THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
July 2015
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Issue 745 July 2015 PUBLISHED BY SP MEDIA FOR
Blue Edge Publishing Ltd. Old Byre House, East Knoyle, Salisbury SP3 6AW, UK Tel: +44 (0)1747 830520
Departments: News, Article ideas, Press releases: editor@theamerican.co.uk Advertising & Promotions: advertising@theamerican.co.uk Subscriptions: theamerican@blueedge.co.uk The Team: Michael Burland, Content Director + Motors, Music & Sport michael@theamerican.co.uk Sabrina Sully, Content Director & Community Contact sabrina@theamerican.co.uk Daniel Byway, Content Executive dan@theamerican.co.uk Virginia E Schultz, Food & Drink (USA) virginia@theamerican.co.uk Michael M Sandwick, Food & Drink (UK) mms@theamerican.co.uk Mary Bailey, Social mary@theamerican.co.uk Alison Holmes, Politics alison@theamerican.co.uk Jarlath O’Connell, Theater jarlath@theamerican.co.uk
©2015 Blue Edge Publishing Ltd. Printed by Manson Group Ltd., www.mansongroup.co.uk ISSN 2045-5968 Main Cover: The Red Arrows ©Michael Burland ; Circular Inset: Dunkin’ Donuts; Square Inset: Candi Staton ©Candi Staton
@TheAmericanMag
T
he champagne has popped, the Red Arrows, Typhoon and Spitfire have flown past and plaques have been unveiled by royalty... the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta has been celebrated. We’ve been doing our bit, and we’ve been thrilled by how Americans have got involved - expats as well as the 900 US lawyers who flew in to rededicate the Magna Carta Memorial (you can read about the great event at Runnymede on page 8). It’s one of the things that binds the US and UK together so strongly. But how strong is that bond? We have a fascinating feature on what constitutional and political experts really think about the Special Relationship. There’s useful advice on expat tax affairs, foreign exchange, transatlantic education choices and relocation culture shocks too, plus all the usual fun stuff. Why not tell us what you like about the magazine, but more importantly what you don’t and what we’re not doing that you’d like us to? After all, it’s our aim to help you to... Enjoy your magazine,
ichael Burland, Content Director M michael@theamerican.co.uk
Among this month’s contributors
Lisa Gray Are you an American - even accidentally? The Assistant Manager at Tax Advisory Partnership has some wise words of advice
Jarlath O’Connell Our theatrical arbiter of what’s hot and what’s not goes from High Society to Beyond Bollywood - the story of his life!
Dr Alison Holmes The academic, political pundit and former speechwriter for the US Ambassador looks at the British political scene after election and referendum
Read The American online at www.theamerican.co.uk The entire contents of The American and www.theamerican.co.uk are protected by copyright and no part of it may be reproduced without written permission of the publishers. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information in The American is accurate, the editor and publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or any loss arising from reliance on it. The views and comments of contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers.
July 2015 1
The American
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in this issue... 8 10 15 16 18 20 22
Magna Carta 800 at Runnymede Offer: free Dunkin’ Donuts Out and About: Play (or watch) Polo Smart Living in the UK : Bringing money from the USA Are you an American? The tax implications The pitfalls of foreign exchange Education: SAT vs. ACT 4 News
24 28 29 34 44 46 50
Moving to Surrey The Importance of Cultural Agility Offer: Stress-Free Shipping Candi Staton Interviewed Aftershock: UK post-election Is the Special Relationship Over? American Sports: UK Soccer in the USA, Golf Perfection, America’s Cup and Classic Sailing 55 US Social Groups
12 Diary Dates
36 Arts
62 A-List Products & Services
30 Food & Drink
39 Theater
64 Coffee Break
2 July 2015
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The American
NEWS
American Boy Meets Transatlantic Bone Marrow Donor
A
n American boy’s life was saved in 2012 by an anonymous bone marrow donation. On June 6 he flew to Britain to meet the donor. Jake Larkin, from San Francisco is eight years old. When he was six he was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, a rare condition in which the bone marrow does not make enough blood cells. He was treated in California with immune suppression treatment but it did not work. Jane Theobald, a teacher at Welland Park Academy in Market Harborough, England, was the only matching donor for Jake on any of the world’s bone marrow donor registers. Jane, 59, had been on the Anthony Nolan register in the 1970s when Shirley Nolan was looking for a donor for her son, Anthony, but this was the first time she had been
called upon to donate. Jake had his transplant in September 2012 and has made a very good recovery. Following a donation, the patient and donor have to remain anonymous for two years and Jane received an anonymous letter from Jake’s parents thanking her for her donation. It read: “Your gift saved the life of a little boy, but so much more, you saved the hearts of so many people who love that little boy. And you did save his life, as surely as if you had scooped him up off of train tracks in the shadow of a speeding train. Our son was not going to live, he was not going to grow up, he was not going to be here with us. We, as his parents, would have done the unfathomable, we would have said good-bye to his warmth, his giggle, his smell, his skin, his amazing wit, his potential...with-
out your gift we would have buried our son. But you did scoop him off those train tracks, in the shadow of a speeding disease, and so his dying is only a ‘what if’ that we try to avoid as we appreciate each new day. Our beautiful little boy is here, happy, healthy, a little brother, a cousin, a nephew, a friend, laughing, dancing, being silly - being alive. And we are forever indebted to you.” Jane and Jake’s mother Kimberly are encouraging more potential donors to join the Anthony Nolan register in the UK (www.anthonynolan.org) and others around the world including Be the Match in the United States (www.bethematch.org).
Nicola Sturgeon A Hit On The Daily Show
O
ne of Jon Stewart’s final guests on The Daily Show was First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon. She held her own against her satirical host, pointing out that the show’s
4 July 2015
website had billed her as a comedian, and that policians are “rarely funny”. He countered, “They thought I was going to be funny for 17 years.” Sturgeon said that Trevor Noah,
who replaces Stewart on the show, will be appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and that Stewart had given her a commitment that he would appear in the Fringe next year. “And like a politician, I will most likely not fulfil that promise” he riposted. Sturgeon said she had ordered an inquiry in to why her Scottish National Party had ‘only’ won 56 out of 59 seats and Stewart said “You think you’re Saddam Hussain, you want 99 percent?”. When he checked that Scotland had oil then asked “May we invade you?” Sturgeon answered, “You don’t usually ask permission.” See the interview on YouTube. PHOTO ©COMEDY CENTRAL
First Lady Visits London and Italy
T
he First Lady, Michelle Obama, visited London in June to participate in events for the Let Girls Learn initiative. She met with students at the Mulberry School for Girls and discussed with them how the United Kingdom and the United States are working together to expand access to education for girls around the world. The school is in in Tower Hamlets, a part of the East End of London, with a higher percentage of Muslims than any other area in Britain. She told them: “Maybe you read
PHOTO COURTESY FULBRIGHT COMMISSIONKJGBKFG
First Lady Michelle Obama visits London
the news and hear what folks are saying about your religion, and you wonder if anyone ever sees beyond your headscarf to see who you really are, instead of being blinded by the fears and misperceptions in their own minds. And I know how painful and how frustrating all of that can be. But here’s the thing. With an education from this amazing school, you all have everything, everything, you need to rise above all of the noise and fulfill every last one of your dreams.” Despite being in an economi-
PHOTO © US EMBASSY LONDON
cally deprived neighborhood, Mulberry School is rated Outstanding by OFSTED and 80 percent of the girls go on to University. After leaving London Mrs Obama flew to Italy (with her daughters Malia and Sasha and her mother, Mrs Marian Robinson) where she led the Presidential Delegation to the World’s Fair in Milan, looking round the USA Pavilion, ‘American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet.’ She continued to Vicenza to visit US military service members and their families.
Memorial Day
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epresentatives of the USAF, the British Army, and the two communities commemorated Memorial Day at Brookwood American Cemetery May 24. Speeches were given by Defense Attaché Brig. Gen. Dieter Bareihs, Chargé d’Affaires Elizabeth L. Dibble and Laura Taylor, Regent, St James’s Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
July 2015 5
The American
T
he UK Chapter of American Citizens Abroad, Inc. (ACA, Inc.) together with wealth management firm London & Capital, held an event May 28, reviewing the implications for US taxpayers of the recent UK general election. Following an update from the ACA’s Mike Larsen on the advocacy work ACA, a section 501 (c)(4) taxexempt, non-profit, nonpartisan, volunteer organisation, representing the interests of Americans living and working outside the US, is undertaking on issues such ResidentBased Taxation (RBT) and FATCA compliancy legislation, a panel of experts from London & Capital, Forsters and Frank Hirth reviewed estate planning, inheritance tax and planning, property ownership and offshore investments. The evening was a great success, highlighting the ongoing need for Americans and other US taxpayers residing in the UK to be careful when considering their tax and retirement situations. Mike Larsen, a long-time veteran of ACA commented “This was great way to update our members on the bread-and-butter issues that affect all Americans overseas, and the initiatives we are leading to protect our collective interests.” Rob Paul, Associate Director of London & Capital added, “This opportunity gave us, alongside some other leading professionals in the industry, the chance to help educate the ACA membership on some of the key investment, tax and estate planning considerations that many of the American community are not aware of. We hope to continue to support the ACA as the chapter inevitably goes from strength to strength.”
6 July 2015
PHOTOS: © M.FOCARD DE FONTEFIGUIERES
ACA Tax Event
Sandy Lerner OBE
I
f Sandy Lerner’s name is familiar to you it is probably because she co-founded the networking and internet giant Cisco Systems Inc., which she left in 1990. She is now Dr Sandy Lerner, OBE, having been awarded an Honorary Order of the British Empire for services to UK culture, in particular women’s literature. These days Ms Lerner is involved with several entrepreneurial high-tech and philanthropic activities. In 1992 the foundation she heads alongside her business parner and ex-husband Leonard Bosack invested in the restoration of Chawton House (below), a manor house in Hampshire, England formerly owned by Jane Austen’s brother, Edward Austen Knight, turning it into a center for the study of English women’s writing. Chawton House Library (pictured below) is the only dedicated collection of early British female writers. Dr Lerner was presented the OBE by the Queen’s representative, the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson. As she is a US citizen, the award would normally have been made in the United States, but on Dr Lerner’s request she received special permission to hold the ceremony at the Library, which is close to her heart. Also present, outside the building, was another of Dr Lerner’s passions; one of the Library’s heavy horses.
Buying & Selling USA Stamps, Covers & Postal History
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The American
Magna Carta 800 O
n a perfect June day in 2015, Runnymede was again the scene of a Magna Carta event. This time - exactly eight centuries after the original - those present were not a ‘Bad King’ and some mad Barons, but a good Queen, her family, 4,500 invited guests and some amazing talent. They were gathered to celebrate the anniversary of the sealing of the most famous document in British history, and one of the most influential in the democratic world. The guests were entertained by students from local schools and musicians, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the RAF’s crack Red Arrows display squadron among many more. A centerpoint of the day was the rededication of the Magna Carta Memorial, an emobodiment in stone of the core values of Magna Carta which was raised in 1957 (and subsequently maintained and renovated) by the American Bar Association. 900 ABA members were there to see Princess Anne rededicate it. She reafirmed that Magna Carta “provides us
8 July 2015
with one of our most basic doctrines; that no person is above the law.” The Temple Choir, who sang at the event, has particular historic connections with the events, coming from the Inner and Middle Temple Inns of Court, London’s elite lawyers. The Temple was King John’s London base in 1215, and later its members wrote early charters for American colonies and signed the US Constitution. US Attorney General Loretta Lynch reminded us that “Magna Carta was neither expansive nor long-lived – its rules applied to only a small group of noblemen, and it was first annulled just 10 weeks after being sealed,” but that “Its influence helped shape a political system that enshrines separation of powers, due process and the rule of law; a legal system that recognizes and honors the dignity of all people.” PM David Cameron said Magna Carta had altered forever “the balance of power between the governed and the government” and inspired different generations and countries. Lord Dyson, Master of the Rolls
The American
and chairman of the Magna Carta Trust, summarised the Magna Carta as “a symbol of democracy, justice, human rights and perhaps above all the rule of law for the whole world”. Clockwise from main picture: 1. Principal guests the Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby, Prime Minister David Cameron, HM Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince WIlliam the Duke of Cambridge (obscured), Princess Anne the Princess Royal and her husband Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence enjoy music by The London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Temple Choir. 2. Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, re-dedicates the American Bar Association memorial. 3. Hew Locke with his permaent artwork, The Jurors. 4. The Band of the Royal Marines, immaculate as always. 5. Knights Templars, representing the Barons who forced King John’s hand.. 6. Temple Choir. 7. New road sign at the historic site. 8. The ABA’s Magna Carta memorial. 9. US Attorney Loretta Lynch. 10. Sir Robert Worcester, Chair of the Magna Carta 800th Committee and Lady Margaret Worcester. PHOTO CREDITS: MAIN STAGE AND TEMPLE CHOIR PHOTOS © CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU, HEW LOCKE, THE JURORS © TOM D MORGAN ALL OTHER IMAGES © MICHAEL BURLAND
July 2015 9
Dunkin’ Donuts are in the UK! The famous American brand was founded in 1950 in Massachusetts, and now serve their hot beverages, tasty donut treats and expanding menu of savoury foods across 37 countries in over 11,000 restaurants. For Americans in the UK missing a taste of home, Dunkin’ Donuts are fast expanding in Britain, and available near you!
All-round Happiness Since 1950 Here in Britain, Dunkin’ franchisees have taken their scrumptous selection of donuts to the next level, with a staggering amount of varieties and flavours for all occasions everything from your favourite chocolate and vanilla frosted recipes to delicious fruity concoctions designed for every taste. Donuts were made for dunking, so grab a freshly brewed Dunkin’ brand hot drink and enjoy, or savour a refreshing range of iced or frozen drinks for those hot summer afternoons. Dunkin’ Donuts have more than 60 years experience in baking up deliciousness, so it’s no surprise they also have a fantastic selection of croissants, bagels, toasties, wraps and rolls for all times of the day, including Breakfast. Not forgetting innovations like their new Breaded Chicken Brioche Roll (£2.49), featured throughout July with a lemonade and hash brown (£2.99) - try one whilst you can for a limited time only! So whether it’s for great coffee on your commute to work, a cheeky donut treat for you, your family or for office colleagues, or a leisurely lunch, Dunkin’ Donuts have it all, right here on British soil. What better way to celebrate Independence Day than to treat yourself to a classic American Dunkin’ Donut? Tell your American and British friends that America’s favourite, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods is here!
10 July 2015
The American
PROMOTION
Happy Independence Day! Dunkin' Donuts are celebrating their UK presence with a special offer for readers of The American magazine and their friends - a free Dunkin' donut! See the voucher (right) and read the terms and conditions to collect your taste of America!
Where can you get Dunkin’ Donuts in the UK? There are currently seven Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in the UK, including several around Greater London, with stores in Harrow, Chelmsford, Hounslow, Cambridge, St Albans, Woolwich and Wood Green. Visit www.dunkindonuts.co.uk/stores for more details, and keep an eye out for new openings. You can also pick up your favourite Dunkin' Donut from cabinets in WH Smith and Co-Op stores, including in Central London, and Welcome Break service stations - check the website to find your nearest cabinet. And don’t forget to follow for news and offers: Facebook “f ” Logo
@dunkindonutsuk www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts CMYK / .ai
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Highlights of The Month Ahead
INDEPENDENCE DAY Benjamin Franklin House Independence Day Party Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven Street, London WC2N 5NF www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org July 3 Join us for cake and a glass of bubbly in the only remaining home of one of the Founding Fathers of America.
July 4th Jazz Excursion Eastern Docks, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 3QN www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk July 4
The SS Shieldhall is a historic steam vessel which regularly tours Southampton and The Solent on the UK’s South Coast. On July 4th she sets sail on a special celebratory Independence Day excursion, with music from the Shieldhall Stompers Jazz Band. Passengers can also enjoy the sights and sounds of the Port of Southampton, where many a ship has historically set sail for the United States.
12 July 2015
Yale Club Fourth of July Celebration The Golden Hinde, 1 Pickfords Wharf, Clink Street, London SE1 4DG www.yale.org.uk/event-1943280 james.ford@aya.yale.edu July 4 Join alumni from a range of US colleges to celebrate Fourth of July and the 40th anniversary of the Golden Hinde II’s voyage to San Francisco. The Golden Hinde is an Elizabethan galleon on which Sir Francis Drake, the Elizabethan explorer, circumnavigated the world from 1577 - 1580. This event celebrates the connection between one of the UK’s most celebrated explorers with the US on a patriotic evening. The evening includes music, a BBQ, a bar and tours of the ship. Sulgrave Manor Independence Day Celebrations Sulgrave Manor, Manor Road, Sulgrave, Banbury, OX17 2SD www.sulgravemanor.org.uk July 4 Celebrate the 4th July at the home of George Washington’s ancestors. American barbecue, US desserts, ice cream sodas, baseball, live music, battle re-enactment and much more! Democrats Abroad Picnic Portman Square, London W1 July 4 Get into that Fourth of July spirit in a gorgeous leafy setting at the DAUK American Independence Day Picnic, with American food and entertainment. One summer event you won’t want to miss.
