/newsletter_2006_march

ESU News THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

Creating global understanding through English ISSUE No. 126 MARCH 2006

Launch of ESU Philippines November saw the successful Launch of ESU Philippines in Manila. Ambassador Cesar Bautista, Chairman of ESU Philippines and former Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Court of St James's, opened the ceremony, followed by the Under Secretary of State for Education, Camilo Miguel Montesa. The British Ambassador, HE Mr Peter Beckingham, Lord Watson, Mr Warner Contents Manning, CEO of HSBC Philippines, and Mrs Valerie Mitchell also spoke at the event.

Philippines Launch . .Page 1 Philippines Launch continued . . . . . . . . .Page 2 Lord Hunt Chairs First Meeting . . . . . . .Page 2 Lindemann Interviews . . . . . . . . .Page 3 Universities’ Mace . . .Page 3 ESU Japan Visit . . . . .Page 4 Bangkok Mission . . . .Page 4 Debating Society . . . .Page 5 Fabergé Evening . . . .Page 5 International At Home . . . . . . . . . .Page 5 Above: L-R Mrs Valerie Mitchell, HE Mr Peter Beckingham, HM Ambassador, Lord Watson, Secretary Alberto G Romulo, Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Cesar Bautista, Chairman ESU Philippines, Dr José Dalisay Jr, President ESU Philippines

Seventeen ESU members attended representing seven UK Branches and two from the USA. It was a particular pleasure to welcome Mrs Toyoko Fry (now Lady Fry), ESU Governor and wife of the British Ambassador to Japan. She had made a special trip from Tokyo to be present. The ESU was also pleased that members of the Overseas Women's Club were able to attend.

After the Launch, Lord Watson, Valerie Mitchell, HE Mr Peter Beckingham, Ambassador Bautista and Dr José Dalise Jr, President of ESU Philippines paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Affairs Secretary, Secretary Alberto Romulo. He warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed his support for ESU Philippines.

A busy calendar of events preceded the opening ceremony. Lord Watson was the keynote speaker at a Symposium on English in the Philippines at Ateneo de Manila University. He spoke to an audience of students and academics from the University on The International and Asian Dimension of English. Gill Westaway, Director of the British Council, Philippines, followed with a report on English in the Philippines.

Dr Isagani Cruz, Professor, Far Eastern University, took English in Philippine Education and Literature as his theme and Dr Ma Luz Vilches, Chair of the Ateneo de Manila Department of English spoke on Making English Relevant for Learners.

New Faces . . . . . . . .Page 5 Christmas Concert . .Page 6 Lord Norwich Lecture . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6 English in Action in Schools . . . . . . . . .Page 6 Attingham Concert . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6 Serbia and Montenegro Conference . . . . . . . .Page 7 Capitol Briefing . . . . .Page 7 Diary Dates . . . . . . . .Page 8

Continued on page 2.

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

Launch of ESU Philippines continued Philippines. Other speakers on the subject were Loline Reed, Chairman of the Overseas Women's Club, London and Florencia Cabatingan and Emmeline Verzosa from the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women. Afterwards, delegates were afforded a rare tour of the Presidential Palace.

The following morning, Lord Watson, Valerie Mitchell and delegates made a courtesy call on the Deputy Mayor, Ms Jocelyn DawisAsuncion, at the City Hall. A splendid military band was there to greet them.

Above: Patricia Evangelista, winner of the International Public Speaking Competition 2004 and Kevin Punzulan, participant in the 2005 Competition. Both gave the speeches they had made at the International Public Speaking Competition to the audience at the first Symposium

The highlight of the Symposium was the presentation to Lord Watson of The Loyola Schools Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Promotion of English.

Dr Anna Miren Gonzalez Intal, Vice President of the Loyola Schools, presented the Award. The Loyola Schools comprise the various Ateneo Universities in all major cities in the Philippines with Ateneo de Manila as the Mother School. Ateneo is the second oldest university in the Philippines and is their equivalent to Cambridge University.

The Presidential Palace was the venue for a second Symposium at which Valerie Mitchell spoke on the National Role of Women in the

Delegates received a very warm welcome to Manila and enjoyed a varied programme of cultural and social events. HE Mr Peter Beckingham and Mrs Beckingham gave a reception at the British Embassy on the Friday night. There was also a fascinating trip to the town of Taal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where town officials and a band turned out to meet the party.

