/newsletter_2006_september

ESU News THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

Creating global understanding through English ISSUE No. 129 SEPTEMBER 2006

London Debate Challenge Championships Final All 32 London Boroughs were represented in the third annual London Debate Challenge Championships Finals Day, held at the Maritime Campus of Greenwich University in June.

Contents London Debate Challenge . . . . . . . . .Page 1 Belgrade Conference . . . . . . . .Page 2 Belgrade Conference continued . . . . . . . . .Page 3 Mooting Competition .Page 3 Branches Conference Page 3 International Relations Conference . . . . . . . .Page 4 House of Lords Tea Party . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Coutts Gala Event . . .Page 5 Capitol Hill Reunion . .Page 6 Westminster Interns .Page 6 Branches Tour . . . . . .Page 6 Attingham Lecture . .Page 6 SSE Briefing . . . . . . .Page 7 English in Action . . . .Page 7

Front L-R Winning students from The Heathland School, Emily Pearce, Alavar Jeevathol and Oliver Newlan Back L-R Charlotte Hill, Tesco PLC, Nicola Carroll, Coca-Cola Great Britain, Rosanna King, DfES and Mervyn Streatfield, Sir John Cass’s Foundation

Each borough put forward a team of four students, aged 12-14, the majority of whom had qualified by winning a debate competition in their local area.

The teams debated three times in preliminary rounds and the two with the highest scores, Brent and Hounslow, went through to contest the title. In front of the other competitors and representatives from sponsors Coca-Cola Great Britain, Tesco PLC, Sir John Cass’s Foundation and the DfES (London Challenge Unit), they debated the motion: This House believes the Government should allow the police unlimited power to combat terrorism.

While the judges deliberated, Deputy Chairman of the ESU, Edward Gould, praised the quality of the debate and the programme in general for giving students skills that would benefit them in later life.

Tim Green, LDC Borough Co-ordinator for Bromley, Sarah Monroe from the ESU Centre for Speech and Debate, twice World Schools debating finalist and Michael Ehioze-Ediae, an LDC mentor who has tutored students in borough debate workshops over the last three years, made up the judging panel. They declared the team from The Heathland School, Hounslow, as winners. Their prizes were a digital video camera donated by Coca-Cola Great Britain, globes and free places at Debate Academy, the ESU’s residential debate weekend in July.

The ESU would like to thank the sponsors of the London Debate Challenge; Tesco PLC, Coca-Cola Great Britain, DfES and Sir John Cass’s Foundation for their support over the last three years.

Hines Page Scholarships . . . . . . .Page 7 Memorial Chapel Award . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8 New Faces . . . . . . . .Page 8 Tribute to Nicolas Wickham-Irving . . . . .Page 9 Royal Unveiling . . . . .Page 9 Library's Farewell to Alicia . . . . . . . . . .Page 10 ESU Chilton Art History Scholarship . . . . . . .Page 10 Governor Nominations . . . . . .Page 11 Debate Academy . . .Page 11 Diary Dates . . . . . . .Page 11 Diary Dates continued . . . . . . . .Page 12

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

International Conference in Belgrade: English and

Left: L-R Mrs Valerie Mitchell, HM Ambassador, Mr David Gowan, Lord Watson, Mrs Margarita Mudrak, Professor Ranko Bugarski, Mrs Branka Pani´c

English and its Many Facets was the theme of an International Conference in Belgrade hosted by ESU Serbia in June.

Seventeen international delegates, representing the UK, USA, Russia, Austria and New Zealand, joined Serbian guests for this high profile event at the Intercontinental Hotel, Belgrade.

A welcome by Branka Pani´c, Chairman of ESU Serbia, opened proceedings followed by a welcome message from Mr Damjan Krnjevi´c Misˇkovi´c, Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of Serbia.

The final session of the day was an electrifying and stimulating debate on the motion This House believes that English should no longer remain a unified language. This was conducted between two teams each of which contained a Serbian and a British debater.

Delegates were invited to a reception hosted at the Residence by HM Ambassador, Mr David Gowan.

Dr Slobodan Vuksanovi´c, the Minster of Education and Sports, Republic of Serbia and HE Mr David Gowan, HM Ambassador to Serbia, also spoke at the Conference and provided an up-to-date account of the present situation in Serbia.

