (judge and founder of Bookstart) and translators Anthea Bell and Daniel Hahn, led a discussion on the trials and rewards of translating and publishing children’s literature. The 2013 shortlist demonstrates the exciting diversity of this all too often neglected body of work: five books, five languages, an early reader, a popular young adult fantasy, a tried and tested classic, and two hard-hitting tales struggle and strife. The winner will be announced at Dartmouth House on 23 January at a special evening with guest speaker Daniel Hahn, National Programme Director of the British Centre for Literary Translation.
The Shortlist Howard Curtis for In the Sea there are Crocodiles by Fabio Geda, translated from Italian, and published in the UK by David Fickling Books. A harrowing story of a young boy travelling from his home in Afghanistan to Italy, in search of safety. Based on the experiences of Enaiatollah Akbari, his story is told with a sense of humour and adventure, and with great pace and tension. “a book to inspire and nourish young people” Fatima Sharafeddini for My Own Special Way by Mithaa Alkhayyat (retold by Vivian French), translated from Arabic and published in the UK by Orion Children’s Books. Hamda wants to be a ‘big girl’ like her older sisters and wear the headscarf. A bold and simple story for early readers, about growing-up, individuality, and family. “a unique early reader that normalises another cultural custom” DIALOGUE 25
Ros and Chloe Schwartz for The Little Prince by Antoine de St-Exupery, translated from French and published in the UK by The Collector’s Library. A whimsical and profound parable that enchants children and adults alike, and that warrants retelling to each new generation of readers. “A classic beautifully retranslated which retains all the ineffable charm of the original.”
Karin Chubb for Themba by Lutz van Dijk, translated from German and published in the UK by Aurora Metro Books. A hardhitting, and emotional story of AIDs in South Africa, following Themba, ‘A boy called hope’, and his dreams of becoming a famous footballer. “A harrowing yet ultimately positive novel, which zips along and cheers the reader with its rags to riches ending and the twist in this excellently translated tale.”
Lucia Graves for The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafron, translated from Spanish and published in the UK by Orion Children’s Books. A fast moving tale of mystery and adventure set in 1930s Calcutta, following the story of twins separated at birth. “A powerfully told story for older readers, with a strong sense of time and place”
A Secondary School Exchange Thanksgiving
Mercersburg SSE scholars Joe Abel (headed to the US in January), Evan Moats (currently at Queen’s College in Somerset), and UK alumna Naomi Clothier.
UK and US scholars get to know each other over dinner.
On Friday 16 November 2012, the Education Department received the two-term UK scholars for their Pre-Departure Briefing Day for the Secondary School Exchange. Since 1928, the ESU has offered thousands of young people the
once in a lifetime opportunity to spend a year or six months in a private North American high school, after A-levels. The lucky students Joe Abel, Nicolas Corvi, Jenny Symmons and their parents got the opportunity to ask questions and speak
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to SSE alumni in preparation of their departure for the USA. The fourth scholar, Marcus Gillespie will leave with his fellow scholars in January to spend six months in private boarding schools in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia and California. We were joined by two alumni (Jasmine Rahman and Saul Shimmin) who shared their experience and advice. In the evening, we hosted a Thanksgiving dinner catered for by Leith’s. Thirty past and present UK and US scholars joined us for an evening of American tradition, enjoying great food and company. Matthew Congreve, 2002 alumnus from The Governor's Academy and recently elected ESU Governor gave an inspirational speech on the benefits of the SSE programme recalling life-long friendships and the invaluable experience gained from SSE. “I graduated from The Governor’s Academy in 2002 and in the 10 years since have never failed to be amazed by the impact it’s had on my life. I view our special relationship with America, not through the stereotypes presented in popular culture but with an understanding borne out of time spent immersed in the real culture.” We wish the best of luck to the four two-term UK Scholars leaving in January. Applications for three-term scholarships are now open, and the closing date is 25 February. If you have any questions, please contact the Education Department on education@esu.org.
American SSE scholars prepare to leave Dartmouth House after a pie-filled evening
News from across the pond Nine scholars have been keeping themselves busy at schools across the US since September, making the Education Department jealous with regular updates: “The teachers are really great so they make the classes really interesting and I’m enjoying learning all the things I never had the chance to at home! The elections were especially exciting as there are some really strong republicans here so it was interesting to challenge them with my more liberal views.” Julia Melling from Dollar Academy in Scotland is at the Culver Girls Academy in Indiana. “My main extra-curricular activity was American football, although the season ended this week and so now I’m doing wrestling. In the sports awards ceremony two nights ago I won the “most valuable junior varsity football player” award, so that’s probably my biggest achievement here so far. “ Joe Knowles from Culford School is at Avon Old Farms in Connecticut. “I love all the traditions the school has as well, it really adds to life here. In many ways the school reminds me of my old school back home, which I find very freaky, as I think it shows me just how suited both places are/were to me. At many moments I find it so strange and surreal that I am here in America - I keep having to pinch myself !” Grace Schulp from the Royal School is at Emma Willard School in New York. “I am having a tremendous time and have really settled in well. My classes are going well and I have enjoyed my term on the school’s yacht. The last few days of elections have been very tense and interesting. I think most will be glad to see the back of them - they are quite polarising really.” Samuel Armstrong from Southend High School for Boys is at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts.
Grace Schulp with friends
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Supporting professional development The ESU is perhaps best known for our work with young people. However, we also offer several scholarships and awards that support professional development for adults. From librarians and teachers, to post-doctoral research scientists and members of the clergy, our range of programmes offer the opportunity to travel to the US to complete research that encourages the exchange of ideas as well as benefitting professional development. George Roe George Roe is the Senior Indexer at the House of Commons, and received the 2012 Travelling Librarian Award, run in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). “My tour of US libraries was a fantastic experience. Visiting during the presidential elections provided an exciting context to my theme of ‘libraries and democracy’. Each of the libraries that I visited was extremely hospitable and I learned far more than I had hoped to. I covered a wide variety of types of library on a very busy tour, so each day I encountered a different approach to library services. It was enjoyable to share common experiences with librarians that I visited, such as at the Library of Congress. It was equally stimulating to learn about services and practices that were new to me and are relevant to my work at the House of Commons. I found that writing a brief summary of each visit on my blog was a very helpful way to record and share my experiences as they happened. Now I’m looking forward to reporting-back to my colleagues in the UK.” Find out more about George’s trip on his blog: librariesanddemocracy.wordpress.com www.esu.org/travellinglibrarian
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Reverend Jon Barrett Reverend Jon Barrett, vicar of St Luke’s Church in the village of Thurnby, on the rural Eastern outskirts of Leicester, is the beneficiary of this year’s American Memorial Chapel Travel Grant, which enables clergy of all denominations to undertake research in the US. “Next June and July I will be flying to the States to explore ways in which church communities in the US have used fishing and hunting as a means of making contact and engaging spiritually with members of the hunting and fishing fraternity who don’t regularly attend conventional churches. I have been a keen anger for over 30 years, and look forward to meeting with a number of nondenominational Christian organisations in Tennessee and Missouri who have successfully used hunting and fishing for community outreach. The projects include a group that has developed a church-based children’s fishing program, several groups that bring together Christian sportsmen and women from outside of regular established churches, events designed to attract non-churchgoing hunters and anglers, and even an “Outdoorsman’s Church”. I hope to explore how transferrable some of the ideas would be to an English context, and I’m extremely grateful to the ESU for this opportunity. My adventures in the US will be recorded on my blog: thefishingvicar.blogspot.co.uk”. www.esu.org/amctg
Sarah Hughes
Dr David Allcock
Sarah Hughes is the Head of Science at New College Worcester and visited the US this autumn on a Walter Hines Page Scholarship, sponsored by NASUWT.
Dr David Allcock received his D.Phil in Atomic and Laser Physics from the University of Oxford, and has been selected for a Lindemann Trust Fellowship to pursue research with a Nobel Prize-winning American physicist.
“My scholarship gave me the opportunity to visit Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts, USA. The purpose of the visit was to observe the similarities and differences between NCW and Perkins School; both are residential schools for blind and visually impaired students. In addition to observing science lessons I also had the opportunity to see other teaching programmes at Perkins School, including the Deaf-Blind, horticultural, assistive technology and e-learning. Beyond the school day I visited Boston, Rockport, Gloucester and Cape Cod. I also visited Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and met a visually impaired physical oceanographer. I was privileged to be given a tour of WHOI (not something that happens every day!). The staff and students at Perkins school were very welcoming and sharing of their experiences. They were also very keen to hear about my own work in the UK. It was a great chance to share expertise in this way and so comforting to know that even though our curriculum and exams are different, the challenges of teaching visually impaired students are the same.”
