/newsletter_2007_september

ESU News THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

Creating global understanding through English ISSUE No. 133 SEPTEMBER 2007

Summer Launch for ESU Moldova

Contents Moldova Launch . . . .Page 1 Moldova cont'd . . . . .Page 2 London Debate Challenge . . . . . . . . .Page 2 SSE Briefing . . . . . . .Page 2 Mooting Final . . . . . .Page 3 Lords Tea Party . . . . .Page 3 International Relations Conference . . . . . . . .Page 4 Chilton Award . . . . . .Page 4 Parliamentary Exchange . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Refugee

(L-R) Lord Watson, Elisaveta Onofreiciuc, HE Mr John Beyer, Marina Telpiz and Valerie Mitchell

The ESU was launched in Chisinau, Moldova on Monday 4 June. Thirty-three representatives attended, drawn from Austria, Canada, France, Poland, Romania, three USA Branches and five Branches from the UK. The State University of Moldova was the venue for the official launch ceremony, opened by HE Mr John Beyer, the British Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova.

Marcela Calchei, President of the Association of English Teachers and a member of the steering committee that guided the launch of ESU Moldova, introduced the speakers. They included Lord Watson and Valerie Mitchell, who were followed by Mr Tim Baiden, President of Greenville Branch, South Carolina, who read out a welcome message from Mr William Miller, Chairman of the ESU International Council and Chairman, ESU US. Marina Telpiz, from the Ministry of Education, then took the floor to speak on the importance of English in Moldova. There were also contributions from two young people who had participated in the ESU International Public Speaking Competition the previous month.

They talked about their invaluable experiences whilst in London. Kind words of support were offered by ESU representatives from across the world to Elisaveta Onofreiciuc, Chairman of ESU Moldova, who gave a very touching closing speech.

The launch received outstanding support from HE Mr John Beyer who, in addition to speaking at the event, gave a reception at his beautiful home for all the delegates and some students from the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM).

Presentation . . . . . . .Page 5 Lord Hunt in Anjou . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5 US Scholar's Visit . . .Page 5 New Shakespeare Course . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6 Clergy Interviews . . . . . . . . .Page 6 Jamestown

The week opened with a series of talks and discussions at the University of Moldova. Lord Watson gave a talk on The Rise and Rise of English, after which he received the Diploma 'Honoris Cauza', presented by the Rector of the State University of Moldova. A panel discussion followed with Marina Telpiz from the Ministry of Education, Professor Colnelia Cincilei PhD and a representative from the John Smith Memorial Trust, who all gave interesting insights into the use of English in Moldova.

Lecture . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6 Attingham Events . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7 Obituary . . . . . . . . . .Page 7 Governors’ Meeting . . . . . . . . . . .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

Summer Launch for ESU Moldova continued also a chance to explore the Milestii Mici wine tasting cellar, one of Moldova's most famous natural wine cellars and one of the largest wine deposits in the world.

On the final day, Lord Watson and Valerie Mitchell led a Round Table discussion for alumni of the John Smith Fellowship Programme and the Chevening Scholars at the British Embassy.

Twelve young people were present and various topics were discussed, including Eastern Europe and the EU, Economic and British Prospects and The ESU Today.

All the delegates enjoyed themselves immensely during their time in Moldova and were extremely fortunate to experience so many absorbing aspects of the country.

(L-R) Addy Sveduneac, President of the National Centre for European Initiatives Support in Moldova, Adrian Lupusor, Victoria Onofreiciuc, Marian Bejan and Gillian Parker

Lord Watson and Valerie Mitchell greeted a student conference sponsored by ESU Moldova at ASEM. The theme was Students for European Integration and they joined the participants for an animated discussion.

The week progressed with tours to the Harjauca Monastery and The Parents House Museum. At the latter, delegates watched local children demonstrate traditional crafts and folk music. There was

(L-R) Gheorghe Rusnac, Rector of Moldova State University, Eleonora Rusnac, President of Association of Professional Translators of Moldova, Liudmila Zbant, Dean of Foreign Languages and Literatures Department at Moldova State University

London Debate Challenge Finals Day The teams of students aged 12-14 debated in three preliminary rounds before the top two, representing Hounslow and Kingstonupon-Thames, met in the final to decide the overall champion.

