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ESU News THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION Creating global understanding through English ISSUE No. 145 SEPTEMBER 2009

Welcome ESU Cyprus An international line-up gathered in Nicosia at the Residence of the British High Commissioner to celebrate the launch of ESU Cyprus

Contents Cyprus launch . . . . . .Page 1 DG’s message . . . . . . .Page 1 Mooting final . . . . . . .Page 2 Debate academy . . . . .Page 2 Bromley win . . . . . . . .Page 3 Primary debate . . . . . .Page 3 Lebanon tour . . . . . . .Page 4 Stratford course . . . . .Page 4 Volunteers lunch . . . . .Page 4 Cyprus cont’d . . . . . . .Page 5 Harris lecture . . . . . . .Page 5 Theatre night . . . . . . .Page 5 Lords’ tea . . . . . . . . . .Page 6 SSE reception . . . . . . .Page 6 Clergy award . . . . . . .Page 6 ESU Governors . . . . . .Page 7 Alumni lunch . . . . . . .Page 7 Silver talk . . . . . . . . . .Page 7 Diary dates . . . . . . . . .Page 8

(L-R) Valerie Mitchell, Ambassador Masamichi Hanabusa, Elsie Christofia, Garo Keheyan, Lord Watson

This new ESU has been several years in the planning and was much anticipated. It drew attendance from ESU representatives from 29 countries including Brazil, Cyprus, India, Japan, Latvia, Portugal, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, USA as well as 15 ESU UK branches.

Among the speakers were Elsie Christofia, the First Lady of Cyprus, who spoke about how Cyprus was hoping to make the most of its ESU events and contacts, our host, HE Peter Millett, British High Commissioner to Cyprus, Lord Watson, ESU Chairman Emeritus and Ambassador Hanabusa, President of the ESU International

Council and President Emeritus of ESU Japan. Valerie Mitchell then introduced members of international ESUs who welcomed Cyprus into the English-Speaking Union’s international family.

The official ceremony was preceded by an eve of launch celebration dinner at the Delikipos Olive Grove. This is a beautiful country retreat generously opened to the delegation by Garo Keheyan, its owner.

Continued on page 5.

Director-General’s message A change of leadership is always a time of anticipation and I thought it would be timely to pass on my early thoughts as I begin my tenure as Director-General. Before anything, can I pay tribute to Valerie Mitchell, a loyal servant to the English-Speaking Union and a passionate advocate for 30 years, including half that time at the helm. Valerie has gone out of her way to make the transition easy for me and I have been grateful for her support. I know she will continue to be an active and influential member of our family.

My immediate priorities are to build a new management team, with the addition of Jill Lloyd as Director of Finance and Administration, and to ensure that no momentum is lost through the busy summer period. I anticipate that I will then be in a position to recommend a development plan to the relevant

governance committees in the early Autumn and be ready to put the early stage of that plan into action before the end of the year.

I have five particular priorities in mind at this early point: Financial security at a time when many charities are feeling the pinch ● The need for a compelling articulation of our public benefit as a charity ● The best possible experience for our members and their active role in support of our charitable work ● A clear and compounding strategy for our international work and the union of global partners ● Enhanced profile and influence for the ESU both nationally and internationally ●

Telephone : 020 7529 1550 Fax : 020 7495 6108 Email : esu@esu.org

Web : www.esu.org

University of Manchester Wins National Mooting Competition The final was decided on a question on insurance law. Karamvir said afterwards that the “competition has provided us with a great opportunity to develop our legal research skills and oral advocacy.”

The semi-finals of the competition took place at Dartmouth House with teams from King’s College London, University of Bristol and University of Sheffield competing with Manchester to win a place in the grand final held at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Hannah and Karamvir with the Silver Mace, and runners up University of Sheffield with the Scarman Shield

The University of Manchester took the title at the ESU-Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition Grand Final 2008-09.