Chairman Emeritus of the ESU International Council, Lord Watson, gave the Keynote Speech on The Rise and Rise of English and the renowned Professor Ranko Bugarski, Honorary President of ESU Serbia presented on What English means to us. Professor Veselin Kosti´c, Founder Member of the Yugoslav-British Society and former Chairman of ESU Yugoslavia, followed with a thought-provoking analysis of the former Yugoslavia.

ESU Director-General, Valerie Mitchell, chaired a panel discussion on Communication across Cultures with Chris Gibson, Director of the British Council, Serbia, Margarita Mudrak, President of the ESU International Council and Chairman, ESU Russia-St Petersburg, and Branka Pani´c.

Professor Veselin Kosti´c, founder member of Yugoslav-British Society and former Chairman ESU Yugoslavia

Left: Dr Slobodan Vuksanovi´c, Minister of Education and Sports, Republic of Serbia

L-R Debaters Jovana Miti´c, Srdjan Djurovi´c, Colletta Smith, Usman Ahmed and Alice Tullo 2

its Many Facets

ESU-Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition The semi-finals of the ESU-Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition took place at Dartmouth House on 29 June, with teams from Birmingham, Dundee, Oxford Brookes and Queen Mary, University of London competing for a place in the Final.

Queen Mary and the University of Birmingham eventually made it through to contest the Grand Final in the President’s Court at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Professor Ranko Bugarski, Honorary President ESU Serbia

On the Friday before the Conference, Lord Watson spoke to members of the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Belgrade on the subject Parliament and the Parties.

Following the Conference, guests had the opportunity to take part in a cultural programme. This included a tree planting by Lord Watson on behalf of the ESU in the Botanical Gardens followed by a tour of Belgrade. Twelve of the delegates flew on to the newly independent Montenegro where they visited the old town of Kotor.

They then travelled on to Dubrovnik in Croatia for a day’s tour before returning home.

Following an impressive set of submissions, judges Anthony Diamond QC, Bernard Eder QC and Geraldine Andrews QC announced Queen Mary as winners. This is the fourth time the title has gone to Queen Mary in the competition’s 34 year history.

Champions Michael Attenborough and Vijaiya Poopalasingam were duly presented with the National Mooting Competition Mace, with the runners-up receiving the Scarman Shield. The four finalists also received cheques from the sponsors and will each be offered a mini-pupilage at Essex Court Chambers. The ESU would like to thank Essex Court Chambers for their generous sponsorship and support.

Mooting Champions Michael Attenborough and Vijaiya Poopalasingam at Essex Court Chambers Mr Damjan Krnjevi´c Misˇkovi´c, Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of Serbia

Everyone agreed it had been a highly successful, illuminating and well-organised event.

“Meeting…all the ESU delegates was a rewarding experience for me and, I am sure, for Branka [Pani´cs] entire Committee. Holding such a conference in Belgrade is indeed a crowning achievement in the history of ESU Serbia.”

Professor Ranko Bugarski, Honorary President of ESU Serbia “I was delighted that Lord Watson and Valerie Mitchell led an ESU delegation from the UK to meet their counterparts in Belgrade.

The Conference was a great success, with a stimulating and thoroughly enjoyable series of talks and much good debate.

The success of the whole event reflects above all the enormous efforts made by Branka Pani´c and her colleagues in Serbia. The weekend left no doubt about the important part played by the ESU in relations between the United Kingdom and Serbia.”

Branches Conference The 2006 Branches Conference took place at Dartmouth House on 28 July. For a full report see Branches News.

Yvonne Weinbren, Chair, Bristol Branch, with Lord Hunt at Dartmouth House

HE Mr David Gowan, HM Ambassador, Belgrade 3

International Relations Conference 2006 Commerce, Mr Edward Gould, Dr Alastair Niven, Principal of Cumberland Lodge and Martin Bell, to name but a few, covered topics as diverse as Peace Keeping and Peace Enforcing, International Development, Education in Britain, Television: the God that Failed, Parliament and the Parties, Status of the Arts and East Europe and the EU. Lord Hunt was the Guest Speaker at the Closing Dinner on Friday 14 July.