There’s much more online at www.theamerican.co.uk
Liberty Cheesesteak’s 2nd Annual Phourth Phest The Normanby Pub, 231 Putney Bridge Road, London SW15 2PU www.cheesesteaks.co.uk Instagram: CheesesteakUK
Twitter: @CheesesteakUK #PhourthPhest Facebook.com/libertycheesesteakcompany July 4, Noon til late London’s Best US Independence Day Party, Cheesesteaks and American beers powering good old American summer fun!
Independence Day Beer Festival The Gun, Docklands 27 Coldharbour, Docklands London E14 9NS www.thegundocklands.com 020 7515 5222
July 2 to 5, 12pm to 11pm US patriots and beer enthusiasts can celebrate the holiday with a specialist selection of keg and bottle brews from US and UK brewers renowned for their USA style at The Gun, Docklands. In true Fourth of July spirit, the BBQ will be ablaze with delicious States-style burgers, wings and ribs. Entry is FREE. #AmericanBBQ @thegundocklands.
American Independence Celebrations Ulster American Folk Park, 2 Mellon Rd, Omagh BT78 5QU www.nmni.com/uafp July 3 to 5 Celebrate the 4th July in Frontier America. The Ulster American Folk Park transports visitors back to the 1860s and Frontier America, and on this special week there is also live Bluegrass and American Folk music, Punch and Judy shows and American games. July 4th in Plymouth Plymouth, Devon www.onesmallcandle.co.uk July 4 A place of immense importance to American history, Plymouth was one of the final ports of call in the UK for the Mayflower before it embarked on its journey to the New World. To celebrate those Transatlantic links and July 4th,
GOAT Independence Day Party GOAT Chelsea, 333 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9QL
www.goatchelsea.com reservations@goatchelsea.com 0207 352 1384 July 4 Calling out to all of the American Patriots! Join us for our famous Independence Day party. Boogie to the biggest American tunes and enjoy our delicious brownie. Walkins are welcome, but to make sure you enjoy a great night, we advise to book in advance! Love freedom, love America!
One Small Candle, Plymouth’s Pilgrim Ambassadors, are hosting a special July 4th party with BBQ, face painting, magicians, live entertainment and all sorts of other fun events - perfect for the whole family!
The American
REST OF THE MONTH Henley Royal Regatta Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 www.hrr.co.uk July 1 to 5 Ostensibly a festival of traditional rowing races with many top international athletes, for most of the visitors it’s more a pinnacle of the English summer’s social scene. Ladies, check the strict dress code for some ‘Enclosure’ areas. Founding Myths and their Discontents: the British and American Constitutions Compared Portculis House, London SW1 0AA makingconstitutionsconference2015. wordpress.com July 2 Prof. Colin Kidd of St Andrews University looks at the history of the UK and US constitutions, part of the celebrations of the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and the 750th of Simon de Montfort’s Parliament. Registration by June 29th is essential.
Katherine Wise Anthony Outred, 72 & 74 Pimlico Road, London SW1W 8L www.outred.co.uk June 23 to July 4 Anthony Outred, exclusive UK outlet for Katherine Wise, brings her latest collection to Pimlico Road. During her career as a studio artist, Wise’s interest has been with the fundamental threads which drive humanity. Her focus has been on creating a body of work describing the vital force of life through form. She started looking at indigenous cultures, curious about the elemental forces in human nature that unite us across civilisations. This exhibition consists of powerful single forms and totemic groups using predominantly wood and mixed media paintings. Echoes of Hepworth, Moore and Brancusi can also be seen in her works. Wise’s mixed media triptychs will also be showcased in this exhibition to offer collectors powerful and compelling images. They seem to recall elements from Aboriginal bark painting, Indian fertility symbols and African tribal shield designs.
Hat Fair Winchester www.hatfair.co.uk July 3 to 5 The Hat Fair proves there’s more to hats than just wearing them! Sweet shops, music, circus and theater are just some of the fun activities at this year’s event. Elvis Festival Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales www.green-events.co.uk June 13 Blackpool, Lancashire www.elvisfestival.co.uk July 3 to 5 The third annual European celebration of all and everything Elvis! Tribute acts, discussions and plenty of costumes.
British F1 Grand Prix Silverstone,Northants, NN12 8TN www.silverstone.co.uk July 3 to 5 Will British home favorite Lewis Hamilton prevail, or will his Championship rival - and team-mate Nico Rosberg come out on top? July 2015 13
The American
Asa Albert Jolson Jr. Tribute Concert by Neil Hilgrove Colledge St Columba’s Church, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EL, United Kingdom stcolumbaschurch.org July 4 An historic figure born in California & educated in Switzerland will be honored by a piano recital on an equally historic instrument - the last Erard Concert Grand made in Paris, which now resides in Cambridge. Works by Scarlatti, Bach, Vivaldi, Haydn, Clementi & Chopin. Alice’s Day Various, Oxford, inc. the Ashmolean, Blackwell’s Bookshop, the Bodleian, Oxford Castle Quarter and the Story Museum www.storymuseum.org.uk/alice July 4 Alice Day celebrates the first telling of Lewis Carroll’s story, Alice in Wonderland. Events take place.
Neil Diamond UK Tour Various, inc. Glasgow SSE Hydro Arena, Manchester Arena, Birmingham LG Arena and London O2 Arena www.livenation.co.uk July 7 to 16 The star has extended his UK tour to cope with high demand. Dorset Seafood Festival Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8TJ www.dorsetseafood.co.uk July 11 to 12 80 stalls of mouthwatering food, celebrity chefs, special menus and more, set around the quaint historic harbor. Native American Pow Wow Bush Farm Bison Centre, West Knoyle, Wiltshire BA12 6AE www.bisonfarm.co.uk 01747 830263 July 11 to 12 Native American lifestyle, with drumming, dance, art, artefacts and information on the history of the people and the Bison. Genuine Native Americans usually attend. Redbull International Soapbox Race Alexandra Palace, London www.redbullsoapboxrace.com July 12 Watch homemade soapbox racers or enter your own hand-made machine to race on a quirky obstacle course!
American Legacy, performed by the National Children’s Chorus of the United States St John’s Smith Sq., London SW1P 3HA www.nationalchildrenschorus.com
July 6 A stunning program of exquisite music, featuring American composers past and present. Maestro Luke McEndarfer and Maestra Pamela Blackstone will lead more than one hundred heavenly voices from New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., in what promises to be a riveting evening of song. Don’t miss it! Tickets can be purchased online at: www.sjss.org.uk/events/ american-legacy.
14 July 2015
Southern Cathedrals Festival www.southerncathedralsfestival.org.uk July 15 to 18 This year’s programme includes a musical response to Magna Carta. Hebridean Celtic Festival Stornoway, Western Isles, Scotland HS1 www.hebceltfest.com July 15 to 18 A star studded line up includes Idlewild, Sunshine Social and Halcyon. Bristol Harbour Festival www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk July 17 to 19 The festival celebrating the city’s nautical heritage transforms Bristol into a patchwork of dance, music and theater.
International Bognor Birdman Bognor Regis Pier, West Sussex www.birdman.org.uk July 18 to 19 The most famous Birdman contest sees entrants from around the world jump off the pier in the hope that their costume or contrapment will see them fly the furthest. It’s often as much about the bizarre costumes and the failures as much as the successes, but it’s a sight to behold! Whitstable Oyster Festival Whitstable, Kent www.whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk July 23 to August 2 The annual celebration of oysters in Whitstable has grown into a festival for all members of the family - with comedians, kids events such as a Pirate Treasure Hunt, music, and of course food and drink all available.
The Great Yorkshire Fringe
Parliament Street, York www.greatyorkshirefringe.com July 24 to August 2 Comedy, music, theater, cabaret and family events make up the Great Yorkshire Fringe - US stars include Reginald D Hunter and LA actor Miles Allen with his hilarious One Man Breaking Bad show!
Pre ‘50 American Auto Club Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PP www.blenheimpalace.com July 26 Over 400 classic American motors dating from the 1920s to the ‘70s line up at this family fun event for those who love US trucks, motorsports, militaria and bikes. Port Eliot Festival St Germans, Cornwall www.porteliotfestival.com July 30 to August 2 A festival celebrating words, music, imagination, ideas, nature, food, fashion, flowers, laughter, exploration and fun set in beautiful Port Eliot. See comedian Dom Joly, chef Rick Stein, the Directory of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti and a whole host of musicians.
The American
IMAGE ©ROBERT PIPER, 2015
OUT AND ABOUT
POLO by Mary Bailey
Y
ou want to get out and do something but not have to get up at dawn, not spend a fortune and come home when you want to. And you may have children. May I suggest watching Polo? Not the neckline of a shirt – that was named after the sport! The most famous Polo match in Britain is played at Cowdray in Sussex in mid-July and is a great event in the social calendar. But the sport is also played every Sunday from May to September at several other clubs, mostly in the south of England, including HPC, The London Polo Club, just outside Richmond, Surrey. I’ll concentrate on HPC here as it is so near London and easy to get to. You can take your car for easy parking, and tickets cost just £5 per person and you can bring a picnic if you wish. There is a beautiful club house for members and their guests, social membership is possible, and a good food stall in the picnic area for day spectators. The Polo ponies, a distinct breed, are
stabled at HPC. They are small but very strong and if you ask probably someone will show you round. We found everyone very pleasant but you have to be accompanied to see the horses because of safety rules. Then of course there is the game. The aim is to score more goals than the other side. A chukka is a period of play lasting seven minutes, and there are between four and eight of them. At the end of each chukka, players - there are four a side - rush off to change ponies (the welfare of the horses is paramount) then they return with their fresh mounts. Ends are changed every time a goal is scored. Scoring goals is the idea but it all gets a little hazy. There are two mounted referees and an umpire on the side. Any fouls lead to prolonged but very civilised discussions. The players ratings are in reverse to that of golfers, 10 for the best, novices start at minus 2. Polo is perhaps an elite sport, like horse racing, as keeping the animals and training is high cost.
The Royal Princes William and Harry play when they have time and there are of course clubs in the US as well as South America. The first match in the United States was held at Dickel’s Riding Academy at 39th and Fifth in New York City. If you play at home and would like to continue over here do ask a club secretary about the various levels. At HPC, play starts around 2pm each Sunday. It is all conditional on reasonable weather - we cannot have ponies slipping - but it is great fun to watch, a dangerous sport with superb horsemanship and of course the lovely ponies ...The riders can often be lovely too, speaking from a female point of view! Indeed, historically many a famous lady has been tempted to run off with one. Definitely a dangerous game.
Find HPC, The London Polo Club, at Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey. 020 8334 0000 www.hampoloclub.com
July 2015 15
IMAGE © MARKGRAF AVE
The American
Smart Living in the UK
What happens when you want to bring money to the UK? As an American living in the UK, almost nothing related to your financial affairs is easy. The consequences of seemingly simple decisions – such as how to pay for a new home or purchase a mutual fund - may create unnecessary tax charges and complexities. There are a number of key milestones that occur, from the time you arrive in the UK to the time you potentially approach and reach retirement. Many of these changes will impact the appropriate wealth management strategies for American expats. Understanding how rules will change for you over time will allow you to plan ahead and make prudent financial decisions. In this edition we will address some of the considerations needed when you want to bring money from the US into the UK. Typically, in your first seven
16 July 2015
tax years living in the UK, you are subject to UK income tax on your UK earnings and any offshore earnings that you bring into the UK. This is known as Remittance Basis taxation. Under the remittance basis you will not pay UK tax on your foreign income and gains if they’re less than £2,000 in the tax year and you don’t bring them into the UK (for example, transfer them into a UK bank account). If you have foreign income and gains of £2,000 or more, or you bring any money to the UK, you should file a UK selfassessment tax return and either pay UK tax or claim the remittance basis. Claiming the remittance basis means that you only pay UK tax on the income or gains you bring to the UK but you lose some potentially valuable allowances such as the income tax allowance and capital gains tax allowance.
By Andrea Solana In addition to transferring money into a UK bank account, there are a number of other ways one can be deemed to remit money such as: • Receiving a service in the UK and paying for the service using the income or gains that arose outside of the US. • Purchasing an asset in the UK and paying for it using foreign income or gains. • Purchasing an asset overseas using foreign income or gains, and then bringing that asset into the UK, unless it meets an exemption. • Creating a UK debt and then paying that off using foreign income. • Giving money to a relevant person who then uses the money to buy goods or services in the
The American
UK. A relevant person includes a husband or wife, civil partner, cohabitant plus children or grandchildren under the age of 18. Some exemptions to a taxable remittance are items of clothing, footwear, jewellery or watches that are brought into the UK for personal use, any property with a value of less than £1,000 and property which remains in the UK for less than 275 days total. For many people, the first time they seek to bring a large amount of money into the UK is to purchase a home. Given the potential large sums, proper remittance planning can be key particularly if you face paying up to 45% income tax on the remitted transfer. It should be noted that any
capital that you held before becoming a UK resident should be outside the scope of UK income tax. Certain other types of funds also qualify as capital such as inheritances or gifts from non-relevant individuals. It may not always be easy to tell what income and gains you have remitted, especially if you put more than one type of income or gain into an account. There are specific rules that help to decide the ordering of any remitted money. Therefore, if you make a remittance to the UK from a bank account that contains more than one source, you should seek help from HMRC or a professional tax adviser. If you would like a full copy of MASECO’s ‘39 Steps to Smart Living in the UK’ please visit, www. masecopw.com.
Andrea Solana is Head of Advanced Planning at MASECO Private Wealth. Andrea graduated from University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce with a degree in Finance and Management, completed her MBA at Imperial College London and holds her US Series 65 license. MASECO Private Wealth is not a qualified tax adviser and you should seek separate advice on your tax position with a suitably qualified tax adviser. MASECO LLP trading as MASECO Private Wealth is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax advice.
The American
Are you an American? And why you might not want to read this article if you think you may be.
H
olding a US passport means enjoying the benefits of unhindered travel to and from the US and many people, who are rightly proud of their US heritage and connections, wish to retain it. As far as tax is concerned though, with US citizenship comes responsibility; you belong to a ‘privileged’ group of taxpayers who are required to file annual tax returns and informational reporting forms to the IRS. Living outside the US does not absolve you of this responsibility and the same is also true for those who do not even know that they are a US person. Many US citizens and Green Card holders will be aware of their obligations and will file the required returns annually, along with tax returns of their resident country. However, there are a large number of US citizens and Green Card holders who are wholly unaware that they need to file. Sometimes called ‘Accidental Americans’, these taxpayers may not have been resident in the US since childhood and some will not have made it over to the US at all. As IRS enrolled agents and tax preparers, we are regularly asked to assist individuals with their US tax positions when they become aware of their responsibilities. The
18 July 2015
high profile capital gains issue faced by Boris Johnson (see our previous article in The American magazine) has led to a surge of enquiries from individuals asking us to assess whether they meet the filing thresholds and then to help them regularise their tax affairs. One recent case requires us to file around 50 separate tax returns for the adult children of a UK father and US mother, who had no idea they were regarded as US Persons. Mother and father have lived in the UK since they married and none of the children has ever lived in the US, yet still they meet the criteria and have a responsibility to file. The question of your US citizenship can also place a burden on other professional institutions who may have an obligation to assess your status and appraise the IRS of such. For example, many banks are now under an obligation to not only ask their clients if they are US citizens but also ensure that certain obligations and withholding requirements are met for those individuals. This can in turn prompt the individuals concerned, to ask why they are being assessed and what the implications are. If you have never filed a US return but you have previously lived or worked in the US or you are
related to someone who is or was a US citizen, you should actively consider your own status and take advice on your obligations. Assuming you are then considered to be what is known as a ‘delinquent’ filer, the next question is how you get your affairs up-to-date. These days the IRS are keen to encourage non-filers to regularise their tax affairs rather than subject them to harsh penalties. They have realised that the threat of penalties in and of itself, can be a key reason why delinquent filers feel reluctant to approach the IRS first. The introduction of several disclosure programmes has paved the way for a more attractive introduction to the US tax system and all delinquent taxpayers should explore how these programmes work and the benefits of being accepted. Most commonly, US citizens living in the UK will want to consider the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedure aimed at taxpayers who were ‘non-wilful’ in their failure to file and who haven’t spent time in the US recently. If accepted onto the programme you would be required to furnish the US tax authorities with several past years’ returns but late-filing and other penalties will not be assessed. You will generally be accepted
IMAGE ŠC ART
onto the programme if you can sign a statement confirming that you were non-wilful in your non-filing. No substantive guidance has been provided but the IRS has confirmed that this can include negligence, inadvertence, mistake or a good faith misunderstanding of your legal requirements. Experience shows us that most delinquent filers will fall within this description simply because they were unaware of their obligations but advice should always be sought. This raises a practical question about when you become wilful. Once you read this article and become aware that you might be required to file, are you immediately wilful in your continued non-compliance? Of course, this extreme example wouldn’t lead to a conclusion of wilfulness but a persistent failure to correct your filings or even inaction over time, could lead to an individual being considered wilful, which could potentially jeopardise
your acceptance in to a programme in the future. We are always pleased to discuss specific circumstances and eligibility for these programmes with concerned individuals, on the basis of a free initial consultation. In any case where there is doubt, it is vital that you consider your circumstances and bring your affairs up to date as soon as possible, as the next phase in this IRS carrot and stick
programme may not be so user friendly. Lisa Gray is Assistant Manager at Tax Advisory Partnership, 14 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YT t: 020 7655 6958 e: Lisa.Gray@taxadvisorypartnership.com w: www.taxadvisorypartnership. com
The American
FX and the Tanager Harry Geller of TanagerFX explains some of the pitfalls of foreign exchange and international wire transfers.