Hannah Gates and Karamvir Chadha had competed in five rounds held over

the academic year to win the coveted silver mace.

A moot is a fictitious legal appeal case held in front of a panel which acts as the House of Lords.

The winners received the mace and a prize of £1,000 each plus £1,000 for their university. As runners-up, Sheffield received the Scarman Shield, £750 each plus £500 for their university. They also earned high praise from the three judges, Michael Collins QC, Richard Jacobs QC and Professor Alan Boyle. The semi-finalists received cash prizes of £250 each. All of the prizes were generously donated by Essex Court Chambers where the finalists will also be offered a mini-pupillage.

The ESU would like to thank Essex Court Chambers for its generous sponsorship and support, and Legal Week for its continuing media partnership.

Debate Academy Oakham School in Rutland once again played host to Debate Academy, the ESU’s summer debating master-class. Around 100 students came from across the UK and abroad to spend four days learning and honing their debating skills.

The improvement which was shown by all the students was fantastic, with one first-time mentor commenting; “It is just amazing how much can be done with a couple of days to build on the children’s skills.” This was demonstrated clearly by the outstanding show debate which students from the beginner stream put on for everybody in front of all the faculty and students.

The session dedicated to style was a big hit with all participants, as was the detailed feedback from experts after each of the practice debates. The students also really enjoyed the chance to turn the tables on the mentors when they got to judge them debating the motion This House believes that civilian media installations are legitimate military targets. The result of the debate was controversially tied!

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Students engage in a practice debate

As always, our biggest thank you has to go to the mentors who came along to coach.

Every year a score of current students and recent graduates take time off from their studies or work to come unpaid to help us out.

The 8th Debate Academy was a great success and we are now looking forward to 2010 when we hope to return to Oakham and welcome back students from this year to take part in the more advanced streams or to come and be mentors themselves.

Bromley Takes Debate Challenge Title concern that the UK would be seen as backward and relying on its past if it did not start to teach foreign languages to a better standard. Hannah expressed the concern that the UK would be avoiding the adage "he who understands the past holds the key to the future" if it did not face up to the fact that English did not have the same caché that it did in the days of empire.

Ben summarised by reminding the audience that English is valuable, but not to the exclusion of other languages.

Hannah, Stephen and Ben with squad mates Liz and Charlotte - all had a hand in winning the trophy!

The team representing Bromley from Bishop Justus High School has won the London Debate Challenge (LDC) 2009.

Stephen Folkes, Hannah Dowling, Ben Thomas, Liz Mehmet and Charlotte Nimmo fought their way through three rounds to contest the final.

Now in its ninth year, the LDC is becoming a stalwart of the Capital's maintained schools' debating year. 2009 saw 14 state secondary schools represent their boroughs in the finals at Dartmouth House. Each

borough fielded a squad of five students, aged 12-15, who had qualified for the final by winning their borough competition, organised by local education authorities.

Bromley and Haringey having made it to the grand final, debated This House would make learning a second language to GCSE level compulsory for all students.

Stephen, Hannah and Ben spoke about how languages were an important part of understanding other cultures, expressing

Natasha Collett, Ruth Collett and Amy Wolf, waving the flag for Haringey, provided enlightened and well-expressed opposition arguments with charisma, intelligence and focus, but were ultimately pipped to the post.

The judging panel consisted of Daragh Grant, who helped to found the LDC, Ben Woolgar, reigning Schools Mace champion, and Kate Stegeman, international debating judge. The panel was chaired by Bilal Mahmood, ESU Governor and debating mentor. The judges predicted the rise to prominence of the speakers, suggesting that their exceptional debating ability demonstrated their potential as future leaders in the political and business worlds.

Bromley received a trophy donated by ESU London and copies of Pros and Cons.

Tower Hamlets Primary School Debating As part of the Discover Your Voice teaching programme, the ESU offers training and organisational support to local education authorities and schools to introduce debating in primary schools.