Delegates also enjoyed a trip to Stratford to see an excellent production of Julius Caesar by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Delegates at the International Relations Conference, Oriel College, Oxford

The annual ESU International Relations Conference was held from 9-15 July once again at Oriel College, Oxford. Running for over 40 years, this year’s event was attended by 31 delegates from 25 countries across South America, Europe, the Middle East and the Far East.

The Conference dealt with issues relating to both international relations and to Britain’s international role in the world today. Its aim was to give participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge of Britain and to widen their outlook on world issues.

Each year, the gathering offers a unique opportunity to make individual contacts

with people from various fields, cultures and backgrounds all over the world.

Valerie Mitchell opened the Conference at a dinner on the Sunday night providing an overview of the English-Speaking Union.

Sir Brian Fall, Special Representative of the British Government for the South Caucasus, gave the delegates a summary of International Relations Today on the Monday, drawing together aspects of all the topics to be covered during the week.

Mark Simmonds MP, Shadow Minister for International Development, Professor Alan Lee Williams, Director of the Atlantic Council, Lord Dykes, Mr Ralph Land Chairman of the Russo-British Chamber of

One of the delegates, Vinash Gopaladrishnan from Malaysia commented that he “hopes the relationships we forge in the conference will help us grow and build a greater English union partnership across the world.” Pedro de la Fuente from Argentina said: “It was very nice to meet young professionals and English teachers from all over the world.

During the conference, I have become aware of many of the problems their countries are facing… it is incredible to notice that some of them are very similar to the ones we face in Argentina. Beside the distance between us, I have no doubt the world is a global village.”

The ESU would like to thank The Oppenheimer Charitable Trust, The Swire Charitable Trust, Rio Tinto plc, ESU Exeter and District Branch, ESU London Branch and ESU West Sussex Branch for their sponsorship of the Conference.

House of Lords Tea Party The event has become a highlight of the ESU’s summer calendar and this year’s eagerly-anticipated gathering was appreciated by ESU guests who attended.

Lord Hunt with ESU Parliamentary interns and SSE scholars from the USA

The annual Tea Party on the Terrace of the House of Lords was hosted by Lord Hunt in early July. Guests included Peers, MPs, ESU Parliamentary interns, Secondary School Exchange scholars, students from International House, representatives from 13 branches in the UK and visitors from 12 other countries.

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L-R Lord Quirk, Vice Chairman English Language Council, Mrs Valerie Mitchell, Professor Valkovsky, ESU Russia-St Petersburg, Mme Beatrix de Montgermont-Keil, National President ESU France, Mrs Margarita Mudrak, President of the ESU International Council and Chairman ESU Russia-St Petersburg, and Lord Hunt

An Inspired Evening of Great Quality

Left: L-R Lord Hunt, Ben Hancox, Hannah Dawson, Robert Cohen, Cara Berridge, Robin Ashwell and Lord Home, Chairman Coutts & Co

The stunning surroundings of the Garden Court at the headquarters of Coutts & Co, on the Strand, provided the setting for a Gala Concert in aid of the ESU Music Scholarship Fund.

ESU Chairman, Lord Hunt and Director-General, Valerie Mitchell, welcomed guests to hear a magical programme of Bach, Wolf and Schubert, played by former ESU music scholars, Robert Cohen and The Sacconi String Quartet. Robert, a celebrated cellist, received an ESU scholarship to Tanglewood in the United States in 1978 and since then has played at a number of ESU concerts. The Sacconi String Quartet was awarded an English-Speaking Union scholarship to the International Musicians’ Seminar at Prussia Cove in 2005.

The concert was followed by a champagne reception where guests were able to enjoy canapĂŠs and Pommery champagne, kindly donated for this special occasion.

Proceeds from the evening will go to support the ESU Music Scholarship programme, founded in 1970 by Mrs Edward NormanButler. Our thanks go to the sponsors of the evening, Spencer Stuart and Geldards LLP and to Coutts & Co for their kindness and support. We are also grateful to Pommery for providing the champagne.

L-R Robert Cohen with George Isserlis and Lord Aberdare, members of the ESU Cultural Affairs sub-Committee

Robert Cohen and The Sacconi String Quartet playing The Schubert Quintet in The Garden Court

Much hard work contributing to the success of the evening was also carried out by Mr Nicolas Wickham-Irving, Chairman of the ESU Cultural Affairs Committee, so it was with great shock and sadness that the ESU learned of his death so shortly afterwards.