“My research involves manipulating and measuring the quantum state of single atoms. The atoms I work with are trapped, cooled to close to absolute zero and can be stored for many hours. These experiments allow many of the bizarre predictions of quantum mechanics to be directly observed in the lab. Furthermore, trapped atoms have found technological applications in the most accurate clocks and new types of computers based on quantum physics. These ‘quantum computers’ are the particular focus of my research and offer the prospect of radical future increases in processing power. The Lindemann Fellowship will allow me to pursue this research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado. At NIST I will be working with Dr David J. Wineland who is the worldleader in this field and was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize for Physics in recognition of his pioneering work." The closing date for 2013-14 applications is Monday 18 February, 2013: www.esu.org/lindemann
Find out more about Sarah’s trip on her blog: Sarah1vi.wordpress.com For more information on the Walter Hines Page Scholarships: www.esu.org/page
Upcoming professional development opportunities Lindemann Trust Fellowships – postdoctoral scientific research grants for the USA
American Memorial Chapel Travel Grant – research trips to the USA for members of the clergy
The closing date for applications for 2013-14 is Monday 25 February, 2013. For information on the application procedure, please visit www.esu.org/lindemann.
Administered by Ripon College Cuddesdon on behalf of the ESU. Applications for 2013 will open in the summer: www.esu.org/amctg.
Walter Hines Page and Chautauqua Bell Tower Scholarships – research trips for teaching professionals
Travelling Librarian Award – professional study tours for library professionals
Applications for 2014-15 will open in the summer. For a list of sponsoring teaching unions, please visit www.esu.org/page.
Applications for 2013-14 will open in spring 2013: www. esu.org/travellinglibrarian
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ESU Gala Concert 6.45pm, Tuesday 23 April, 2013 at Dartmouth House The Razumovsky Ensemble will perform Schubert’s Piano Trio No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 100. Oleg Kogan
Stephanie Gonley, violin (ESU Music Scholar 1987) Oleg Kogan, cello Benjamin Frith, piano "...they open a world of music-making fabulously rich in tone colours, ensemble precision, and lyrical sweep of a kind rarely met this side of paradise.... Each Razumovsky member may be king of their chosen instrument, but they scale the heavens as a team." The Times A reception at 6.45pm will be followed by the concert at 7.30pm, and supper. Proceeds from the evening will be to support ESU Music Scholarships: www.esu.org/music. For more details, please contact Peter Jarrold, peter.jarrold@esu.org 02075291582
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BRANCHES NEWS The UK branches of the ESU are at the centre of our mission as a vibrant membership organisation for the 21st century. Hear all about their exciting work in the branch reports overleaf. East_32
South West_39
London_37
North West_43
Midlands_37
South East_44
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BRANCHES NEWS EAST HERTFORDSHIRE We have had a very good turnout to our events this year, with sixty three members and friends attending our Annual Celebrity Dinner, held on November 6 at Porters Park Golf Club, Radlett. Our speaker was Daniel Finkelstein, OBE, Deputy Editor of The Times and chief leader writer, who gave a talk on The Rules of Politics. He was highly entertaining, informative and amusing, describing the way politicians woo their voters by flattery as the ‘l’Oreal effect!’ He then went on to discuss the wiles of politicians to achieve their ends, but also emphasised the role played by the media in creating situations which they can both exploit. He illustrated this with some examples in the recent past, including the Chief Whip and the ‘PC plebs’ incident, among many others. He was fascinated by the effect of statistics and psychology on politics, and original in his use of them to illustrate his talk. Daniel answered the many questions raised by members and guests fully and with humour, and was enthusiastically applauded. We were particularly pleased to welcome the ESU Regional Chairman, Roger Cornwell and his wife Wendy, and our Branch Patron, Sir Simon Bowes Lyon. Daniel was very warmly thanked by Branch Chairman Nigel Rogers who expressed the appreciation felt by all those present for an illuminating and very enjoyable evening .
Daniel Finkelstein and East Region Chairman Roger Cornwell and his wife Wendy
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This year, our Thanksgiving Lunch was held in an inn as old as the Pilgrim Fathers, “The Six Bells” in St Albans. Eleven members and guests attended, and enjoyed an excellent turkey meal with all the trimmings, and the fellowship that came with it! There was some speculation as to the origin of the word ‘Turkey’ and Ian McKinley provided a suggested answer. Branch Chairman Nigel Rogers entertained us with an amusing American poem about Thanksgiving Day and a new member, John Reid, added more humour with asides and anecdotes.
Members enjoy their Thanksgiving Dinner
OUSE VALLEY Our first meeting of the 2012-2013 season marked the end of a six-year period of office by chairman Tony Wood. He was presented with a fine decanter by Jack Edwards, the incoming chairman, on behalf of the members in thanks for the important contribution he has made to the success of the branch. At the AGM, held prior to the meeting, Tony was elected branch President. Our speaker was Richard Brown, who was an ESU exchange student to the USA in 1972 and is now a member of the Birmingham branch. His subject was ‘Afghanistan: Poppy fields or silk road?’. Richard has had two linked roles in Afghanistan - as a Lt. Col.
in the Territorial Army and as a civil engineer, and he has been playing a major role in improving the country’s social and economic infrastructure. He jokingly suggested that we follow Chatham House rules, but was so balanced and thoughtful that hopefully his remarks will not cause an international incident! He described the wild and harsh terrain, inhabited by a confusingly large number of tribal groups to whom Western values appear alien a scenario which a young Winston Churchill busy policing the North West Frontier would easily recognise. The UK and USA (and other countries) are, quietly and without media fuss, repairing and constructing roads, dams, electricity grids, schools and, very importantly, involving the local people – a “bottom up” approach. The hope is that this training in local democracy, together with increasing prosperity, will loosen the grip of both insurgency and the narcotics trade. The army is being well trained by the British and Americans and Richard is confident that it will function well after the West withdraws in 2014. We were shown a photo of Kabul’s only golf pro. He didn’t
Ouse Valley Branch’s new President, Tony Wood, is presented his commemorative decanter
BRANCHES NEWS appear to have a golf course, but if not, the optimism of our speaker suggests that this will surely follow! The speaker at our November lunch, Robert Lacey, has keen memories of ESU debates at school and of once reaching the London finals - only to lose. Fortunately, though, he doesn’t hold this against us! He then progressed to become a well-known historian and author and has written extensively on our own Royal Family. He first wrote about Saudi Arabia in 1981, and a new and acclaimed book was published last year.
Lord Strathcarron addresses Ouse Valley Branch
His subject for the talk to just over a hundred members and guests was ‘Saudi Arabia: Inside the Kingdom’. 2012 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of this immensely important desert kingdom. From humble beginnings, the Saudi family expanded, first eastwards, where oil was to be discovered, then westward to conquer the holy Muslim sites of Mecca and Medina. It is literally “The Kingdom of the Saudis” and is still virtually owned and run by a royal dictatorship - the family firm. The British showed an early interest in order to enlist Saudi help against the Turks in World War I, but when the oil began to flow in the 1930s, Saudi Arabia became very important indeed, which is no doubt why it was the subject of our lunch meeting more than 80 years later.
Now extremely wealthy, with vast oil reserves, Saudi Arabia enjoys immense power (together with power’s accompanying problems) and, as it also controls the holy sites, religious power too. Basically a Sunni Muslim country, this can cause tension with Shia neighbours. There is increasing pressure for democracy and social reform. However, from the West’s viewpoint, Saudi culture is proving difficult to change – they, understandably, wish to make progress in their own way. They do not like everything about the West: for example, Saudi women are making very slow progress towards the equality we take for granted in the West. On the other hand everyone appears to be very proud of the modern Western buildings which have replaced parts of old Mecca and Medina razed to the ground - our own National Trust would no doubt be appalled! Is the writing on the wall perhaps? New technologies are continually emerging - 25% of America’s electricity is now generated from its own shale gas and to Americans Saudi Arabia is beginning to seem very far away. The second November lunch was an entirely new feature in our programme. No after-lunch speaker, but instead an opportunity for our members to suggest new ideas to promote the aims of the ESU in our part of the world. Thirty members gathered informally and the discussion was led by our President, Tony Wood, Eastern Region Chairman Roger Cornwell, and also by the new Director of Charitable Activities at Dartmouth House, Steve Roberts, whose interest and support are always much appreciated. There was no shortage of input, and suggestions included:
1. Expansion of our public speaking activities in schools, especially at Primary school level, a highly successful Ouse Valley initiative which is beginning to attract wide interest. Emphasize to schools the advantages of formal links to the branch: information about exchanges, scholarships, visits etc. 2. Conversely, make better use in the branch of ESU scholars returning to the UK: some have recently returned from Nigeria, Hong Kong, Denmark, Turkey and the USA and could share the insights they have gained. 3. Investigate the formation of a new group for young professional people aged 25-40. Bedford is home and host to many nationalities, who might enjoy meeting together, networking and organising their own programme. 4. Form a series of ad hoc project groups, drawn from our membership, each mandated to making initiatives actually happen. 5. Greater advance notice of National events at Dartmouth House, so that we can spread the word. It was generally agreed to have been a very worthwhile afternoon’s work.
