ESU News THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION
Creating global understanding through English ISSUE No. 117 JULY 2004
ESU Republic of Korea Launches with Live Internet Debate Glorious spring sunshine and beautiful pink and white cherry blossom greeted 23 delegates in Seoul for the launch of ESU Republic of Korea. The delegates represented Hong Kong, Japan, Mongolia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Pakistan, Romania and the UK.
Contents ESU Republic of Korea Launch . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2 International Public Speaking Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 3 International Schools Mace . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 3 50 Years of the Universities Mace . . .Page 4 ESU Mongolia ‘EFL’ Scholarship . . . . . . . .Page 4 ESU Sierra Leone . . .Page 5 ESU Nigeria
. . . . . .Page 5
Literary Lecture – Andrew Roberts . . . . . . . . . .Page 6 Literary Lecture – Graeme Fife . . . . .Page 6 Partridge Fine Arts PLC Private View . . . . . . .Page 6 Couture Showing
. . .Page 6
Travelling Librarian Award . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7 ESU Japan . . . . . . . .Page 7 Above: L-R Mrs Valerie Mitchell, Lord Watson, Dr Seok Hyun Hong, Minister Byung-Young Ahn and HE Mr Warwick Morris.
Minister Byung-Young Ahn, Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Seok Hyun Hong, Chairman ESU Republic of Korea, Lord Watson and Mrs Valerie Mitchell gave speeches at the official launch ceremony, which was held on 16 April at the Westin Chosun Hotel. Prior to the launch ceremony, Lord Watson was made a Visiting Honorary Professor of Korea University and spoke on the subject "The Asian Dimension of English". Delegates were invited to attend a lunch reception held in the stunning setting of the British Embassy gardens, hosted by HE Mr Warwick Morris, British Ambassador.
As part of the official launch, ESU Republic of Korea held two debates. Yonsei University was the venue for the first debate, where two Korean teams debated the motion "This House believes that furthering North-South Korean reconciliation and co-operation efforts will be conducive to resolving the current nuclear threat on the Peninsula". This gave the delegates a fascinating insight into both recent Korean history and the current political situation.
Telephone : 020 7529 1550 Fax : 020 7495 6108 Email : esu@esu.org
International at Home . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7 ESU Staff . . . . . . . . .Page 7 Obituaries
. . . . . . . .Page 8
Strasbourg Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 9 World Members’ Conference . . . . . .Page 10 Diary Dates
. . .Page 11-12
American Election Night Party . . . . . .Page 12
Web : www.esu.org
Above: Delegates in the British Embassy gardens.
With the use of video-conferencing and the Internet, the second debate was held between a team at Ehwa Women’s University in Seoul, and a team at Dartmouth House in London. The teams had chosen to debate the highly topical motion "This House believes that the Iraq War will change international relations for the better", which allowed Korean and UK speakers alike to explore a wide range of interesting issues. The Debate was watched by audiences on opposite sides of the world, many of whom participated in the floor debate immediately following the main speeches.
Above: Baroness Perry, an Embassy representative and Minister Il-Soo Kim.
The Committee of ESU Republic of Korea did a wonderful job organising the launch and making delegates feel very welcome. They organised a packed and varied programme of events, which included a visit to a Korean folk village and the Demilitarised Zone between North and South Korea. Above: UK debaters Can Okar, Adam Berlin and Alyson Thompson with Lord Hunt.
In the UK the ESU was represented by the Rt Hon. the Lord Hunt of Wirral, Deputy Chairman, who chaired proceedings. The debate was introduced (in the UK) by the Baroness Perry of Southwark, former Governor, who was instrumental in founding ESU Republic of Korea, and Minister Il-Soo Kim, from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. In Seoul, Dr Seok Hyun Hong, President of ESU Republic of Korea, and Lord Watson of Richmond, Chairman, responded. The speakers in the debate were Moses Choi (Yonsei Univesity), Alyson Thompson (University of Cambridge), Can Okar (University of Bristol), Kerry Lee (Ewha Womans University), Adam Berlin (University of Oxford), and Jin Joo Lee (Kyung Hee University). 2
It was a really international delegation and everybody who attended wholeheartedly agreed that the enthusiasm of the Committee had made the visit truly memorable.
Left: L-R Korean debaters Jin Joo Lee, Moses Choi and Kerry Lee.