A
s an American living abroad have you recently tried sending money home? Or maybe sending money from your US bank account to your local bank? I am sure I am on safe ground here when I suggest that most American expatriates will have experienced the following:
Sending money home
1. Your local bank in your country of residence requires a signed wire transfer instruction 2. You have to visit your nearest branch with a form of ID so you can prove that you are who you say you are 3. You are charged a transfer fee (between $20-$50 equivalent) 4. You cannot be quoted a foreign exchange rate because the “other bank” will decide the rate 5. You will be told that it will take 3-5 days for your money to “arrive” at your home bank 6. When funds arrive you notice that an amount is missing. Upon investigation you notice that the foreign exchange rate is several cents away from the market rate.
Sending money from your US bank
1. To request an international wire transfer you need to go your home branch 2. Your home branch is in North Carolina - the other side of the world
20 July 2015
Trafalgar Bank Transfer Amount* Spot Foreign Exchange Rate for GBP/USD Exchange Rate used for Transaction USD Amount Saving
Foreign Exchange Platform
£20,000
£20,000
1.50
1.50
1.44
1.49
$28,800
$29,800
$1,000
*this does not account for or include additional domestic and international wire transfer charges
3. If your bank allows you to fax an instruction to them points 3-6 apply 4. If it doesn’t you ask a family member to wire you money. Increasing regulation around the world, usually to combat moneylaundering, but increasingly related to tax transparency, mean that bank systems and processes are now looking increasingly out of date. Technology has evolved. Companies now don’t have to be banks to be able to provide foreign exchange and money transfer services. And with new technology comes lower costs and more efficient processes. To illustrate this let’s use the example of Ben Franklin who wants to send £20,000 to his sister in Philadaelphia. Ben has a current account with Trafalgar Bank, London. Take a look at the above illustration of the difference between using Trafalgar Bank and a dedicated foreign exchange platform. This illustration does not include the time taken to either visit a bank branch or navigate bank telephone systems to speak to someone who can help.
Many foreign exchange brokerage businesses operate online platforms where trades can be placed and transfers arranged (up to a specified financial limit) making the process less time intensive. A bank will typically take a large “spread” on a foreign exchange transaction and may also charge an additional commission. It is often hard to discern between the two. Care should be taken when making comparisons and if using a bank you should ask for them to differentiate between the actual foreign exchange rate and their commissions. TanagerFX provides specialized international money transfer and foreign exchange services for American expatriates living in the UK. Call 020 3597 4852 or email trading@tanagerfx. com for more information. Tanager FX is a trading name of The Currency Cloud Ltd. ©2013 The Currency Cloud Limited. All Rights Reserved. The Currency Cloud Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 and the Payment Services Regulations for the issuing of electronwic money and the provision of payment services with FCA reg. no. 900199. The Currency Cloud Ltd is registered with the UK Data Protection Act - Reg No. Z1550331
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The American
SAT vs. ACT D
o you or someone you know want to go to college in the US? If so, you know there’s a lot involved – applications to fill out, essays to write, teacher recommendations to request, and tests to take. The test can be the most intimidating part for students, especially those living outside the US. Perhaps you’ve heard of the SAT and ACT as they are required by the majority of US Colleges. But what exactly are they? How do you know which one to take? And perhaps you’ve heard something about them changing in the near future – how will this affect you?
What are the SAT and ACT?
The SAT and ACT are both entrance exams accepted at all colleges requesting such tests. While traditionally, the SAT was the one that the ‘elite’ or East and West Coast schools and Ivies accepted, the reality now is that schools all take either SAT or ACT and don’t discriminate between the two. In fact the ACT has become the more popular test in recent years.
Which Test Should I Take?
Unfortunately it’s a bit complicated for the time being. Beginning in March 2016 the SAT will be virtually unrecognisable to its current test, so you need to consider when you will be taking the test. If you are planning to take your test before May 2016 in the UK (or March in the
22 July 2015
US), then you’ll be taking either the current SAT or the ACT. Let’s look at both pre-and-post March/May 2016 test options.
Taking the test before March 2016? (Current SAT and ACT – similarities and differences) If you are testing before March/May 2016, you will take either of the current exams. Both the current SAT and ACT tests cover roughly the same material in Reading, Writing (essay and grammar), and Math and both are mostly multiple-choice. The similarities end there. The ACT covers more material – for example, there’s trigonometry in the Math section, plus there’s a Science section requiring data interpretation – but it’s more straightforward than the SAT. The SAT covers less material – no trigonometry or Science – but it tends to be trickier to ascertain what is being asked for. The ACT is fast: English – 45 minutes for 75 questions; Math – 60 minutes for 60 questions; Reading and Science – each 35 minutes for 40 questions. Meanwhile, the SAT is long: 3 ¾ hours, not including breaks. The ACT essay is optional, while for the SAT the essay is mandatory. ACT has no guessing penalty; on the SAT you lose a quarter of a point for every incorrect answer, so guessing is not usually recommended. The SAT has a greater emphasis on vocabulary – some might say ‘esoteric’ vocabulary
while the ACT doesn’t directly test vocabulary, though it will be necessary to understand words in context.
Scoring of the current SAT and ACT
The current SAT is comprised of three major Sections – Critical Reading, Math and Writing, which includes a 25 minute, non-optional essay. These sections are broken down into shorter timed sections – Math and Critical Reading each have 3 sections – two 25 minute sections and one 20 minute section. Writing has one 25 minute essay and a 25 minute and 10 minute grammar sections. Each area – Critical Reading, Math and Writing – is scored on a 200-800 point level, plus the essay score of 0-12 which is factored into the total Writing Score. The combined possible score is 600-2400. Those students considering top schools really need a combined score of 2100 or higher. The ACT has four main areas – Writing (45 minutes), Math (60 minutes), Reading (35 minutes), and Science (35 minutes). There’s also an optional 30 minute essay at the end. Each section is scored from 1-36, with the four scores then averaged to give a final, single score. The essay is given a separate score of 0-12, which isn’t factored into the composite score.
Which to take pre March/May 2016 So how to tell which test is right for
The American
University of Nebraska IMAGE ©JOHN WALKER
you? The best way is to try one of each. Both the SAT and ACT offer a free, full-length test on their websites. Make time for a morning for each test, and take each under test conditions. This is essential because timing is important and can influence your score. If there is a big difference in comparative test score outcomes, the higher score obviously indicates which test you should take. If there is little difference between the scores, then choose the one you like better!
Taking the test after March 2016? The Redesigned SAT If you will be testing after March 2016, then you will be taking either the ACT or the Redesigned SAT. While there will be minor changes to the ACT, the changes to the SAT will be drastic. What we know: The new test will be administered from March 2016 onward. It will be 3 hours plus an additional 50 minutes for the optional writing portion. The composite score will be the average of two areas: Evidence-Based writing and Language, and Math. Scores range from 200-800 each for English and Math, or 400-1600 combined. The essay will not affect the composite score, but will be an additional score on a scale of 2-8 for each of 3 traits for the essay. The Reading Section will now test a student’s understanding and
analysis of passages taken from world history, social studies, science and careers. There will be no sentence completion and not as heavy a focus on obscure vocabulary. In Math, the focus will be on 3 areas: ‘Problem Solving and Data Analysis,’ ‘The Heart of Algebra,’ and ‘Passport to Advanced Math’. Calculators will now only be allowed for part of this section. Unlike the current mandatory essay section, the essay will now be separate and optional. Students will be asked to read and analyse a 650-750 word source text, discussing its strengths/weaknesses and whether they agree/disagree. Finally, like the current ACT, there will no longer be any penalty for wrong answers.
Our advice (and the advice of many
others including people at Forbes magazine) Most reputable tutors are advising students to take the ACT over the new SAT, at least for the year 2016. Why’s that? There are a few different reasons – first, the new test will have limited study materials as compared to the current ACT. As of June 2015, there are no full-length practice test available. Secondly, the first administered tests will need extra time to be calibrated, delaying the release of the first scores. Finally, the new test (as introduced by CollegeBoard) will be very similar to the current ACT test. It makes more sense to go with a known entity than something
which is still evolving. Of course, if you’re planning on taking the test in 2017, you’ll need to wait and see how the tests are closer to the date! Here are the planned test dates for both tests, but please visit the websites www.ACT.org and www. sat.CollegeBoard.org to find testing locations and verify test dates.
SAT: October 10 2015 November 7, 2015 December 5, 2015 January 23, 2016 ACT: October 24, 2015 December 12, 2015 American-born and educated Elizabeth von Nardroff is Head of American SAT & ACT Tuition, a London-based company specialising in US College Entrance Exams and application services. Elizabeth has over 20 years of US and International tutoring and she is wellversed in the US, UK and International schooling systems. Her extensive experience has helped past students gain entrance to top US universities including Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, UPenn and UC Berkeley, among others. She enjoys spending her time hiking in the lovely British countryside. +44 (0)20 7692 0766 www. americansattuition.com
July 2015 23
The American
Moving to Surrey T
Sunningdale, £4,800 pcm
24 July 2015
Wentworth Estate, £8,500 pcm
he prospect of an international assignment to the UK is often one that is highly attractive, but moving jobs to a different country usually involves looking at schools and housing. London is an enticing thought with its fabulous culture, endless range of shopping and restaurants, but with it comes a very high housing price tag and limited schooling choices. Here in the county of Surrey, we are lucky enough not only to have some of the country’s most attractive open spaces but also a number of major international schools. The American Community School (ACS) have two campuses in Cobham and Egham. Tasis is based in the charming medieval village of Thorpe and the International School of London (ISL) rather confusingly is located in Woking. All of these excellent schools have something unique to offer but they share a common theme – educational excellence. These schools can between them cover the entire educational process from the age of 2 to 18. Then there is the question of housing and this is where Surrey truly out performs just about everywhere else in the country. The variety of housing throughout Surrey has something for everyone. For the individual or couple, there is a good range of one and two bedroom apartments all the way up to senior executives who can choose from a truly jaw dropping range of mansions particularly in the St Georges Hill and Wentworth Estates. The cost of housing will depend entirely on where you
Happy Fourth of July to our fellow Americans
t: +44 020 7871 8440 | e: contact@tanagerwealth.com | w: www.tanagerwealth.com |
@tanagerwealth
Tanager Wealth Management LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Tanager Wealth Management LLP is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Registered In England and Wales No.OC377053. Registered Office: The White House, Mill Road, Goring on Thames, RG8 9DD
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03/06/2015 09:38
The American are looking but as a rough guide, you will be paying about £1,000 a month for a modest apartment, £3,000 to £5,000 a month for a family size house and if you have the budget, I can rent you something for over £40,000 a month! The availability of property is plentiful – there is a good balance between
supply and demand so unlike some cities around the world, you will find that rents are relatively stable. One word of advice though, the rush hour traffic in and around the schools can be daunting. It is not unusual to find yourself sitting in traffic for 45 minutes or longer on a relatively small journey of 6 or 7
Wentworth Estate, £7,500 pcm
miles – so when you have chosen the school that you will be using, make sure your house is close by…. Surrey has an awful lot more to offer as well, particularly when it comes to sporting pursuits. The county is well known for its incredible number of high quality golf courses including my home golf club of Wentworth which hosts the most prestigious European Tour event every May. Horse racing can be found all over the county and most famously the Royal Ascot festival every June which the Queen attends every day. You will find plenty of historical interest in Surrey as well – this year we see the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede in Egham. If you fancy a tipple, there are even a number of vinyards in Surrey including most notably Denbies in Dorking which is well worth a visit for the interesting tour of their premises. That is not to forget that London isn’t that far away from Surrey, a train journey from Woking up to London takes just 25 minutes, and even if you decide to drive into London, you can get to Harrods for all that essential shopping in well under an hour. The airports of Gatwick and Heathrow are easily accessed from pretty much anywhere in Surrey. The main advantage of Surrey apart from its good range of schooling and housing is that the pace of life is just a little bit slower than living in Central London and once you get out to the countryside beyond Guildford, it is truly a stunning part of the UK to live in.
James Wyatt is a Partner of Barton Wyatt Real Estate Agents in Virginia Water, bartonwyatt.co.uk, 01344 843000
26 July 2015
Virginia Water £3,950 pcm
SAT&ACT Courses & Tutoring London based. Available Worldwide. Always tailored to your needs.
+44 (0)20 7692 0766 www.americansattuition.com elizabeth@americansattuition.com
The American
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Stranger in a Strange Land - Being There P
atricia Cassiday and Donna Stringer explore the issues and answers for Americans facing international relocation. Part 2: Living an expatriate life is the very best preparation for becoming a global citizen and/or organizational leader in a multicultural environment. While we can study a foreign language, read about a nation’s history and culture and try to learn all we can about political and organizational structures, the most valuable in-depth learning comes from the experience of day to day living and working in the new environment. In her book Cultural Agility, Paula Caligiuri suggests that cultural competence is the ability to decide when cultural differences can be ignored because they do not matter, when one needs to adapt to cultural differences because adaptation is the only way to be effective, and when one should integrate the two cultures being experienced. In various daily situations there are opportunities to minimize cultural difference, by doing nothing or just ignoring the difference; to adapt to another culture in an effort to make others feel more comfortable, appeal to the “foreign” market, or build a relationship for future business, etc.; or to integrate psycho-
28 July 2015
logical and behavioral changes from both cultures, to find the best solution to achieve personal and professional goals. Facing personal and professional challenges with a willingness to explore the various cultural perspectives, allows an individual to decide “if this is a difference that makes a difference”. For example: A) One night at dinner, a German colleague asked a US businessman if he had not enjoyed his meal. “Oh yes, I enjoyed it very much!” he replied. “Oh, I wondered because you did not place your knife and fork together on your plate when you finished.” The US business man had no idea that this was an expected behavior and asked himself what else he might be doing that could be misinterpreted. B) While working in the manufacturing industry in Japan, a US manager saw an opportunity to improve production and proceeded with a very direct communication style to implement the change. He reported: “You can’t imagine the mess I made of everything! I learned very quickly that if I wanted to bring about change, I needed a more indirect and thoughtful approach, using trusted cultural insiders to slowly bring about the improvements I visualized.” C) Ronald was such a successful
salesman that his US company sent him to Mexico to head their operations in Mexico City. Ronald had a very informal approach to customers which had been successful with US clients who saw his informality as warm and friendly. Ronald was also a great observer, however, and noticed immediately that in Mexico people addressed him—and each other—formally and with titles, especially in business settings. While he was less comfortable with formality, he adapted his behavior, resulting in success with clients who interpreted his formality as a sign of respect. Even the best of intentions can result in unwanted consequences. When we minimize differences in an effort to make connections and create harmony, we may actually be offending those we are trying to reach. The expat experience will help you become culturally agile if you observe carefully, ask questions and shift your frame of reference when necessary. Patricia and Donna’s book 52 Activities for Successful International Relocation contains advice on reducing the “culture shock” for families and executives relocating abroad. See nicholasbrealey.com
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www.gordonramsay.com/union-street-cafe/
Union Street Café I
generally think of Southwark as the stop between Waterloo and London Bridge. With the wonders of Borough Market on the one side and some of London’s best theaters on the other, it always seems like a grey area, waiting to happen. With Union Street Café, perhaps the wait is over. The restaurant has an inner city vibe. Neo-raw. The decorator has left the old warehouse mostly intact and simply added some seating areas and art. ‘Simply’, ha! It looks effortless but actually took a great deal of thought. Very effective. I felt totally trendy. Effortless takes skill. Chef Davide Giovanni also has the knack. His years in Michelin-star restaurants make his food seem easy. Good ingredients supplied largely from small Italian artisan producers are well prepared, served simply and at near-café prices. So, to cocktails in the high ceilinged basement lounge. Sofas, Persian carpets, edgy art, cool music and a great bartender. A Southwark 24 (£9.50) was a tasty, slightly too bitter concoction but a CC10 was divine:
30 July 2015
Tanqueray 10 gin with camomile and chilli syrup and Aperol (£9) was amazing. G & C. Yes! Asparagus with egg yolk, capers and pecorino was fabulous. The first asparagus of the year, flown in that morning from Italy was the best ever. Spiky artichokes, rocket, Taggiasche olives and Pecorino Romano (£8) was another example of Giovanni’s nomucking-about style of food. Good ingredients in a good combination. For the wine pairings, we put ourselves in the capable hands of the sommelier. For this course he poured a Portuguese Pynga 2010 (£7.90). White wines from Portugal are trending at the mo, and this showed why. Lots of mineral and very dry, it was great with the veg starters. Light as a feather gnocchi, robiola cheese, ‘calcot’ onion (scallions) and Sardinian tomato (£9) was delicate, rather than packed with flavor. I would have chosen a red wine with the pasta, but the full body and fruitiness of the Terlaner Classico 2013 (£11) made a good alternative.