COLCHESTER & NORTH EAST ESSEX Sir Bob Russell MP and Garrison Commander Col Mike Newman MBE were guests of honour of Branch President Prof. James Raven and his wife HH Judge Karen WaldenSmith at their garden event in the afternoon of Sunday, 9 September. In glorious sunshine, an audience of approaching fifty ESU members and supporters enjoyed an entertaining and DIALOGUE 33
BRANCHES NEWS informative talk by Dr Jane Pearson from the Department of Modern History at The University of Essex on the social changes which accompanied the arrival of the Colchester garrison in the mid-1800s. Dr Pearson told us how the troops were welcomed by the town for the business opportunities they presented. When conflict arose, local magistrates were discerning in their treatment of servicemen, while ‘unfortunate’ civilian ladies were routinely arrested and subsequently punished. Prof. Raven thanked the speaker for her colourful presentation and Branch Chairman, Brian Cooke, spoke about the educational benefits provided by the ESU. The event raised approximately £60. The branch heat of the East Region Sixth Form Public Speaking Competition took place at Colchester English Study Centre on the evening of Thursday, 1 November. Four teams entered, two from Colchester Royal Grammar School and one each from Colchester Sixth Form College and The Helena Romanes School, Dunmow. Speakers’ topics were the role of intervention, trusting no one, the welfare state and first impressions respectively. Participants addressed an audience of around forty, comprising team supporters, ESU members and international students. Chairman of judges, ESU Governor, Professor James Raven, alongside Jacquie Binks, Assistant Director of Studies at Colchester English Study Centre and Janet Edwards, Vice Chairman of the ESU Colchester & Northeast Essex branch, commented on the generally high standard of performance, before announcing Colchester Royal Grammar School Team 1 as the winners. Chairman Stephanie Ovenden, speaker Caspar Everett and questioner Toby Lehain DIALOGUE 34
received the winners’ certificate after all individuals had received a certificate of participation. It was particularly gratifying that the team went on to be runners-up at the final at Magdalene College, Cambridge, after a magnificent and enhanced performance with Caspar selected as best speaker. Recently retired ESU governor, Colin McCorquodale, delighted an audience of around 40 supporters with his entertaining presentation on the history of the British monarchy at the Assembly Rooms, Dedham in the afternoon of Sunday, 25 November. This was followed by tea and biscuits, providing the opportunity for international students present to talk to ESU members.
NORFOLK AND NORWICH We continue to meet for lunch at The Park Farm Hotel, which is usually followed by a speaker. We are pleased to say that 4 of our new members are regular attendees each month. In April one of our members, Dickie Bird, organised a quiz which was enjoyed by all. Chief Superintendant Sarah Hamlyn of the Norfolk Constabulary was our speaker in May. Sarah joined the Police Force in 1986 and has worked her way through the ranks. At one time she was even Acting Temporary Assistant Chief Constable. Her talk was enlightening and amusing especially when she ‘arrested’ our Secretary! In June, David Morton gave a talk on Egyptology. He took us on a journey from back in time to the present day. Although this was a bit of a marathon, we all enjoyed his presentation which ended far too soon as there was a lot more for him to tell. For instance,
we were unaware that only some 10% of the ancient tombs have been excavated. We will certainly be asking him to return to continue from where he left off at a future meeting. Our AGM was held in July with the present officers re-elected. The Chairman made clear that this was the 6th year for the present incumbents and that members need to think about electing new officers in 2013. Our President, Mr Melvyn Roffe invited the group to visit Wymondham College to walk the ‘Heritage Trail’ and join him for afternoon tea. Unfortunately, the weather was not particularly kind and members, after the walk, were pleased to escape the rain for tea. Once again, and a little earlier than usual, we made our annual pilgrimage to the Cromer Pier Show, preceded by a Fish and Chip lunch. We started our new programme for 2012-2013 with another quiz organised, once again, by Dickie. These are proving popular as it gives an opportunity for members to interact with each other beyond the usual lunch or dinner format. In October, we had a talk by John Balls about the Norfolk survivors of the Titanic, this year being the centenary of the disaster. A most interesting talk made more so by being so close to home. Susan Parry’s talk in November was entitled Jack the Ripper Meets Jekyll & Hyde. Her talk was supported by images of the victims, Victorian London and a short scene from the film Jekyll & Hyde. Her descriptions were somewhat gory and we were so glad that we had already eaten! We are now looking forward to our Christmas Lunch when the Speaker will be Bishop Peter Fox, a member of
BRANCHES NEWS the Magic Circle, who will give a talk entitled A Magical History Tour. The N&N Branch Public Speaking Competition wil be held on Monday 11th February 2013 at Wymondham High Academy at 5.30pm. Once again we have 10 teams taking part.
SOUTH WALES “Art has become all absurd concept, no longer substance ; these false prophets and their cult of “ beau trash ” are as doctrinaire and exclusive as their supposed enemies, the academicians ...museums and galleries have been deceived into confusing Disneyism with contemporary art.” So spoke international artist, Andrew Vicari, at the lunch following our AGM in September. A native of South Wales, Andrew came to fame as the official painter to the King and Government of Saudi Arabia and for his portraits of the rich and famous. No lover of modern art, he pulled no punches in his incisive assessment of contemporary art flannel, as he put it. Whilst quite a change from former Ambassador Stephen Day`s incisive analysis of Middle East politics and Colin Dexter`s discourse on Inspector Morse and cryptic crosswords, Andrew`s presentation rounded off a delightfully varied season of speakers. Staying with matters artistic, mention was made in the last Dialogue of our search for worthy sponsorship opportunities and we have now opened discussion with the Principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama regarding the sponsorship of a scholarship, possibly alternating each year between music and drama. The College attracts and educates some of the most talented students from around the world and would be a most
illustrious partner as we continue to spread our Branch wings more widely in South Wales. Moreover, the College may well provide a suitable venue and entertainment for our Summer Party, given that our Vice Chairman, Lady Inkin, and Sir Geoffrey have contributed well beyond the call of duty by hosting this event for the past three years. A further sponsorship initiative is also on the cards, combining our aim to extend our schools public speaking competition into the Primary sector and to involve young people in Branch activities. If all goes to plan, next summer we will provide training for students from a local secondary school to run a programme for a number of Primary schools based on the very successful initiative in the Ouse Valley Branch. Meanwhile the Secondary Schools Competition is on course, with 26 schools involved and heats well under way. The Final will be held on Tuesday 5th March, once again at the former Welsh Assembly Government Debating Chamber in Cardiff Bay with the Presiding Officer presenting the Fairwood Trust Shield to the winning team. As we go to press our members are looking forward to another euphonious elixir of yuletide refrains, concordant company and sapid sustenance at our Christmas Supper and Carols at Howell`s School, Llandaff. The Senior Girls Choir has established a formidable reputation and will again be supported by the capacity crowd of 120 members. With Roy Noble, BBC television and radio raconteur extraordinaire, to round off the evening we will all wend our way home in the knowledge that Christmas has arrived early as usual.
SUFFOLK The Suffolk Branch ESU held its 45th AGM on Friday 20th July 2012 at Nowton Court Bury St Edmunds. The meeting was chaired by Mrs Joy Childs with the President Mr Alexander Finnis and Members of the Committee in attendance, with the exception of Mr Mike Ames,who is recovering from major surgery. The Members of the Committee wished Mike and other members on the sick list a speedy return to health. Mrs Childs gave a brief report on the past years activities of the Suffolk Branch, and Mr Finnis reported on happenings at Dartmouth house and his rather troublesome journeys to and from Suffolk accomplishing this task. The Treasurer Mrs Valerie Cownley issued a statement of accounts and audit, and answered any questions that arose. The Committee was as usual returned un-opposed which again either the Committee members are doing a good job, or that others are unwilling to stand. On Saturday 22nd September 2012 members of the Suffolk Branch of the ESU had the privilege of attending St Edmunds Cathedral to listen to a organ recital by Elmar Lehnen the organist of The Basilica of St Mary’s Kevelar in Germany. Herr Lehnen certainly struck the right notes with his delightful programme, and all in the right order. The Event which was the brain-child of Mike Ames was one of a series of free recitals held at the Cathedral. Bury St Edmunds is twinned with Kevelar and we were pleased to DIALOGUE 35
BRANCHES NEWS welcome the Secretary and his wife of “The Friends Of Kevelar” to join us in Bury St Edmunds to share a wonderful musical evening which was enjoyed by all. I feel sure Johann Sebastian Bach would have been very proud to have known the sounds of his musical genius filled such an historic building, and played so beautifully by Elmar Lehnen. Following a delightful lunch at Nowton Court Bury St Edmunds, The Suffolk Branch of The ESU were very fortunate to welcome as their speaker, that renowned television and radio auctioneer and valuer, Elizabeth Talbot. Elizabeth explained that her interest in antiques was sparked at a fairly young age, when she and her family visited flea markets, car boot sales and auction rooms around Yorkshire where she was born. Her early knowledge of the subject was gleaned from talking to dealers, but mainly from listening to what they had to say, and tucking.that information away for future use. She clearly loved her subject and was able to pass her enthusiasm on to her audience, who hung on to her every word. Elizabeth stated that her great interest in antiques is not really the value of an object, but how it came to where it is now, from where it came, who owned it and when it was made, and by whom. The history of the object can be far more interesting than its monetary value as far as she is concerned. She was a most charming and delightful lady who knows her subject and is happy to pass on her love of the auction world to all.