Philippines wins International Public Speaking Competition Eyes". The runner-up was Uyanga Erdenebold from Mongolia with her speech "Invisible Borders" and the Best Non-native English Speaker, and also the Audience’s Choice, was Xiao Qing Wong from Malaysia with her speech "Citizens of the World". Whilst in the UK, participants went to see The Woman in Black, where they enjoyed a talk from the Director, Robin Herford, who is also an ESU Alumnus. Other activities included a trip on the London Eye and a visit to the House of Commons to watch a debate. Following this, they took part in a mock debate at Dartmouth House.
Above: Participants and judges at South Africa House.
Many of the participants spent the weekend following the competition with ESU members outside London. We would like to thank all these hosts, and also the Branches who so generously supported the competition. The ESU would like to thank HSBC Holdings plc for once again generously sponsoring the Competition, and also the South African High Commission for hosting the event.
Now in its 23rd year, the 2004 International Public Speaking Competition attracted 60 participants from 34 countries, who gathered in London for the Final on 14 May. The speeches at this year’s event were all of a particularly high standard, and the judges at the Heats at Dartmouth House had a difficult task selecting the finalists. In the Heats, the judges selected eight participants from Argentina, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan and the Philippines to go through to the Grand Final at South Africa House. Brian Hanrahan, BBC Diplomatic Editor, chaired the Panel of Judges for the Grand Final, which also included Richard Price, former Chairman of BAFTA, Dame Mary Richardson, Chief Executive of the HSBC Education Trust and Robert Rowland, Executive Producer and Media Adviser with Corporate Television Networks. After lengthy deliberation they announced the winner to be Patricia Evangelista from the Philippines who spoke on "Blonde and Blue
Above: L-R Xiao Qing Wong, Patricia Evangelista and Uyanga Erdenebold.
Scotland wins International School Mace Wales and Ireland National Champions in the International Final.
Above: Gabriel Brady and Thomas Boston of George Heriot’s School, overall winners, with the Mace.
The England and Scotland Finals of the ESU Schools Mace debating competition were held in March and saw Alyson Thompson and Richard Trainor of Westminster School, and Gabriel Brady and Thomas Boston of George Heriot’s School win the right to go through to meet the
The Final was held in the Parliament Chamber of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple on 8 May. The first debate, which was on the motion "This House believes that criminal justice systems should treat terrorist suspects in the same way as those suspected of other crimes", was proposed by Wales and opposed by Scotland. The second debate, proposed by England and opposed by Ireland, was on the motion "This House believes that the USA should remove its military bases from the Pacific Rim". All the teams rose to the challenge of these difficult, topical motions and the quality of debate was very high. The judges, chaired by Spenser Steadman who won the competition in 1996, declared George Heriot’s the winner. David Bussey, chair of the Committee for the Centre for Speech
and Debate, presented the winners with the Silver Mace. This is the third time that George Heriot’s has won in the last ten years.
Above: Winners of the English Final, Richard Trainor and Alyson Thompson of Westminster School. 3
Fifty Years of the Universities Mace unanimously chosen as winners. They were awarded the Silver Mace by the Patron of the competition, the Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill. Sam Collins and David Whelan, representing the Law Society of University College Dublin, were named runners-up. The Final brought together the winners of the four national tournaments that had been running through the year and which started with 172 teams. Many thanks to Andy Hume (Scotland), Niall Murphy (Ireland), Nancy Bicknell (Wales) and Kirsty McNeill (England) for convening the national tournaments and especially to Centre Committee member Clark McGinn (winner 1982) for his help in convening the International Final and for chairing the final debate. Above: Nicholas Tan and Harriet Jones-Fenleigh of the University of Cambridge being awarded the Silver Mace by the Patron of the competition, the Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill.
To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Universities Mace, the ESU invited all previous finalists to the 2004 International Final followed by a reunion dinner at Dartmouth House on 28 April. This proved to be a wonderful event with old friends being reunited after many years.
watch Cardiff, Cambridge, Edinburgh and University College Dublin debate the motion "This House believes that the world was a safer place during the Cold War".
The Mace was founded in 1954, and was renamed the John Smith Memorial Mace in 1994 after the late Labour leader who won the competition for Glasgow in 1962.
The Debate was judged by the Rt Hon. Charles Kennedy MP (winner in 1982), ESU Deputy Chairman, the Rt Hon. The Lord Hunt of Wirral (winner in 1965), Mr Vincent Kane (winner in 1960), Mr Damien Crawford (winner in 1986) and Mr Colm O’Cinneide (winner in 1998).