Saturday saw a tour of the old quarter of Manila, 'Intramuros', where guests enjoyed a traditional “Barrio Fiesta” (countryside feast) and Filipino cultural entertainment. A visit to a coconut plantation, Villa Escudero, was also included in the itinerary. Here, everyone enjoyed a show of traditional Filipino dancing.

We would like to thank Ambassador Bautista, Dr José Dalisay Jr and the Committee of ESU Philippines for their warm welcome.

Particular thanks are due to the British Ambassador and Mrs Beckingham for their wonderful support and generous hospitality.

We are most grateful, also, to Mrs Loline Reed, International Liaison Officer, ESU Philippines and Chairman of the Overseas Women's Club in London, for organising such a fascinating cultural programme.

Lord Hunt Chairs Inaugural Meeting The ESU's newly-elected Chairman, Lord Hunt, chaired his inaugural meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee in January. This is the steering group that oversees the administration of the ESU. Prior to the Christmas break, he was at Dartmouth House to meet all the members of the ESU staff based there.

Lord Hunt has identified three over-arching objectives for the ESU during his Chairmanship. He is keen to maintain and strengthen the vital links between the UK, the Commonwealth and the United States.

On the domestic front, he wishes to work closely with the Branches to continue to expand and grow our active membership.

Finally, as an Alumnus who has maintained a close involvement with the ESU over many years, Lord Hunt would like to encourage more young Alumni to become actively engaged in the ESU's affairs.

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Above: Members of the Policy and Resources Committee L-R: Edward Gould (Deputy Chairman), Christopher McLaren (Honorary Secretary), Lord Hunt (Chairman), Peter Sparling (Board Member), Valerie Mitchell (Director-General), Alexander Finnis (Chairman National Council for England and Wales), David Thomas (Honorary Treasurer), Maurice Caplan (Manager Operations)

Lindemann Committee Interviews The Lindemann Committee, chaired by Lord Stockton and comprised of some of the most prestigious science academicians in Britain, met at Dartmouth House in January to interview this year's short-listed candidates for the Lindemann Trust Fellowships.

The Fellowships are offered to graduates of exceptional promise in both the pure and applied physical sciences and are among this country's foremost science prizes.

Three scholarships were awarded for the year 2006/7: to Timothy Clifton from Cambridge University, Richard Payne also from Cambridge University and Jonathan Home from Oxford University. Each Fellow will receive a grant of US$30,000 to enable them to undertake scientific research in the United States for a year.

In a report submitted to the Committee Dr Oliver Daltop, a 2005/6 Lindemann Fellow who studied in New York, wrote of his experience: ”Rockefeller University is a world-leading institution with many highly distinguished scientists, including eight Nobel Prize laureates. It is an invigorating and inspiring experience to work here.” In addition, 2004/5 Fellow Dr Bridget Wade, in her final report, wrote: “I have had the

Above: Lindemann Trust Fellowship Committee L-R (back row) The Earl of Stockton (Chairman), Professor Roger Cowley, Sir John Enderby, Professor RJP Williams L-R (front row) Professor Sir Roger Penrose, Professor David Edwards, Professor Sir Francis Graham-Smith

opportunity to work with a large group of international scientists that has allowed me to work on material from all over the world.

My experience as a Lindemann Trust Fellow at Rutgers University [Boston] has been exceptional.”

Record Entry for Universities' Mace A record number of institutions competed in the English Championship of the 2005/6 ESU John Smith Memorial Mace, the national universities’ debating championships for Britain and Ireland.

The competition took place in November 2005 at Dartmouth House and the Chesterfield Hotel. Teams from BPP Law School, Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge contested the Final, debating the motion This House would create a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the Northern Ireland conflict.

Above: L-R Harriet Jones-Fenleigh, National Convenor, Nick Devlin, Alyson Thomson, Mary Dawson, ESU Director of Education

Congratulations to the winning team, Nick Devlin and Alyson Thomson from the University of Cambridge, who will go on to represent England at the International Final in Wales this May. Well done also to Tara Mounce of the University of Oxford as the highest-ranking individual speaker. Special thanks go to this year's Mace Convenor, Harriet Jones-Fenleigh, for her hard work and support.