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Elizabeth started on the bottom rung of the auction ladder and has carefully climbed each rung to become a well known figure on Television shows such as “Flog It”, “Bargain Hunt” “Cash In The Attic”and “ The Antique Road Trip”. As well as banging the gavel for profit, Elizabeth helps raise much needed funs for “Children In Need” on Radio Norfolk. She is now not only a auctioneer and valuer but is Partner of TW Gaze and co-owner of Diss Auction Rooms. Not at all bad for a Yorkshire lass who started at flea markets and got the itch to move on to greater things. Thanks must also be given to our Chairman Joy Childs for arranging the venue and Felicity Muscott for arranging our lovely speaker.
Southend-on-Sea Following our September Branch luncheon, when we enjoyed views overlooking the Thames Estuary, members of ESU Southend were able to forget the Summer of 2012 with its incredible rainfall and get transported back to London in the late 1930s. Christine Cuss, a past president of the Women’s British Legion, spoke about her father’s wartime diary – a detailed and loving account of family life – which he wrote daily and dedicated to his daughter. This was not found until after his death but has since been published and Christine sold copies to all our members. The book cover carries a photograph of Christine with her family and friends enjoying her 10th birthday party, sitting at a long table erected inside the bombed-out remains of her house!
In October, and raising much-needed funds, a delicious Autumn Brunch was hosted by Branch Treasurer Jane Irwin at her lovely home in Leighon-Sea. Members and guests enjoyed what we do best – chatting and eating – and hopefully enticing guests to join the ESU. ESU Southend are very proud of the VI Form team from Brentwood School who won the regional final of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools held in November at Magdalene College, Cambridge. This team have become our firm friends since winning the Southend Branch final in January. Their new coach has recently come from teaching in Moss Side, Manchester, and his ambition is to get a team from that school entered into next year’s competition. We wish him well. Here in Southend we continue to see what a difference taking part in the ESU’s Public Speaking Competition can make to students who, for whatever reason, won’t make the top grade in their exams. We are delighted that a student from Southend High School for Boys in on the ESU Secondary Schools Exchange programme, studying in the USA. He tells us that he is enjoying exploring America with his new friends. Next year he will speak to the branch about this exciting and life-changing experience. Members very much enjoyed meeting Mr Maurice Wren, who has been with the ESU over 60 years and was presented with the ESU Diamond Jubilee award at our Branch Christmas Luncheon at the beginning of December.
BRANCHES NEWS LONDON LONDON Since the AGM, we have been out and about, with two groups visiting the wonderful State Rooms and Gardens of Buckingham Palace. In September we had another fascinating visit to Vintner’s Hall with an excellent guide. October saw us in Westminster Abbey for a tour, which was led by a Blue Badge guide who turned out to be an Alumnus of the ESU. By the time this reaches you we will have had a talk and book signing at Dartmouth House by David Smith, Economics Editor of the Sunday Times. His talk and book are titled Free Lunch, of which we all know there is no such thing, so the evening promises to be extremely informative! Now to the future: we have introduced some new events in the programme for 2013: January 23 will see the launch of the London Region Book Club at 11 am at Dartmouth House led by Kathleen Earley. Do come along and be part of this and help determine the choice of books. For those of you with an interest in crime (and exercise) the Sherlock Holmes Walk led by Professor B. J. Rahn in summer 2013 will be just up your street! Talks have been arranged on The Letters of Charles Dickens; the great contralto Kathleen Ferrier and Winston Churchill’s Toyshop: The Inside Story of Military Intelligence. Sir Eldon Griffiths, an ESU Alumnus, will be our guest speaker following the AGM on June 25. The Antiques Roadshow’s glass expert Andy McConnell will be a highlight event on May 8 - especially as he will be valuing any items of glass brought along by members.
MIDLANDS Our visits will include a guided tour of St Paul’s Cathedral; the Wallace Collection and the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace; Benjamin Franklin’s London house plus our usual lunch and matinee at the Globe theatre. Today and Tomorrow - July 4 – a talk and tea with Dame Mary Richardson and Peter Kyle, who will paint us a picture of the ESU now and of their vision for the future of the organisation. A trip to Paris is being planned in May to attend a book launch The Real Iron Lady, edited by Lady Shephard who was the Agricultural Secretary and Education Secretary in John Major’s Cabinet. The book includes contributions from members of Margaret Thatcher’s Cabinet and journalists. Books will be available for purchase and Lady Shephard will be there to sign them. Thanks must go to Don Miller for being a solid and supportive vicechairman and for arranging such a varied and interesting programme. For any further information on the branch programme, please email him at: donaldmiller@btopenworld.com The Branch is run for you, its Members, any suggestions you have to make will be welcome - I very much look forward to meeting you at our future events.
WORCESTERSHIRE On the 12 July, 31 Members attended a literary lunch at the Yorkshire Grey Restaurant. Following an enjoyable meal, our Chairman Sonia Chance was pleased to introduce our Guest Speaker, Colin McCorquodale who was back by popular request after his informative and amusing talk called, A Monarch a Minute. On this occasion, Colin talked about the House of Stuart which was equally amusing and much enjoyed by all present. Nina Thomas presented the vote of thanks. On the 11 September, 35 members attended a Literary Lunch at our Chairman’s lovely home. Following lunch, Sonia Chance introduced our Guest Speaker, Peter Sutton, who spoke about his play, Elgar and Alice. The play was first performed at the Swan Theatre, Worcester on the 5 June 2007 to mark Sir Edward Elgar’s 150th Anniversary. Mr Sutton’s talk certainly gave a fascinating insight into the marriage of Sir Edward and Alice. He also spoke of Elgar’s different interests including chemistry, golf and football. Mr Sutton was thanked by Sonia Chance for his enlightening and fascinating talk. The annual Thanksgiving Lunch was held at the Worcestershire Golf Cub on Friday 23 November. 40 members and their guests enjoyed a delicious meal, following which our Chairman Sonia Chance was pleased to introduce our Guest Speaker Peter Kyle OBE Director-General of the ESU, and welcomed James Ward, Director of Business Development and Paul Gordon, Head of Membership Development. Mr Kyle gave an interesting talk about his former life, including as a ballet dancer, and also his involvement with The Globe Theatre. He also spoke about the DIALOGUE 37
BRANCHES NEWS future of the ESU. Sonia Chance thanked Peter and wished him every success with the ESU for the future. We were also pleased that Rachel Harris, daughter of ESU Member Chris Harris was able to join us. Rachel had won an SSE Scholarship to Hutchison School in Memphis. We are delighted that once again our Vice Chairman, John Quibell-Smith is organising the Branch rounds of this year’s ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools. We had 7 entries this year and, from the 2 heats Pershore High School; The Chase, Malvern; Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College and RGS are through to the Branch final on 15 January at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College. The winners of the Branch Final will go through to the Regional Final, to be held this year in the City of Birmingham Council Chambers on 16 March.
Rayne), who was one of The Queen’s Maids- of- Honour at The Coronation, and is the elder daughter of the 8th Marquess of Londonderry and elder sister of Lady Annabel Goldsmith. After Luncheon of – again appropriately – Casserole of Coronation Chicken, followed by Queen of Puddings (“the best Queen of Puddings I have eaten”, remarked Robert as he enjoyed his second helping), Robert, very sweetly, passed round his wedding album for everyone – all sixty five of us – to see!
Gloucestershire
Before the talk, Valerie Mitchell, the immediate-past Director-General, paid a glowing tribute to our Chairman, Austin Millington, for the major part he has played, not only as Chairman, but for all his work and influence within the E-SU generally. “He will be sadly missed when he steps down next July and we all – I, too, personally - owe him so much in gratitude and friendship for his great heartfelt knowledge of the ESU”.
It was appropriate that for our annual Thanksgiving Party this year to mark The Queen’s Jubilee, we should have the Royal biographer, Robert Lacey, talking about his new book “A Brief Life of The Queen”.
Colin McCorquodale, a Governor and a former Chairman of the London Branch, also paid a lovely tribute to Austin. Jacqueline Millington, the Hon.Events Organiser for the last twelve years, introducing Robert
Robert, who has been our Guest Speaker on several occasions, never disappoints his audience with his indepth knowledge of both The Queen and the Royal family. We always look forward to his visits, but this time there was extra excitement and interest with all the Members and their guests as they gathered at – appropriately – a Kir Royale Reception in the splendid Hall at Chavenage House, Tetbury. Everyone was wanting to share Robert’s happiness following his August marriage to Jane (Baroness DIALOGUE 38
said: “There is romance in the air! It reads like a wonderful romantic novel. A true romance. I am, of course, referring to the recent marriage of Robert, and I would like everyone to give three cheers to wish Robert and Jane happiness”. In his talk Robert gave an insight into the Royal Family as he sees it today and the Queen’s present role where she is including Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall; Prince William and Kate; and Prince Harry into the main picture more and more. This was particularly evident as they all stood on the Balcony at the Fly-past during the Jubilee Celebrations. “She was saying: here we are”! A Vote of Thanks was given by Gloucestershire Member, John Ling. All the books on sale – personally autographed before and after luncheon – were sold! At our very early Christmas Party, this year held at the home of two Gloucestershire Members, Anthony and Wendy Dixon, in Armscote, the two current Branch Music Scholars, Soprano, Eleanor Broomfield, and Bassoonist, Alix Cashmore, each gave an outstandingly impressive performance. They charmed everyone. So much so, they were given several encores. Eleanor, making her debut for us, is studying at The Royal Academy of Music on the first of her two-year undergraduate programme for a BMus. She was introduced to us by our hostess, Wendy Dixon, who first told us about Eleanor. Alix, also making her debut for us, is currently studying in the fourth and final year of a BMus(Hons)degree, at the newly-named Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow.