Mace champions from across the five decades and the four nations gathered to
Harriet Jones-Fenleigh and Nicholas Tan of the University of Cambridge were
Above: The Rt Hon. Charles Kennedy MP, Chair of the Judging Panel, announcing the decision.
Czech Republic hosts ESU Mongolia ‘English as a Foreign Language’ Scholarship A very clear example of putting into practice the ESU's aim to create global understanding through English, was recently demonstrated by an initiative developed at the launch of ESU Mongolia. Last July, whilst attending the launch in Mongolia, Ian Tervit, Chairman of ESU Czech Republic Steering Committee, promised a Scholarship for a Mongolian Teacher of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to spend a month at the British International School Prague and observe teaching methods. This Scholarship was made possible by the generosity of the School.
"I would like to thank the British International School of Prague and ESU Czech Republic for generously giving me the wonderful opportunity to learn new teaching methods. …these included how to motivate students, how to get them to use opportunities and to think independently. I have been exposed to current teaching methods and have learnt a lot."
Orkhon Gantogtokh, Director of ESU Mongolia, described the process of selecting the teacher for the EFL Scholarship: "There is a long term teacher training programme conducted by the Ministry of Education and the US Embassy. Eighty applicants are trained as teacher trainers and senior teachers, and ten of the best are chosen as finalists. They are then interviewed, and the winner chosen to undertake this Scholarship." Badamtsetseg Badamdorj was awarded the Scholarship and said of her experience: 4
Above: Badamtsetseg Badamdorj during her time in Prague.
Growth of ESU Sierra Leone
Above: Marc Whitmore with pupils from St Joseph’s School, which is based in Makeni, a small town about 200 miles away from the capital city of Freetown. St Joseph’s won their district heat and travelled the five hours to Freetown to take part in the Finals, winning third place overall.
Despite ten years of Civil War in Sierra Leone, the ESU in Freetown is back on its feet, and is working harder than ever before under the aegis of the Committee of ESU Sierra Leone and Revd Moses Kainwo, Organising Secretary. Revd Kainwo, supported by the British Council in Sierra Leone, has been working with ESU staff in London to build debate ability amongst school pupils. As part of this initiative, two members of ESU staff, Marc Whitmore, Executive Head of Development, and James Probert, Debates and Education Officer, travelled to Sierra Leone with Kirsty McNeill and Rob Rinder (both regular participants in ESU programmes) to take on the tough task of staging the first ever post-Civil War national debate championship. Prior to the visit, ESU Sierra Leone had worked hard to organise workshops and debates in 20 schools across the country. This built on the work of last year where the focus had been on working with university students and teachers, and holding a competition for the six constituent colleges of the University of Sierra Leone. During the two-week visit, workshops and training sessions were held with pupils and teachers to hone debate talent. This work took the joint London/Sierra Leoneon team all over the country to judge competitions to Kenema, Bo and Makeni, as well as the capital, Freetown. The climax of the fortnight was the final Debate, which took place between
Ahmadiyya Islamic School, Kenema and Sierra Leone Grammar School, Freetown. Before a judging panel chaired by David Crane, Chief Prosecutor of the Sierra Leone Special Court, and also consisting of Mr Femi Renner-Thomas, Mrs Marionette Fonnah, a member of Parliament for Sierra Leone, and the UK team, Sierra Leone Grammar School won by a whisker, and the best speaker was nominated as Howard Nelson-Williams. As his prize, Howard travelled to the UK with Revd Kainwo in May to take part in the International Public Speaking Competition, held at South Africa House. Both Howard and Revd Kainwo had a trip they will never forget.
work, as well as to all those in Sierra Leone who made the trip possible. The projects, over the past three years, would not have been possible without the funding of the British Council, nor without the support of Revd Kainwo, ESU SL, Donald Williams, British Council and ESU SL and Rajiv Bendre, Director, British Council SL. The winning school was presented with the Maurice Mallinek Trophy, which was contributed by Rob Rinder in memory of his grandfather, a holocaust survivor. Very generous donations from ESU London and an anonymous ESU Alumnus provided the cost of two flights, one for Howard and another for a UK team member, without which the programme would never have been a possibility.