Support the ESU If you would like to strengthen the ESU’s ever increasing educational programme by a donation or a legacy in your Will, please contact Jo Wedderspoon at Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, W1J 5ED, telephone 020 7529 1550, email jo_wedderspoon@esu.org. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

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Director-General Visits ESU Japan the work of ESUJ and was delighted to hear that the education programmes, and in particular, debating, were going from strength to strength. A new award, the Baroness Brigstocke Best Speaker Prize, has been created for the best speaker from the Debating competition. This is in memory of the former ESU Chairman, who was instrumental in establishing ESU Japan.

Valerie Mitchell was also pleased to learn that membership of ESUJ is on the increase.

At present, there are 450 paid-up members who enjoy the speaker programmes and other events run on a monthly basis.

Above: L-R (back row) Mr Masashi Yamada, Mrs Miyako Kato, Mr Shigeru Kato, Mr Kimitake Hirose, Treasurer ESUJ, Mr Tsunetada Matudaira, Director-General ESUJ, Mr Naoji Yui, Mr Hideaki Nonaka, Mr Hiroyuki Kotani, Ms Ayko Hanabusa, Secretary-General ESUJ L-R (front row) Mr Masamichi Hanabusa, Chairman ESUJ, Lady Fry, Mrs Valerie Mitchell, ESU Director-General, HE Sir Graham Fry, Miss Sachiko Tsuchiya

Following the Launch of ESU Philippines, Valerie Mitchell flew on to Tokyo to visit ESU Japan. The British Ambassador, Mr Graham Fry (now Sir Graham Fry) and his wife, Toyoko, kindly hosted Mrs Mitchell's stay at the Residence as well as a Luncheon for her, 11 members of the ESU

Japan Committee and their Chairman, Mr Masamichi Hanabusa.

It was a splendid occasion at which the Director-General met and talked to all members of the Committee. She also listened to Mr Hanabusa's remarks about

A Dinner Reception, hosted by ESUJ, was held at the Tokyo Club to welcome Mrs Mitchell in her position as SecretaryGeneral of the ESU International Council.

She gave a talk on The English-Speaking Union in a World of Change, which received a most enthusiastic response. An excellent atmosphere prevailed and members and their friends were most interested to hear more about ESUs around the world.

Mrs Mitchell also enjoyed a visit to Kyoto, accompanied by Lady Fry and Miss Sachiko Tsuchiya.

Valerie Mitchell would like to extend her heartfelt thanks to Sir Graham and Lady Fry, Mr Masamichi Hanabusa, Mr Tsunetada Matudaira, Miss Sachiko Tsuchiya and to all ESUJ committee members for making her visit to Japan so memorable.

Colin McCorquodale Visits Bangkok Colin McCorquodale, Chairman of the ESU London Branch, stopped off en route to the Launch of ESU Philippines to spend two days in Bangkok. He was welcomed most warmly by the ESU Thailand Chairman, Mr Phornsake Karnchanachari and his wife Lalivan. They generously gave a Reception and Dinner for him at the Chateau Bangkok Hotel. Most of the ESU Thailand Committee attended and enjoyed having the opportunity to explain their very full and successful programme. Colin reciprocated with a short talk about the ESU London Branch and its many and varied activities.

Colin was enormously impressed and it is hoped that Harrow School, Bangkok, will become more closely associated with ESU Thailand.

The Headmasters of two associate English Schools in Bangkok, Harrow and Shrewsbury, were among the Dinner guests. Though receiving much support and advice from their parent schools in England, they are locally financed and supported, but follow an entirely English independent school curriculum. Staff come largely from Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

Dr Mark Hensman, Headmaster of Harrow International School, Bangkok, kindly invited Colin to visit the school the following day.

Set in extensive grounds and located 20 miles from Bangkok, the school has about 1000 pupils, some boarding but mostly day students. All teaching is in English and, although some pupils are as young as six, they are all expected to be proficient in the language.