BRANCHES NEWS SOUTH WEST Cava and canapes, by our own celebrity chef, Lou Smith, were served throughout the morning and, what is now a tradition as the finale, we all sang carols, ending with “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”.
BRISTOL At the first meeting of our new programme we heard from Florrie Holloway and Josh Huckle – two students we supported during their year teaching English in China and Tibet. Florrie had taught pupils in a town called Bagang in Western China and was wearing a traditional red Uyghur dress, which was most striking, and Josh had taught in a Tibetan School in Tianzhi. Their talks were illustrated by slides showing us their school life there and also their travels. All present were most impressed with their presentations – they both said that the year abroad has given them so much self-confidence, which they feel sure will stand them in good stead for the future. Both are going on to University and we thank them for their excellent talks and wish them well in their careers. Robert Lacey, historian and author, was our guest Speaker at a recent Literary Lunch at the Bristol and Clifton Golf Club. Robert gave us an interesting presentation with slides about our Queen – her life from childhood to the present day - which revived many memories for those attending. His presentation was followed by lunch, after which Robert signed copies of his recently published book The Queen and we thank him for coming to speak to us once again and contributing to our pleasant time with friends. At the end of October, Vanessa Berlowitz, Producer of TV Programme The Making of the Frozen Planet, was unfortunately struck down with flu and unable to come and talk to us, but another member of the BBC production team, Jeff Wilson, stepped into the breach and gave us a wonderfully erudite and informative
lecture illustrated with excellent slides and a video. The James Room at Clifton Cathedral was bursting at the seams and Jeff’s talk made turning out on a cold October evening immensely worthwhile. Our annual Thanksgiving Dinner was held this year at the Bristol and Clifton Golf Club and was well supported by members and guests. We were honoured to have Professor Richard Hodder-Williams, former High Sheriff of Bristol, as our speaker who gave us interesting insights into this year’s American presidential election. He spoke about the similarities and differences between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney and the problems that have been faced by both parties – and more that are still to come, especially in relation to America’s interaction with Europe and China. He ended by saying that a broad vision will be needed in government – “but is this possible? The next two years will give us clues.” We thank Professor Hodder-Williams for joining us once again for this celebratory occasion.
Josh Huckle and Florrie Holloway with our Chairman, Tony Williams
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BRANCHES NEWS EXETER
Martin was an MP for four years and made several satirical comments about this period of his career – the MPs’ expenses scandal gave rise to his poem Swindlers List. As an ambassador for UNICEF he gives talks to raise money for children in troubled areas.
Hannah Storrey GAP Year Student at our September Meeting
At the September meeting there were two speakers, with Hannah Storey, who received a contribution from Exeter ESU to her Gap trip to Cambodia addressing members first. She said that her experiences in Cambodia gave her a wonderful opportunity to experience a different culture and teach in a school in a very needy area. Mr Martin Bell was the main speaker, arrived in his “signature white suit” and gave a talk entitled Conflicts, Politics and Poetry. It was an excellent talk as he took everyone seamlessly through his five careers: Army Corporal, Journalist, MP, Ambassador for UNICEF and now poet!
All this experience is reflected in his poetry, a mixture of serious and humorous comments. He has since been invited to speak at several ESU branches in the USA. At the October meeting, the speaker was Vice Admiral Paul Boissier CB, CEO of the RNLI. Paul talked about the RNLI organisation and the tremendous job that the volunteers do rescuing boats and people in distress around the UK and The Republic of Ireland coast line some 23,000 miles and 100 miles out to sea! RNLI has 236 lifeboat stations with 400 boats manned by over 5000 men and women volunteer crew. The RNLI is also responsible for providing lifeguards along the coast. Demand for RNLI services increases year on year, as youngsters get to do more extreme sports. In 2011 there were over 9000 launches, rescuing 28,000 people and saving 400 lives.
Martin Bell, speaker at our September meeting and Exeter ESU Chairman Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Stear
The RNLI is a charity, with over 35,000 people involved in fundraising, of which only 1,200 are paid employees. The RNLI is indebted to the public’s continued support.
As a journalist, Martin covered assignments in more than 90 countries and eleven wars and gave us his viewpoints of some of these.
At the November meeting the speaker was Michael Wautlet, a diplomat with the US Department of State serving in the Economic Section of the US Embassy in London.
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Michael Wautlet, Speaker at our November meeting, with Branch Chairman Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Stear and Programme Secretary Lynn Samuel
Michael told members about his role with the Diplomatic Service. He is very involved with health issues and environmental impact in many industries and activities, such as shipping and agriculture. This is done in close collaboration with the UK. Much of this is science-based and recently US$56 million has been approved for 570 grant projects in USA and UK universities. The members were very grateful that Michael braved the South West storms on Thanksgiving Day and gave us such a fascinating talk about the unique relationship that the USA has with the UK. The Exeter & District branch has contributed to nine Gap Year students and enabled them to teach in eight different countries including Thailand, India, and Uganda. In the Branch rounds of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools this year, fifteen teams have entered and, as we go to print, are taking part in our branch heats.
Paul Boissier, Speaker at our October meeting, with Laurie Burbridge and Christine Harding
BRANCHES NEWS BATH & DISTRICT The Bath and District Branch started 2012 with a very successful event. Sam Holliday, Editor of the Bath Chronicle, came to the Hong Kong Club in January to talk about The Public Interest and the Freedom of the Press. In view of the fuss about phone hacking which had then been going on for some time the subject was of great interest. As an experiment we had taken a leaf out of the NADFAS book and arranged a late morning talk, preceded by coffee. Members who might have been put off by the prospect of having to pay for a meal would, we hoped, be encouraged to come. We had a good attendance, the speaker was entertaining and informative and there were many questions at the close of the talk.
Mrs Ann Montgomery, receiving her Diamond Jubilee Certificate and medal
February was the occasion of the Britain-Australia Society’s Celebration for Australia in Dorchester and we supported it. Much was learned about Tom Roberts, a Dorchester-born artist famous in Australia and about the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Peter Kyle, Director General of the ESU came on 23 February to talk about Shakespeare. It was not surprising that this former Chief
Executive of the Globe Theatre gave a thoroughly interesting and enjoyable talk, which was followed by supper. Our next speaker, Professor Steve Hodkinson, Secretary of the ESU, spoke at lunchtime on 22 March. His inspiring talk was entitled Disadvantaged Young People – it is their Olympic Legacy, too. Steve told us about the charity Street Games which brings sport to disadvantaged young people. His enthusiasm for this charity which is so close to his heart was both impressive and infectious. It was a great disappointment to us that our Gala Lunch, scheduled for the 17 April, was to be cancelled. At the last moment we were informed that the venue we had booked was unavailable because it was to be refurbished. This came at a time when it was too late to find an alternative venue. Our Guest of Honour was to have been Dame Mary Richardson, Chairman of the ESU. Fortunately we were able to invite her to a Jubilee Garden party held at the lovely home of committee member Mary West on 14 July. We held our branch AGM at the Bath and County Club on 24 May. The Branch Chairman had had the embarrassment of having to send in advance apologies for absence as he had been required to go to work in the Far East and did not expect to return in time. Fortunately, he was able to fly back overnight, arriving at Heathrow at 5.30 am on the day of the meeting. He attended and managed to stay awake but may not have been quite as alert as usual. Our then Vice-Chairman Andrew Fletcher had decided not to offer himself for re-election, having decided that it was time to concentrate on other interests. Andrew had given many
years of most valuable service to the ESU in many offices including Branch Chairman. To mark our appreciation he was presented with a book of his choosing. We were delighted that in June it was announced that he had been awarded the OBE. The rest of the committee was re-elected but we still lack a Secretary. After the meeting we had supper and former diplomat Sir Andrew Burns KCMG gave a talk entitled Life and Politics after the Holocaust: The role of a British Envoy. We all learned a great deal about what proved to be a most interesting and serious subject, presented with style, colour and humour. The Jubilee party at Mary West’s home was a great success, mainly due to her organisation and generosity. After drinks in the house to the music of a jazz band we enjoyed a fine buffet lunch in a flower-bedecked marquee in the garden. The guest of honour was Dame Mary Richardson who delivered a most interesting and encouraging report on the progress made since her election. Our friends from the BritainAustralia Society were present to give their support and kindly provided the band. Mary West hosted the event with her usual charm. We are indebted to her, to Sue Hoskins who provided the champagne for the loyal toast and all those who contributed to the success of the party. Before a committee meeting on 29 August, the committee welcomed Mr and Mrs Montgomery at the home of Alan and Anne Cox, where Mrs Montgomery was presented by Alan, our Branch President with a Diamond Jubilee Medal and a Certificate signed by Dame Mary Richardson to mark 60 years of membership of the ESU.
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BRANCHES NEWS speaker who received a Highly Commended Certificate as did the questioner from Oldfield and the speaker from Stonar School.
Fontane Ko, ESU Hong Kong; David & Frances Leonard, Bath Branch and Jolly Wong, husband of Fontane Ko, ESU Hong Kong.