The ESU is especially grateful to Kirsty McNeill and Rob Rinder for all their hard Left: During a recent visit to Nigeria, HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and President of the ESU, attended an event at ESU Nigeria. Here, (L-R) he met Mrs Oluwole, an ESU member, and Prince Michael Ajose, DirectorGeneral ESU Nigeria. 5
What Might Have Been Historian Andrew Roberts gave EnglishSpeaking Union members a view of many parallel universes at an ESU Literary Lecture for his new book ‘What Might Have Been’. The collection of essays, written by a selection of distinguished scholars and biographers, looks at what might have happened if major world events had gone differently. From the Gunpowder Plot to the American Presidential Election of 2000, Andrew Roberts examined many familiar and famous moments in the past and cast them in an entirely new light. The lecture, chaired by Lord Watson, unsurprisingly provoked many questions, and much interesting discussion took place at the Reception and Book Signing afterwards.
Couture Showing at Dartmouth House In April Dartmouth House hosted a Couture Showing of the Spring Summer Collection by Karl Ludwig Couture, dress makers to HM The Queen and the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. On show were a range of beautiful suits and blouses, coats, and afternoon, cocktail and evening dresses, with hats by Philip Somerville. The show was preceded by a Reception and Mrs Terence Mallinson presided. Proceeds from the show will go towards funding ESU scholarship programmes.
Above: Lord Watson with Andrew Roberts at Dartmouth House.
Graeme Fife speaks at Dartmouth House Writer and broadcaster Graeme Fife was the speaker at a Literary Lecture held at Dartmouth House in April, when he introduced his new book ‘The Terror: The Shadow of the Guillotine’. The book examines that extraordinary period in French history from 1793 to 1794. Drawing on contemporary documents, eye-witness accounts, and reports from the dreaded Committee of Public Safety, the author demonstrated in chilling detail the atmosphere of fear, suspicion and
betrayal that gripped the country at the end of the eighteenth century. As the French Revolution is a major part of many A-Level history syllabuses, pupils from Blue Coat School, Reading and Kings Canterbury also attended the lecture. Graham Fife brought to life the drama and the sadness of the Terror with energy and accuracy and was able to answer the audience’s many questions on the subject.
Private View at Partridge Fine Arts PLC At the kind invitation of Partridge Fine Arts PLC, ESU members and guests enjoyed a Private View of the Galleries and the exhibition "In the Garden" on 13 May, in aid of the ESU Chilton Art History Scholarship. Michael Pick, Director, welcomed guests and spoke about the history of the company and the building. Guests were able to see the world famous selection of fine 18th Century English and French furniture, silver, paintings and works of art – all housed in the last great purpose built "palace of the arts" remaining in the world. 6
Arne Maynard, the leading international contemporary garden designer and Julie Harris, the artist were also present to talk to guests about their work which was featured in the exhibition. The event raised over £2,700 in aid of the scholarship. The evening was well attended and we are grateful to Ann Chilton for her untiring work for this Scholarship.
Above: A model wears a hand-printed silk evening dress by Karl Ludwig Couture.
Apology We would like to apologise to the Chairman of ESU London, Mr Colin McCorquodale, and his wife, Bindy, for an inaccuracy in the May ESU News about their visit to ESU Hungary. We reported that Mr McCorquodale’s wife was Hungarian, it is actually Steve Jones’ wife, Eva, who is Hungarian, not Mrs McCorquodale. We apologise for this error.
International at Home At the International at Home held at Dartmouth House on 9 June Mrs Anthony Bull, Chairman, Promotions Sub-Committee, said farewell to ESU Governor Mrs Toyoko Fry and thanked her for all that she had done to make the International at Homes such successful occasions. Mrs Fry will be accompanying her husband Graham Fry to Tokyo in July when he will take up his post as British Ambassador to Japan. The morning was well attended and guests from a variety of countries including Japan, Norway, Poland, Russia and the United States had the opportunity of learning more about the national and international work of the ESU. Right: L-R Toyoko Fry and Susan Bull.
Travelling Librarian Award
Lord Watson visits ESU Japan Lord Watson arrived in Tokyo for the start of his visit to Japan and South Korea early in the morning of the 11 April, Easter Sunday. The timing led to an immediate encounter with the reach of English in Asia. Met at the airport by Ambassador Hanabusa, Lord Watson enquired whether it would be possible to take Easter Communion in Tokyo that morning. Ambassador Hanabusa’s suggestion was a visit to the well-known St Ignatius Church where midday mass was being celebrated. The Church was completely packed out and the service in English. The Priest leading the celebration was from India assisted by priests from the Philippines, Luxembourg and Japan. The Congregation of over 1,000 was drawn from Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China, the United States and Britain. Easter Sunday was also in Japan’s stunning cherry blossom season and he was able to visit some of Tokyo’s most famous public gardens.
