ESU NewsTHE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION Creating global understanding through English

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ISSUE No. 118 NOVEMBER 2004

ContentsStrasbourg Conference . . . . . . . . . .2 - 3

English in Action . . . . . . . .4

SSE Scholarships . . . . . . . .4

Japanese Debaters . . . . . .4

Lord Watson receivesRomanian Award . . . . . . . .4

ESU Cultural Seminar atShakespeare's Globe . . . . .5

2004 Globe Scholar . . . . .5

Alumni Reunion . . . . . . . . .5

New Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Project Madagascar . . . . .6

Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Baroness Brigstocke'sMemorial Service . . . . . . .7

Diary Dates . . . . . . . . . . . .8

New ESU website launchedThe ESU is proud to announce the launch of a brand new website - www.esu.org - which went live on the worldwide web in September.

In conjunction with BlackOrange Ltd, a web design company, theorganisation's website has been redesigned to reflect the value ofEnglish in the 21st century, and the need to make our message accessible and relevant to an ever-growing online community. The development involved consultation with all the UK branchesand international ESUs around the world.

Take a look at the website at www.esu.org and email your comments to the team at Dartmouth House who are interestedto hear your views.

Reflecting on the Conference, Lord Watson said:“There is no historical precedent for this free and democratic coming together of Europe.It is an achievement which English has helped to facilitate as the most widely used shared

language in Europe. EU enlargement is anachievement to be both understood and celebratedand this is what we sought to do in Strasbourg.”

More details inside.

Above: The ESU's second regional Conference entitled 'Dimensions of the New Europe', took place in Strasbourgon 6 September 2004. Lord Watson is pictured with Mr José Nuñez Cervera, President of European Affairs,Coca-Cola, who sponsored the Conference.

European Conference inStrasbourg a great success

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Celebrating the achievement of the Enlargement of the EU

Attended by representatives from 10 countries, who were joined by academics,diplomats, government representatives andjournalists, the Conference proved to behugely successful. With the extension ofNATO and the expansion of the EU, it wasapposite that the Conference's theme was 'Dimensions of the New Europe'.

The Conference opened with speeches by Lord Watson, Chairman of the ESU, Mr Luzius Wildhaber, President of theEuropean Court, and Mr François Duchêne,author of Jean Monnet: the first statesman ofinterdependence. Three sessions followedhighlighting the economic, political and cultural dimensions of the expanded EU.

The session on the economic dimension ofa new Europe was led by Mr Kjell Torbiörn,who was followed by José Nuñez Cervera,President of European Public Affairs, Coca-Cola, with Mr Patrick Dollat, Institute ofPolitical Sciences, Strasbourg and ProfessorDominique Moisi, Senior Adviser at theFrench Institute of International Relations,Paris speaking on the political dimension.

The third session was moderated by MrsValerie Mitchell, who introduced speakersfrom ESU France, ESU Czech Republic,ESU Latvia, ESU Lithuania and ESURomania-Bucherest. In summing up thesession, Mrs Mitchell concluded thatEnglish had a unique role to play in

the dimension of the new Europe, as afacilitator of communication. She stressedthat the ESU was not in favour of a mono-linguistic community, but that it stronglysupports linguistic diversity with all thecolour and culture that it brings.

Strasbourg, a city at the crossroads of Europe, the seat of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe andthe European Court of Human Rights, was the location for the ESU’s second regional Conference.

Above: L-R HE Mr Stephen Howarth, Mr Luzius Wildhaber, Lord Watson and Mr François Duchêne.

Above: Mr Patrick Dollat.

Left: L-R Mr Gábor Békefi and Mr José NuñezCervera from Coca-Cola, Mr Michael Hall,Moderator and Mr Kjell Torbiörn.

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t of the Enlargement of the EU

The host of the Conference, Mr GerardBour, Acting Chairman, ESU France,Strasbourg Branch, introduced the Mayor of Strasbourg, Mme Fabienne Keller whoconcluded the Conference. It was anenlightened, varied and first class occasion,which educated, informed and stimulatedthe delegates on so many levels. Delegatesleft the Conference with a much clearerview on the future of Europe.