Our current season began in September with a coffee meeting and a talk given by national Deputy Chairman Sir Peter Jennings KCVO, whose informal reminiscences of his time as Serjeant at Arms in the House of Commons were amusing and informative. Several of us attended the church service and civic reception in memory of Admiral Arthur Phillip, a BritainAustralia Society event on 12 October. This was followed on 21 October by the branch rounds of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools, held at Monkton Combe Senior School, which was efficiently organised by Regional Development Officer Muriel Harrison on a very wet and windy night. Muriel had valuable help from Jean Cowley (awards and gifts); Mary West (certificates); Anne and Alan Cox with contact information and Richard Maxwell (timekeeper). The school was very welcoming and the hospitality was excellent. Robert Webb and Michael Brotherton did a fine job of judging the competition and Nancy Garret shone as chairman of judges, as an adjudicator, and as presenter of awards. The winning team was from The Ridgeway School, and the runners up were Oldfield School. Bath Royal High School had a very talented DIALOGUE 42
Our most recent event at the time of writing was the Thanksgiving Dinner, jointly held by the branch and the Bath and County Club in the club’s newly refurbished premises. After a typical Thanksgiving meal the diners were well entertained by an introductory speech and traditional blessing by Peter Gagg and by a speech given by Michael Daw on the theme of Alistair Cook’s Letter from America. Both speakers had served as British civil servants in Washington DC. Alan Cox, our Branch President, now once more Honorary Treasurer to the ESU, always gives wise counsel to the committee and is able to keep us informed of what is happening at national level. His wife Anne deals efficiently and cheerfully with Membership and Publicity. Richard Maxwell our Treasurer continues to keep our finances under control and Sue Hoskins, our Events Booking Secretary, copes effectively and good humour with her demanding task. The contribution given by Jean Cowley and Mary West is invaluable. We are a happy team and would be even happier if we could find some new recruits to the committee. However, we know from what we hear from other branches and organisations that we are not alone in having this problem. This year we gave a grant to the Mid-Somerset Arts Festival and it was used to provide prizes for the successful teams in two classes of drama competition. Several committee members attended the finals in the Guildhall Bath and were very impressed by the high standard
reached by the contestants. The Committee has decided to make a similar grant next year and we are liaising with the Mid-Somerset Arts Festival about the arrangements for 2013. Our numbers remain fairly steady but we really need to attract younger members. To that end we shall be exploring the possibility of attracting local sixth formers and undergraduates. On a recent trip to Hong Kong, our Branch Chairman met two members of the ESU Hong Kong Branch, namely Fontane Ko and Ada Li, who had been sponsored by us for an ESU conference on international relations in 2010. He was made very welcome and learned with envy that the Hong Kong Branch is well financed, having an office and a full time secretary After three years in the chair of the Branch committee David Leonard will be standing down at the Branch AGM next year and we are now looking for a successor.
BRANCHES NEWS NORTH WEST LIVERPOOL & MERSEYSIDE “And the winner is…Liverpool and Merseyside!” Stunned, I rose to receive the Hardacre Prize for the Branch with the best links to the creative and written arts. It wasn’t with mock modesty that I expressed complete surprise – the award was totally unexpected even though Sue Davies had prepared an excellent submission. This was a personal highlight of the Branches Conference at Dartmouth House, which was held in an atmosphere of positive trust far removed from the rancour, and recriminations which characterised previous events there. Deep in the tropical rain forests of Madagascar something stirred. The coat of gold shimmered as Jutta Hesketh, our speaker at the October meeting, weaved a shining web of astonishment around the amazing arachnids destined to secrete their burnished threads forever.
At a rehearsal of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, it was easy to see how Vasily Petrenko evokes such stunning sounds from the Orchestra. No wonder he was Male Artist of the Year at the Classical Brits! After a tour of the Philharmonic, we presented a cheque to sponsor a new primary school to attend a schools’ concert for the first time.
In November, Mike Shankland put on his top hat at a rakish angle, relieved a startled member of her cane and went into a passable version of the ‘Turkey Trot’ in keeping with the season. All this at the ‘From Ragtime to Rock and Roll’ event in Ormskirk where Brenda and Liz Riley fed our nostalgia for Hopper Dresses, Utility Underwear and Don’t Step on my Blue Suede Shoes. The heats of the Public Speaking Competition are underway as we go to print, with the Branch Final at the Athenaeum on 8 February and the Final of the Young Writers’ Competition, sponsored by the Branch, takes place at the same venue on 13 February. If we ever wondered about the significance of the ESU, what shone through the heats of the Public Speaking Competition was the energetic talent of the contestants inspired by taking part. But don’t mention the topics – compulsory retirement; the harm done by religion; not all tweeters are twits and only the young can rescue politics. As an elderly Christian, politically active computer phobic, I have never felt so redundant. Great speakers, great youngsters! Lower down the age scale, wide-eyed toddlers chattered away at the Museum of Liverpool prompted by puppets and books in the Story Tent by the River Mersey. Sounds like a deserving possibility for sponsorship. With best wishes from the Branch for a year of prosperous growth for the ESU.
MID-CHESHIRE The 2012-2013 programme for the Mid-Cheshire Branch commenced on 11 September at Portal Premier
Golf Club, Tarporley. After lunch the branch AGM took place. This was followed by a fascinating talk entitled By The Dark River which described the geological, geographical and economic characteristics which determined where Manchester was initially developed. The speaker at our October lunch meeting presented a very interesting illustrated lecture on The Restoration of Arley Hall Gardens. The committee is hoping to arrange the summer fundraising event at Arley Hall with the opportunity of visiting the gardens. Proceeds from this annual summer event are used for branch sponsorship schemes. Joseph Paxton and the Duke of Devonshire was the title of the November meeting and proved to be another fascinating talk. Following traditional Christmas fayre on 11 December the lecture is entitled Women Special Agents. The Chairman recently received communications from both students who are currently being sponsored by the branch. One is on a placement in Ghana and the second student is in Chile. It is very evident that both are working very hard, taking advantage of all the opportunities open to them and thoroughly enjoying their challenging experiences. It is hoped that both students will visit the branch when they return from their placements to tell members about their experiences and the countries they visited. Members are looking forward to a matinee performance of One Man, Two Guvnors at The Royal Exchange Theatre in January.
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BRANCHES NEWS SOUTH EAST This year our long-running Churchill Literary Luncheon innovated with, in effect, a joint venture with the Tunbridge Wells international Music Festival. We provided their literary event and they responded with a significant and international participation from their membership. Our guest speaker was Robert Lacey, who gave us an unstinting presentation on our Royal Family, centered on his recent book A Brief Life of the Queen, with many glimpses drawn from his own research. For us, it was a most satisfying round-off to the Diamond Jubilee year. Our President, Ann Peerless, added a perceptive vote of thanks to an occasion which will surely have been a great encouragement to our local Branch members in Tunbridge Wells and District.
of this, she made a presentation of Commemorative Medals to three of the six: Lady Kenya TattonBrown, Mrs Mary Kingham and Mr Michael Anstey, who were all present at the Lunch. After the loyal toast Roger Tilbury, Chairman of the West Sussex Branch, introduced Mrs Susan Pyper, LordLieutenant of West Sussex. She spoke about the varied work of being her Majesty’s Representative in West Sussex, and her surprise at being offered the post. Michael Anstey gave the vote of thanks, which was very warmly applauded by all present. In January Ian Richards, who was booked to be one of the Chaplains for the London Olympics and Paralympics joined us at the Barley
WEST SUSSEX 2012 has been an exciting year by any standards, and the activities for the year were fittingly brought to a close with our Thanksgiving lunch, attended by 52 members, held at Burpham Village Hall, near Arundel on Friday 23 November. Dame Mary Richardson, a member of this Branch as well as being Chairman of the ESU, reminded us that it was the year of Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee. Six of our members had also been supporters of the ESU for those 60 years and, as a mark
Lady Kenya Tatton-Brown, Mrs Mary Kingham, Mrs Susan Pyper, Michael Anstey and Dame Mary Richardson.