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Above: L-R (back row): Dr Prakitsin Sihanonth, Stuart Morris, Professor Fred J Miller, Phornsake Karnchanachari, Chairman of ESU Thailand, Colin McCorquodale, Chairman ESU London, M R Thepkamol Devakula, King's Privy Council and Honorary Advisor ESU Thailand, Peter Shuler, Tirawat Sutcharitakul, Dr Mark Hensman, L-R (front row): Professor Kanittha Navarat, Busarat Sihanonth, Khynying Kwanta Devakula, Lalivan Karnchanachari, Chawkael Hensman, Pornpan Jiranansuroj

Debating Society Grows

Mince Pies with Fabergé Eggs Philip Birkenstein, Chairman of the St Petersburg Collection, welcomed members and guests to a pre-Christmas reception at its Gallery in the Burlington Arcade.

Guests were able to enjoy the Gallery and the Arcade which were opened especially for them.

Mr Birkenstein talked about the history of the Fabergé family and showed some exquisite examples of its creativity. The evening raised over £800 towards ESU scholarships.

The ESU is most grateful to Theo and Sarah Fabergé for their generous hospitality.

Above: An audience member makes a floor speech at the Barristers' Debate

The recently re-launched Dartmouth House Debating Society met in December 2005 for the Barristers' Debate. Criminal Barrister, George Payne, and Cambridge law student, Anna Lintner, proposed the motion This House would abandon ASBOs. BPP Law School students Richard Roberts and Steven Cooke were in opposition.

The audience was treated to a thoroughly interesting debate and then given the opportunity to contribute to the proceedings in a series of floor speeches. The motion was narrowly defeated by two votes.

The Society's first debate of the New Year took place on Wednesday 11 January, when members of the England Schools Development Group demonstrated their skills during a debate on the motion This House would break the law to protect the

rights of animals. The six speakers, Charlotte Norris, Toni Burrows and Jack Devlin, in proposition, and Charlotte Thomas, Max Kasriel and Katie Kettle, in opposition, are all members of the group from which the England Team (the national schools debating team for England) was selected in February. The team will go on to compete in the World Schools Debating Championships in Cardiff later this year.

The motion was eventually defeated by 17 votes to 10.

Many thanks to all of the speakers and to the chairperson, Lizzie Bauer, who is also a member of the group.

Above: Theo Fabergé's 80th Birthday Celebration Egg from the St Petersburg Collection

For more information please contact Vivienne Thomson at vivienne_thomson@esu.org

New Faces

International at Home International at Homes are a regular feature of the Dartmouth House programme of events. They are held to familiarise overseas guests with the work of the ESU world-wide and to give them an opportunity to see the wide range of facilities at Dartmouth House. The latest event took place on 8 February and was very well attended by ESU members, representatives from English in Action and guests from the international diplomatic and business community representing eight countries.

Right: L-R Chikako Kishino with Meri Arichi and Suzanne Leather, members of the Promotions Sub-Committee

Sarah Munroe has joined the Centre for Speech and Debate until July to develop the Centre's work.

Natasha Plaister has joined the Education and Branches departments as Branches and Education Assistant and National Co-ordinator of the Public Speaking Competition.

Susan Bull, Chairman, Promotions Sub-Committee, welcomed the guests. The morning ended with a tour of Dartmouth House.

Above: L-R Sarah Munroe and Natasha Plaister 5

Christmas Concert The ESU's annual Christmas Concert took place on 13 December 2005 at Dartmouth House, in aid of the Music Scholarship Fund.

Singers from the Finchley Chamber Choir provided seasonal music and Deputy Chairman Edward Gould, Colin McCorquodale, Chairman of the London Branch, members of the Cultural Affairs Committee, ESU Alumni and supporters all provided readings.

A reception followed, enhanced by mince pies, mulled wine and enthusiastic singing around the piano. Nicolas Wickham-Irving, Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee, provided the piano accompaniment.

Left: Carols around the piano with the Finchley Chamber Choir

Literary Lecture with John Julius Norwich Director-General Valerie Mitchell introduced author John Julius Norwich as the Guest Speaker at a literary lecture where he presented the superbly edited and newly released Duff Cooper Diaries. He gave an engrossing and personal insight into the life of his late father, who lived amongst the political elite for over thirty years.

Norwich for his fascinating insight into the world of his late father and an important period in British politics.