A tribute to him is included on page 9.

The Sacconi String Quartet and Robert Cohen with Mrs Valerie Mitchell, Mrs Edward Norman-Butler, Founder of ESU Music Scholarships and Mrs Anne Skeggs, Deputy Chairman, ESU Cultural Affairs sub-Committee 5

Capitol Hill Reunion

Westminster Internships Eleven American university students spent three months this summer working as interns in the parliamentary offices of Labour, Conservative and SDLP MPs, as part of the English-Speaking Union’s Parliamentary Exchange Programme. This also sends British students to intern on Capitol Hill.

L-R Catriona Lothian (2003), Braxton Moncure, Armida Dunscombe Colt, Houston Moncure and Debbie Moncure

Interns and alumni from the Capitol Hill programme enjoyed a reception, in June, hosted by Braxton Moncure, Treasurer ESU Washington and Mrs Armida Dunscombe Colt, Patron ESU Washington.

Held at Mrs Dunscombe Colt’s London home, alumni and this year’s interns mingled with the Moncure family and Mrs Dunscombe Colt in an informal and friendly atmosphere.

The evening gave everyone a chance to catch up with what has been happening in their lives and also gave the new interns an opportunity to ask questions and to get to know each other before they headed off to Washington at the end of June.

Vivienne Thomson, Programmes Officer and Jo Wedderspoon, Alumni Co-ordinator for the English-Speaking Union, also attended what was regarded as a delightful English summer evening.

The US students, from the Catholic University of America and George Washington University, both in Washington DC, undertook a range of activities during their time at Westminster, each designed to give them a greater insight into the workings of the British political system.

This practical experience was complimented by a series of lectures delivered by Sir Patrick Cormack MP, a former ESU Governor, who organises the placements every year.

Over the course of the summer the interns also attended an orientation day at Dartmouth House, the ESU’s National Mooting Competition Grand Final, the House of Lords Tea Party, a lunch hosted

by Sir Patrick at the House of Commons, and an informal reception hosted by the staff of the ESU Centre for Speech and Debate who administer the programme.

Branches Tour by Council President Mrs Margarita Mudrak, in her capacity as President of the ESU International Council and Chairman of ESU Russia-St Petersburg, went on an official visit to ESU Branches in July.

She was accompanied by her husband, Professor Vladislav Valkovsky. Her programme began with the House of Lords Annual Tea Party and included the Suffolk Branch, York and District Branch, Bath and District Branch, Cornwall Branch, Worcestershire Branch, Colchester Branch and Hastings Branch. She also visited Oxford, where she spoke to delegates at the International Relations Conference at Oriel College.

Outstanding programmes were organised for this visit and both Margarita and her husband, Vladislav, were most warmly received at every Branch. The members were thrilled by them both and responded most enthusiastically to Margarita’s interesting presentations.

Right: Councillor Rebecca Hopfensperger, Mayor of Bury St Edmunds, presenting Margarita Mudrak with a souvenir of her visit

Texas Theme for Attingham Lecture In June, Emily Ballew Neff gave a lecture on Building Heritage: Texas Museums and their Collections and Patrons in aid of The ESU American Arts Scholarship to Attingham.

Emily Neff is Curator of American Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Fine Arts and has held teaching posts in Houston, organised many exhibitions, published and lectured widely and won many awards.

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Among the audience was Giles Waterfield, Director of Royal Collections Studies at the Attingham Summer School. Attingham runs a residential course which offers a special insight into one of Britain's greatest contributions to Western art, the country house.

Mrs Alys Rickett, the scholarship’s founder, chaired the lecture.

The recipient of this year’s scholarship is Susan Neill. She was invited to join Valerie Mitchell and Mrs Rickett for a luncheon held at Dartmouth House in July.

SSE Briefing Day Sixteen Secondary School Exchange scholars and their parents attended a briefing day at Dartmouth House, in advance of the scholars’ trips to various parts of the USA to attend a US high school for a year. Scholarships provide the opportunity to live and study in North America during a gap year before university.