The motion was This House would fine the parents of children who commit crime. While the two teams prepared, the audience was welcomed by the University's Principal, Richard Trainor and given presentations by students from KCL about the benefits of higher education.

The winning team from Coombe Girls' School

Teams from 24 boroughs took part in the 2007 London Debate Challenge finals day at Guy's Campus, King's College London (KCL) on Tuesday 26 June.

There was also an opportunity for spectators to have their say on the motion in a lively floor debate, before the judges left to make their decision. The panel, comprising Tim Green, London Debate Challenge borough co-ordinator for Bromley, Siddarth Khajuria, runner up at last year's European Debating Championships and Rose Grogan, a mentor from the 2006 ESU Schools Mace Roadshow announced, after much deliberation, that the Kingston-upon-Thames team from Coombe Girls' School was the winner. In addition to the coveted London Debate Challenge trophy, each speaker on the winning team received book tokens and a copy of the ESU's debating handbook Pros and Cons.

The ESU would like to thank King's College London for their support of this event.

Secondary School Exchange Briefing Day Fifteen Secondary School Exchange (SSE) scholars and their parents attended a briefing day at Dartmouth House in early July.

The 15 scholars will be travelling to various parts of the USA over the next few months 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.

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Four graduates of the programme attended the briefing, giving scholars the chance to discuss worries and concerns about their year abroad. Parents of an SSE alumnus also attended to help allay any reservations that parents may have in preparing to say goodbye to their children for a year. The day gave students the opportunity to discuss the scholarship as well as to make new friends and explore Dartmouth House.

John Moores University Triumphs in National Mooting Competition The judging panel, comprising Sir Anthony Colman, Roderick Cordara QC and Professor Dan Sarooshi, heard impressive submissions from both appellants and respondents before eventually declaring their decision in favour of Liverpool John Moores.

The winning team of Satya Chotalia and Sara Anzani was presented with the National Mooting Competition Mace, with the runners-up receiving the Scarman Shield. The four finalists also received cheques and will each be offered a minipupillage at Essex Court Chambers, with the remaining semi-finalists receiving £250 each in prize money.

This year the winners will also be given the opportunity to represent the UK at the Commonwealth Mooting Competition in Nairobi, Kenya in September.

(L-R) Prof Dan Sarooshi, Sir Anthony Colman, Satya Chotalia, Sara Anzani and Roderick Cordara

A team from Liverpool John Moores University was declared ESU-Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition Champions at the Grand Final after competing in five mooting rounds held over the course of the academic year. A record number of institutions participated in this year's contest, with 64 teams competing for the coveted silver National Mooting Competition Mace.

The semi-finals of the competition took place at Dartmouth House, with teams from Leeds Metropolitan, Southampton and Southampton Solent universities competing alongside Liverpool John Moores to win a place in the Grand Final.

It was Southampton Solent who joined Liverpool John Moores in the President's Court at the Royal Courts of Justice for the final on the evening of Thursday 28 June.

Winner Sara Anzani said, “This competition has been an amazing experience. Mooting has helped me in the development of my skills and has impacted positively on my studies. I look forward to visiting Nairobi!”

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

House of Lords Tea Party At the annual Tea Party, held on the Terrace of the House of Lords in early July, Lord Hunt welcomed guests including the Parliamentary interns from America and France and representatives from no fewer than 18 countries.

The Tea Party was attended by Peers, MPs and ESU alumni as well as members from 13 ESU Branches in the UK. International ESU members included Dr Eleonore Biber and Mme Beatrix de Montgermont-Keil, a former President of the ESU International Council and National President of ESU France, as well as representatives from the American Women's Club, the Canadian High Commission and the Canadian Women's Club.

The interns, SSE Scholars and international students reported their huge enjoyment of their time in the UK and were delighted to attend one of the most popular events in the ESU calendar.

Lord Hunt and Valerie Mitchell with SSE Scholars and Parliamentary interns 3

International Relations Conference at Oriel College, Oxford world events. It also offers a unique opportunity to make individual contacts with people from various fields, cultures and backgrounds from all over the world.

This photograph has been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers. *

Lord Hunt addressed delegates at a dinner on Sunday night with an overview of the English-Speaking Union. Sir Leonard Appleyard, Pro-Chancellor, Bournemouth University and Former Ambassador to China and Hungary, opened the Conference.