Above: L-R Carole Andrews, Chair of the ESU Library Committee, Anne Peoples and Neil Gilroy-Scott, ESU Director of Education.
Each year CILIP (The Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals) and the English-Speaking Union fund a travel programme for a UK librarian to visit the United States to investigate relevant aspects of their work. The 2003 Travelling Librarian was Anne Peoples from the Western Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland, who recently shared her experiences – looking at outreach services in Arizona, Pennsylvania and New York, at a reception held at Dartmouth House.
Congratulations Mary Dawson (pictured right) who has worked at the ESU for two years as Education Officer has been promoted to Assistant Director of Education. She will continue to work on a variety of programmes and scholarships including the Secondary School Exchange Programme, Walter Hines Page Scholarships and English in Action. Her additional responsibilities will include contributing to the preparation and planning of new educational projects.
The main public highlight of Lord Watson’s visit was giving a lecture at Japan’s leading private university, Keio, on ‘The Asian and International Dimension of English’. Cocktails and a reception, at which Lord Watson was able to meet many of the members of ESUJ, followed this event which was reported in some detail in the Japanese press. He also visited the ESUJ offices and discussed the success of the ESU in Japan and the reasons for it. In particular, Lord Watson was much impressed by the ESUJ website and its special feature ‘Japan in Their Own Words’, a webpage in English conveying unique insights into Japanese perspectives on world events. Lord Watson had two personal highlights from his trip. His visit to Kyoto, whisked to and fro by Bullet Express and accompanied by the ever-entertaining and erudite Ms Sashiko Tsuchiya, and his meeting with Ambassador Masaji Takahashi. The Ambassador was the first Japanese undergraduate at Jesus College, Cambridge at the same time as Lord Watson was there. Ambassador Takahashi met Lord Watson in the foyer of the Imperial Hotel wearing his college tie. English really does have a way of shrinking the world. 7
Obituaries The Baroness Brigstocke CBE Chairman of the English-Speaking Union 1993-1999
It is with profound sadness that we learned of the cruel and tragic death of our former Chairman, Lady Brigstocke, in Athens in May. The Baroness Brigstocke had a distinguished career in education and was the High Mistress of St Paul’s Girls School from 1974 to 1989. The EnglishSpeaking Union was most fortunate she accepted the invitation of its Board of Governors to take on the onerous task
Dame Mary Green DBE Chairman of the Education Committee 1974-1982 and former ESU Governor The ESU records with very great sadness the death of Dame Mary Green at the age of ninety. In a long and happy association with the ESU, Dame Mary was Chairman of the Education Committee from 1974 to 1982 and served as an ESU Governor, roles to which she brought exceptional qualifications and experience. After studying modern languages at Westfield College, she began a distinguished career in teaching, which culminated in the Headship in 1954 of Kidbrooke – London’s first purpose-built comprehensive school – and lasted until 8
of Chairman from 1993 to 1999. She was a truly remarkable person of great energy, commitment, courage and foresight. In many ways she transformed the ESU and laid the firmest of foundations for its present growth and international expansion. Lady Brigstocke contributed vitally to the activities of the ESU of the Commonwealth as Chairman from 1993 to 1999 and to international development as International Chairman from 1995 to 1999. Under her chairmanship ESUs were launched in Armenia, Brazil, Japan, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Russia and Vanuatu. In addition to this she helped to set up steering committees in mainland China, Hong Kong, Latvia and Moldova. Her visits abroad were greatly appreciated and always enlivened by her intense interest and sense of occasion. Lady Brigstocke favoured direct involvement with the existing ESU education programmes and took a particular interest in the creation of the Centre for Speech and Debate. She led the expansion of its remit to provide training for teachers and students wishing to develop their skills in spoken English, particularly those from sectors with little or no tradition of participation in formal public speaking or debate. Always alert for opportunities to widen the range of the ESU’s educational
1973. In addition she gave enthusiastic and unstinting support to a wide variety of public organisations, including five years as a Governor of the BBC, three years on the Press Council, four with the Centre for Educational Development Overseas as well as others too numerous to list here. Nevertheless, she saw herself as a teacher first and foremost, and always retained her belief in the vocational nature of the profession. Dame Mary was a much valued member of the ESU community and will be sorely missed by those who worked with her and were privileged to share her friendship. The ESU was represented at her funeral by Lady Dean and Dr Gilroy-Scott on behalf of the Director-General.