Budino damaretti
47 – 51 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 OBS
IMAGES ©CHARLIE RICHARDS
Ravioli burrata
The American
Reviewed by Michael M Sandwick Hake, speck, fennel, fresh peas and wild garlic purée (£21) was super. It is often the “little” things that rock my boat, and here it was the garlic, full of taste without overpowering the rest. Likewise, the addition of Ricotta to the Duck legs, Ligurian Chard and Balsamic: the dots of cheese melted, turning the juices into a glorious cream. A great recipe, undermined by overcooked duck. Pinot Noir seemed a good choice for duck and fish, but a Bourgogne “La Moutonniere” 2012 (£10.75) was thin rather than light. Chocolate torta with vanilla ice cream and pecans (£7) was dark and rich and Amalfi lemon cremoso, pecan crumble and fior di latte gelato (£7) was superb. Light, great balance of sweet and sour and the delightful discovery that lemon and pecan are a perfect pair. Service is excellent all the way through. Congenial, competent and seemingly, as diverse as London itself, cementing the urban dining concept. Southwark has arrived.
The American
100 – 102 High Street, Odiham, Hook, Hampshire RG29 1LP
www.belandthedragon-odiham.co.uk
Far Right: the bar; Near right: Saddle of Lamb
BEL & THE DRAGON W
hether you are in London, longing for a cosy country weekend, or in Hampshire, hungering for a bit of London vibe, you can find both in Odiham. Bel AND the dragon, if you will. This lovely country inn, dating back as far as 1540, has all the virtues of an idyllic getaway, but on Saturday night, it is totally happening. Packed with a largely London crowd, sans stress, it is definitely the place to be in this neck of the woods. Pre-dinner drinks in the bar were so much fun, we nearly missed dinner! Good thing we didn’t. The food is the star. The place is run by the very charming Alex Davenport Jones. Alex is a hands on kind of manager and seemed to be everywhere at once. Greeting guests at reception, serving drinks at the bar, clearing tables in the restaurant, all the while making everyone feel at home. His laid back, friendly style seems to have infected the entire staff. He kindly pointed out the 12 year old
Reviewed by Michael M Sandwick
whiskey and Damson vodka that were free for the taking. I suspect this policy might have changed after we got through with them! Our room was ideal. Perfectly crooked, exposed beams and lucky for us, the one with the only surviving bit of a wall mural from the 1500’s. Small stacks of books, mostly classics from all different periods are used for decoration throughout the hotel. Made me want to hole up for a week and have a good read! The bed was great and the walk in shower absolutely glorious. I used up my water quota for the month. A few cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and unemptied bins were the only minus. The dining room is a modern extension, providing welcome light after the dark cosiness of the original inn. Simple country kitchen in style with a big splash of flowers in the centre of a buzzing crowd. We spoke with the new chef, Kaz Suzuki about his background. His career
has taken him from Japan to New Zealand, France and finally, Odiham where he has brought elements from all his travels. In fact, our dinner mirrored his history beautifully. Seared Yellowfin Tuna with mustard, wasabi and soy (£12), marinated beetroot & burrata with basil pesto & pine nuts (£9), sea bass with shrimp, pancetta and green beans (£16), marinated & chargrilled fillet steak with violet artichoke & sauce béarnaise (£29) and the pièce de résistance, classic apple tarte tatin with vanilla bean ice cream for 2 (£14). All washed down with a lovely 2012 Pouilly Fuissé (£40). Chef Kaz has taken the concept of gastro pub and added his own personality. He has a great understanding of fish and his tarte tatin was exceptional. He suggested that we finish with an espresso martini. How could we refuse! Cold, sweet, bitter and frothy. I was stirred, not shaken!
July 2015 31
Mastiha Colada
TheAmerican American The
OPSO I have always enjoyed sharing food. Happily, it has become a trend amongst fashionable foodies (FF’s). “Socials” are the new rage and OPSO, “social food” is the latest, serving up Greek cuisine in the style of tapas. Fashionable foodie fusion (FFF). The place is simple in spite of its glam location in the heart of Marylebone. Light and airy, à la Greek taverna, with wooden tables and chairs, both in, out and in the basement. There is also a long communal table with barstools for those who wish to share with strangers. The staff is super friendly, reminding me of why I used to love holidays in Greece which in turn reminded me that it was time for a cocktail! An OPSO G&T (£8) distinguished itself with the addition of orange peel and Mastiha, a liqueur made from resin. Sweet and bitter, it changed the drink completely, in a most enjoyable way. A grape republic (£8) with Tsipouro (a spirit made from grape pomace), lychee and lemon was great looking but too sweet for me.
32 July 2015
Reviewed by Michael M Sandwick
Opso is Greek for “delectable morsel of food” of which the menu offers a wide variety. Choosing is a dilemma. 5 dishes per couple is the recommendation. We ended up with: Dakos (olive oil rusks) cherry tomatoes, capers, red onion, olives and feta (£7). This is the kind of simple dish the Greeks do so well. Fresh, delicious too, the best feta I have ever tasted. Creamier and less salty than the usual. Happily we had more of it in another salad of black eyed peas, cherry tomatoes and a wonderful sausage (£7), a combination that worked well together. So well in fact, I had to remind my guest about the sharing concept! Mushroom velouté “cappuccino” with truffled froth and rye sugar (£3) was the highlight of the evening for me. Delectable indeed. Creamy, smooth essence of mushroom topped with foam. Don’t share this one! Fried smoked Metsovone cheese with rhubarb jam (£7) would have been better had I eaten it while it
Mini fish burger in Squid ink bun
10 Paddington Street, London W1U 5QL www.opso.co.uk
was hot. The dishes all came out so quickly that I didn’t get to it until it was cold. I would have enjoyed the meal much more if the pace had been slower so we could savour each dish. Instead, we found ourselves gobbling. Lemon-oregano chicken drumstick, slow cooked for 12 hours with potato puree (£4/piece) was tasty, tender and moist. The 15 hour slow cooked lamb shank with tomato and lemongrass orzo (£23) however was a bit dry. There simply wasn’t enough fat for such a long cooking process. Of the 2 red wines available by the glass, we chose the Mountain Fish Katogi-Strofilia (£6). Drinkable but not memorable. We ended with a vanilla cream with berries and wafers, beautifully decorated with flowers, and a gorgeous bitter chocolate pudding with salty caramel and clementine. I don’t think this excellent dessert was particularly Greek. More like a fashionable foodie fusion fondant. (FFFF)!
The American
Cellar Talk Cooking With Vodka
By Virginia E Schultz ccasionally, I have friends visiting who could open their own Michelin starred restaurant. I thought of that as I watched a friend making Penne Alla Vodka with Pancetta for dinner. As she pointed out, one should never cook with anything but premium or super premium vodka. Cheap vodka is only distilled once to remove any harsh flavors while premium or super premium are filtered three or more times. One doesn’t need to cook with Grey Goose, which is what we were using that evening and probably my favorite Vodka, but avoid the cheaper brands. While she was cooking, the two of us reminisced about the first time we met a La Colombe d’Or in St. Paul-de-Vence, France. The restaurant/hotel had started in the 1920s as a cafe with an open terrace where people came to dance on weekends. Eventually, it became a popular gathering place for artists like Braque, Calder, Picasso, and Miro to name a few. I might add it is closed during parts of the fall but is opened at Christmas and I plan to visit there early next spring. At the time of that first visit, I was ignorant of its history and was only there by chance and exhaustion. I had been heading for the south of France from Holland and stopped in hope they had a room for my three children and myself. Oui, Madame, I was informed, we just had a cancel-
lation. Then with a sharp glance at my three children he added, 'we expect proper behavior'. My three, who spoke spatteringly or fluently in French, Spanish, German and Dutch, charmed everyone that evening, both guests and staff. After they had dinner and I tucked them in bed, I went to the restaurant on my own and it was then I met my future friends who, seeing I was alone, invited me to join them. Proving how small the world is, it turned out she had taught at the same university in Chicago where my aunt was a professor. Back to cooking with vodka. Cooking with vodka can be difficult and can cause a burning sensation on the tongue and your food can end up tasting too boozy. What she advised was to add a liberal amount
Nada Rad Vodka
of vodka with the tomatoes and then allow the mixture to cook for about ten to twelve minutes, so that the alcohol is partially cooked off. To finish, she swirled in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and then let the penne cook in the sauce as the Italians usually do, before adding chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan.
WINE OF THE MONTH Mestres Coquet Cava 2007, Spanish, $25
love Champagne, but my budget doesn’t IProsecco, always allow it. Usually, I end up buying but there are now some lovely
IMAGE COURTESY DAVID BOWLER WINE NYC
O
Joan Aura, owner and head winemaker at Mestres
sparkling wines made in Spain. The Mestres family has been making cavas since 1925 and the 2007 Mestres Coquet ($25) which I paired with Mussels and Calamari was very much a winner. The most recognized Cava in the US - although to be honest it is not my favorite - is Freixenet’s black bottled Cordon Negro that runs around $10. July 2015 33
The American
PHOTO BY SEAN COKES
A Woe
C
ANDI STATON is, to many, one of soul music’s lost stars. She had a string of R&B hits for Rick Hall’s Fame Studios, then huge disco hits on both sides of the Atlantic like ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ and ‘Nights on Broadway’. Then she seemed to disappear at the top of the game. Now, at 75, she’s back with a vengeance. Candi tells The American’s Michael Burland about how ‘Life Happens’.
34 July 2015
I’m making up for lost time! I was on the chitlin’ circuit and I got so tired of the competition, the places I had to play, the travel, the money, the promoters that cheated you out of all your money… I just got tired of the fight. But I did a lot during those years. I’ve never been stationary. I went back to church, where my roots are. I got myself back into the word of God. I straightened my personal life out and started doing
moral, good things for people. I got a couple of gospel music TV shows, New Directions and Say Yes, that lasted for 25 years. Did you have your own church? We did, I was married at the time and we pastored a church for seven years. We established our own record label and publishing company, writing and recording and putting out gospel records. Then ‘You’ve Got The Love’ came out [a top ten British dance hit by The Source, featuring Candi’s vocals] and I had to get rid of that old mindset that if you sing secular music you’re going to hell. That had been hammered into me as a kid. It’s hard to pull it out of you when you’ve been told it forever – that’s Bible, that’s just the way it is. You can so easily get into a cultish mentality and you can’t think for yourself. It’s a little better now. They’ve lightened up – they do rap music in church and the kids dress like rappers. That was a no-no in my day – if you didn’t wear a long skirt and long sleeves it would’ve been over for you, you’re definitely not Christian. Religion is so confining if you go by rules and regulations, being judged, and ostracized if you don’t do exactly as they say. I go to church with my family sometimes but I’m not as involved as I used to be. I began to broaden my horizons, I started to read, and think for myself. I thought, now why would ‘Stand By Your Man’ or ‘In The Ghetto’ send you to hell [laughs]. That’s ‘life’ music. We live it every day, why can’t we sing it? I started going back to Europe – I love the people there so much. They opened up their arms and took me in, gave me a platform and supported me. In America we soon forget the
For Everything From top: Kyle with Burt Bacharach The cast of What’s It All About? Kyle Riabko
people that paved the way for other artists, box them up and put them in the corner and say ‘that was yesteryear’, they’re not important. But we are – without us you wouldn’t have a song to sing today. When did you start performing? When I was eleven. My first recording was when I was thirteen. It was in LA, I never will forget it. I was in The Jewell Gospel Trio, three little girls. We were the first gospel group that had a band - a five piece rhythm section, with drums, bass, a steel guitar, rhythm guitar and keyboards. The youngest in the group, Naomi Harrison, was nine, the oldest, my sister Maggie, fourteen. We had little petticoats, socks and shoes, ponytails ...and a full band, are you kidding me? We tore those places to pieces! Sam Cooke was there with The Soul Stirrers, Lou Rawls with The Pilgrim Travelers, Aretha Franklin with her father, The Staples Singers were there and we traveled with The Five Blind Boys. We were in Nashville with Mahalia Jackson, and when we sang she was in the wings with her arms folded. She said, “I have never seen anything like this in my life – I gotta get me some of that music” [laughs]. But we had to play High School auditoriums, because the churches wouldn’t let us in. We were ‘too worldly’. I can sing most genres of music, but I want people to move – I would just call what I do dance music. They just make up new names for it – Americana is country and blues, and house music is still disco to me, maybe with a
few more beats. I love country music. When I was opening for Ray Charles, every night I’d go into his dressing room and talk with him. He said, “You know, you’re a female Ray Charles. You do country with a gospel, soul feel” That’s the greatest thing he could ever tell me”. Life Happens, your new record, proves that point, you have some interesting guests. Yes, Jason Isbell [Drive By Truckers] and John Paul White [The Civil Wars], great Americana artists. They’re good friends. I met John Paul when I gave Rick Hall his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Americana Music Awards but I never thought I’d record with him. I did ‘I Ain’t Easy To love’ on the David Letterman show – Dave had fallen in love with the Muscle Shoals documentary about Rick Hall and Fame Studios – and they got Jason to sing it with me, and John Paul showed up too so we all sang it together. It was so great I asked them to sing on the record. The album has that old Fame sound, rich and warm, and your voice sounds better than ever, seriously. And it sounds like a lot of fun. It was! And we had most of the original Muscle Shoals players that are still with us, David Hood on bass, Spooner Oldham on keyboards. It was so great to hug them and think about the old times we used to have. It happened because I was playing in The Brewery in New York. The place was packed, and I looked up and saw this guy standing up in back with a big cowboy
Candi live at iTunes Festival in 2010
hat on. I thought ‘That looks like Rick’ – and it was. After the show he said “You know what Candi? I think we’ve got another hit in us. Whaddaya think?” Rick brought some of the songs, and I wrote nine more. The record company says they’re about your ‘relationship woes’. [Laughs]. Ooh yeah. I got enough woes to supply the world – I got a woe for everything! That explains the title of the album – that’s what people say in America: life happens. Sometimes they don’t say ‘Life’. Hah! Letterman actually said that – they had to bleep him! Finally, what’s the best thing about being Candi Staton? Real. I’m real. What you see is what you get!
Candi performs at this year’s Love Supreme Jazz Festival, which takes place in Glynde, just outside of Brighton, from July 3rd to 5th. It’s in the grounds of an Elizabethan manor built in 1569, which have been in the same family since the 12th century. Also appearing are Van Morrison, Chaka Khan, Hugh Masekela, Larry Graham, Ginger Baker ‘s Jazz Confusion and Vintage Trouble. Tickets are available from www.lovesupremefestival.com July 2015 35
The American
Fausto Pirandello, Interior in the Morning, 1931 Oil on canvas, 178 x 151 cm COURTESY CENTRE POMPIDOU, PARIS, MUSÉE NATIONAL D’ART MODERNE / CENTRE DE CRÉATION INDUSTRIELLE
Sir Tim Berners-Lee: New Sculpture National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Place London WC2H 0HE June 8 to August 16
Cecil Beaton, Audrey Hepburn in Rome, 1960 © THE CECIL BEATON STUDIO ARCHIVE AT SOTHEBYS
Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Place London WC2H 0HE July 2 to October 18
In 1950 a little known performer named Audrey Hepburn stepped onto the stage at Ciro’s West End night club, a space now occupied by the National Portrait Gallery’s public Archive. Hepburn, who had trained in Ballet, opted to work as a London Chorus Girl, “because I needed the money; it paid £3 more than ballet jobs”. In this new NPG exhibition, the life and rise to fame of Audrey Hepburn are revealed through rarely seen photographs from the collection of the Hepburn family, along with portraits of the actress by leading twentieth century photographers including Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, Angus McBean, Irving Penn and Norman Parkinson.
36 July 2015
On display in Room 40, The National Portrait Gallery has unveiled a sculpture of Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web. The work, which has been created by British sculptor Sean Henry (b. 1965), is painted bronze, and commemorates Sir Tim’s 60th birthday. Henry spent two days observing Berners-Lee in Boston, and described him as a “very dynamic person to sculpt as he has a very active mind, and is active, physically, too.” Sean Henry, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, 2015 painted bronze, 46 1/8 in. x 17 3/8 in (1170 mm x 440 mm) overall Commissioned; made possible by J.P. Morgan through the Fund for New Commissions, 2014, © NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
Fausto Pirandello
Estorick Collection, 39A Canonbury Square, London N1 2AN July 8 to September 6 One of the most influential artists working in Italy between the 1930s and 1950s, Pirandello’s early work evoked a realism which was at odds with the prevailing spirit of the ‘return to order’ after the First World War. His enigmatic career later saw some of his most harshly realistic works appear almost surreal, and the lack of identifiable meaning and sense of existential drama in his later work emphasises the individuality of Pirandello’s approach to his work, which was most unlike the traditional trends and styles of the time. This exhibition comprises of over 50 works, emphasising a complete overview of the artist’s career, including key pieces such as Women with Salamander (1928-30), Drought (1936-37) and Interior in the Morning (1931).