Conference delegates with Gillian Parker (far left) and Annette Fisher (far right)

The annual ESU International Relations Conference took place at Oriel College, Oxford from 15-21 July. The Conference has been running for over 40 years and the 2007 event was attended by 32 delegates from 28 countries across South America, Europe, the Middle East and the Far East.

Dealing with issues on international relations and Britain's role in the world today, the Conference gives participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge of Britain and to widen their outlook on

Mark Simmonds MP, Shadow Minister for Health, Prof. Alan Lee Williams, Director of the Atlantic Council, Lord Watson, Mr Ralph Land, Chairman of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, Mr Edward Gould and Dr Alastair Niven, Principal of Cumberland Lodge, were among the speakers who covered topics as diverse as Peace Keeping and Peace Enforcing, International Development, Education in Britain, Parliament and the Parties, Status of the Arts, East Europe and the EU and The Internet and the Media.

Valerie Mitchell was the Guest Speaker at the Closing Dinner.

Delegates also enjoyed a trip to Stratford to watch the RSC's performance of Macbeth, directed by the award winning Irish director and writer, Conall Morrison.

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 The Garfield Weston Foundation for their generous sponsorship of the Conference. * Photographs and can be re-ordered by visiting

ESU Chilton Art History Scholarship Lin Ling Chong from Singapore has been awarded the 2007-08 scholarship to attend the Diploma 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

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.

Parliamentary Interns and Alumni Meet at Dartmouth House UK and international students taking part in the 2007 ESU Parliamentary Exchange Programme were given the opportunity to meet programme alumni at an evening reception held at Dartmouth House in early June.

The event was generously sponsored by the London Branch and Vice-Chair, Sir Peter Jennings joined Elizabeth Stokes, ESU Director of Education in welcoming the group.

The ESU offers over 20 parliamentary internship placements both in the UK and overseas to British, American and French students.

UK students are placed on Capitol Hill, Washington DC or at the AssemblĂŠe Nationale in Paris and in return, one French student and ten US students are placed with MPs at Westminster.

For more information on the programmes please contact vivienne_thomson@esu.org.

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Parliamentary Exchange Programme interns and alumni in the courtyard at Dartmouth House

Refugee Week Event A group of ESU-trained young refugees took part in a multidisciplinary presentation at an event at Newham's Central Park, London as part of Refugee Week (17-24 June).

Since March, Andrew Fitch, the ESU's Debates and Education Officer, has run a series of workshops to help the group prepare for the presentation which combined traditional drumming and the spoken word. Members of the group delivered speeches on their experiences as asylum seekers and refugees.

The English-Speaking Union is currently collaborating with the Children's Society and its Young Refugee Media Project, which aims to encourage young refugees in the UK to develop a more prominent voice in the media. Our joint programme focuses on encouraging communication and vocal participation and expression.

Sophie Sabiti and other young refugees perform at the Refugee Week event at Newham's Central Park

Lord Hunt Visits France-Anjou Branch Lord and Lady Hunt visited ESU France-Anjou at the end of May to gain an insight into the work the Branch does, for the benefit of the local community, in conjunction with the English Language Library in Angers. Initiatives include teaching English to 5-8 year old children through plays and music and presenting an excerpt from Midsummer Night's Dream with actors drawn from both organisations.

ESU France-Anjou has almost doubled its membership in the last three years with more young and middle-aged people joining. The majority are now French nationals, although members are drawn from countries worldwide. Many Anjou members had various opportunities to meet Lord and Lady Hunt during their visit.

English Language Library in Angers: Local children with (L-R) Lady Hunt, Lord Hunt, John Brown and Liz Hanaway

Walter Hines Page Scholar Visits UK In June, the ESU welcomed a Walter Hines Page Scholar from the US who was here to undertake a professional development tour of the UK; the scholarship is open to teachers of any discipline.

Libby Carter, an English, Speech and Debates teacher from Pinecrest High School in North Carolina arrived in London for her two week tour which included time in the Capital as well as Bath and Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Education Department arranged a full itinerary, including visits to schools with a debating tradition, a tour and performance at Shakespeare's Globe, attendance at a primary schools' debating competition and taking part in a meeting of the City of London Speakers club.