The Tower Hamlets primary schools debating competition was held in Dartmouth House on 25 June. More than 40 pupils aged between 7 and 11 participated in the competition representing many of the schools from the London borough of Tower Hamlets.

The competition, which is now in its second year, was organised in association with the Tower Hamlets Local Education Authority.

Jhonti, Omar and Alex from Sir William Burrough School spoke convincingly in proposition on the motion This House would allow students to vote out their teachers. Alex argued that “It’s not fair that we can choose who leads the country, but not who teaches us”, whilst Omar summarised that without good teachers, he would not be able to fulfil his dream; “I want to grow up to get a good job, like a banker or a politician...well, maybe not a banker.”

Omar, Alex and Jhonti with their trophies

ESU Merchandise When visiting Dartmouth House, why not take a moment to look at the display cabinet, where you will find an exclusive range of gift items, all featuring the ESU logo. The items for sale are reasonably priced starting from just £3.50 and range from key fobs to an impressive assortment of glassware, ties, and jewellery.

Ask at reception for details.

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ESU Tour to Lebanon The ESU regularly sends experienced debaters overseas to share their skills with other young people. Ben Jasper and Andrew Tuffin recently went to Lebanon as part of an ongoing relationship that the ESU’s Centre for Speech and Debate enjoys with the Lebanese American University (LAU). The duo also took part in an initiative to train students at one of the country’s secondary schools. Here, they reflect on aspects of their trip.

the Model United Nations group who were organising a conference for high school students on the weekend of our departure.

‘It was a fantastic opportunity which we both enjoyed greatly and found immensely rewarding. We were impressed by the standard of those students we taught both at LAU and at the school in Saida and we think the decision to expand the coaching programme to a schools’ level was a great success.

We were overwhelmed by the kindness and hospitality shown to both of us during the course of our stay by everyone we met. The opportunity to take a tour of Beirut with an expert archaeologist was fantastic as were our trips to Saida, Biblos and Jeita.

Our university teaching experience involved a number of short one-hour sessions with three different classes over the course of three days, culminating in an assessment of the students at the end. The students were responsive and engaged and we were impressed with their ability to think quickly and critically.

In addition, we had a very productive session with members of

Our two days in Saida were equally enjoyable and fruitful; especially given this was a pioneering experiment in coaching high school students in Lebanon. We coached two different groups on each day in large groups of between 50 and 60 students.

Both of us left feeling very happy with the tour and fortunate to be able to see so much of Lebanon and spend time meeting so many people in the process. We would like to once again extend our thanks to Ms. Haraty, the Lebanese American University; the ESU in Lebanon and all those whom we met for making our teaching so straightforward and enjoyable. We hope that future tours will be as successful and will certainly recommend it to any debaters whom we come across.”

Stratford Study Course Sixteen teachers joined the third Stratford Study Course on 2-8 August, organised by the ESU and the Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust, whose collaboration has also resulted in the hugely successful Great Shakespeare Debate.

The week-long course of plays, lectures, discussions and workshops, devised and delivered by Shakespearian experts, is aimed at teachers, professors and enthusiasts of theatre, the English language and Shakespeare.

Delegates from England and Wales, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Chile, France, Malta, Turkey and United States of America, travelled to Stratford for the programme, where they enjoyed performances of The Winter’s Tale, As You Like It and Julius Caesar at the Courtyard Theatre. There were visits to all of the houses owned and cared for by the Trust including Shakespeare's Birthplace where delegates learnt about Shakespeare’s childhood and his life. The course, run by Dr Paul Edmondson, Head of Education at the Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust, included post-performance discussions, workshops on Elizabethan wigs

Delegates at Dartmouth House with Mike Lake (back left)

and makeup and question and answer sessions. The delegation also visited Shakespeare Found: A Life Portrait, a ground-breaking exhibition.