The American
DON’T MISS ... The Kinks: Photographs and Artefacts
Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1Y 6NH to August 8
Joseph Cornell, Object (Soap Bubble Set), 1940, Box construction, 46.4 x 31.4 x 9.5 cm THE ROBERT LEHRMAN ART TRUST. PHOTO: QUICKSILVER PHOTOGRAPHERS, LLC © THE JOSEPH AND ROBERT CORNELL MEMORIAL FOUNDATION/VAGA, NY/DACS, LONDON
Joseph Cornell: Wanderlust
The Sackler Wing, Royal Academy of Arts Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD July 4 to September 27 The last major solo exhibition in Europe of American artist Joseph Cornell took place 35 years ago, and with very few Cornell works on display in Europe, this new exhibition supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art is a unique opportunity to see rarely lent masterpieces from public and private collections in the US, Europe and Japan. Cornell himself never left the United States, yet through his art he has traveled: through history, continents across the globe and even the spiritual realm. Europe was a particular interest of his: works selected for this exhibition highlight his appreciation for historic European cultures, from the Belle Époque to the Italian Renaissance. It’s fitting that the opening of this exhibition lands on Independence Day, as Wanderlust represents a liberty of the mind and soul, and with around 80 works on display, will seek to survey Cornell’s remarkable box constructions, assemblages, collages and films.
Jenny Holzer, Blue diodes, Hanging,1993 LED PHOTO JAKE FORNEY ©JENNY HOLZER
Jenny Holzer: Softer Targets
Hauser & Wirth Somerset Durslade Farm, Dropping Lane, Bruton Somerset BA10 0NL July 12 to November 1 Ohio-born American Neo-Conceptualist artist, Jenny Holzer (b.1950) studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she experimented with an abstract painting style influenced by the color field painters Mark Rothko and Morris Louis. Hauser & Wirth has galleries in Zurich, London, New York and Somerset, represent emerging and established contemporary artists. An interesting exhibition space, this is a converted C18th farmhouse, its buildings and landscaped grounds (think Teletubbies), presumably based here as it’s near to Babbington House with its constant trickle of celebs (the Beckhams were apparently there in June). A combination of new works Holzer is making specifically for Hauser & Wirth Somerset, and existing work of LED pieces, sculpture, painted signs and cast plaques. An active education programme is being planned to run alongside.
Mike Leale, Konvertible Kinks Photograph, available in various sizes IMAGE COURTESY SNAP GALLERIES
In their mid-sixties prime, The Kinks were one of the bands to photograph, and this exhibition gathers together, for the first time, work by photographers including Bruce Fleming, Val Wilmer, Bent Rej, Dezo Hoffmann, Mike Leale and Barrie Wentzell who captured some of the evocative shots from the band’s golden period from 1964 to 1968. Together with work by contemporary artists, this exhibition celebrates all things The Kinks, and features photographs of the band’s early sessions, behind the scenes images of the band reherarsing “You Really Got Me” for the July 31, 1964 edition of the Ready Steady Go! TV show, as well as plenty of pictures depicting their iconic oufits (including the band’s striking red hunting jackets and even Dave Davies’s incredible thigh length leather boots!).
July 2015 37
The American Far left from top:
London Art Week Various, London July 3 to July 10
Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680) Portrait of a Lady (Identified as Anne Killigrew 1660–1685) Oil on canvas 122.3 x 98 cm COURTESY FERGUSHALL LTD
R.B. Kitaj (1932–2007) Portrait of Philip Roth Charcoal on handmade paper, 775 x 570 mm COURTESY STEPHEN ONGPIN LTD
The historic heartland of the London art market hosts some of the capital’s foremost art experts, as the galleries of Mayfair and St James’s open their doors to unveil new discoveries, and showcase paintings, drawings, sculpture and works of art from antiquity to the 20th century. (see selection left).
Jean-Léon Gerôme (1824–1904) Corinth Gilt bronze with semi-precious stones 73.5 cm high COURTESY DANIELKATZ LTD Below from top: Anthony Caro, Déjeunersurl’herbe II, 1989 Table Piece Y-98 PHOTO: JOHN RIDDY
Anthony Caro, Paper Rendering,1993 Sculpture No.24 PHOTO: STEVEN SLOMAN
Caro in Yorkshire
Various, Yorkshire July 18 to November 1 Four of Yorkshire’s most influential visual art organizations unite this year to celebrate the career of one of Britain’s greatest sculptors, Sir Anthony Caro, who played a pivotal role in shaping the development of C20th sculpture. Showcasing over 80 works spanning 60 years, with the two centerpiece exhibitions taking place at The Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park. The first brings together 40 works in total, including some of Caro’s large-scale painted steel sculptures from the 1960s, such as TwentyFour Hours (1960), one of the first steel works Caro made. The second venue shows figurative works and a display of sketches from his early career, marking the major shift in his style after his first visit to the US (1959), where he saw the work of artists such as sculptor David Smith and painters Jules Olitski and Kenneth Noland, inspiring Caro to radically shift his designs from figurative works to the evocative welded steel structures he became famous for in the ‘60s. An open air work by Caro will also be displayed in central Leeds.
38 July 2015
Anthony Caro, Blue Moon, 2013 IMAGE COURTESY OF BARFORD SCULPTURES LTD PHOTO: JOHN HAMMOND
By James Phillips St James Theatre, London Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell
A
lexander McQueen’s designs were provocative and theatrical and combined brilliant tailoring with an inventive plundering of history. This new play by a rising star James Phillips takes a daring and very unBritish route in that it avoids plodding biopic and instead opts for a visually opulent journey through his inner world. Brilliantly staged by the veteran RSC director John Caird it uses a troupe of dancers to great effect. David Farley’s designs, David Howe’s lighting and Timothy Bird’s video work are all satisfyingly complex. The play is scored, in effect, by use of a glorious range of music which McQueen himself selected for his fashion shows: everything from Duke Ellington and Nina Simone to Ligeti and Marilyn Manson. The themes are dark, it’s about what Lee (his real name) McQueen occupied himself with to “survive the night”. A central device is the character of a stylish young woman, Dahlia, an alter-ego perhaps, who breaks in to his studio late one night to steal a gown but ends up being taken by him on a journey round his past. He takes her clubbing and to the Savile Row where a Mr Hitchcock (David Shaw-Parker) tutored him in the art of tailoring. Here in a wonderfully theatrical moment he creates a dress from scratch, cutting it per-
Stephen Wight as Lee, Dianna Agron as Dahlia
fectly on Dahlia’s body (this is more unusual than you think, most couturiers don’t tailor and some don’t even sketch). They end up back at his old home in the East End where we get snippets about his troubled youth and the tragedy of his mother’s early demise from cancer. He also gets interviewed by a brassy journalist (Laura Rees), presenting the philistines’ case for the prosecution as only the press could. Phillips has been knocked for not explaining Lee, and why he committed suicide, to us, as if any playwright could do that. Does it really need spelling out? In very a short space of time: he lost his mother, whom he adored, to cancer; his mentor Isabella Blow to suicide; and he had a major drug problem. All of this does not add up to mental well-being. What is great about this piece however is that while we take in his loss, Phillips and Caird take us beyond mere biography and employ a visual language to present his world to us. It’s poetry rather than prose. Of course for those with an innate mistrust of fashion and who don’t like his ‘type’, this is dismissed as “pretentious”. The play coincides with the phenomenal McQueen exhibition that is packing them in at the V&A, as it did
PHOTO : SPECULAR
at the Met. Books are accumulating about him and the measure of his loss is only now sinking in. This play is well timed therefore, however the central reason for seeing must be the great Stephen Wight. He looks startlingly like McQueen and perfectly conveys his charm, intelligence, romanticism, rage and vulnerability. In a wonderful moment, observing a woman, he de-constructs what she is wearing and what it means for her physicality and sense of self. Wight commands the stage. Tracy-Ann Oberman is a delight, relishing the theatricality and wit of Isabella von Blow - “It is hard to be humourless when you have a jewel encrusted lobster on your head”. Blow combined being an eccentric and quixotic patron with a sharpeyed fashion editor. The power behind the throne, she gave Lee his start in the business by buying up all his graduation show but she was left heartbroken when he set off for the heady excitement of running Givenchy, leaving her behind. Fans of Glee have been queuing up to see Dianna Agron but sadly she is the weakest link here and comes across as rather stilted in the admittedly challenging role of Dahlia. She’s got four major movies coming out this year. I guess she’ll survive.
July 2015 39
The American
T
he problem lies with the word ‘Beyond’. The iconic London Palladium, which has welcomed every great popular entertainer of the past century, is of course the perfect fit for a Bollywood show, an art form which isn’t shy about its populist appeal by bringing spectacle and color and corny romance to an adoring crowd. This company of 45, direct from India, was devised by Rajeev Goswami, a leading figure in Bollywood film and TV shows and here he hedges his bets thinking the answer lies in fusion and ‘yoof’ appeal, hence ‘Beyond..’. So, instead of a joyful foray into Bollywood excess we’re treated to some desultory funk and hip hop moves which undermine his whole premise that “what makes Bollywood special is that it is unique”. Call it the ‘Riverdance’ problem. Stick to what you’re good at. The diverse choreography of the traditional Indian elements does impress however, although, no doubt, it has the patina of showbiz. It and the dancers should have remained the focus. But Bollywood loves a tale of romance, so we get a clumsy narrative about a plucky
40 July 2015
London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1
Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell
young dancer devoted to preserving her art form but who can also shake her booty with the best of them when required. Honoring her late mother (Pooja Pant), Shaily (Ana Ilmi) wants to preserve her precious Munich dance theater against the objections of her drunken father (Sudeep Modak), who demands she turn a profit or sell up. In search of inspiration she heads for India, where she auditions for the swarthy choreographer Raghav (Mohit Mathur) who, though initially exploiting her, eventually falls for her and takes her on a cross country tour where they explore the roots of Indian dance. The way you do. This ‘Road to Punjab’ approach allows them to present a wonderful panoply of dance forms such as the folk dances of Bihu and Kalbelia, classical Kathak, Lezim (a tribal warrior dance), Gujarati Garba and the boisterous Punjabi Bhangra. The athletic ensemble deliver the formation dances with great élan, lots of razor sharp pirouettes and percussive footwork enhanced with a kind of hyperarticulated expressiveness. The lifts often wobble though, this obviously not being their forte. Ilmi and Mathur (both dance ‘reality’ TV stars in India) make a very appealing couple and their charisma even allows them to pull off a western-infused romantic pas-de-
deux. The other foray into western forms is more regrettable. This is when the rich and gay prospective buyer of the theater is wooed by the male members of the company. Topless and in tight pants they vamp like showgirls to ‘It’s Raining Men’. It serves its function no doubt, which is to reassure doubters that our ‘hero’ remains straight. The most challenging aspect for a western audience isn’t exotic dance forms but the acting style. To describe it as over the top is akin to describing the Himalayas as hilly. Raghav’s clowning assistant (also played by Modak) is all rolling eyes and feeble double takes. You wait for the dancing to start. Salim Sulaiman and Irfan Siddiqui’s music - a mix of live and recorded - enhances the piece greatly and seems a clever compromise between the ancient and modern. Costumes, as you’d expect, are gloriously lush but the huge Palladium stage is left rather bare, with video projections of shocking banality taking up design task. These may help the budget but their dearth of imagination is always baffling. They also (and this is my pet theory) make the audience behave as if they’re at home in front of their huge TVs. Here, dozens were glued to their iPhones, the ushers no longer willing to fight that fight.
The American
Left: Kate Fleetwood as Tracy Lord PHOTO ©JOHAN PERSSON
Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, Book by Arthur Kopit Old Vic Theatre, London PHOTO : JOAN MARCUS Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell
HIGH SOCIETY W
e all remember the movie where Bing Crosby serenaded Grace Kelly with ‘True Love’ and Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holm simply sparkled. This 1998 stage adaptation, crafted by the playwright Arthur Kopit, better known for more challenging fare, fails to keep its essential lightness and drags it out way too long. Here the renowned actress-singer Maria Friedman directs and gives it a rumbustious energy but sadly never really settles on a concept which might work. At its best it’s a sophisticated soufflé of a romantic comedy but it needs to exude class. While Kate Fleetwood, Jamie Parker and Rupert Young are perfectly presentable as three leads, this is one Old Vic show that cries out for star wattage. Throughout the tone is uneven. The scenes where the patrician Lord family play up their French refinement to con the visiting reporters is achieved in the movie with a witty restraint. Here it’s turned into Feydeau farce and they forget to switch out of it. Admittedly, she does have the challenge of staging it in the round (a configuration which has vastly improved the Old Vic) and her designer Peter Mumford works won-
ders in transporting us to a grandiose New England mansion, without the benefit of walls or a proscenium arch to aid him. The frenetic activity does pay dividends on occasions though as the scene transitions are a sheer delight. The slick choreography of Nathan M Wright and a fantastic ensemble of swings, who mostly play incessantly twirling French maids or valets, aid Friedman here. Speaking of swing, it is inspired of her to engage the incredibly talented young jazz pianist and crooner, Joe Stilgoe, a man who admits he was born in the wrong era, as a warm-up man. He’s also rightly the musical focus of the show’s big number ‘Let’s Misbehave’. Chris Walker’s sexy and upbeat arrangements too are just top notch, as is the great swinging band under MD Theo Jamieson. The tart wit of Porter’s lyrics are part of the joy but too often here they get lost in the general melee of keeping this cast in motion or giving them lots of ‘business’ to do. Porter wrote just a few songs for the film, and most became classics, but the stage version shamelessly mines his back catalogue for a dozen more, mostly from the ‘30s. Needless to
say, they are as shoehorned as the ABBA songs in Mamma Mia. Great songs are chopped up and refrained and lines about “the Astor Bar” are needlessly underlined with an ass pinch. We get it. The misjudged tone runs to the oddly inelegant costumes. Tracy, hangover notwithstanding, appearing for breakfast in her full wedding gown or some of the men in whitetie at the informal soiree? In a ‘comedy of manners’, which is all this is, you get this stuff right. Misplaced songs add to the confusion. Can you imagine Katherine Hepburn, the original Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story, stripping off her gown and shimmying? For that is what this Tracy does in ‘It’s All Right With Me’. And what is that song doing here? Some gloriously spirited supporting performances do lift the piece however with the elegant Annabel Scholey pulling off hardboiled yet sensitive as the love-struck photographer Liz while Barbara Flynn makes Mrs Lord a matron with a twinkle in her eye. Stealing the show though is, Ellie Bamber, as the precocious and naughty tomboy sister, Dinah. All in all, a curate’s egg for Spacey’s last hurrah as producer at the Old Vic.
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Jackie Mason: Ready to Rumble Vaudeville Theatre Reviewed by Jarlath O’Connell
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PHOTO COURTESY JACKIE MASON
ll these are jokes, Mister” quipped the veteran comedian Jackie Mason to one of his more unresponsive audience members. Such comic brio sums up this no-nonsense Brooklynite. He’s been a successful stand-up since the mid-1950s when he switched from being a Rabbi because “someone in my family had to make a living”. Three brothers, his father and grandfather were all Rabbis. Jackie’s synagogue performances started drawing too many gentiles, there for the gags, so it was time for a re-think. Always much loved in London, where he is a regular visitor, this outing ‘Ready to Rumble’ was trailed as his farewell visit. Nobody believes that for a second although at 84, his shows no longer have the kinetic energy which kept audiences rapt and in stitches, such as on his Tonywinning run with ‘The World According to Me’ on Broadway in 1986. The gait may be a bit more studied, the hearing more difficult, but the mind is as fast as ever and this audience, which impressively spanned all ages, were forgiving.
He may be as Jewish as matzo balls and he’s at his best with exploring the differences between Jews and Gentiles, but the show is like a visit to a grumpier grandpa on the day he got his pills messed up. You need to leave your politically correct sensitivities at the door, which is where he’d want you to leave them. The targets are predictable but a common theme is the social unease of the upwardly mobile Jew. Whether it is taking holidays in boring-as-hell obscure Caribbean Islands with nothing going on, or eating nouvelle cuisine in snooty French restaurants or pretending to enjoy dull visitor attractions such as Niagara or the Grand Canyon, or happily losing their shirts in casinos or enduring sushi, Jackie pokes fun at their pretensions. His ideal man is sort of regular Irving, as opposed to regular Joe–it’s a common staple for British comedians such as John Bishop too. Add to it frustration with the modern world of
texting and tweeting and 50 Shades of Grey and you leave well and truly kvetched. Mason’s on less solid ground with politics and demolishes Obama as well as Churchill and JFK for equal measure. He gingerly raises the EU referendum and after a 50:50 straw poll among the audience he proceeds to then give us his take on the evils of Europe. It is populist shtick but when he delivers some of his old routines you cannot deny he’s funny; for example his timeless imitation of Henry Kissinger. It is very healthy scepticism about those in power, and all the better for it. He’s at it his most sublime when discussing the travails of old Jews, be it struggling at the urinals in the intermission or calculating exactly how much money he is making that night or dwelling on their endless aches and pains. He leaves us with his timeless routine about his battle with a psychiatrist who once told him he had to find “the real me”. It’s a delicious riff of absurdism worthy of Beckett.