Strasbourg, with its rich and fascinatinghistory dating from Roman times, offereddelegates a wealth of attractions. ESUStrasbourg kindly organised a cultural tourof the city for delegates attending theConference, which included a boat trip and a guided tour of the magnificentRomanesque and Gothic cathedral and theOeuvre Notre Dame Museum. Delegatesalso enjoyed a wine tasting tour along theWine Route of Alsace.

Everybody agreed that one of the highlightswas the magnificent reception hosted byHE Mr Stephen Howarth, the PermanentRepresentative of the United Kingdom tothe Council of Europe, in the stunning surroundings of his Residence.

One of the countries represented by delegates at the Conference was Thailand, which will be the location of the ESU’s nextregional Conference in November 2005entitled 'English and the Asia-Pacific of today.'

Above: The audience at the Council of Europe.

Above: Mrs Valerie Mitchell chairing the ESU panel.

Above: Professor Dominique Moïsi.

Above: Mr Gerard Bour, Acting Chairman, ESU Strasbourg and Mme Fabienne Keller, Mayor of Strasbourg

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English in Action: the new term begins

Japanese Debatersvisit Dartmouth House

SSE Scholarsarrive in the UK Since 1928, the Secondary SchoolExchange programme has given Americanand Canadian scholars the chance tospend a year at a school in the UK.Scholars study academic courses as well astaking part in a variety of extra-curricularactivities.

This year, 29 students from the UnitedStates and one from Canada will partici-pate in the programme in the UK. The USscholars flew in on 27 August and enjoyeda breakfast briefing at Dartmouth Housebefore leaving for homestays and schoolsaround the UK.

Above: SSE Scholars arrive at Dartmouth House.

Lord Watson receivesmedal from RomaniaBelow: Lord Watson, with Romania’s President, HE Mr Ion Iliescuand Lady Watson at Lord Watson’s investiture at the RomanianEmbassy. He was appointed Grand Officer of Romania’s Order ofMerit, in recognition of his contribution to Romania’s progresstowards EU membership.

The new English in Action in Schools (EIAS) term got off to a good start with a briefingmorning held at Dartmouth House on 6 September. Experienced and new volunteersattended the event, which was chaired by Alison Wheatcroft, Director of the EIAS programme.Catherine North also spoke about her experiences as an English language support tutor atBarlby Primary School in London.

The EIAS programme places pairs of volunteers in primary schools to work with groups ofaround 6-8 children who have English as an additional language. Volunteers use stories,games, drama and drawing to help the children improve their confidence, as well as theirlanguage skills.

If you are interested in learning more about the programme or becoming a volunteer pleasecontact Mary Dawson, Assistant Director of Education at the English-Speaking Union.

Above: Alison Wheatcroft (2nd from right) with volunteer tutors and Catherine North (4th from left) at the briefing day.

Above: Ms. Saito and Ms. Otsu, from International Christian University,Tokyo, winners of the 2003 English-Speaking Union of Japan NationalUniversities Debate Tournament, meet with Centre staff at DartmouthHouse. They spent five days in the United Kingdom as part of theirprize, provided by ESU-J.

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2004 Globe Scholar Announced

Alumni Reunion held A reunion was held for all Alumni of the English-Speaking Union at Dartmouth House on 13 September 2004. The evening drinksreception was enjoyed by all, with old friends renewing acquain-tances and new connections being discovered.

The major topic of discussion for the evening was the first meetingof Michael Mander and Robert Milligan since they hitchhikedaround the US after their scholarship 50 years ago. The Alumni were thanked for their generous donations to the Alumni Fund upto 2004 and shown how the money will be spent on SSEScholarships, The England Schools Debate Team, The CulturalSeminar and The ESU Menuhin Banff Scholarship. As the eveningwas so popular, another reunion will be held in September 2005.

Above: L-R Michael Mander and Robert Milligan at the Alumni Reception at Dartmouth House.