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West Sussex ESU members visit the Binnenhof in The Hague
Mow Pub and whetted our appetite for what was to come in the summer. He spoke with authority and knowledge of the Olympic movement as he had competed for Great Britain in the Moscow Olympics as a long-distance walker. In February, nine teams took part in the West Sussex Round of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools at the County Hall, Chichester. The schools involved
were Winchester College, Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill, Lancing College, Miltoncross School in Portsmouth, Medina College from the Isle of Wight, Bohunt School from Liphook, Hamble Community Sports College and Portsmouth Grammar School. The afternoon was well supported by members and, for the second year running, was won by Portsmouth Grammar School. The March talk was given by Lady Fiona Barttelot MBE, DL who spoke most eloquently on the History of the Order of St John, from its founding until the present day and the opening of the new museum in Clerkenwell. Our traditional pre-lunch drinks party was held in April at Spring Cottage, the home of our Chairman Roger Tilbury, when Connie Boissevi told us of her experiences in South Africa. This was followed in May with a visit to Sissinghurst in Kent and, in June, a party of 30 members greatly enjoyed a four day visit exploring The Hague, and nearby attractions in Holland. The rain did not stop 20 of us enjoying a visit to Wilton House, in July, followed by a guided tour of Salisbury Cathedral. Two very interesting talks at the Barley Mow ended the season. The first was by Christopher Doman who gave an illustrated talk on ‘Chichester — Then and Now’. Having been born and brought up in Chichester, few know more than he about our Cathedral City. The second was a pictorial tour of Southern Germany given by Frank Pattison, former Head of German at Christ’s Hospital, Horsham. It was entitled ‘The Crown and The Cross’, and he showed us how these two symbols illustrate the history of the
BRANCHES NEWS area and can be seen in many German cities today. Our Walker’s Group once again enjoyed an annual lunch together at The Time Machine near Funtington and some excellent, and not too strenuous, monthly walks in the very beautiful Sussex countryside, often calling in at one of our historic churches en-route. Our numbers remain steady at about 140, and we are now looking out for more young people to sponsor allowing them to work in the developing world, hopefully in conjunction with Chichester University. The programme of events in West Sussex in 2013 will include a view of the UK from The Netherlands by William Fisher and members of the Genootschap Nederland-Engeland, whom we met in the Hague, a talk from a former member of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on Britain’s overseas aid commitments, the West Sussex round of the Public Speaking Competition, a summer outing, and a talk on Dr Johnson and his dictionary by one of our members who has written on the subject. Details of the programme are contained in the three annual newsletters or are available from Lady Stanley, on 01243 378900.
From left to right: Peter Kyle, Director General, Lord Strathcarron, Gill Prior, Chairman and David Stratton, President Southern Region ESU; James Ward, Business Development Director.
EASTBOURNE Having had an extraordinary and really exciting 6 months from January to the celebrations on the 4th of July the Eastbourne Branch was looking forward to a quiet time for a few months. Sadly and unexpectedly the quiet time was lengthened due to the fact that the Thanksgiving dinner in November had to be cancelled. Usually it is the, highlight of the autumn and very well attended but for various reasons, illness and holidays etc., very few people were available this year. The speaker and guest of honour Dr. Bruce Stanley, Executive Director of the Bader International Study Centre, Queens University (Canada) at Herstmonceux Castle East Sussex was very understanding and helpful. It is hoped that he will be our guest speaker in November 2013 and also visit, with some of his students, the branch throughout its 2013 programme. However, “Tea & Talk” on October 30th “The Bonfire Girl” was a great success. Arranged as a double entertainment, Brian Braby began with a fascinating illustrated talk and pictures on the origins of the Bonfire Celebrations in Lewes and East Sussex, which go back for centuries. The Bonfire Societies in Lewes and the surrounding villages all remember and honour the 17 Protestant martyrs who were burned to death in the reign of Queen Mary. They still parade in processions through the historic medieval streets and lanes of Lewes bearing flaming crosses and marching to local brass bands. At that point Liz Gregory “The Bonfire Girl” took over with her memories of Bonfire nights in the Sussex Village of Newick where she
grew up. The preparations begin in January and take months of careful and hard work. She showed some spectacular before and after pictures of effigies and models which take a long time to design and build then end up as a glorious roaring inferno. Her family history has been traced back hundreds of years in the village where she grew up as a true bonfire girl. Her final picture was of a large gathering of people in fancy dress on Newick Village Green for Bonfire Night 1938 (the last until the end of World War Two) right bang in the middle of the front row, (in costume of course,) was a very proud ten year old Bonfire Girl in full fancy dress - Liz herself. The tea and home-made cakes were delicious after all that excitement. The final event for The Eastbourne Branch is a Christmas drinks party with canapés at the home of Chairman Sarah Carr in December.
Canterbury and East Kent Branch At the Branches Conference this year I was asked to give a resume of what the Canterbury and East Kent Branch had been doing from September 2011 to summer 2012, and I thought this could form the basis of my report for dialogue. This last year the Branch has concentrated on educational topics, helping youngsters and furthering our educational aims within East Kent by trying to introduce more people to be aware of and enjoy the English language. We have tried to further establish links with a number of educational establishments and collaborate whenever possible with other institutions as we are all fighting for the same audience! DIALOGUE 45
BRANCHES NEWS The key project we run is the Shakespeare Experience, which this year was held on 17 October as part of the Canterbury Festival.
College; Canterbury High School; Ursuline College, Westgate; Sir Roger Manwoods, Sandwich; and Dover Grammar School for Boys.
This year the day was held in Christchurch University at Canterbury who provided us with the beautiful lecture theatre and five rooms for the workshops.
The day was capped off with a plenary lecture, held in the lecture theatre. This is such a valuable day for the students and we hope that other branches will be inspired to approach the Globe and run similar programmes. If any other branch is interested and would like to get in touch we would be pleased to help.
Five tutors came down from the Globe Theatre’s education team and organized a splendid day for the students from Years 12 and 13 taking the Shakespeare option at A-Level. The day started with registration for the 160 students and 11 staff, followed by an introduction and the first session. Mary McNulty gave the introduction to Shakespeare and his world. After this, lunch was served in the Anshelm Hall. The group was then broken up into five workshops, dependent on which play the students were studying: • Chris Nayak took a group from the three schools studying Othello. • Jackie Defferary had three different schools studying Much Ado About Nothing and also The Tempest. • Phil Cumbus took a further three schools through the machinations of King Lear. • Mary McNulty had one school studying Measure for Measure. • Mark Kane took three groups through A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I am delighted to report that participating schools came from all over the county: Tunbridge Boys Grammar School, Duke of Yorks Military School, Dover; Astor College, Deal; Sittingbourne DIALOGUE 46
Throughout the year we have also arranged a number of events with guest speakers. Professor Stephen Prickett, Regius Professor at Glasgow, Honorary Professor at University of Kent, contributed to the celebration and anniversary of the King James’ Bible by giving a talk with the Kings Society and the branch at the King’s School Canterbury. This was followed by our Thanksgiving Lunch when Judge Adele Williams spoke on The Art of Advocacy on both sides of the Pond. Over the years the University of Kent has been very supportive and we have been privileged to have established a combined lecture as one of the Public Open Lecture series. We value our links with the University as this really helps to establish further awareness of the ESU in the local area. Sir Arnold Wolfendale FRS, Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Durham, Astronomer Royal and President of the Royal Astronomical Society, gave a brilliant lecture on The Search for Intelligent Life which was very well received. As our branch committee is made up of only four active members, we are really looking to reinvigorate the
branch with some young members who can, one day, take over from us!
diary dates JANUARY-JULY 2013
Below you will find details of ESU events being held all over England and Wales. Unless otherwise stated, Dartmouth House and London Region events should be booked by contacting Peter Jarrold on 020 7521582 or by emailing peter.jarrold@esu.org. For other branch events, contact should be made with the individual branch directly. Contact details for all branches in England and Wales can be found on pages 6 and 7.
JANUARY Wednesday 9
Bristol
7.15 for 7.45 pm. Dr John Cottrell - My Year as High Sheriff. At the Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral
Tuesday 15
Bristol
5.30 for 6 pm. Bristol Branch Finals of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools. Badminton School.
Tuesday 15
Brighton Hove and District
2 for 2.30 pm – It won’t be alright on the night – Richard Ratcliffe, raconteur. At the Hove Club.
Friday 18
Liverpool & Merseyside
12 for 12.30 pm. Rabbie Burns Feast. With Speaker Professor Victor Merriman - The Immortal Memory. At the Athenaeum.
Monday 21
Salisbury & South Alfie Oates: Ramblings of an Old Royal Coachman Closing date for applications for ESU Parliamentary Internships (Capitol Hill and Assemblee Nationale)
Monday 21 Tuesday 22
Brighton Hove and District
Annual Lunch at Royal Albion.
Wednesday 23 Dartmouth House Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation Ceremony, Dartmouth House. Wednesday 23 London Region
11 am Launch of London Region Book Club at Dartmouth House.
Thursday 24
Dartmouth House Dartmouth House Closed all day for Royal Visit
Thursday 24
Brighton Hove and District
Branch Heats of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools. Details on request.
Monday 28
Brighton Hove and District
Branch Heats of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools. Details on request.
Thursday 31
Brighton Hove and District
Branch Heats of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools. Details on request.
FEBRUARY Tuesday 1
Bristol
7.15 for 7.45 pm. Mr Jonathan Davies, Middle East Director at the FCO - The Arab Spring. At the Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral
Tuesday 5
London Region
6 for 6.30 pm. ‘Selected Letters of Charles Dickens’ by Jenny Hartley. Dartmouth House
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Thursday 3
Gloucestershire
11.30 am. A return visit to The Three Ways House Hotel (home of the famous Pudding Club!) Speaker: Nicholas Evans, speaking about his new role as Patron of Charity “Give a Kidney - You only need one!”.Nicholas, author of “Horse Whisperer” and other blockbuster novels and our Guest Speaker on several occasions, having received a kidney transplant last year, will be talking about this new charity seeking to increase the number of kidney donors. Tickets (to include a welcoming glass of wine and lunch): Members, £33 (add £3 for each non-Member)
Tuesday 5
Gloucestershire
5.30 for 6 pm. Branch Final of The Public Speaking Competition for Schools Cheltenham Council Chamber by kind permission of the Mayor of Cheltenham Admission is free - Please do come!