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The Mother
Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath Reviewed by Sabrina P Sully
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he Theatre Royal, Bath, has another thought-provoking play on its hands with the staging (in the Ustinov, its smaller space) of The Mother by Florian Zeller in a new translation by Christopher Hampton. It’s a companion piece to Hampton’s translation of Zeller’s The Father, played by that great British actor Kenneth Cranham, which the Ustinov staged last October and transferred to London’s Tricycle Theatre. Zeller, at 35, is one of the top French writing talents: both these pieces won the Moliere Award, the French equivalent of the Tonys. Both have as their central character somebody who is losing the plot, and we see the world from their point of view. In The Father, the protagonist’s mind is being subsumed by dementia. In The Mother it is possibly a breakdown, or maybe Anne’s daily cocktail of sleeping pills, Valium and alcohol, a deep depression borne of sadness and a longing for her youth. She’s an empty nester with a possessive obsession for her son that seems to have alienated her daughter, her husband, and her son. Gina McKee, one of the great British actresses of today, plays Anne with sangfroid and believability. She is rarely off-stage. Still beautiful and stylish at 47, McKee’s Anne spends her days alone at home, pining for her grown up son Nicholas (William Postlethwaite, son of the late, great
Gina McKee is mesmerising in the title role of The Mother PHOTO: SIMON ANNAND
Pete Postlethwaite, and a young actor to watch), who like his sister, has left home. It’s just before Mothering Sunday and Anne’s handsome suited and booted husband Peter, (smoothly played by Richard Clothier), has packed his bag for a weekend conference in Leicester. Or is it a cover for an affair? We don’t know. As Anne says ‘Do they even have conferences in Leicester?’ Either way the mundanity of their passionless marriage is apparent. The prodigal Nicholas returned late the night before. To Anne’s delight, he’s had a row with his beautiful girlfriend, whom Anne of course detests for taking away the light of her life. And this means that Anne won’t be spending Mothering Sunday on her own. But we are seeing this play
through Anne’s befuddled mind, so we’re not quite sure if Nicholas really did return, if his girlfriend Elodie (Cara Horgan) visited, if Elodie really told Anne ‘Of course he wants me. I’m young,’ and left with Nicholas, or if her husband left with an affectionate colleague. The scenes replay again and again, subtly different each time, sometimes mundane, sometimes shocking, sometimes funny, as when Anne tells her husband ‘You’re a pathetic father, I’ve been meaning to tell you’ in the most civil of ways. Horgan plays Elodie, the affectionate colleague, the paramedic, the daughter and the nurse. The ambulance men resemble her son and husband. What we are sure of is that Anne was happy when the children were young: family breakfasts before walking them to school, carrying their satchels for them, clutching their small hands. She repeats it often. She was happily married, happily fulfilled, with purpose to her life. Then. But now she has nothing, and she’s unraveling and taking us with her. The deceptively simple set by Mark Bailey, a slightly wonky white box with a black abyss of a central doorway, works well. The cast pulls off a play that must be incredibly difficult to act with aplomb. McKee is mesmerising, and if – when – it transfers to the West End she’s a shoo-in for an Olivier Award nomination.
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Aftershocks Alison Holmes looks at post-referendum, post-election Britain
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ritish elections are supposed to clear the air. Sort out the wheat from the chaff and provide direction and clear leadership for the country. After all, that’s why the first past the post system is so passionately defended. Right? Interestingly, it would appear that the British, being so, well, British, they had not counted on the aftershocks of devolution being so, well, shocking. If understatement is a national attribute (and that term is being used in the United Kingdom wide sense rather than a more, well, nationalistic sense) then the 2015 elections were a rude recoil of the 1997 shot into the future created by devolution and the potent combination of mixed electoral systems across ‘these islands’. The two biggest stories on the night – leaving aside the fact that the pollsters were so stunningly out of step with those they supposedly asked – was firstly the rise of the Scottish Nationalists. Released from under the thumb of their street thug leader Alex Salmond, the ‘kinder, gentler’ face of nationalism took the form of Nicola Sturgeon who was quickly declared the media darling of 2015 (though one does idly wonder if they have to share the name of a fish to lead that party?). While the second was the crash and burn of the coalition’s smaller partner as the Liberal Democrats lost all but eight of their 57 seats held in 2010. There are, however, at least four
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stories that lurk in the mist and tears of the morning – and the weeks and months – after, that retain the power to rock British politics. Constitutional issues are not generally at the top of the electorate’s mind when they are asked about their ‘hot topics’ or even when they go to the polling booth. Yet they have been part of the political landscape, and all of the political parties’ genetic make-up, for decades. Some may argue, it is in these smaller stories where one could observe deeper trends and even potential answers to the biggest election question of “What’s it all about Alfie?”. The United Kingdom takes great pride in being the ‘mother of democracy’ and the ‘Whiggish’ interpretation of history would suggest that’s the way the state of the UK (and its nations within) have managed a slow release of pressure in the system through a rather non-constitutional approach has much to commend it. That was then and this is now, as the first issue is the basic fact that the UK today is no longer a two party system and has, in fact, not been one for some time. Five parties in England regularly achieve the European threshold of 5 percent, as do six parties in Scotland. The result is that no party in recent memory has gained 40 percent of the vote and further, a vast majority of MPs do not even have a majority in their own seats. The UK is, in fact, ruled not by a majority but by the
largest minority granted power by a system that does not recognize the changed world of political ideology or even political voters (pollsters may also take heed of this issue). The second is related to the Scottish ‘landslide’ which, some could argue, portends a rise in nationalism, but no one notes the fact that Welsh nationalists (who also looked to play a role as kingmaker) held only their three existing seats while Sinn Fein actually lost a seat in Northern Ireland though, depending on how one defines nationalism, the Ulster Unionist Party gained two (one from the Democratic Unionists and one from Sinn Fein) while the Alliance Party lost their single MP. Further along this ‘nationalist’ line, it should be noted that UKIP – arguably the face of English nationalism and the dog that didn’t bark in this election (or perhaps the dog whistle that didn’t fetch any dogs, to use the Australian reference for a certain type of nationalist politics) didn’t make the gains some expected. The third observation is that the European question has been swept to center stage. To fend off UKIP – and against the better judgment of many – the Conservatives promised to hold a referendum on Europe. At writing, the Labour party has announced they will support the Referendum bill and one of the deputy leader contenders has declared she will be seeking the UKIP sup-
HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT PHOTO BY ADRIAN PINGSTONE; UNION JACK BY C. ART; EU FLAG BY MPD01605
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porters who left the Labour party under Blair (an interesting admission that there may have been UKIP supporters in their ranks as Labour has preferred for some time to fashion itself an entirely ‘pro-EU’ party). The irony may be that England, with 85 percent of the population of the UK and 533 of the 650 seats, may seek to leave the EU even as Scotland wishes to remain more connected to the Continent. What Vernon Bogdanor has argued as the tacit ‘asymmetry’ necessary to keeping Scotland in the Union, may be irreparably upset by this new referendum. All of which brings us back to the long shadow of the first past the post system. In 2010 the Liberal Democrats had little choice but to go into a coalition with the Conservatives. As ill-fitting as the shoes were, they walked the walk for the entire Parliament. Behaving as both good cabinet colleagues and good Europeans, they played their role as stalwart, hard-working junior partners. Unfortunately, it seems
that they forgot they were not in a proportional system. While PR exists now at many levels, Westminster has remained pristine on the basis of the old saw that only first past the post ensures clear results and strong mandates. Sadly, many good men and women were crushed between the grinding wheels of two different systems as they were forced together. The next steps are not clear. Many Conservative MPs would doubtless hand over the keys to Scotland with a song in their heart if only to resolve their short term issues in terms of dealing with what will undoubtedly be an awkward group of newly minted Westminster MPs from the other side of Hadrian’s Wall. The Liberal Democrats, traditionally more evenly spread in their support across the country have, even in the face of an electorally scorched earth, attracted over 10,000 members since the election which suggests further mysteries as to what is really going on in voters’ minds and on the
ground, but whatever that process, it does seem that the moment has arrived for a solution that suits not only Scotland (or Wales or Northern Ireland) but the work started with devolution must be completed or the UK suffer the consequences of a system that neither provides strong leadership nor, and more importantly, represents the people.
Dr. Alison Holmes is Asst. Professor of International Studies and Politics at Humboldt State University, CA. She lived in the UK for over 20 years and worked at the BBC, ran BritishAmerican Business in London and was speechwriter to the US Ambassador. A PhD in International Relations from the LSE, she has been an Associate Fellow at the Rothermere American Institute at Oxford, a Churchill Memorial Trust History Fellow and the Transatlantic Studies Fellow at Yale.
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Is the Special Relationship Over?
Judy Dempsey of Carnegie Europe, a European think tank, asked a selection of leading experts about this burning question. Here’s what they think.
Fraser Cameron, Director of the EU-Asia Center The UK-US relationship has been over for many years—at least since former US president George H. W. Bush recognized Germany as the major US ally in Europe in 1991. UK-US relations reached their nadir over the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the mid-1990s, when a visiting UK defense minister could not raise a single US congressman for a breakfast meeting on Capitol Hill. There was a brief revival in British-American ties under former UK prime minister Tony Blair, both with former US president Bill Clinton and, strangely, with George W. Bush. But British public opinion was turned off by the Bush-Blair wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now, the UK military is simply not in a position to support any such enterprise in the future. In foreign policy, Washington is critical of the UK’s constant accommodation of China, its threats to leave the EU, and its gradual decline into irrelevance. This leaves intelligence cooperation, where again, the UK tries to hang on to US coattails. But this is insufficient for any bilateral special relationship. The sooner the UK wakes up to the fact that the United States prefers a united European voice on foreign policy, the better.
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Daniel Keohane Research director at FRIDE No. But beyond the traditional guff of Britain playing Athens to America’s Rome, the partnership is alive mainly because of the close and privileged relationship between the UK and US intelligence services. That remains special and should not be underestimated. However, if recent trends in British foreign policy—falling defense spending, relative absence from key international security challenges, and moodiness toward the EU—continue, then those voices in Washington already questioning the UK’s relevance will surely strengthen in number and volume. And if the UK were to leave the EU, the country would become a useless ally for the United States. It doesn’t have to be like this. The UK is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and one of the biggest powers in the EU. Britain has a unique combination of strengths including worldwide business networks, very experienced armed forces, and tremendous cultural influence. London is the richest and most globalized city in Europe. The British prime minister (re) elected in the general election on May 7 should do three things: keep a global outlook; clarify British foreign policy priorities; and not only
keep the UK in the EU but also lead European foreign policy. Whisper it, but if the UK wants to keep a special relationship with the United States, it should become more like France. Michael Leigh, Senior adviser at the German Marshall Fund of the United States The UK-US special relationship is still alive, if not in robust health. Britain and the United States have much in common as founder members of the Anglosphere, believers in free markets, states where green shoots of economic growth flourish, and partners in intelligence sharing. Hundreds of British security and intelligence officers are embedded in US agencies, and there is cooperation on fighting cybercrime, drug trafficking, terrorism, and other scourges around the world. Britain and the United States remain major trade and investment partners. But Britain’s American friends are perplexed at its absence from European efforts at crisis management, whether in Ukraine, the Middle East, or North Africa. Britain’s willingness to run down its capacity to project military power is another source of concern. With a scarcely discernible British voice, the EU is seen as more likely to cede to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s blandishments
Britain is not the only game in town: President Obama meets (clockwise from his left) the leaders of the UK, Germany, the European Council; the European Commission; Spain; Italy and France.
PHOTO: PETE SOUZA, COURTESY THE WHITE HOUSE
when the union’s sanctions against Russia come up for renewal this summer. The risk that the British might vote in a referendum in 2017 to leave the EU—which, in Washington’s view, London helps keep on an even keel—is yet another preoccupation. Finally, there is concern that a strong showing by the Scottish nationalists in the May 2015 general election could revive the risk of the disintegration of the United Kingdom and call into question some of the fundamentals of Britain’s security relationship with NATO and the United States. If Britain sleepwalks toward the EU exit and punches below its weight on foreign policy, security, and defense, it should not be surprised if the United States reinforces its special relationship with other European states to tackle together today’s pressing challenges. James Rogers, Lecturer in European Security at the Baltic Defense College and
Senior Editor of European Geostrategy (writing here strictly in a personal capacity) Why should the UK-US special relationship no longer exist? The relationship is not affected so much by daily politics or personalities; rather, it is a truly structural alliance that penetrates the hearts of both strategic communities in London and Washington, including the British and US foreign offices, ministries of defense, policymaking communities, intelligence agencies, armed forces, and nuclear deterrence systems. The partnership also has a geographical dimension: the United States depends heavily on the UK for global geostrategic reach, not least with military facilities like the Diego Garcia naval base on British overseas territories. At the same time, Washington looks to London to support its own efforts in keeping the world’s maritime communication lines open and unimpeded. Indeed, the UK-US alliance sits at the heart of the Euro-Atlantic
structures, not least NATO. Without it, NATO would lose its salience, insofar as the UK provides a second center of strategic decisionmaking (after the United States) that goes above and beyond anything provided by other European powers. And without NATO, the EU would likely deteriorate, due to the simple fact that NATO provides the benign security environment in which the EU can function and grow. Moreover, the United States is aware of the demographic changes under way in Europe, which will likely see the UK grow in power relative to other European countries— especially Germany—over the coming years. Washington wants a serious strategic power as its principal ally, not a bit player that has no strategic reach or wherewithal beyond the European continent. So long as London continues to protect and cultivate the sinews of British power, the UK will remain critical to US global interests, meaning the two countries will remain in close alliance with one another.
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Relations reached their nadir over the war in Bosnia PHOTO BY LEGIO09
Stephen Szabo, Executive Director of the Transatlantic Academy There will continue to be a special closeness to the UK-US relationship due to the two countries’ shared language and culture. Britannia still rules American high and popular culture, and the importance of the intelligence and military relationship is unmatched for both sides. But to borrow from Walter Bagehot, the great commentator on the English constitution, the UK-US relationship has now become dominated by its dignified rather than its efficient parts. True, visits to the United States by British royals, actors, and prime ministers still capture at least some of the American imagination in ways the Germans and French cannot. However, in terms of what actually works, there is little left to point to. Britain seems to be fragmenting and turning dangerously inward while simultaneously following the lure of commerce and finance with China and other emerging players - as evidenced by London’s rush to join the new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, despite US entreaties for it not to do so. Britain continues to cut its onceimpressive military capabilities and is becoming irrelevant in Europe. In doing so, London is taking away its trump cards in its relationship with Washington, which continues to pivot toward the Pacific. Today, France offers a more efficient partnership for the United States in Africa and the Middle East, while Germany does the same in Europe.
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The United States, in turn, has lost its luster in Britain after the Iraq War and the continuing dysfunction of its federal government. Only a decade ago, Britain and America were shoulder to shoulder in Iraq. It seems much further in the distant past today. Pierre Vimont, Senior Associate at Carnegie Europe This question seems relevant when linked to the issue of the new Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which the UK joined in March 2015 despite US misgivings. A major difference of views on the bank immediately stirred the idea of a broken relationship between Britain and the US. But the reality may be more complex. To start with, the UK was not alone in becoming a member of the Asian bank; most EU member states followed the same line on an issue on which the US administration appeared somewhat out of tune with its main Western partners. Then, if one looks more broadly at the most recent global crises, it is hard to pretend that the US-UK partnership is broken. The collaboration that the two nations have developed in recent days and weeks looks pretty much the same as it did in the past: in the UN Security Council, with the latest resolution on the conflict in Yemen; on the sanctions policy against Russia for its actions in Ukraine; and on the Libyan
crisis, with the two special envoys from Washington and London acting in unison to rekindle ongoing efforts for a renewed political dialogue. All in all, the impression of solid and serious British-American cooperation is still very much there. So can one talk of business as usual? Not really, as the two countries are experiencing an uncertain international context in which both appear somewhat uncomfortable and each has a foreign policy that seems less assertive than in the past. Furthermore, this special relationship, like many others (such as the Weimar Triangle, the Visegrád Four, the Benelux trio, and even the Franco-German tandem, in spite of the recent success of the so-called Normandy format on Ukraine) is showing its strains. The combination of domestic constraints, changes of leaders, and the increasing complexity of the international community makes these bilateral or multilateral partnerships less efficient than before. Xenia Wickett, Project Director for the United States at Chatham House The special - or, in the words of US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron on March 12, 2012, essential - relationship is based on the two nations’ mutual values and history. But similar values alone cannot sustain such a relationship. Common sentiments, while vital, must be backed up by mutual interests and supported by capabilities. It is here that concerns arise.
US and UK military forces say their special relationship is still strong.
The American
PHOTO BY US ARMY
Michelle Obama and Prince Harry working together on the Let Girls Learn initiative and support for veterans. PHOTO BY AMANDA LUCIDON, THE WHITE HOUSE
But is the Pacific the new focus of America’s attention? PHOTO BY PETE SOUZA, THE WHITE HOUSE
From the US perspective, Washington’s relationship with the UK is like a stool with three legs. The first leg represents the strong intelligence and military assets and capabilities that the UK has long brought to the table. The second leg is manifested through Britain’s membership in the European Union. The United States appreciates a close partner in the EU that promotes interests (such as reform) that align with those of the United States. The third leg stems from the value Washington gains from having an external perspective on challenges (such as those in the Middle East and Asia) and from having a partner that will ensure that the United States does not have to act unilaterally. Unfortunately, today two of these three legs are looking shaky. Military spending in the UK in 2015 will likely go below the target of 2 percent of GDP on which NATO member states have agreed. And Britain’s EU membership is increasingly in question. That leaves a single unsteady third leg on which to maintain this special relationship. In the words of former British prime minister Lord Palmerston, “nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.” While defense cuts or withdrawal from the EU won’t immediately change the relationship, UK policymakers should anticipate that if they cannot address these concerns, the United States will further embrace other partners that can.