Summer Lunch for English Programme English in Action provides one-to-one English support to students at Dartmouth House. The schools’ programme sends pairs of volunteers into London primary schools to work with small groups of children who have English as an additional language. This year’s lunch took place on 8 July. As well as providing long-standing tutors and new volunteers with a chance to exchange tips and ideas, it also served as an opportunity to thank the tutors for all their hard work over the year.

Katherine Plummer and Kate McCulloch joined the group who enjoyed an all too short and well-deserved break before both programmes began again in September.

The volunteers enjoyed lunch at Carluccio’s

The ESU’s English in Action and English in Action in Schools programmes provide opportunities during the year for volunteer tutors to meet at Dartmouth House and share experiences.

The summer lunch is one such occasion.

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For more information on both English in Action and English in Action in Schools please contact the education department on 020 7529 1550 or email education@esu.org.

Welcome ESU Cyprus continued Delegates enjoyed a lively and diverse week which included a tour of Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings and a trip to the Troodos Mountains. There was also an opportunity to explore Nicosia and Pissouri. A celebration drink on the roof-terrace of Mr Keheyan’s residence in old Nicosia brought the launch programme to a close.

The ESU would like to thank the committee of ESU Cyprus for

arranging such a successful trip and all those who attended and supported the launch.

Our newest ESU already has a diverse range of activities and events planned for the year. It offers a warm welcome to all ESU members when in Cyprus. Please visit the ESU’s website at www.esu.org/cyprus to find contact details.

Chocolate and Lollipops at Literary Lecture Joanne Harris, acclaimed author of Chocolat and Lollipop Shoes was the guest speaker at a Literary Lecture at Dartmouth House in June. Valerie Mitchell presided.

The English Language Through A Writer’s Eye was her enchanting account of how her love for writing developed throughout her life. Capturing the audience’s attention with the creation of vivid and colourful descriptions of her childhood, Joanne Harris gave the audience an insight into her fascinating life as she grew up in a bi-lingual family.

Emphasising the importance of the oral tradition, she told stories she had heard from her own family who later inspired her to write. These tales formed the basis for many of the characters in her novels.

The audience was also treated to a superb reading from Lollipop Shoes.

Joanne Harris’s books are now published in over 40 countries and have won a number of British and international awards.

In 2004, Joanne was one of the judges of the Whitbread prize; and in 2005 she was a judge of the Orange prize.

Joanne addresses a captive audience in the Churchill Room

The Importance of Being Earnest Players from Oxford University gave an outstanding performance of The Importance of Being Earnest at Dartmouth House on 15 June.

A stone’s throw from Algy’s quarters in Half Moon Street, Oscar Wilde’s last and most enduringly popular play came back to its original setting in a Mayfair townhouse for a unique, one-night only performance. This was a revival of the critically acclaimed 2008 Oxford University production in the 125th anniversary year of Oxford Drama.

The actors included Timmy Pleydell-Bouverie, Krishna Omkar, Melissa Oppenheim, Isabel Drury, Josephine Draper, Arabella Lawson, Daniel McLean and Philip Aherne.

The play was attended by ESU members and special guests including actress Thelma Holt and Peter Kyle, Chief Executive, Shakespeare’s Globe. The audience witnessed a unique event at the English-Speaking Union as the play was delivered in promenade style letting guests enjoy scenes from the classic play in many of the rooms at Dartmouth House.

A scene in the long drawing room

It is hoped that this was the first of many dramatic performances to be staged at the ESU whose cultural programmes aim to support a vast range of the arts.

Christmas at Dartmouth House Leith’s at Dartmouth House will be helping you to celebrate the festive season by offering events packages to suit every taste and price range.

We can provide you with a unique backdrop to entertain your guests, delectable food and impeccable service – the only things you’ll need for an enjoyable and successful event at Dartmouth House this Christmas.

For more details on how you can celebrate at Dartmouth House, please get in touch with the Events Team on 020 7529 1578 or email dartmouthhouse@compass-group.co.uk.