By wonderful coincidence, Mr Tim Baiden, President of the ESU sister Branch at Greenville, South Carolina, was visiting Dartmouth House at the same time as Libby and was delighted to meet up with her. Whilst Libby was in the UK, she was offered hospitality

by ESU Branch members and UK Walter Hines Page alumni. The ESU is very grateful to its members and alumni for their support of this programme.

(L-R) Elizabeth Stokes, Libby Carter, Tim Baiden and Valerie Mitchell 5

Shakespeare in Stratford - A New Study Course at the Courtyard Theatre and The Penelopiad at The Swan Theatre.

There were also visits to all of the houses owned and cared for by the Trust, firstly to Shakespeare's Birthplace and on to the elegant Nash's House, owned by Shakespeare's Granddaughter's first husband, Thomas Nash. New Place, the site of Shakespeare's impressive town house, also featured, as did Hall's Croft, the beautiful family abode of his daughter Susanna. At Shottery, the group visited the picturesque and romantic Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Mary Arden's House and the Shakespeare Countryside Museum, childhood home of Shakespeare's mother, where they experienced 500 years of farming and rural life.

Delegates from the ESU Shakespeare in Stratford Study Course with (front row L-R) Katie Brock, Dr Paul Edmondson, Valerie Mitchell and Gillian Parker

The course, run by Dr Paul Edmondson, Head of Education at the Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust, included post performance discussions, workshops on Elizabethan Wigs and Makeup, and Drama and Question and Answer Sessions.

Sunday 29 July marked the beginning of a new study course, organised by the English-Speaking Union and the Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust, whose collaboration has already resulted in the hugely successful Great Shakespeare Debate. The week long programme of plays, lectures, discussions, and workshops, devised and delivered by Shakespearian experts in Stratford-upon-Avon, is aimed at teachers, professors and enthusiasts of theatre, the English language and Shakespeare.

Delegates travelled down to Dartmouth House, the International Headquarters of the English-Speaking Union and were welcomed

by Mrs Valerie Mitchell, Director-General, who gave them all an insight into the workings of the ESU, its aims and programmes, and awarded them all with certificates before presiding over a luncheon to celebrate the study course. Participants then took a tour of London following a talk given by Katie Brock, Head of International and Cultural Programmes.

Twelve teachers from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Latvia, Lithuania, Mauritius, Moldova, Taiwan and the USA travelled to Stratford, where they enjoyed performances of Richard II, Henry IV, Parts I & II

Our sincere thanks go to Dr Edmondson, Gennet Rich and all at the Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust and to the Garfield Weston Foundation for their generous sponsorship.

Chapel Grant Interviews Seven candidates were interviewed for the 2007 American Memorial Chapel Travel Grant. This award enables clergy of all denominations to spend three to four weeks touring the USA with the aim of fostering understanding and the exchange of ideas.

The interview panel included Reverend David Gatliffe, representative of the Board of Education, Diocese of Southwark; Father Peter Wilson, Senior Chaplain, University of London; Reverend Helen Wordsworth, UK Co-ordinator of Parish Nursing Ministries UK and former American Memorial Chapel Travel Grant scholar; and Elizabeth Stokes, ESU Director of Education.

The interview panel: (L-R) Father Peter Wilson, Revd Helen Wordsworth and Revd David Gatliffe

The recipient of this year's grant is Reverend Prebendary Brian Tubbs, who will research Christian education in America, particularly the American practice of lifelong Sunday School.

Literary Lecture with Lord Watson Lord Watson of Richmond, Chairman Emeritus of the English-Speaking Union, gave an insightful lecture into the voyage of English at a literary lecture held at Dartmouth House in early June.

Drawing on his new book Jamestown: The Voyage of English, Lord Watson defined and described, in his vivid and compelling account, the significance of the arrival on America's East Coast in 1607 of the Godspeed, the Susan Constant and the Discovery. These three ships carried the ideas and the language which would shape the modern world.

Alan Watson gave members an idea of the precarious venture that nearly failed but succeeded against the odds.

Sir Robert Worcester of The Pilgrims, ESU Governor and chair of the Jamestown British Committee alongside Lord Watson, presided and gave the Vote of Thanks.