A concert of American vocal music was given by Dorothy Kingston at Dartmouth House in the autumn of 2005. Dorothy, who has participated in a number of world premieres and has sung 25 opera roles, entertained ESU members with a musical programme including traditional Spirituals and American Operetta.

Acclaimed author, socialite and pursuer of some of the most beautiful women of his day, Cooper lived life to the full. The talk touched upon his account of the abdication crisis, high politics with Winston Churchill and General de Gaulle, and humorous accounts of Cooper's amorous affairs.

John Julius Norwich left the audience with a strong and touching impression of his father as a man of great wit and vitality.

Ann Chilton, member of the ESU Cultural Affairs Sub-Committee, thanked Lord

The concert was part of a lecture series which benefits the ESU American Arts Scholarship to Attingham.

The proceeds this year have contributed towards a scholarship that enabled John Stuart Gordon PhD of Boston University to attend the summer art history course at Attingham.

Above: John Julius Norwich

English in Action in Schools With volunteers from across London and two new schools involved, the English in Action in Schools programme is going from strength to strength. In January, volunteers gathered to exchange ideas and swap tips over fresh coffee and pastries at Dartmouth House. The occasion was marked by the

Concert in aid of Attingham Scholarship

launch of the recently updated Tutor's Guide which was very well received by the volunteers. A big thank you to all our volunteers, who continue to make this programme an integral and dynamic part of the English-Speaking Union's work.

STOP PRESS! ESU Chile Launch

ESU Merchandise When visiting Dartmouth House, why not take a moment to look at the display cabinet, where you will find an exclusive range of gift items, all featuring the ESU logo.

The items for sale are reasonably priced starting from just ÂŁ3.50 and range from key fobs to an impressive assortment of glassware, ties, and jewellery.

Ask at reception for details.

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The Launch of ESU Chile will take place on Monday 23 October with a programme of events taking place from 21-27 October Contact: Helen Green

ESU Serbia and Montenegro Conference: English and its many Facets ESU Serbia and Montenegro, the first ESU founded in Eastern Europe, is organising a conference in Belgrade on the occasion of its 15th anniversary. Entitled English and its many Facets, the conference will feature a number of speakers who will give talks on the role of the English language in communication across cultures.

Details will be announced nearer the time. There will also be an ESU debate between a British and a local team.

The programme begins on the evening of Friday 9 June with a Welcome Reception hosted by ESU Serbia and Montenegro at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The Conference itself will take place on Saturday 10 June at the Hyatt Regency, followed by a Reception at the Residence of the British Ambassador, kindly hosted by HE Mr David Gowan.

On Sunday 11 June, there will be a guided tour of Belgrade, Kalemegdan Fortress, the Danube and the Sava Confluence.

A local meal has been arranged in the old bohemian venue of Skadarlija.

Above: Belgrade, where the Conference will take place

From Monday 12 June-Tuesday 13 June there is an optional programme which will include a trip to the Montenegran Coast, a coach tour of the Kotor Bay and, on Tuesday morning, a brief visit to Dubrovnik in Croatia, from where the delegates will depart.

Contact: Helen Green

Capitol Hill Programme Briefing Day The Centre for Speech and Debate held a briefing day for the Capitol Hill Programme at Dartmouth House in January. This programme offers 11 UK university students internships on Capitol Hill. They are assigned to the office of a member of Congress or a senator, or to the political world of DC in think tanks, embassies and media organisations.

This year's interns heard talks from ESU staff, including Mary Dawson, Director of Education, and Jo Wedderspoon, Alumni Officer, as well as from programme alumni Alice Rowlands (2004), Ben Bland (2004) and James Upsher (2005).

The Washington DC placements will run from June-August and will include a chance to attend the speakers' series and a range of briefings, hearings and receptions.

For more information about the ESU Parliamentary Exchange Programme, please contact Vivienne Thomson.