Twenty delegates, from 18 countries where there are active ESUs, gathered at Southbank's Shakespeare's Globe for the ESUCultural Seminar. The Seminar, held for the first time at the Globe,examined the work of William Shakespeare and contained sessionscreated especially for the international delegates. Delegates wereable to explore new teaching methods, attend various performances,discuss theatre with the actors and enjoy workshops thatapproached teaching Shakespeare in a dynamic and exciting way.

Delegates also enjoyed a rally where they were able to discoverShakespeare's haunts in London and a dinner at Dartmouth Housewhere they met members of the London Branch. Our thanks go tothe London Branch for their generous sponsorship.

Attended by teachers and lecturers from an extremely diverserange of nations, the Seminar provided the opportunity not only tolearn more about Shakespeare, but also to experience the different cultures represented from around the globe.

We should like to thank Patrick Spottiswood, Director of GlobeEducation, and Deborah Callan for having organised such a firstclass and stimulating programme for our international delegates.ESU Director-General Valerie Mitchell said: “By representing theESU on the International Committee of Shakespeare's Globe, it hasgiven me the opportunity to play our part in bringing together thevaried cultures of the world under the banner of English at thisCultural Seminar.”

Above: Delegates taking part in a teaching workshop at the Globe.

ESU Builds International Bridges withShakespeare's Globe

Above: Delegates and ESU staff at Shakespeare's Globe, London.

Tandi Wright from New Zealand wasawarded the 2004 ESU Scholarship toattend the Shakespeare's Globe InternationalArtistic Fellowship programme. Fellows attenda four week programme of voice, movement,verse and acting work and end with a public performance on the Globe stage.

Tandi visited Dartmouth House inSeptember where she met Valerie Mitchelland Katie Brock, ESU Cultural AffairsOfficer. Says Tandi of her experience:

“I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere at the Globe; to be surrounded by suchexceptionally talented and like-minded people was incredible. The workshopswhich explored the elements of movement,sound and verse were inspiring…I am genuinely grateful to the ESU for giving me the opportunity to participate in thiscareer-changing programme.”

Right: Tandi Wright (2nd from left) with ValerieMitchell and ESU Staff at Dartmouth House.

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Dartmouth House welcomes New Staff Welcome to….

Katie Brock (left) who is the new Cultural Affairs Officer at the ESU.

Katherine Plummer (right) is the new AdministrativeAssistant for Branches and Education.

The ESU Centre for Speech and Debate James Probert who has worked as Debates and Education Officer at the ESU for the last two years has been promoted to the position of Head of the ESU Centre for Speech and Debate following the departure of Debbie Newman who has left to take up a teaching position.

The Centre has seen continued expansion this year following the success of the London Debate Challenge, and record numbersof students and schools continue to be involved in our existing programmes. For this reason a new position has been created inthe Centre and we are pleased to welcome Vivienne Thomson inthe role of Speech and Debate Programmes Co-ordinator. HaroldRaitt also joins the team as the new Debates and Education Officer.

Project Madagascar:Creating a World ClassCentre for LemurConservationMany of the ESU Delegates who attended the launch of ESUMadagascar in 2003 were fascinated by their visits to two of thecountry's Lemur Parks where they were able to witness flora andfauna unique to Madagascar and hear the territorial call of the endangered Indri Indri lemur.

Due to its isolation from Africa, Madagascar has an extremely highlevel of endemism of plant and animal species, and is the secondhighest country in the world for primate species diversity. However,90% of all Madagascar's original forests have already been lost tohuman inspired degradation, something which poses a threat tothe country's unique collection of species and in particular, the 61endemic species of lemur.

Project Madagascar is an initiative of the Global Canopy Programme,based in Oxford, an alliance of 22 institutions around the worldinvestigating forest canopies. Set in Ranomafana National Park inthe south-eastern rainforests of the country, Project Madagascaraims to create a world class centre for lemur conservation. Theaims of the project are to build capacity to study lemurs in thewild, strengthen the local National Park Service, and provide benefits to the communities surrounding the Park. A 350m canopywalkway is to be built, Madagascar's first, which will provide a unique opportunity to see some of the Park's 12 habituated lemur species face-to-face in their own treetop world.