The SSE scholars were joined at their briefing day by four graduates of the programme. This provided an opportunity for scholars to ask questions, and discuss concerns about their trip, as well as make new friends and explore Dartmouth House.

For more information about the above programmes, please contact Katherine Plummer, Education Programmes Manager.

Left: UK SSE scholars at Dartmouth House

English in Action In June and July lunches were held to thank English in Action volunteers for all their hard work during the year.

The English in Action adults programme provides regular sessions of one-to-one conversational English for men and women who have English as a second language. June marked the end of another successful year for the programme with over 50 students participating. Of the volunteers who give their time, 20 attended a very enjoyable lunch in Covent Garden, hosted by the ESU Education department. The lunch was preceded by a fascinating tour of The Royal Opera House.

The new term for adults begins on Monday September 18 and runs for 10 weeks.

A second programme, English in Action in Schools, places pairs of volunteer tutors in primary schools across London to work for one

hour a week with small groups of children who have English as an additional language. Volunteers use games, stories, drawing and drama to raise students’ confidence, self-esteem and ability to communicate.

We are most grateful for the enthusiasm and commitment of our 16 volunteers who make such a difference to the lives of these students. As a gesture of our appreciation we were pleased to welcome some of the volunteers to our Annual Summation Luncheon on 25 July in Covent Garden. This event also provided a welcome opportunity for staff and volunteers to exchange ideas and experiences.

Further information on the English in Action adult programme is available from Katherine Plummer, Education Programmes Manager. Please contact Anne Hodgson, Programmes Coordinator, for English in Action in Schools.

Walter Hines Page Scholarships Walter Hines Page Scholarships, funded by teaching unions, give scholars the opportunity to travel to the USA for three weeks to study an aspect of American education which is relevant to their professional interests.

Over the coming year the six teachers who were awarded scholarships will travel to the United States to explore topics ranging from educational under-achievement to new technologies in primary education, the issues of inclusion in the primary sector and alumni support in high schools.

Rebecca Eliahoo, 2004-5 Walter Hines Page scholar and Advanced Lecturer at Harrow College, spoke at a briefing day about her experiences of the scholarship. During her time in America, Rebecca researched widening participation in the recruitment of teachers in the US. Scholars were also given the chance to explore the Page Memorial Library at Dartmouth House.

This year's Walter Hines Page Scholars, L-R Susan Brook NASUWT, Kathryn Kay ATL, Paul Dixon HMC, Sally Hobbs IAPS and Emma Duggan ATL 7

American Memorial Chapel Travel Grant Interviews the London Committee, Methodist Church of Great Britain and Father Brian Creak, Chaplain, University of Westminster, interviewed this year’s candidates. They awarded the grant to the Reverend Dr Brian Fletcher, Superintendent Minister at Cregagh Methodist Church in Belfast.

Dr Fletcher intends to use his award to undertake further research into the subject of his doctoral thesis, Christian Perfection in Wesley and Fletcher with Implications for Today.

The 2005 winner of the American Memorial Chapel Travel Grant, the Reverend Colin Patterson, in Washington

Six candidates were interviewed for the 2006 American Memorial Chapel Travel Grant. This award enables a member of the British clergy to spend three to four weeks touring the USA with the aim of fostering

the exchange of ideas and understanding between denominations.

The Reverend David Gatliffe of St Margaret’s, the Reverend Stuart Jordan,

The panel also received the eagerly awaited report from the 2005 scholar, the Reverend Colin Patterson, who has recently returned from his time in the United States. He is the Assistant Director of Bridge Builders, a Christian organisation committed to peace-making and reconciliation. During his time in the USA, Reverend Patterson attended conferences and training sessions concentrating on mediation, transforming conflict and peace-making, experiences which will prove invaluable in his role.

For more information about this grant please contact Natasha Plaister, the ESU’s Education Assistant.

New Faces charity work. Elizabeth studied English at St Andrews University (with a junior honours year at the University of California, at San Diego) and gained an M Phil from Trinity College, Dublin. Having trained as a teacher at Bristol University, she taught English Language and Literature in and around London for four years before working for the Creative and Supportive Trust as Education Co-ordinator. Most, recently Elizabeth has managed a learning centre in Roehampton delivering Literacy and ESOL support. She welcomes the opportunities offered by the ESU to support the education of others and promote the English Language.