Tuesday 12
Eastbourne
2.30 pm - Talk & Tea - Mrs Anne Dearle, local magistrate, will talk on Shakespeare’s Women. At the Deconshire Club, Hartington Place, Eastbourne.
Tuesday 12
Suffolk
4.30 pm - Suffolk Branch final of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools. County Upper School, Beetons Way, Bury St. Edmunds.
Tuesday 12
London region
ESU Awards Ceremony, English Language Council Lecture by David Crystal, and reception at the House of Lords and Dartmouth House.
Tuesday 12
Brighton Hove and District
Area Final of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools. Details on request.
Wednesday 13 Dartmouth House 10.30 – 11.30 - International At Home. Enjoy a mid-morning coffee in the Wedgwoo at February’s International At Home, an event that brings together members of the ESU and the international community. Tickets are complimentary. Please RSVP to Paul Gordon, Head of Membership at paul.gordon@esu.org or 020 7529 1585 Closing date for applications for the 2013-14 Lindemann Trust Fellowships (postdoctoral research grants to the USA for scientists)
Monday 18 Tuesday 19
Brighton Hove and District
2 for 2.30 pm. The Story of Rye Bay – Ron Martin, industrial archaeologist. At the Hove Club.
Wednesday 20 Salisbury & South Jill Horsburgh: An open discussion on education, led by the speaker Wednesday 20 Suffolk
12 pm - Valentines Literary Luncheon - Speaker: Leading author Susan Curran. Nowton Court. Tickets: £14.95
Friday 22
Liverpool & Merseyside
12 for 12.30 pm. Speaker: Gavin Hunter - The Lost Halls of Wirral. At Woodcote House Hotel Hooton, South Wirral.
Friday 22
South Wales
Deborah Bean, former member of Her Majesty The Queen’s Personal Staff speaks on In Her Majesty’s Service at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Monday 25
Deadline for three-term Secondary School Exchange Scholarships (leaving for the US post A-levels in September 2013)
Wednesday 27 Bristol
7.15 for 7.45 pm. The Very Rev. Dr. David Hoyle, Dean of Bristol - Occupy Bristol and Occupying the Dean’s Stall. At the Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral
MARCH Tuesday 5
South Wales
Welsh Schools Public Speaking Final at Ty Hywel, Cardiff Bay.
Tuesday 12
Eastbourne
Carvery Lunch at the Royal Eastbourne Golf Club. Speaker: Peter Kyle OBE, Director-General of the ESU.
Thursday 14
Liverpool & Merseyside
1 pm. A lunchtime concert at the Phil. Followed by Lunch at Rubato (the Phil’s Café-bar)
Monday 18
Salisbury & South Brigadier Peter Sincock: Saudi Arabia - a strange kingdom
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Tuesday 19
Brighton Hove and District
2 for 2.30 pm. 1852 to London Bridge – Richard Allen, railway historian. At the Hove Club.
Wednesday 20 Bristol
7.15 for 7.45 pm. Privacy and Press Freedom, a Q&A session with Mr Paul Potts CBE, Chief Executive of the Press Association Media Group. At the Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral
Thursday 21
10.30 for 11 am Guided Tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Meet for coffee at 10.30 am.
London Region
APRIL Wednesday 10 London Region
6 for 6.30 pm. Winston Churchill’s Toyshop by Gordon Rogers. Dartmouth House
Tuesday 16
2 for 2.30 pm. The Story of Nathaniel Woodard – Janet Pennington. At the Hove Club.
Brighton Hove and District
Wednesday 17 Eastbourne
2.30 pm - Talk & Tea - Sally Baldwin from the charity Nowzad Dogs - Saving dogs in Afghanistan. She will be bringing her own dog Brin who saved the lives of many troops in Afghanistan and has an award for bravery. St John’s Parish Hall in Meads Street Eastbourne.
Thursday 18
Liverpool & Merseyside
12 for 12.30 pm. BACC to the Future. At the Athanaeum
Tuesday 23
Dartmouth House Music Scholarships Concert at Dartmouth House with Oleg Kogan and Benjamin Frith.
Tuesday 23
Bristol
7.15 for 7.45 pm. Mr Martyn Heighton, Director and Chair of Council, National Historic Ships - The Raising of the Mary Rose. At the Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral
Wednesday 24 Salisbury & South Philip Pendered: City of Paris Wednesday 24 Suffolk
12 pm - St. George’s Day Luncheon - Featuring Linda Scoles, Storyteller. Nowton Court. Tickets: £14.95
Saturday 27
Suffolk
East Region Final of the ESU Public Speaking Competition for Schools. Time and Venue TBC
Wednesday 8
London Region
Decanters by Andy McConnell, Antiques Roadshow Expert.
Thursday 9
Eastbourne
7 pm - Eastbourne Branch AGM. At the Devonshire Club, Westdown House, Hartington Place. Speaker: Sara Brown, ESU Governor - Philanthropy 1480 - 1880. Followed by AGM and refreshments
Thursday 9
Suffolk
3 pm - I Believe in Ipswich - Tea with William Coe, MD of Coe’s Clothing. Nowton Court. Tickets: £12.95
MAY
Wednesday 15 Salisbury & South Summer Lecture delivered by Frederick Forsyth Wednesday 22 Bristol
7.15 pm. John Savage CBE, former High Sheriff of Bristol, 2002/3 - High in Hope What Bristol is Going to be Like in 40 Years Time. Followed by refreshments. At the Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral
Wednesday 22 Dartmouth House Performing Shakespeare. The competition is open to students in year 8 and 9 and is intended to give younger students a chance to engage with the works of Shakespeare and develop their performance skills. Students will receive a training workshop from the Globe Theatre and perform their pieces again in front of an audience and judges. Wednesday 22 London Region
22 - 26 May London Region Visit to Paris.
Thursday 23
Hawaiin Evening at Dartmouth House
London Region
Wednesday 29 ESU France
8 pm - Dinner to Celebrate 25 Years of ESU France! Paris.
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JUNE Saturday 01
Eastbourne
12.30 pm - Literary Lunch - Speaker: Dr June Goodfield, wirter and TV documentary maker and author of Rivers of Time - Why is Everyone talking about Philippa? At the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne
Tuesday 11
London Region
6 for 6.30 pm. The Life & Work of Kathleen Ferrier on the 60th Anniversary of Her Death. Dartmouth House
Wednesday 12 Dartmouth House 10.30 – 11.30 - International At Home. Enjoy a mid-morning coffee in the Wedgwood Room at June’s International At Home, an event that brings together members of the ESU and the international community. Tickets are complimentary. Please RSVP to Paul Gordon, Head of Membership at paul.gordon@esu.org or 020 7529 1585 Wednesday 19 London Region
6.30 pm. Sherlock Holmes Walk led by Professor B J Rahn.
Tuesday 25
London Region
London Region AGM with Guest Speaker - Sir Eldon Griffifths. Dartmouth House.
Thursday 4
Gloucestershire
12.30 for 1 pm - Independence Day Lunch at Chatsworth House, Horam by King permission of our President Mrs Jane Mitchell.
Thursday 4
London Region
Talk by Dame Mary Richardson DBE and Peter Kyle OBE - ESU Today and Tomorrow. Dartmouth House.
Sunday 7
Gloucestershire
11.30 am. SUMMER GARDEN PARTY - The last event for Jacqueline and Austin before “stepping down!”
JULY
Hosted by Gloucestershire Members Richard and Andrea Wiggin at Banisters Meadow Farm, Worcestershire, their family farm with its garden and large terrace overlooking the farmland. The Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Band, sponsored for the past eight years by the Branch, will be playing during the party. Food Lou Smith: a delicious buffet luncheon. Tickets (a welcoming glass of wine and lunch): Members £23 (add £3 premium for non-Members) Please bring your own picnic tables and chairs Ladies: Sun Hats hopefully. Wednesday 17 Suffolk
Suffolk Branch AGM. Notwon Court. Time TBD.
Thursday 18
The History of Roses at Dartmouth House.
Friday 19
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London Region
Closing date for submissions for the 2013 HRH The Duke of Edinburgh English Language Book Awards and the ESU President’s Award.
ESU FRANCE IS 25! ESU France is now a quarter of a century old. To celebrate, we are organising a dinner at the Jockey Club in Paris on 29 May, presided by Chairman of the ESU, Dame Mary Richardson DBE. The dinner will be followed the next day by a visit with an English-speaking guide of the Place des Vosges and of the home of Victor Hugo. After the visit, we will have lunch under the Arcades of the beautiful square. For those who wish, there will be a further visit after lunch to the Musée Carnavalet, a fascinating museum depicting the history of Paris. We hope to welcome many ESU members and their friends. To book your place, please contact Madame Beatrix de Montgermont-Keil, by writing to: Mme. Montgermont-Keil 21 Rue Michel-Ange 75016 Paris France Tickets: 29 May Dinner - €100 per person 30 May Visits - €25 per person. Lunch on 30 May is à la carte. Payment should be made by bank transfer by 30 April: NAME: English-Speaking Union France IBAN: FR76 3058 8610 8173 0699 3010 179 BIC SWIFT: BARCFRPP
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