Sir Robert Worcester and Lord Watson 6

Lectures Raise Funds for Attingham Mr Crisp charted the change the garden has undergone over the twenty years under his management. Guests got an exclusive glimpse into the Ambassador's home which Stephen is responsible for decorating during special occasions including several Presidential visits. Annabel Westman, Director of Studies at The Attingham Trust, was welcomed by the organiser of the lectures, Mrs Alys Rickett, who introduced the speaker.

(L-R) Jason T Busch, Mrs Alys Rickett and Giles Waterfield

Two lectures have taken place this year to raise funds for the Attingham Arts Scholarship.

The first was from Stephen Crisp whose lecture was entitled: Horticultural Diplomacy - the History, Gardens and Flower Arrangements of Winfield House, the American Ambassadors' Home in London. A scholar at Wisley and at the Longwood Gardens in America, he worked at Tresco Abbey Gardens and at Leeds Castle Foundation before becoming Head Gardener to the US Ambassador in 1987.

In June, Jason T Busch spoke on Art and Life Along the Mississippi River, 1850-1861. Mr Busch is Curator of Decorative Arts at Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is the recipients of no fewer than six scholarships in the Decorative Arts, one of which was an Attingham Scholarship in 2001. He gave guests a broad view of the art and life along the Mississippi River explaining the influences that produced changes in art between 1850-1861. On this occasion, Giles Waterfield, Director of Royal Collection Studies at The Attingham Trust attended.

Since 2001 the ESU has supported a US student attending the Attingham Summer School, a three-week residential course examining the applied arts and history of the English Country House. This year's recipient was Stanton Thomas who is currently Associate Curator at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art in Tennessee.

Dr Terence Amerasinghe We were deeply saddened to learn the news of the death of Dr Terence Amerasinghe, a great supporter and friend of the ESU. He founded EnglishSpeaking Union Sri Lanka in 1981 and in 1989 he secured new offices for the ESU which were inaugurated by President R Premadasa.

Dr Terence Amerasinghe

Dr Amerasinghe was a person with enormous energy, determination and enthusiasm. He truly understood how the ESU could help his people. He initially started spoken English courses and a teacher training programme, from which teachers have established centres

all over Sri Lanka. Other courses have included Appreciating English Literature and Current Affairs: Sri Lanka and International. In 2000, to his delight, Nilakshi Parndigamige won the ESU International Public Speaking Competition in London.

Terence Armerasinghe was a respected member of the ESU International Council and frequently attended meetings in London and overseas. His contribution to our work was remarkable and valued.

We know that he will be missed by many people and particularly by the members of the ESU worldwide.

Nominations for Governors of the ESU Five Governors, Mr Keith Dobson, Lady Fry, Mr Michael Maslinski, Mr Richard Oldham and Professor James Raven, retire after six years on the Board and are not eligible for re-election. One vacancy already exists. The Board has nominated, subject to their consent, Sir Richard Dearlove, Sir David Green, Mr Andrew Hay, Mrs Jeanne Pumfrey, Miss Margaret Rudland and Baroness Symons.

Bye-Laws 49 and 50 state that a third of the Board (excluding Honorary Officers) must retire every year. The Board at present consists of 26 members and therefore nine have to retire this year. As there are five members retiring already, the following retire by rotation and are eligible for re-election - Mr Anthony Carlbom, Ms Jennifer Hibbert, Mr Brian Marsh and Lord Watson. These 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 23rd October 2007. Nominations will be reported to and considered by the Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday 22nd November 2007 at Dartmouth House at 6.30 pm.

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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

SEPTEMBER Wednesday 12 September 10.30 -11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends.

Contact: Jacqueline Abbott Thursday 20 September at 4pm Treaty of Union Debate. To mark the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Union between Scotland and England, the ESU is working with the Scotland Office, Dover House to produce a debate between some of the best school-age debaters in the UK. Contact: Vivienne Thomson

OCTOBER Tuesday 2 October at 7pm Literary lecture with journalist, author and lecturer, Anne Sebba who will be presenting her new book Jennie Churchill: Winston's American Mother. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Tickets: £8 to include a glass of wine Contact: Gillian Parker

NOVEMBER Tuesday 6 November at 7pm Literary lecture at Dartmouth House with General Sir Michael Rose who will be presenting his book Washington's War: From Independence to Iraq, in which he explains the principles of guerrilla warfare, and shows how they have been adopted by the insurgents in Iraq. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Tickets: £8 to include a glass of wine Contact: Gillian Parker Wednesday 7 November at 7 pm Lecture at Dartmouth House by Christopher Wood on William Powell Frith R.A - The Painter of Modern Life 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 Wednesday 14 November 10.30 -11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends.