Elizabeth Stokes joins the EnglishSpeaking Union as Director of Education.

She has a background in education and

University in Australia. He has also represented Monash at several international debating tournaments.

Andrew Fitch has joined the ESU's Centre for Speech and Debate as the new Debates and Education Officer. Before joining the ESU Andrew completed a Masters degree in post-colonial feminism at Monash

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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Obituary won a place to the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied piano. On leaving the RAM he joined Ilona Kabos's class, and when she left London to take up a post in the Piano Department of the Julliard School, he then began to work with Peter Feuchtwanger. Nicolas Wickham-Irving's repertoire was eclectic, including many contemporary composers such as Jonathan Harvey, Michael Berkeley, Penderecki and Ligeti.

During his time as Chairman and as a founding member of the ESU Cultural Affairs sub-Committee, Nicolas did an enormous amount to promote the aims of the ESU and to change the lives of young musicians. We are immensely grateful to him for his dedication and enthusiasm.

As an organisation, we owe him a great amount and will miss him enormously.

Nicolas Wickham-Irving at the Gala Concert held in November 2003 to celebrate the ESU’s 85th Anniversary year

“Nicolas was unfailingly kind and considerate to everyone with whom he came in contact. He was always tremendously enthusiastic about life and about people, and especially about music.

We, like so many others, will miss him hugely, but feel great gratitude for having had the pleasure of knowing him for so long.”

Nicolas Wickham-Irving It is with great sadness and deep regret that we inform you that Mr Nicolas Wickham-Irving, Chairman of the English-Speaking Union Cultural Affairs sub-Committee, died on Saturday 8 July in hospital. Nicolas Wickham-Irving was born in London and educated at the Leys School, Cambridge. At the age of 16, he

“Nicolas was interested in all the arts. He always had an open book on his generous kitchen table. He had friends in every walk of life and spent as much trouble on the elderly as he would with the brilliant young star who came his way. In all our years of constant friendship, meetings and parties we never once quarrelled and our relationship became deeper and deeper as it went on. He was a wonderful organist and a devoted Christian and when I became wheel-bound he often pushed me to Church and afterwards came home for lunch. He did so enjoy family life with all its vigour. He once gave my great granddaughter a pair of satin slippers with silver bells on the toes and I remember thinking that she would have music wherever she goes, just as he did. He was truly remarkable and we were so lucky to have such a man of his calibre as Chairman of our Cultural Affairs sub-Committee.”

Mrs Edward Norman-Butler, President Emerita, ESU Cultural Affairs sub-Committee

Lord Aberdare, member of the ESU Cultural Affairs sub-Committee

Director-General at Royal Statue Unveiling On 26 May, St Augustine’s Day, ESU Director-General, Valerie Mitchell, was invited to represent the English-Speaking Union at the unveiling of the statues of King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha of Kent in Canterbury.

Following the formal unveiling ceremony, there was a splendid luncheon held in the Undercroft of St Augustine’s library.

An actor from the Canterbury Players takes the part of King Ethelbert at the unveiling

The principal guests assembled in the Deanery in time for the Vice Lord Lieutenant, Viscount De L’Isle to receive the Guest of Honour, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Lord Reading and M Bertrand Cochery, the French Consul General.

“Ethelbert was a remarkable figure because the origins of the laws and language of England were founded in his reign,” Prince Michael said.

It was a spectacular and memorable occasion supported by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, the Dean of Canterbury, the Bishop of Dover and Canon Wilkinson, Headmaster of the King’s School.

Photo by Don Grant - 01304832780

Photo by Don Grant - 01304832780

The Ethelbert and Bertha Project of the Canterbury Commemoration Society was expertly organised by their Chairman, Mr Martin Taylor.

Queen Bertha of Kent

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ESU Bids Farewell to Alicia

Left: ESU librarians past and present L-R Alicia Street, Jeanne Huse, Andrea Wathern, Helen Pearce, Gill Hale

The ESU Library hosted a farewell tea party for Alicia Street, who has been involved with the ESU since 1941. She helped to establish Books Across the Sea, an exchange of ‘ambassador’ books which provided commercially unobtainable material to scholars and writers on both sides of the Atlantic. Alicia has sat on several ESU committees and, in recent years, her experience has been invaluable in identifying archive material.

created from archive material from the ESU, her family and the internet, which also provided a copy of her book.