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IMAGE©JAREK PABIJAN, COURTESY RED LINE OIL
SPORTS NEWS
BSUK / MLB Slowpitch Tournament Returns 2015 marks the return of the BSUK / MLB supported co-ed Slowpitch Tournament in the UK. The event previously ran between 1998 and 2002, and was a benchmark of the season for players in the community. This year’s tournament takes place at Farnham Park Sports Ground on July 18th – the perfect opportunity for teams of all grades of play to enjoy the sport this Summer. See www.baseballsoftballuk. com for more details.
WBSC Submits Baseball Application for 2020 Olympics President of the World Baseball Softball Confederation, Riccardo Fraccari, has confirmed that the organization has submitted an application to return Baseball and Softball to the Olympics for the first time since 2008. The 2020 games are scheduled to take place in Tokyo, which WBSC organizers hope will be in their sports’ favor due to Baseball and Softball’s relative
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US Speedway rider Greg Hancock in action popularity in the region. Fraccari commented that “Baseball and softball at the Tokyo 2020 Games can help spread Olympic values within the entire nation of Japan and around the world”.
American Speedway Rider Defends Title on July 4th Californian born Greg Hancock is returning to the UK to compete in 2015’s Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain at Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium. Motorcycle Speedway, similar to Short Track in the US, sees riders drift their way round oval tracks in high octane competition. Hancock, a veteran of the sport, was victorious at the 2014 British Speedway Grand Prix, and he’ll be hoping this year’s July 4th Fireworks signal back to back victories.
Record Student Participation in American Football in the UK The British American Football Association (BAFA) has revealed that 2014-2015 saw record numbers
of people taking part in the British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) American Football Championship. A 6.6% increase on the previous season saw participation numbers rise to a record 4,596. The 2015-2016 season promises further expansion for the sport, as BUCS have announced a new three tier format to their American Football Championship, with 80 teams signed up to compete.
USA Rugby Sevens Teams Reach Rio 2016 The USA Men’s Eagles Sevens team have secured their place in the Rugby Sevens competition at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with a strong 21-5 victory against Canada at the WakeMed Soccer Park in North Carolina. The USA Women’s Eagles Sevens team also secured qualification for the 2016 games with an even more impressive 88-0 shutout victory against Mexico, ensuring US interest in the inaugural Rugby Sevens Tournament in Rio next year.
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Soccer The Cherries (AFC Bournemouth) are off to Philadelphia
Daniel M Byway looks at the upcoming Transatlantic matches
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he 2015/16 English Premier League (EPL) kicks off this year on August 8th, and in preparation for the upcoming campaign, many of next season’s top flight squads are heading Stateside for competitive friendly matches against US and international clubs. Whether you’re back in the States this Summer or watching online from the UK, here’s which clubs are where and facing who!
momentum - facing the NY Red Bulls as part of the International Champions Cup (ICC) will be a stern test ahead of ICC matches on US soil against Paris St Germain and Barcelona.
AFC Bournemouth
Newcastle United
July 14th: vs Philadelphia Union – PPL Park, PA Newly promoted Bournemouth are making a historic trip to Philadelphia this Summer, as they enjoy their first overseas match as a Premier League Club. The U’s haven’t had the best of seasons in the US Eastern Conference, but will be looking to provide a real preseason test for Bournemouth.
Chelsea July 23rd: vs New York Red Bulls – Red Bull Arena, NJ Having wrapped up the 2014/15 English Premier League title, Chelsea’s pre-season prep is all about
Manchester United July 21st – Vs San Jose Earthquakes – Venue TBC Manchester Utd return to the US to defend their 2014 ICC crown – their first season under new manager Louis Van Gaal has to be considered a qualified success, but as they prepare to step up a gear for the new Premier League season, retaining the ICC title will no doubt be a welcome pre-season success.
IMAGE ©SEEKERPHOTOGRAPHY AFC BOURNEMOUTH/STEVE COOK
Sunderland survived a late season scare in the EPL to retain their Premier League status for the coming year – manager Dick Advocaat seems to be sticking around, and leads the squad to the US and Canada for pre-season.
Tottenham Hotspur July 30th: vs MLS All-Stars – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, CO After clinching Europa League qualification, Spurs visit Colorado this July to face off against a team of MLS star players.
July 19th: vs Sacramento Republic – Bonney Field, CA
West Bromwich Albion
July 22nd: vs Portland Timbers – Providence Park, OR
July 15th: vs Orlando City – Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium, FL
Newcastle narrowly escaped relegation on the last day of the 14/15 EPL season.With a new manager in Steve McClaren, they take on Portland and Sacramento, two teams who are performing strongly in 2015’s United Soccer League Western Conference.
Sunderland July 15th: vs Sacramento Republic – Bonney Field, CA July 22nd: vs Toronto – BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
July 17th: vs Charleston Battery – Blackbaud Stadium, SC July 19th: vs Richmond Kickers – Richmond City Stadium, VA West Brom proved a strong, competitive outfit under manager Tony Pulis in the EPL last season, so will be looking to kick on ahead of the new season with an extended series of matches in the US this July.
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Golfing Perfection Darren Kilfara muses on a perfect round
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central tenet of Christian doctrine is the understanding that everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Only Jesus – God incarnate – was capable of living a perfect life on earth, and his sacrificial death was necessary to redeem the rest of us from our imperfections. We may think we’re leading relatively good lives, but we all think so many bad things and perpetrate so many bad acts that our lives fall far short of absolute purity; the best we can do is fleetingly glimpse perfection, and hope those glimpses inspire us to rise closer to the standard against which we’re measured. If that doctrine is difficult to fathom, let me explain it in golfing terms. On the average par 72 golf course with four reachable par 5s, a truly perfect round of golf would take 32 shots to complete: aces on every par 3, eagles on every par 4, and albatrosses on every par 5. One can achieve perfect games in other sports by bowling 12 strikes or retiring 27 batters in a row, but sports psychologist Bob Rotella famously titled his book Golf is Not a Game of Perfect, and we shouldn’t let televi-
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sion commentators deceive us into believing a well-struck shot finishing 10 feet from the hole is without blemish. We choose to measure ourselves against “par” precisely because we cannot aspire to true faultlessness; Rory McIlroy’s recent course-record 61 at Quail Hollow in the Wells Fargo Championship was both 11-under-par and 29-overperfect. That said, we’re currently witnessing a virulent outbreak of perfection in professional golf. Aces are being holed at a record pace on the 2015 European Tour: 33 of them as of May 24, including five – not counting Tommy Fleetwood’s albatross – at the recent BMW Championship at Wentworth. One of the aces at Wentworth was the Tourrecord tenth in the career of Miguel Angel Jimenez; his ninth had come the previous week in Spain. The week before that, Javier Colomo aced a par 4, his final hole of the day, to make the cut in Mauritius. In March, Dustin Johnson and J.B. Holmes each aced the difficult 4th hole at Doral within a few minutes of each other. I myself have holed two lengthy
shots in competition. The first came in a junior tournament on a bitterly cold November day when I was nine years old; I holed a 4-iron from 110 yards for birdie, and the only thing I remember after that is how warm I felt inside during the rest of my round The other came three years ago in a match in the Carnegie Shield at Royal Dornoch: four down after five holes, and with my opponent’s ball at the short 6th already within 15 feet of the flag, I hit a 7-iron shot which landed on the front of the green, bounced once and rolled gently into the cup for an ace. We halved every hole thereafter – so I lost 3&2 – but the memory of that perfect bounce and roll following a perfect swing at the perfect moment in a match on a perfect hole at a nearly perfect course is pure golfing bliss. One of the greatest things about golf is that despite our deep, unconquerable flaws – the twitchy putting strokes, the stubby chip shots, the contorted swings – we’re all able to occasionally experience moments of perfection, the 50-foot putt or the 40-yard pitch or the 300-
The American
Golfing perfection, as fleetingly glimpsed after an ace on the 6th hole at Royal Dornoch
yard drive where we can think to ourselves, “Peak Tiger couldn’t have done any better.” Golf, like life, isn’t full of these moments; perfection only occasionally spawns from the marriage of skill and circumstance, and the better angels of our golf games are usually drowned out by the demons infesting our bodies
and minds. Still, the next time you hole an extraordinary shot or see one holed on television, rejoice and be glad: to paraphrase C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain, let us be thankful that Our Father refreshes us on our journey with some pleasant inns, even if he doesn’t encourage us to mistake them for home.
IMAGE ©DARREN KILFARA
US expat Darren Kilfara formerly worked for Golf Digest magazine and is the author of A Golfer’s Education, a memoir of his junior year abroad as a student-golfer at the University of St. Andrews. His latest book, a novel called Do You Want Total War?, is also now available online at Amazon and elsewhere.
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A Touch of (J) Class
Sabrina Sully looks forward to a summer of America’s Cup and classic yachts - sailing heaven
S
unshine never feels better than when mixed with salt spray. This July the international sailing fraternity is gathering on the Solent (the water between the South Coast and the Isle of Wight), arguably the UK’s premiere sailing venue. Kicking off with the annual Panerai British Classic Week (July 18 – 25), which envelopes Cowes Classics Week (July 20 – 24), there’s some elegant boats and some serious sailing, with more than 60 boats entered as we go to press. This leads nicely into the America’s Cup World Series regatta, part of the preliminary race series, the results of which will affect the seeding for the America’s Cup qualifier events that take place in Bermuda during 2017. In-shore testing of the high-speed AC45 foiling catamarans from July 23rd to 26th off the Portsmouth coast makes it a spectator sport, with two ‘preview’ races Friday before the 'races proper' on the Saturday and Sunday, and ‘parades of sail’ on each day. Competing teams include the 34th America’s Cup Defender Oracle Team USA for Golden Gate YC, and 2017 Challengers Swedish-owned Artemis Racing under Iain Percy’s
54 July 2015
management, Team New Zealand, Sir Ben Ainslie’s British Team BAR, SoftBank Team Japan and Team France. (Italians Luna Rossa, who valiently raced in the last America’s Cup have sadly withdrawn). Expect a few of those yachts synonymous with the America’s Cup, the giant J Class yachts, in the parades. Every child’s idea of the perfect yacht, but BIG. There’s news that the J Class will return to race in the America’s Cup in a parallel regatta in 2017, and three J Class yachts, Lionheart, Ranger and Velsheda, fresh from their own regatta in Falmouth, Cornwall at the end of June, will moor in Ocean Village, Southampton, together with another J Class, Rainbow, which has confirmed participation in The Royal Yacht Squadron celebration of its 200 year history with a Bicentenary International Regatta (BICIR), (July 25th to 31st) across the water at Cowes. Expect a record turnout of sail for this milestone. Five days of varying format and multi class racing are scheduled, including J Class races - they will race as a fleet with challenging 2-3 hour courses in and beyond the Solent, depending on conditions. We can watch every tack
and gybe as it happens, thanks to live tracking on each J Class yacht. See jclassyachts.com. Meanwhile the 52 ft yawl Dorade, probably the most famous yacht in the world, owned by Pam Rorke Levy and Matt Brooks, will be racing up from Cornwall for the Bicentenary. They’re in the Transatlantic TR2015 race (run by the Royal Yacht Squadron, the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Storm Trysail Club), which set off from Rhode Island at the beginning of July, and once past The Lizard, Cornwall, races on to Cowes, in a Coastal Race. Winning The Transatlantic in 1931 earned the Dorade crew a tickertape parade so it will be a nostalgic trip. In 1929 Sir Thomas Lipton, owner of Lipton’s Tea, issued his fifth challenge to the Americans for the America’s Cup, commissioning the build of the first J Class Yacht and these awesome beauties were born. Dystra Architects have new designs based on the third American J, ‘Yankee’ that they’re hoping to build to sail alongside the seven J Class boats currently sailing. Is this the rennaissance of the J Class? Oh, I hope so.
The Savannah, a recent build based on J Class, but smaller at under 100 ft. PHOTO ©SABRINA SULLY
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British Patton Historical Society Kenn Oultram 01606 891303
Joint RAF Alconbury/Molesworth Retiree Affairs Office 423, ABG/RAO, Unit 5623, RAF Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambs., PE28 4DE, rao@alconbury.af.mil 01480 843364 (Tues only 10:30-14:30)
Marine Corps League Detachment 1088, London, England. Commandant Mike Allen, Creek Cottage, 2 Pednormead End, Old Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 2JS detachment1088@mcl-london-uk.org www.mcl-london-uk.org
Navy League of the United States, United Kingdom Council Council President: Steven G. Franck steven.franck@googlemail.com www.navyleague.org
Bentwaters/Woodbridge Retirees’ Association President: Wylie Moore. 2 Coldfair Close, Knodishall, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1UN. 01728 830281
USNA Alumni Association UK Chapter Pres: LCDR Tim Fox ’97, timfox97@hotmail.com Vice Pres: Miguel Sierra ’90, mrsierra@chevron.com M’ship: Bart O’Brien ’98, bartonobrien2@yahoo.com Secretary: Matt Horan ’87, matthoran@btinternet.com
Military Officers’ Association of America www.moaa.org msc@moaa.org
American Overseas Memorial Day Association To remember and honor the memory of those who gave their lives in World War I and II, whose final resting places are in Europe. info@aomda.com, aomda.com
Madingley American Cemetery Cambridge The American Battle Monuments Commission Madingley Road, Coton, Cambridge CB23 7PH 01954-210350 www.madingleyamericancemetery.info damian.lappin@madingleyamericancemetery.info
Joint RAF Mildenhall/Lakenheath Retiree Affairs Office Co-Directors Dick Good & Jack Kramer Unit 8965, Box 30, RAF Mildenhall, Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, IP28 8NF 01638 542039 rao1@us.af.mil
Retired Affairs Office, RAF Alconbury Serving Central England POC: Rex Keegan Alt. POC: Mike Depasquale 423 SVS/RAO, Unit 5585, Box 100, RAF Alconbury, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 4DA. 01480 84 3364/3557 Office Hours: Tuesday and Friday, 10:30am–2:30pm RAO@Alconbury.af.mil. Emergency no. 07986 887905
Benjamin Franklin House 36 Craven Street, London WC2N 5NF. 020 7839 2006 info@benjaminfranklinhouse.org
Boston University – London Graduate Programs Office 43 Harrington Gardens, London SW7 4JU. 020 7244 6255, www.bu.edu/london
2nd Air Division Memorial Library The Forum, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1AW 01603 774747 www.2ndair.org.uk 2admemorial.lib@norfolk.gov.uk
British American Educational Foundation Laurel Zimmermann, Executive Director BAEF, 520 Summit Avenue, Oradell, NJ 07649 USA (201) 2614438 www.baef.org
USAF Retiree Activities Office Director: Paul G Gumbert, CMSgt (USAF), Ret 422 ABG/CVR, Unit 5855, PSC 50, Box 3 RAF Croughton, Northants NN13 5XP 01280 708182 422abg.rao@croughton.af.mil
BUNAC Student Exchange Employment Program - Director: Callum Kennedy, 16 Bowling Green Lane, London EC1R 0QH. 020 7251 3472 www.bunac.org enquiries@bunac.org.uk
US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) UK Chapter President: Allison Bennett, bennett.ac@gmail.com Facebook: Kings Point Alumni - London/United Kingdom
Butler University, Institute for Study Abroad 21 Pembridge Gardens, London W2 4EB 020 7792 8751 www.ifsa-butler.org/england-overview.html
The American
Centre Academy London 92 St John’s Hill, Battersea, London SW11 1SH Tel: 02077382344, info@centreacademy.net www.centreacademy.net
Harlaxton College UK Campus, University of Evansville, Harlaxton Manor, Grantham, Lincs. NG32 1AG. 01476 403000 harlaxton.ac.uk. Huron University USA in London 46-47 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4JP Tel +44 (0) 20 7636 5667 folu@huron.ac.uk www.huron.ac.uk