work, she initiated an imaginative reading programme for state primary schools in London in support of the government sponsored “Year of Reading”. This culminated in a reading festival held at Dartmouth House attended by 200 primary school children. Her range of contacts among teachers and educationalists ensured that the ESU had unrivalled access to the expertise and skills needed for the effective functioning of the Education Committee. The strengths and successes of our current programmes could not have been achieved without her contribution. Lord Watson, the Board of Governors, Valerie Mitchell and her team at Dartmouth House, our national and international members all wish to express their heartfelt sympathy to Lady Brigstocke’s husband Lord Griffiths and Persephone, David, Julian and Thomas, her four children. She will be greatly missed and long remembered by us all. As an organisation, we owe her an enormous amount. Antonia Fraser, the historian and friend has written of Heather Brigstocke: “She was all those things ascribed to her - intelligent, beautiful, witty and looking half her age. She really was one of those people you would never expect to die.”
Mrs Aida Violet Gowan Mrs Aida Gowan was an ESU English in Action tutor for over 10 years, from the beginning of the programme. She spent every Tuesday at the ESU taking three or even four students from 11am to about 4pm, sitting in her favourite spot in the bar at Dartmouth House with her weekly gin and tonic. Many students kept in touch with her after they had left and she was always enthusiastic, caring and fun to talk to. She was full of life and vitality and will be much missed. Everyone at the English-Speaking Union greatly appreciates the contribution that Mrs Gowan gave to the work of the ESU and particularly in promoting this most important English speaking programme.
European Conference in Strasbourg Saturday 4 - Monday 6 September Lord Watson will lead an English-Speaking Union Conference entitled ‘Dimensions of the New Europe’, which will be held in Strasbourg on Monday 6 September. It is apt that this Conference should take place in this city which is known as the "crossroads of Europe" and is the seat of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Parliament. The Conference will take place in the Council of Europe with speakers to include Mr Luzius Wildhaber, President of the European Court, Mr Stephen Howarth, UK Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, Mme Fabienne Keller, Mayor of Strasbourg, José Caverez, Head of Public Affairs for Europe, Coca-Cola and Dr Richard Mayne, Writer and Broadcaster. These and other renowned speakers from the business and political spectrum will be discussing the historical background of European enlargement, and the economic and cultural dimensions. Strasbourg, with its rich and fascinating history dating from Roman times, offers a wealth of attractions. ESU Strasbourg has kindly organised a cultural tour of the city on Sunday 5 September to include a boat trip on the Rhine river, and a guided tour of the magnificent Romanesque and Gothic cathedral and Oeuvre Notre Dame Museum. Strasbourg is also famous for its gastronomy and its proximity to the Wine Route of Alsace. There will be an opportunity to take a wine tasting tour on Saturday 4 September. The Strasbourg Branch is looking forward to welcoming ESU members to this special Conference meeting and will give you all a warm welcome to their city. Information as follows: Please note that delegates are responsible for booking their own accommodation and flights. The Hôtel de Prince (33 rue Geiler, 67000 Strasbourg) has reserved 40 rooms for delegates for the nights of 3-6 September. We recommend that to ensure your place in the hotel you should contact them at your earliest convenience clearly stating that you are part of the English-Speaking Union delegation: Euros £ Room with bath/shower 91.50 60.55 Room with King-size bed or two beds 103.50 68.49 Room for three persons 114.00 75.44 Petit-déjeuner buffet 12.00 7.94
Tel. 0033 388 61 55 19, Fax. 0033 388 41 10 92, www.hotel-princes.com All room bookings must be made by Thursday 8 July. Conference Fees Saturday Wine Route (to include transport, guide and wine tasting tour)
30.00
19.91
Sunday Ground Travel (to include tour and evening reception) Boat trip along the river Rhine Lunch at the Restaurant Le Baecheoffe d’Alsace Guided Tour of Cathedral and the Oeuvre Notre Dame Museum