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House of Lords Tea Party

The tea party was also attended by Peers, MPs and ESU alumni as well as members from 15 ESU branches in the UK. International ESU members included Ambassador Masamichi Hanabusa, President of the ESU International Council & Chairman Emeritus of ESU Japan who was accompanied with his wife Mrs Yoriko Hanabusa. Ambassador Hanabusa told the audience how he became involved in the ESU whilst studying at Oxford University and thanked the English-Speaking Union for its lifetime of hospitality and kindness.

Mme Beatrix De Montgermont-Keil, a former President of the ESU International Council and National President of ESU France also

www.davidcavill.co.uk

At the annual tea party held on the Terrace of the House of Lords on 1 July, Lord Hunt welcomed guests including ESU parliamentary interns from the United States of America and representatives from no fewer than 13 countries. Parliamentary interns and international students reported their huge enjoyment of their time in the UK and were delighted to attend one of the most popular events in the ESU calendar.

US Parliamentary exchange scholars with Lord Hunt, second from right

attended. Among the other guests were representatives from the American’s Woman’s Club, the Canadian High Commission, International House and the Canadian Women’s Club.

SSE Keeps Dartmouth House Busy up their university places back in the UK. Five alumni of the programme and their parents also attended the briefing day. This gave the ‘rookies’ and their families the opportunity to discuss any worries about their year abroad. They were also able to hear first-hand what a fantastic impact the exchange had made on its graduates.

SSE 2009 scholars with some of last year's alumni

The recent comings and goings of Secondary School Exchange scholars have been keeping the Education Department at Dartmouth House busy.

In early July, 12 SSE candidates and their parents attended a briefing day at the ESU’s headquarters. A total of 16 SSE scholars are spending the next year in North America at an independent high school before taking

Coming the other way across the Atlantic were 15 North American students who landed on our shores in August. The scholars were met at Heathrow and enjoyed a hectic breakfast briefing at Dartmouth House before leaving for their homestays and schools across the UK. We hope that the next year will be both interesting and enjoyable for them and also hope they find the time to drop into Dartmouth House and tell us all about it.

More US Journeys Six candidates hopeful of securing a study grant to the USA assembled at Dartmouth House. This time, they were members of the clergy bidding for an American Memorial Chapel Travel Grant.

This award, open to clergy of all denominations, facilitates a tour of the USA with the aim of fostering understanding and the exchange of ideas. This year, there was an unprecedented level of interest in the grant and potential candidates had a wide variety of interests they planned to investigate. The interview panel consisted of Revd David Gatliffe, representing the Board of Education, Diocese of Southwark, Father John Dickson SDB, Rector (alumnus of the programme), Revd Helen Wordsworth, UK Co-ordinator of Parish Nursing Ministries UK (another alumna) and Katherine Plummer, Head of Education Programmes.

The panel was so impressed with the candidates that the grant has been split between two scholars. Reverend Mandy Ford from the Church of Christ the King, Leicester and Reverend Gerard O'Shaughnessy from St James' Church, Bootle will travel to the USA during the next year. Rev Ford will explore how theologies 6

The Revd. David Gatliffe, Father John Dickson SDB, and The Revd.

Helen Wordsworth

are revealed in local stories; comparing Leicester to Chicago.

Rev O’Shaughnessy will undertake a comparative study of Faith schools and Sunday school clubs.

Nominations for Governors of the ESU Captain Norman Lloyd-Edwards, Mr Christopher Redman, Mr Anthony Williams and Sir Robert Worcester retire after six years on the Board and are not eligible for re-election. There is one other vacancy. The Board has nominated, subject to their consent, Mr Paul Boateng, Mr David Carter, Mr Roderick Chamberlain, Mr Steven Hodkinson and Mr Richard Oldham.