Contact: Jacqueline Abbott.

Wednesday 3 October at 7pm Dartmouth House Debating Society - Shakespeare Debate.

The Debate is free of charge and open to the public.

Contact: Vivienne Thomson

Wednesday 14 November at 7pm Dartmouth House Debating Society - Arts Debate. The Debate is free of charge and open to the public.

Contact: Vivienne Thomson

Wednesday 10 October 10.30 -11.30 am Coffee Morning at Dartmouth House for members and their friends.

Contact: Jacqueline Abbott

Wednesday 21 November at 7.00 pm Notable author Ben Okri will be presenting Starbook at Dartmouth House. This is Okri's first novel in five years, with all the style and imagination that won him the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1991.

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

Tickets: £8 to include a glass of wine Contact: Gillian Parker

Friday 19 October at 7.00 pm Drinks reception launching Piers Brendon's new book, The Decline and Fall of the British Empire in association with the publishers, Jonathan Cape. Piers Brendon is former keeper of the Churchill Archives. His new book is a comprehensive and fascinating study of the end of the British Empire. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Tickets are complimentary but prior booking is required Contact: Gillian Parker Friday 19 to Sunday 21 October 2007 Branches Conference at the 4-star Old Ship Hotel, Brighton.

The conference will open on Friday evening with a reception and dinner at the hotel. A gala dinner with musical entertainment will take place on Saturday evening at Brighton's Royal Pavilion.

Contact: Meriel Talbot Wednesday 24 October at 7pm Attingham Arts Lecture at Dartmouth House. Professor Tony Badger, the Master of Clare College and Paul Mellon Professor of American History at the University of Cambridge on Presidential Oratory: Franklin D Roosevelt's Fireside Chats.

Tickets: £7.50 to include a glass of wine Contact: Gillian Parker 31 October - 4 November 2007 Annual Conference of the English-Speaking Union of the United States The conference will celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Founding of Jamestown, Britain's first permanent colony in America. The colony is the first significant exporting of the English language, so it is especially fitting that the ESU's Annual Conference will mark this important event. Hosted by the Richmond, Virginia Branch, the conference will take place at Richmond's legendary Jefferson Hotel.

Special tours of Richmond, Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg will be available to delegates before and after the conference Register on-line or download a printable registration form at www.esuus.org or call 212-818-1200. The registration fee is $400 per person, with optional tour packages available. Special discounted ESU Conference rates at The Jefferson Hotel are available until 1 October. The discounted ESU rates are $195 for Superior rooms or $215 for Deluxe rooms.

ADVANCE NOTICE Wednesday 12 December at 7pm ESU annual Christmas Concert at Dartmouth House, with seasonal music and readings.

Tickets: £15 to include mulled wine, sandwiches and mince pies.

Contact: Gillian Parker 19 - 20 February 2008 - English, India & Globalisation An International Conference to be held in New Delhi, India organised by the ESU and the British Council. The conference at The British Council, Delhi will include sessions and lectures on English and the Rise of India's Economy, Introduction to Democracy and Economy, India's Entrepreneurs, English and Education in India, English and Diplomacy, The History of India and The Culture of Indian Democracy. Speakers will include Lord Watson, The Rt Hon Lord Howell of Guildford, Mr Rod Pryde, Director British Council, India and Mr Patrick Spottiswoode, Director of Education, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

The programme will include an optional tour of New Delhi, a trip to the Taj Mahal and a tour of Jaipur and the surrounding area in Rajasthan from Wednesday 20 February.

Please note that booking early is essential.

Contact: Katie Brock Monday 17 March 2008 at 6.15 pm The 2008 Churchill Lecture, to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the English-Speaking Union, will take place at Guildhall on Monday 17 March. The guest speaker will be HE Mr Robert Tuttle, Ambassador to the Court of St James for the United States of America. The event will be followed by a reception in the Art Gallery hosted by the City of London.

Tickets £15.

Contact: Jo Wedderspoon