20.00 7.00 26.00 13.00
13.23 4.63 17.20 8.60
Sub-Total
66.00
43.66
Monday Conference fee Ground Travel (to and from the Conference venue and evening reception) Tea and Coffee Three course lunch (to include wine) at the Council of Europe
30.00 25.00 4.00 35.00
19.85 16.72 2.65 23.16
Sub-Total
94.00
62.38
TOTAL
190 Euros
£125.95
In order to help the administration, please note that we have made different categories for costing. Transport has been organised and clearly this has been added as an extra cost. For more information and a booking form please contact Sarah Spinney, Communications Officer, telephone 020 7529 1562, email sarah_spinney@esu.org. 9
World Members’ Conference, New York, 6-10 October 2004 For further information and a booking form please contact: The English-Speaking Union, Branch Services, 144 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016, telephone: 001 212-818-1200, fax: 001 212-867-4177, email: info@esuus.org The programme will include a welcome reception and dinner at the Yale University Club, discussion sessions on international themes, the 2004 Ambassador Book Award Ceremony, a Tour and Reception at the United Nations, and demonstrations of ESU educational programmes, a farewell dinner at Ellis Island Immigrant Museum and two lunches. Speakers will include Stuart Rothenberg, one of the country’s most respected non-partisan political analysts and commentators who will discuss the upcoming Presidential elections. There are optional tours on the morning of Wednesday 6 October for those who arrive early. The closing session will take place on the morning of Sunday 10 October. If you are staying on for an extra day or two, volunteers from the New York Branch are standing ready to help you with any special requests you might have, such as touring a particular neighborhood, visiting a museum with a local guide or going on a souvenirshopping spree. Optional Pre-conference trip to Washington DC: Sunday 3-Tuesday 5 October The Washington DC Area Branch has put together an enticing tour package that includes visits to the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and such Smithsonian highlights as the National Gallery of Art and the National Air and Space Museum. Each morning will begin with a group breakfast at which a prominent speaker will provide an overview on a timely subject. Each evening will end with a buffet reception, at least one of which will take place in a stately Embassy. If you plan to take advantage of this special excursion, you should book your flights into Washington DC and out of New York City. COSTS Full payment must be received by Wednesday 1 September • New York Registration fee (not including accommodation – see below) $440 • Washington: $1200 per person for couples and $1500 per person for singles (since accommodation must be billed at double-occupancy rates). This will cover three nights in the Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Avenue NW (a short walk from Union Station), all breakfasts, all receptions, transportation to and from scheduled events and train fare from Washington DC to New York City. Student rates are also available; please inquire directly of Dr. Andrews at 001 202-234-4602. ACCOMMODATION • The Roosevelt Hotel, East 45th Street and Madison Avenue $179 and $139 (not including breakfast, and excluding 13.625% tax and a $2.00 occupancy fee). Reservations can be made by fax: 001 212-885-6162 telephone: 001 212-661-9600. Please specify that you are with The English-Speaking Union group. • The Vanderbilt YMCA, East 47th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues $60 for a single, $70 for a double (bunk beds), both with a shared bath, excluding breakfast. YMCA reservations must be pre-paid to the ESU of the US 10
Diary Dates
Unless otherwise stated we regret that no refunds can be made for cancellations within seven working days of an event.
For members: We accept payment for Dartmouth House events and membership subscriptions by credit/debit cards. Cards bearing Visa, Master-Card, Maestro, Switch, Solo or Delta symbols can now be used to make bookings by post, telephone or email. DARTMOUTH HOUSE Telephone : 020 7529 1550
JULY Wednesday 7 July at 3.30-5.00pm
Saturday 31 July – Friday 6 August
House of Lords Tea Party
ESU St Petersburg – Fabergé Tour
The Lord Watson of Richmond will receive guests on the
‘Become a Tzar or Tzarina for a day!’