Bye-Laws 49 and 50 state that a third of the Board (excluding Honorary Officers) must retire every year. The Board at present consists of 26 members and therefore nine have to retire this year. As there are four members retiring already, the following retire by rotation and are eligible for re-election – Lady Boyd, Mrs Cheryl Gillan, Mr Richard Kaye, Sir Christopher Meyer and Mr Anthony Westnedge. These five members have been nominated by the Board for re-election.

The Governors have agreed to the co-option of Ms Kirsten McNeill and Mr David Thomas for a further year and the co-option of Mrs Holly Shakespeare.

Under Bye-Laws 44 and 52, written notice of any other proposal to elect a member as an Honorary Officer or as a Governor should be sent to the Secretary at Dartmouth House, signed by two members “duly qualified to be present and vote at the meeting”, and by their nominee indicating his or her willingness to be elected. Notice of such proposals must reach the Secretary 30 days before the Annual General Meeting, ie. by 20th October 2009. Nominations will be reported to and considered by the Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday 19th November 2009 at Dartmouth House at 6.30 pm.

Alumni Celebrate 50th Anniversary attend but many more sent their regards and best wishes.

Some of the guests were meeting each other for the first time in 50 years, so it was a trip down memory lane and an update of what have they been doing since they returned to the UK from their scholarship.

The lunch was organised by Cristel Guajardo, Alumni Officer, who was pleased with such a great turnout. She said: “It is very difficult to get a year group together but this lunch proves that the ESU can organise such events with great success.”

Back row (L – R) Adam Brand, Brian Sedgwick, Brian Marsh, William Marsden, Peter Blayney, George Hubbard, front row (L – R) John Bradbury, Martin Thompson, Alumni Officer Cristel Guajardo, John Szemerey and Andrew Stroud

Ten ESU alumni celebrated a very special occasion in June with a lunch arranged to mark the 50th anniversary of 1958-59 BASS (now SSE) exchange.

Brian Marsh, Honorary President of the Alumni Association, hosted the event in the Small Drawing Room at Dartmouth House.

Ten of the original 21 scholars were able to

Alumnus Peter Blayney said “It was a splendid occasion and I only hope we can all repeat the occasion in 5 years time!”

The event proved to be appreciated and enjoyed by all concerned and the English-Speaking Union would like to offer its heartfelt thanks to Brian Marsh for his tremendous support.

Attingham Lecture features Amercian Silver and Jewellery Beth Carver Wees was the guest speaker for a lecture in aid of the ESU American Arts Scholarship to Attingham. Curator of American Decorative Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Beth is responsible for the collections of American silver, jewellery and other metals.

Guests came to Dartmouth House to hear Beth deliver a lecture on American Silver and Jewellery at the Metropolitan Museum,

New York which was accompanied by stunning photographs of the various pieces from the collection. The talk briefly touched on the history of the museum before examining pieces in closer detail.

Alys Rickett gave the vote of thanks. The final lecture in this year’s series, will be on 1 October with guest speaker Dr Tamara Follini, Senior Lecturer in English, Clare College, Cambridge, on Americans Abroad: Henry James’s Transatlantic Comedy.

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Diary Dates

Unless otherwise stated we regret that no refunds can be made for cancellations within seven working days of an event.

For members: We accept payment for Dartmouth House events and membership subscriptions by credit/debit cards. Cards bearing Visa, Master-Card, Maestro, Switch, Solo or Delta symbols can now be used to make bookings by post, telephone or email.

DARTMOUTH HOUSE Telephone : 020 7529 1550

Monday 7 September The formal launch of ESU Albania will take place on 7 September followed by a programme of cultural events.

Please note, places are limited and no reservations will be made by the ESU without payment.

Contact: Annette Fisher

5 – 10 October 2009 Air Gallery, 32 Dover Street ESU Georgia is proud to present an exhibition of Georgian art, including paintings by acclaimed artist Zurab Nijaradze.

All ESU members are welcome to attend the official opening on 5 October.