A great character, Alicia’s stories of the ESU in times gone by are legendary and she will be sorely missed. A beautiful hillside garden, near to her daughter, in Bristol, was the lure for her to leave her beloved London, to which she assures us she will return frequently. We certainly hope so.

Her daughter, Martha, provided a moving and entertaining insight to Alicia’s early life at the event which was attended by many colleagues and old friends. Born of Finnish immigrants to Wakefield, a small mining town on the banks of Lake Superior, Alicia achieved outstanding academic success for a woman in the 1920s. Forced by circumstance to pay her own way through college, she achieved the highest honours and was invited to join Phi Beta Kappa, the greatest academic honour.

From Lawrence College she made her way to Europe and the Sorbonne, where she met her future husband, John.

In 1938, after a brief teaching spell back home, she came to England to marry. With two children in tow, she managed lecture tours promoting Anglo-American understanding on both sides of the Atlantic and wrote books and articles. Her frequently updated Land and People of England, first published in 1946, in which she predicted traffic meters, was, until recently, in most school libraries in America.

Alicia was presented with several gifts, some to encourage her to keep in touch and some to remind her of the ESU. She was also given a booklet on her life,

Alicia (left) with T S Eliot (Chairman) and Beatrice Warde (Founder) at a Books Across the Sea party in 1944

ESU Chilton Art History Scholarship Grazina Subelyte from Lithuania has been awarded the 2006/7 Scholarship to attend the Master's Course at Christie's Education.

The ESU Chilton Art History Scholarship was first introduced in 1994 and is designed to help fund part of the fees for either the 10

one year Christie's Course or the M Litt Programme. The options for both courses are Early European Art, Fine and Decorative Arts from the Renaissance to the Present Day or Modern and Contemporary Art.

Nominations for Governors of the ESU Four Governors, Mr Patrick Clancy, Mr Alan Cox, Professor David Crystal OBE and Sir Trevor McDonald OBE, retire after six years on the Board and are not eligible for re-election. Three vacancies already exist. The Board has nominated, subject to their consent, Lady Boyd, Mr Saroj Chakravarty, Ms Cheryl Gillan MP, Mr Richard Kaye, Sir Christopher Meyer KCMG, Mr Colin McCorquodale and Mr Anthony Westnedge OBE. 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 24 members and therefore eight have to retire this year. As there are four members retiring already, the following retire by rotation and are eligible for re-election: Dr Christopher Gibson-Smith, Mr Christopher Redman, Mr Anthony Williams and Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL. Dr Gibson-Smith is not standing for re-election. The other three members have been nominated by the Board for re-election.

The Governors are continuing the co-option of Mr Alexander Finnis and Mr Peter Sparling for a further year under Bye-Law 37.

Under Bye-Law 52, written notice of any other proposal to elect a member as a Governor should be sent to the Hon Secretary, The Hon Christopher McLaren, 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 Hon Secretary 30 days before the Annual General Meeting, ie. by 17 October 2006. Nominations will be reported to and considered by the Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday 16 November 2006 at Dartmouth House at 6.30 pm.

Debate Academy Nearly 100 secondary school students and teachers, from as far afield as Dundee, Liverpool and Dover, attended the sixth Debate Academy, the ESU's residential debate training camp, from 21-24 July.

The students enjoyed an intensive three days of debate coaching at Keele University, given by a variety of ESU staff and university debaters from England, Scotland and Australia.

Diary Dates

The training sessions covered a range of different debating formats including British Parliamentary, World Schools and ESU Schools Mace styles. The students were taught everything from proposition and opposition strategy to how to improve style. They put theory into practice by taking part in several debates.

The weekend culminated in an entertaining show debate, fought out between six of the students from the beginners group on the motion This House Would Ban Smoking.

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

SEPTEMBER Tuesday 12 September at 7.00 pm Inside the White House by William G Allman Since 1976 in the Office of Curator and from 2002 as Curator, William G Allman was responsible for the preservation and study of the collection of art, furniture and decorative objects used to furnish both the public and private rooms of the White House.