Terrace of the House of Lords. This event is now fully
Theo Fabergé’s ‘St Petersburg Collection’ will be making
booked. Please contact Jacqueline Abbott if you wish to
its 12th Luxury Palaces and Gems Tour to St Petersburg, in
go on the waiting list
conjunction with the ESU St Petersburg. You are promised
Tickets: £22
access to palaces and objets d’art, which only the magic name of Fabergé can open. More details are available
Sunday 11-Saturday 17 July
from Irene Clarke on 01895 238 674, or
International Summer Conference,
email creations@stpetersburgcollection.com
Oriel College, Oxford
AUGUST
The 42nd International Summer Conference will be held at Oriel College. The aim of the Conference is to give participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge of
Wednesday 11 August at 10.30-11.30am
Britain and to widen their outlook on world issues. It also
At Home at Dartmouth House
offers a unique opportunity to make individual contacts
Members and their friends are invited to coffee at
with people from various fields, cultures and backgrounds
Dartmouth House
Delegate fee: £845 members, £965 non-members
Contact: Jacqueline Abbott
Contact: Helen Green
SEPTEMBER Wednesday 14 July at 10.30-11.30am At Home at Dartmouth House
Monday 6 September
Members and their friends are invited to coffee at
Lord Watson will lead an English-Speaking Union
Dartmouth House
Conference entitled ‘Dimensions of the New Europe’ in
Contact: Jacqueline Abbott
Strasbourg. ESU France, Strasbourg Branch, will be organising cultural visits around the Conference. For more details, see page 9
Friday 30 July
Contact: The Director-General’s Office
The 2004 Branches Conference will take place at Dartmouth House with a full programme of events
Wednesday 8 September at 10.30-11.30am
and lunch. The day will close with a splendid dinner
At Home at Dartmouth House
at the Lansdowne Club (just around the corner), with
Members and their friends are invited to coffee at
entertainment by singer Siona Stockell
Dartmouth House Contact: Jacqueline Abbott
Accommodation, at extremely advantageous rates, has been arranged at the Lansdowne Club for those wishing to spend
Friday 24 September at 7.00pm
the night in London
As part of the ESU American Arts Scholarship to Attingham Lecture Series 2004, Thomas Michie, since
For further information, contact Meriel Talbot,
1991 Curator of Decorative Arts at the Museum of Art,
Director of Branches, on 020 7529 1567, or
Rhode Island School of Design, will give a lecture on
email meriel_talbot@esu.org
‘Cargo and Adventure: Rhode Island and the China Trade 1700-1900’. Proceeds from the lecture help to support an ESU scholar at Attingham Cost: £7.50 to include wine Contact: Tim Rolph 11
Diary Dates cont. DARTMOUTH HOUSE Telephone : 020 7529 1550 ADVANCE NOTICE Wednesday 6-Sunday 10 October The World Members’ Conference will take place in New York. For more details, see page 10 Contact: ESU New York
Wednesday 17 November The 2004 ESU Churchill Lecture will take place at Guildhall with guest speaker Senator George Mitchell Contact: Sarah Spinney
Tuesday 9 November Reception at 7.00pm and Dinner at 7.30pm ESU Dinner with Theo and Sarah Fabergé’s ‘St Petersburg Collection’ The wonderful name of Fabergé calls forward images of dazzling craftsmanship presented in imperial splendour. Philip Birkenstein, Chairman of the Collection, will give an amusing and informative talk at this dinner at Dartmouth House, and bring you up to date with the family’s creations today – a selection will also be on display. Theo Fabergé, the only living grandson of Russian imperial jeweller Carl Fabergé, is an Englishman and the company works actively with ESU St Petersburg Tickets: £70 (Tables of 10 £650) to include champagne reception, dinner and half a bottle of wine Contact: Jacqueline Abbott
Wednesday 17 November at 7.00pm As part of the ESU American Arts Scholarship to Attingham Lecture Series 2004, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Anthony W and Lulu C Wang, Curator of American Decorative Arts at the Metropolitan Museum, New York, will give a lecture on ‘Louis Comfort Tiffany, 1848-1933, Interior Designer, Glassmaker, Metalworker and Jeweller Extraordinaire’. Proceeds from the lecture help to support an ESU scholar at Attingham Cost: £7.50 to include wine Contact: Tim Rolph
American Election Night Party at Dartmouth House
Since it was first held in 1976, the ESU’s American Election Night Party has been a regular fixture in the London Anglo-
American calendar, with some 400 ex-patriates, politicians, and friends of the United States of all persuasions celebrating this important event.
As before, the event will start at 9pm, and we will be showing live coverage of the election on screens around the building.
From Kingman Brewster in 1976, through John J Louis, Charles H Price II, Henry E Catto, Raymond Seitz, William J Crowe, and Philip J Lader, we have welcomed each and every US Ambassador to our home here at Dartmouth House as our guest of honour, and we are hopeful that this year will be no exception.
We expect to continue into the night, until at the very least the Eastern and Central regions have returned their results. The party will take place on Tuesday 2 November from 9pm. The ticket price will be confirmed in the September ESU News.
The ESU needs your help If you would like to support the ESU’s ever increasing educational programme by a donation or a legacy in your Will, please contact Jo Wedderspoon at Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, W1J 5ED, telephone 020 7529 1550, email jo_wedderspoon@esu.org. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
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Telephone : 020 7529 1550 Fax : 020 7495 6108 Email : esu@esu.org
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