Centre Academy East Anglia Church Rd, Brettenham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7 7QR Tel: 01449736404 admin@centreacademy.net www.centreacademy.net
Institute for the Study of the Americas Director: Professor James Dunkerley. Tel 020 7862 8879 americas@sas.ac.uk www.americas.sas.ac.uk
Central Bureau for Educational Visits Director: Peter Upton, The British Council , 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN, 020 7389 4004. Wales 029 2039 7346. Scotland 0131 447 8024. centralbureau@britishcouncil.org
International School of Aberdeen 296 North Deeside Rd, Milltimber, Aberdeen, AB13 0AB 01224 732267 admin@isa.aberdeen.sch.uk www.isa.aberdeen.sch.uk
Council on International Educational Exchange Dr. Michael Woolf, 52 Portland Street, London WIV 1JQ Tel 020 7478 2000 www.ciee.org contact@ciee.org
International School of London 139 Gunnersbury Avenue, London W3 8LG. 020 8992 5823, mail@ISLschools.org www.islschools.org
Ditchley Foundation Ditchley Park, Enstone, Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 4ER Tel 01608 677346 www.ditchley.co.uk info@ditchley.co.uk
International School of London in Surrey Old Woking Road, Woking GU22 8HY, 01483 750409, www.islsurrey.com mail@islsurrey.com
Dwight School London Formerly North London International School 6 Friem Barnet Lane, London N11 3LX 020 8920 0600 vrose@dwightlondon.org www.dwightlondon.org
Ithaca College London Centre 35 Harrington Gardens, London SW7. Tel. 020 7370 1166 www.ithaca.edu/london bsheasgreen@ithacalondon.co.uk
European Council of International Schools Executive Director: Jean K Vahey Fourth Floor, 146 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TR 020 7824 7040 www.ecis.org ecis@ecis.org
Marymount International School, London Headmistress: Ms Sarah Gallagher George Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7PE 020 8949 0571 info@marymountlondon.com www.marymountlondon.com
European-Atlantic Group PO Box 37431, London N3 2XP 020 8632 9253 justinglass@btinternet.com www.eag.org.uk
Missouri London Study Abroad Program 32 Harrington Gardens, London SW7 4JU. 020 7373 7953. web_office@umsl.edu www.umsl.edu/services/cis/
Florida State University London Study Centre Administrative Director: Kathleen Paul 99 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LH. 020 7813 3233 intprog1@admin.fsu.edu www.international.fsu.edu/london Fordham University London Centre Academic Coordinator: Sabina Antal 23 Kensington Square, London W8 5HQ 020 7937 5023 londoncentre@fordham.edu www.fordham.edu Fulbright (US-UK Educational) Commission Dir. of Advisory Service: Lauren Welch Battersea Power Station, 188 Kirtling Street, London SW8 5BN 020 7498 4010 www.fulbright.co.uk Halcyon London International School Co-educational International Baccalaureate (IB). 33 Seymour Place, London W1H 5AU +44 (0)20 7258 1169 , hello@halcyonschool.com halcyonschool.com
Regent’s University London Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NS. 020 7486 9605. www.regents.ac.uk exrel@regents.ac.uk
Richmond, The American International University in London Queen’s Road, Richmond-upon Thames TW10 6JP Tel: +44 20 8332 9000, enroll@richmond.ac.uk www.richmond.ac.uk Schiller International University Royal Waterloo House, 51-55 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TX. Tel. 020 7928 1372 www.schillerlondon.ac.uk admissions@schillerlondon.ac.uk Schiller International, Wickham Court School Layhams Road, West Wickham, Kent BR4 9HW. Tel 0208 777 2942, Wickham@schillerintschool.com www.wickhamcourt.org.uk
Sotheby’s Institute of Art Postgraduate Art studies, plus day /evening courses 30 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3EE Tel: 0207 462 3232, info@sothebysinstitute.com www.sothebysinstitute.com Southbank International Schools Kensington and Hampstead for 3-11 year olds; Westminster campuses for 11-18 year olds. 020 7243 3803, admissions@southbank.org www.southbank.org Syracuse University London Program Faraday House, 48-51 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AE, sulondon.syr.edu TASIS England, American School Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Nr. Egham, Surrey TW20 8TE. 01932 565252, england.tasis.com ukadmissions@tasisengland.org UKCISA - Council for International Education 9-17 St. Albans Place, London N1 0NX 020 7354 5210 www.ukcisa.org.uk University of Notre Dame London Program 1 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HG 020 7484 7811, london@nd.edu http://international.nd.edu/about/notre-dameglobal-gateways/london-global-gateway Warnborough University International Office, Friars House, London SE1 8HB. Tel 020 7922 1200 www.warnborough.edu admin@warnborough.edu Webster Graduate Studies Center Regent’s College, Regent’s Park, Inner Circle, London NW1 4NS, UK. 020 7487 7505, webster@regents.ac.uk www.webster.ac.uk Wroxton College Study Abroad with Fairleigh Dickinson University, Wroxton, Nr. Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 6PX 01295 730551, www.fdu.edu admin@wroxton-college.ac.uk
ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS Alliant International University (formerly United States International University) England Chapter Alumni Association Chapter President: Eric CK Chan chane@regents.ac.uk c/o Regents College London, Inner Circle, Regents Park, London, UK. www.alliant.edu Amherst College Bob Reichert, RAreichert26b@aol.com Andover/Abbot Association of London Jeffrey Hedges ‘71, President 07968 513 631, hedgeslon@hotmail.com Association of MBAs Leo Stemp, Events Administrator Tel 020 7837 3375 (ext. 223), l.stemp@mba.org.uk
July 2015 59
The American
Babson College Frank de Jongh Swemer, 020 7932 7514 babson.alumni@btinternet.com Barnard College Club Hiromi Stone, President. 0207 935 3981, barnardclubgb@yahoo.co.uk Berkeley Club of London Geoff Kertesz berkeleyclublondon@gmail.com http://international.berkeley.edu/LondonClub www.facebook.com groups/223876564344656/ www.linkedin.com/groups/Berkeley-ClubLondon-4186104 Boston College Alumni Club UK Craig Zematis, President +44 7717 878968 BCalumniclub@gmail.com www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/BTN/cpages/ chapters/home.jsp?chapter=41&org=BTN Boston University Alumni Association of the UK Will Straughn, Snr International Development Officer, University Development and Alumni Relations, 43 Harrington Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 4JU 020 7244 2908 020 7373 7411 bstraugh@bu.edu Brandeis Alumni Club of Great Britain Joan Bovarnick, President http://alumni.brandeis.edu office@alumni.brandeis.edu Brown University Club of the United Kingdom President: Tugba Erem. Communication: Patrick Attie Alumni Club & Liaison: Vanessa Van Hoof Brown Club UK, Box 57100, London, EC1P 1RB contact@brownuk.org www.brownuk.org Bryn Mawr Club Lady Quinton, President. Wendy Tiffin, Secretary/Treasurer, 52 Lansdowne Gardens, London SW8 2EF wendytif@ukgateway.net Claremont Colleges Alumni in London Hadley Beeman, hadley_beeman@alumni.cmc.edu Colgate Club of London Stephen W Solomon ‘76, President 0207 349 0738 swsolomon@hotmail.com Columbia Business School Alumni Club of London 6 Petersham Mews, London SW7 5NR www.cbsclublondon.org londonadmin@gsb.columbia.edu Columbia University Club of London london@alumniclubs.columbia.edu www.alumniclubs.columbia.edu/london Cornell Club of London nmt4@cornell.edu www.alumni.cornell.edu/orgs/int/London Dartmouth College Club of London alumni.dartmouth.edu www.dartmouth.org
60 July 2015
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International sandra.blacker@outlook.com,www.dkggb.org.uk
NYU Alumni Club in London Jodi Ekelchik, President alumni.london@nyu.edu alumni.nyu.edu
Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity London Alumni Chapter. Ashok Arora, P O Box 1110, London W3 7ZB 020 8423 8231, bertela@yahoo.com www.dspnet.org
NYU STERN UK Alumni Club www.stern.nyu.edu/portal-partners/alumni sternukalumniclub@hotmail.com fjrodrgo@yahoo.com
Delta Zeta International Sorority Alumna Club Sunny Eades 01543 490 312 SunnyEades@aol.com www.deltazeta.org
Ohio University Alumni UK & Ireland Frank Madden, 01753 855 360 frank@madant.demon.co.uk www.ohioalumni.org
Duke University Club of England rpalany@gmail.com, a.sagar@promemoriauk.com www.dukealumni.com/alumni-communities/ regional-programs/groups/london
Penn Alumni Club of the UK w ww.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/UPN/cpages/ home.jsp?chapter=4&org=UPN pennalumniuk@gmail.com
Emory University Alumni Chapter of the UK Matthew Williams, Chapter Leader 079 8451 4119, matthew.eric.williams@gmail.com www.alumni.emory.edu
Penn State Alumni Association pennstatelondon@gmail.com www.alumni.psu.edu
Georgetown Alumni Club Alexa Fernandez, GeorgetownLondon@Yahoo.com UKHoyas@gmail.com , alumni.georgetown.edu
The London Association of Phi Beta Kappa phibetakappalondon@gmail.com www.pbkldn.org www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=5117368 @phibetakappaldn
Gettysburg College Alumni London Britt-Karin Oliver, brittkarin@aol.com alumni@gettysburg.edu www.gettysburg.edu/alumni2
Princeton Association (UK) membership@princeton.org.uk princeton.org.uk
Harvard Business School Club of London admin@hbsa.org.uk www.hbsa.org.uk
Rice Alumni of London Kathy Wang 07912 560 177 a lumni.rice.edu kathyw@alumni.rice.edu, suzanne.boue@rice.edu
Harvard Club of the United Kingdom president@hcuk.org, membership@hcuk.org www.hcuk.org Indiana University Alumni club of England ukhoosiers@gmail.com www.alumni.indiana.edu/clubs/england
Skidmore College Alumni Club, London alumni.affairs@skidmore.edu w ww.skidmore.edu/alumni www.facebook.com/SkidmoreCollegeAlumni
KKG London Alumnae Association londonalumni.kkg@gmail.com w ww.kappakappagamma.org
Smith College Club of London smithclubgb@gmail.com www.smithclubgb.org
LMU Loyola Marymount Alumni Club London Alumni Relations: heather.wells@lmu.edu 310.338.4574 http://alumni.lmu.edu
Stanford Business School Alumni Assn. UK alumni@gsb.stanford.edu alumni-gsb.stanford.edu/get/page/groups/ overview/?group_id=0038990048
Marymount University Alumni UK Chapter President: Mrs Suzanne Tapley, 35 Park Mansions, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7QT. 020 7581 3742 www.marymount.edu/alumni MIT Club of Great Britain reenan@alum.mit.edu greatbritain.alumclub.mit.edu Mount Holyoke Club of Britain mhcbritain@gmail.com sites.alumnae.mtholyoke.edu/wp/ukclub Notre Dame Club of London ndlondon@alumni.nd.edu http://london.undclub.org/
Syracuse University Alumni UK SUalumniUK@syr.edu sulondon.syr.edu/about/sualumniuk.html www.facebook.com/SUajlumniUK Texas Tech Alumni Association - London Chapter Scott Dewar 077754 35877 sdewar2@gmail.com www.texastechalumni.org/chapters Texas Exes UK (UKTE) England: Carra Kane 0778 660 7534 carrakane@alumni.utexas.net Scotland: Corey Cripe coreycripe@gmail.com www.fornogoodreason.com/UKTEMain.htm
The American
Texas A&M Club London london@aggienetwork.com www.aggienetwork.com/club-page/londn The John Adams Society johnadamssociety@gmail.com www.johnadamssociety.co.uk Tufts - London Tufts Alliance tuftsalumni.org Londontuftsalliance@yahoo.com UConn Alumni Association uconnalumni.com UnitedKingdom@UConnAlumni.com UMass Alumni Club UK President, Renu Singh, renu.singh@alumni.lse.ac.uk umassalumni.com University of California 020 7079 0567 london.universityofcalifornia.edu alumni@californiahouse.org.uk University of Chicago Alumni Association rupalyp@gmail.com, w ww.uchicagouk.org University of Chicago Booth Alumni Association President: hbunuan@chicagobooth.edu www.chicagobooth.edu/alumni/clubs/uk University of Colorado Alumni alumni.colorado.edu/cu-in-london allyson.frusciano@colorado.edu University of Georgia Alumni Association 07919 057 538 nealjohnsonuk@yahoo.com www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/index.php/site/ chapters/london_chapter University of Illinois Alumni Club of the UK Amy Barklam BUS 1994, President, 07796 193 466 amybarklam@msn.com www.uialumninetwork.org University of North Carolina Alumni Club unclondoncochairs@googlegroups.com alumni.unc.edu University of Michigan Alumni Association 0788-784-0941, jesscobb@yahoo.com alumni.umich.edu
University of Rochester/Simon School UK Alumni Association Julie Bonne, 0118-956-5052, alumni@rochester.edu julie_bonne@yahoo.com, www.rochester.edu/alumni
US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) Alumni UK Chapter www.usmma.edu/alumni bennett.ac@gmail.com Facebook: Kings Point Alumni - London/United Kingdom USNA Alumni Association, UK Chapter President: Tim Fox ‘97 timfox97@hotmail.com Facebook - USNA Alumni Association, UK Chapter Vassar College Club Sara Hebblethwaite, President 020 8788 6910 contact@vassarclubuk.org www.vassarclubuk.org Warnborough Worldwide Alumni Association 01227 762 107 www.wwaa.info/wwaa.htm admissions@warnborough.edu Washington University UK Alumni Club Steven Leof, steven@leof.co.uk alumni.wustl.edu/Community/Pages/London.aspx www.facebook.com/groups/WUSTLLondon Wellesley College Club www.wellesley.edu/alumnae/groups/clubs/intlclubs/ wellesley_uk_club WCLondon@alum.wellesley.edu Wharton Alumni Club of the UK 020-7447-8800 www.whartonclubuk.net Williams Club of Great Britain Ethan Kline: ethankline@gmail.com, alumni. relations@williams.edu, alumni.williams.edu Yale Club of London President, president@yale.org.uk Secretary secretary@yale.org.uk www.yale.org.uk Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae Kristin Morgan 07812 580949 kristinamorgan@gmail.com www.zetataualpha.org
CIVIL WAR SOCIETIES American Civil War Round Table (UK) Civil War historical soc., sandra-bishop@hotmail.com www.americancivilwar.org.uk Southern Skirmish Association (SoSkan) The oldest American Civil War Re-enacting Society outside the USA. membership@soskan.co.uk www.soskan.co.uk
ARTS
University of Southern California, USC Alumni Club of London Walter Ladwig, President usclondon@gmail.com www.usclondonalumni.org
American Actors UK 07873 371 891 admin@americanactorsuk.com www.americanactorsuk.com
University of Virginia Alumni Club of London uvaclubs.virginia.edu/group/uvaclub-of-london londonuvaclub@yahoo.com 020 7368 8473
Savio(u)r Theatre Company Britain’s American theatre company www.saviourtheatrecompany.com
SPORTS English Lacrosse Wenlock Way, Manchester M12 5DH 0843 658 5006 info@englishlacrosse.co.uk www.englishlacrosse.co.uk British Baseball Federation / SoftballUK 5th Floor, Ariel House, 74a Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QJ 020 7453 7055 www.britishbaseball.org British Morgan Horse Society 01981 500488 admin@morganhorse.org.uk www.morganhorse.org.uk Ice Hockey UK 02920 263 441 ihukoffice@yahoo.co.uk www.icehockeyuk.co.uk Infinity Elite Cheerleading (founded by CAC) 077 9132 0115 infinityelite@yahoo.co.uk www.facebook.com/InfinityAllstars Herts Baseball Club Adult & Little League Baseball www.hertsbaseball.com Lakenheath Barracudas Swim Club Open to all military affiliated families. laken.barracudas@yahoo.com www.barracudas.moonfruit.com LondonSports American flag football, baseball, basketball and soccer, boys/girls, 4-15 all nationalities, new or experienced players. www.londonsports.com vll@me.com London Warriors American Football Club info@londonwarriorsafc.co.uk www.londonwarriorsafc.co.uk
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July 2015 61
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1. Montana; 2. Florida, at Windover Pond, remains of 168 people in an underwater grave were found remarkably preserved; 3. Maryland (on Tilghman Island – The Skipjacks fleet); 4. Massachusetts, Boston, 1897; 5. Tennessee; 6. North Carolina, at Kill Devil Hill near Kitty Hawk, by the Wright brothers ; 7. Hawaii; 8. New Jersey, Elizabeth.; 9. Arizona, to the towns of Phantom Town and Supai, after trekking through the Grand Canyon; 10. Alaska; 11. Dr Martin Luther King Jr, ‘The American Dream’ or ‘I Have a Dream..’; 12. Eight: Olympic bobsled champion Billy Fiske, Andy Mamedoff, Eugene Tobin, Vernon Keough, Philip Leckrone, Art Donahue, Hugh Reilley and John K. Haviland. Of these brave eight, only John Haviland survived the war; 13. Haiti – the occupation lasted until August 1st, 1934; 14. c) to suppress counterfeit currency, a third of circulating currency was counterfeit. The legislation creating the agency was on Abraham Lincoln’s desk the night he was assassinated.
July 2015 September 2013 63
The American
Coffee Break
1 3
1 9 4 8 3 4 2 5 8 7
QUIZ ➊ ➋
➌
Which US state has the largest migratory elk herd? In 1982 which US state yielded human remains over 7,000 years old, and the oldest fabric remains in the world?
➍ Which US state can boast the first US subway system? ➎ Which US state is named on the label of a Jack Daniels
6
bottle?
➏
➐ Which US state is the only one to grow coffee? ➑ Which US state has the largest seaport in the USA? ➒ Which US state still has mail delivery to some towns by
mule train?
➓ Kodiak Island is in which US state? It happened 50 years ago... ⓫ July 4, 1965: At Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, an important speech is given – by whom and what is the speech known as?
6
1 4 7 6 8 7 9 3 5 3 5 4 7
In which US state can you find the only commercial wind-powered fishing fleet in the US?
In which US state did the first sucessful powered flight by man take place in 1903?
5
It happened 75 years ago...
How many Americans flew in it (for the Allies)?
It happened 100 years ago...
⓭
⓬ July 10, 1940: The Battle of Britain commences.
July28,1915:WhichislanddidtheUSAoccupy to protect it from German control?
It happened 150 years ago...
⓮ J uly 5, 1865: The United States Secret Service was
founded. Why? a) to protect the President b) to promote sunglasses c) to suppress counterfeit currency
Quiz answers and Sudoku solution on page 63.
64 July 2015
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