He will give a lecture at Dartmouth House, in aid of the ESU American Arts Scholarship to Attingham.

Tickets: £7.50, to include a glass of wine Contact: Katie Brock

Wednesday 20 September 12.15pm for 12.30pm Literary Luncheon with Antonia Fraser Best selling author Antonia Fraser will talk on her new biography Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Tickets: £32 to include 2 course lunch, wine and coffee.

Contact: Katie Brock

Continued on page 12 Wednesday 13 September 10.30-11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends.

Contact Jacqueline Abbott 11

Diary Dates

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

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

DARTMOUTH HOUSE Telephone : 020 7529 1550 Continued from Page 11.

OCTOBER Wednesday 4 October at 7.00 pm China Debate at Dartmouth House Contact: Vivienne Thomson Thursday 5 October at 7.00pm Literary lecture with prize-winning author, Andrew Roberts who will present his new book A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900. Wolfson History prizewinner and superb narrative historian, Andrew Roberts recently completed the project of Winston Churchill, whose four volumes of the History of the English-Speaking Peoples ended in 1900. At Dartmouth House, in October, he will present the story of the 20th century.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Tickets: £8.00 to include a glass of wine Contact: Katie Brock Wednesday 11 October 10.30-11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends Contact Jacqueline Abbott.

Wednesday 11 October at 12.00 noon Lunchtime Shakespeare Interview at Dartmouth House with Professor Stanley Wells. One of the greatest living Shakespearean scholars will present his new book Shakespeare & Co: Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Dekker, Ben Jonson, Thomas Middleton, John Fletcher and the other players in his story.

Professor Wells will be interviewed by Dr Paul Edmondson, Head of Education, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Stratfordupon-Avon. The event will be followed by a buffet lunch.

Tickets: £11 to include finger buffet Contact: Katie Brock 21-17 October The Launch of ESU Chile will take place on Monday 23 October with a programme of events taking place from 21-27 October.

Bookings have closed. In case of any queries contact Helen Green

NOVEMBER Wednesday 1 November at 7.00 pm Debate at Dartmouth House. Motion to be confirmed Contact: Vivienne Thomson Wednesday 8 November 10.30-11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends Contact: Jacqueline Abbott Wednesday 8 November at 6.30 pm Lecture at Dartmouth House by Dr Salma Samar Damluji on Islamic and Arab Architecture in Morocco, Yemen and Oman 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 Thursday 30 November at 6.15 pm The Churchill Lecture The 2006 ESU Churchill Lecture will take place at Goldsmiths' Hall on Thursday 30 November at 6.15 pm, with Guest Speaker The Rt Hon The Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon.

Until the end of January, Lord Ashdown was the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The title of his talk will be: The problems, perils, challenges and opportunities of Globalisation.

Since Churchill's day, English has become not just the language of the English-speaking peoples but the language of the globe. This was the first step in the process of increasing globalisation. What are the opportunities and challenges this process brings to individuals, to states and to the structures of governance today?

Tickets £26, to include a wine and canapé reception Contact: Norma Reid

ADVANCE NOTICE DECEMBER

Wednesday 25 October at 7.00 pm Autumn Concert in aid of the ESU Music Scholarship Fund.

Violinist Ken Aiso, prize-winner of the prestigious Long-Thibaud Concours in Paris and International Music Competition of Japan in Tokyo, and Sam Hayward, who has now established himself as one of the leading pianists of his generation, will give a concert in aid of the ESU Music Scholarship Fund in the magnificent music room at the London home of Vernon and Hazel Ellis.

Tickets: £30 or £50 for two to include canapé and wine reception Contact: Katie Brock

Monday 4 December at 7.00 pm ESU Alumni Debate at Dartmouth House Contact: Vivienne Thomson Tuesday 12 December at 7.00 pm ESU annual Christmas Concert at Dartmouth House, with seasonal music and readings.

Tickets: £15, to include mulled wine, sandwiches and mince pies Contact: Katie Brock

Saturday 28 October 12.00 for 12.30 pm Chartwell Literary Luncheon. Guest Speaker, Sir Martin Gilbert CBE, will speak on his book Churchill and America.

Tickets £26, to include three course lunch Contact: Meriel Talbot

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