Contact: Mrs Marina Tsitsishvili, Chairman, ESU Georgia, +57 7477050, marinaesu@yahoo.com

Wednesday 9 September, 10.30 – 11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends.

Contact: Alison Wakefield

Wednesday 14 October, 10.30 – 11.30 am International at Home. ESU members are invited to a coffee morning at Dartmouth House.

Contact: Annette Fisher

Tuesday 15 September at 6pm SSE alumuni reunion at Dartmouth House. A ticket application form can be downloaded from the ESU website and should be returned to Cristel Guajardo.

Contact: Cristel Guajardo Speech and Debate Roadshow 21 September – London and Durham 22 September – Liverpool 23 September – Leicester and London 24 September – Hereford 25 September – Plymouth 29 September – London 4:30 - 7:30pm unless otherwise stated. This year in addition to the debating aspect there will be a public speaking session.

Tickets: £50 admits 5 students and accompanying teachers.

Contact: Jason Vit or www.esu.org/events Wednesday 23 September at 7 for 7.30 pm Recital at Queen’s Gate Terrace in aid of the ESU Music Scholarship programme. Dedicated to the founder of the Music Scholarships, Belinda Norman-Butler, this concert will be held at the private residence of Vernon Ellis. It will feature ESU alumni Sam Haywood (piano), Gemma Rosefield (cellist, winner of the Pierre Fournier Prize) and violinist, Katharine Gowers.

Tickets: £35 to include a reception.

Contact: Gillian Parker Monday 28 September at 6 pm The Alumni Officer would like to invite all Capitol Hill Alumni to a reception at Dartmouth House. The English-Speaking is grateful to Mr Braxton Moncure (Treasurer, ESU Washington DC) for his support of this reunion. Please download the reply form at www.esu.org/events.

Tickets: Alumni £10 each, Guests £12 each.

Contact: Cristel Guajardo

NOVEMBER Wednesday 4 November from 6pm to 8pm Private view in aid of the Chilton Art History Scholarship at Fortnum and Mason.

Fortnum & Mason owns a collection of British and overseas paintings dating from the 18th century to the present day.

Fortnum’s archivist, Dr Andrea Tanner, will give a brief talk on the background of the collection before a guided tour of the artwork on display.

Tickets: £22.50 to include wine and canapés.

Doors 5pm, Reception 6pm, followed by talk and tour at 6.30pm.

Contact: Gillian Parker Wednesday 11 November, 10.30 – 11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends.

Contact: Alison Wakefield Wednesday 18 November at 7pm Martin Bell will be speaking on his new book A Very British Revolution: The Expenses Scandal and How to Save our Democracy. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Tickets: £8 to include a glass of wine/fruit juice.

Contact: Alison Wakefield

ADVANCE NOTICE October – December The ESU is planning a series of events around the topic of climate change. More details will be available on www.esu.org/events and in the next issue of ESU News.

Contact: Cristel Guajardo

OCTOBER Thursday 1 October at 7pm Lecture in aid of the American Arts Scholarship to Attingham.

Dr Tamara Follini, Fellow and Senior Lecturer at Clare College Cambridge, will be speaking on Americans Abroad: Henry James's Transatlantic Comedy at Dartmouth House.

Tickets: £7.50 to include a glass of wine.

Contact: Gillian Parker

Thursday 10 December at 6.15 pm The Churchill Lecture The 2009 ESU Churchill Lecture will take place at Guildhall.

The guest speaker is Her Excellency Madam Fu Ying, Chinese Ambassador to the Court of St James. The event will be followed by a reception. Tickets: TBC Contact: Gillian Parker

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Friday 2 October – Sunday 4 October The annual ESU Branches Conference will be held at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff.

Contact: Meriel Talbot

This brochure has been printed with vegetable inks using environmentally friendly paper sourced from sustainable forests and is chlorine-free, acid-free, reclyclable and bio-degradable.

SEPTEMBER

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