Above: Capitol Hill Interns, past and present, at the January Briefing Day

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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

MARCH

Wednesday 10 May 10.30-11.30 am At Home at Dartmouth House - members and their friends are invited to coffee Contact: Jacqueline Abbott

Wednesday 1 March at 7.00 pm Members' Debate at Dartmouth House Contact: Vivienne Thomson Tuesday 7 March at 7.00 pm Literary Lecture with Vyvyen Brendon who will present her new book Children of the Raj Tickets: £5 to include a glass of wine Contact: Katie Brock Wednesday 8 March 10.30-11.30 am At Home at Dartmouth House - members and their friends are invited to coffee Contact: Jacqueline Abbott Monday 13 March at 3.15 pm Commonwealth Day Observance 2006, at Westminster Abbey.

This event is now fully booked. Please contact Jacqueline Abbott to go on the waiting list Thursday 16 March at 9.00am Private Tour of the Royal Academy of Arts exhibition, China: The Three Emperors, 1662-1795. A unique opportunity to view the magnificent exhibition devoted to the artistic and cultural riches of Imperial China with an experienced tour guide. Tickets sold on a first come first served basis due to limited availability Tickets: £15.00 Contact: Katie Brock Monday 20 March 2006 at 7.00pm Musical Lecture - Clara Haskil Pianist and Composer, Peter Feuchtwanger will speak about the genius of Clara Haskil, one of the greatest pianists of the last century. The lecture will include musical examples, including private recordings never heard before Tickets: £8 Contact: Katie Brock Wednesday 22 March at 7.00pm Tagore's Gifts to English at The Commonwealth Club A Celebration of the contribution to both English Language and Literature by the world-renowned Rabindranath Tagore.

The evening will include a variety of performances of his works.

Introduction by Dr William Radice, Senior Lecturer in Bengali Language and Literature, SOAS. Tickets: £5.00 Adults, £3.00 Concessions/ResCards, School Pupils Free Contact: Katie Brock

APRIL Wednesday 5 April at 7.00 pm Members' Debate at Dartmouth House Contact: Vivienne Thomson Wednesday 12 April 10.30-11.30 am At Home at Dartmouth House - members and their friends are invited to coffee Contact: Jacqueline Abbott

MAY Wednesday 3 May at 7.00 pm MPs' Debate at Dartmouth House: This House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government Contact: Vivienne Thomson

Thursday 11 May at 6.30 pm Lecture at Dartmouth House by Christopher Newall on Ruskin in Venice, in aid of the ESU Chilton Art History Scholarship.

Tickets £17.50, to include a glass of wine. Reception 6.30 pm, lecture 7.00 pm Contact: Jacqueline Abbott Friday 19 May International Public Speaking Competition Final With over 60 participants from more than 30 countries this promises to be another exciting competition. Members are welcome to Dartmouth House to see the heats from 9 am.

There are limited spaces for the Grand Final in the afternoon at Grosvenor Ltd, Grosvenor Street, London W1 Contact: Helen Green

ADVANCE NOTICE Thursday 15 June at 7.00 pm Emily Ballew Neff, Curator, American Painting and Sculpture from 1997 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston will give a lecture at Dartmouth House on Building Heritage: Texas Museums and their Collections and Patrons. In aid of the ESU American Arts Scholarship to Attingham Tickets: £7.50 to include a glass of wine Contact: Katie Brock Thursday 29 June at 7.00 pm Gala Concert at Coutts on the Strand, to be held in the impressive surroundings of The Garden Court. All proceeds will go towards the ESU Music Fund, providing scholarships for young musicians to attend summer schools in North America and Europe Tickets: £55 (single) or £100 (double) to include the concert and Canapé reception Contact: Katie Brock Wednesday 5 July at 3.30-5.00 pm House of Lords Tea Party. The Rt Hon. The Lord Hunt of Wirral MBE will receive guests on the Terrace of the House of Lords. Early booking is essential. Guests' names will need to be submitted in advance.

Tickets: £25 Contact: Jacqueline Abbott Friday 28 July 2006 Branches' Conference at Dartmouth House, followed by a Reception, Dinner and optional overnight stay at the Royal Overseas League Contact: Meriel Talbot 29 July - 4 August Visit St Petersburg and be treated like a Tsar or Tsarina!

With the help of the Fabergé family's St Petersburg Collection and ESU St Petersburg, we are arranging a unique trip to this wonderful city, with many doors opened by the Fabergé connection.

Contact: Irene Clarke at St Petersburg Collection 01895 238674. We recommend early booking

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