Tourism revenues from thewalkway will provide badlyneeded funds to support themanagement of the Park,resources for the local community to build clinics andschools, as well as funds for a forest restoration programme.

If you feel you would like tomake a donation to the project please contact: Katherine Secoy, Programme Co-ordinator, Global Canopy Programme,John Krebs Field Station,Department of Zoology,University of Oxford, Wytham, Oxford, UK Tel: +44 (0)1865 724 222.

Above: L-R James Probert, Vivienne Thomson and Harold Raitt.

Support the ESUIf you would like to strengthen the ESU’s ever increasing educational programme by a donation or a legacy in your Will,

please contact Jo Wedderspoon at Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, W1J 5ED, telephone 020 7529 1550, email jo_wedderspoon@esu.org.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

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ObituariesLady Heald CBE

Lady Heald, one of the greatest supportersof the English-Speaking Union, died onAugust 14, aged 99. Her dedicated contri-bution to its work was tireless. She inspiredand supported with enthusiasm and energyits activities and endeared herself to all whobecame involved with her. She was mostgenerous in offering home hospitality tooverseas visitors, which included students,young scholars and young musicians. Shemade her beautiful home at Chilworth Manorthe home of the Guildford Branch of whichshe had been Chairman and later Presidentsince 1959. “The loss to the GuildfordBranch of our dear Lady Heald is immense.We have everything to thank her for. It isimpossible to count the number of events heldat her home throughout the years - lunches,Christmas teas, suppers, dinners, gardenparties, AGMs and Committee Meetings”.

Lady Heald joined the ESU in 1957. Shebecame a Governor in 1963 and serveduntil 1970. She was an active member ofthe Promotions Council and of the CulturalAffairs / Music Council. She was generouswith charities and we were most fortunatethat she profoundly supported the aims ofthe ESU. At Chilworth Manor she held musical events ranging from an adventurous concert in a field, the Yehudi MenuhinSchool Orchestra to the Whiffinpoofs fromYale University, USA. In 1988 she was asource of strength in assisting a fund-raisingESU Concert in Guildford Cathedral in which former ESU music scholar Tasmin Little (violin)played with the Yehudi Menuhin SchoolOrchestra. In June 1999 Lady Heald waspresented with the English-Speaking Union'smost prestigious Award, the Medal of Honour.

Lady Heald was a truly remarkable person.She will be remembered for her generosity,hospitality and kindness. Nothing was evertoo much trouble and whatever she did wasalways with charm and grace together withher wit and great sense of humour. It issadly the end of an era for the English-Speaking Union.

Mrs David de CarleWe were greatly saddened to hear of thedeath of Jancis de Carle. She was a long-standing member of the English-SpeakingUnion. In 1984, she joined The HospitalityCouncil where she made a significant con-tribution through her enthusiasm, personalwarmth and generosity to the lives of themany scholars who benefited from thisimportant programme.

She realised how much young scholarscoming to this country, many of whom hadnever left home before, valued a few days inthe homes of ESU members, before goingon to their various courses or placements.

The Hospitality Council evolved into The Promotions Council, continuing theHospitality programme and many otherfundraising responsibilities. Jancis servedas Chairman of the Council from 1990-92,and as an ESU Governor from 1990-96.She also sat on the NCEW from 1990-95.Her keen intelligence and sound commonsense were much appreciated by all hercolleagues.

Jancis epitomised the spirit of the English-Speaking Union. She had a serenity andwarmth which endeared her to all who mether. She had a genuine interest in the livesand welfare of young people, from all back-grounds and nationalities. She always gavegenerously of her time, even in the last fewmonths of her illness, in support of ESU events.

She enjoyed a happy family life with herhusband, David, and their two sons Williamand Edward. David de Carle gave greatsupport to Jancis with her work for theESU. We were deeply saddened to hear of his sudden death a few weeks after thatof Jancis. We feel their loss deeply and onbehalf of all their friends and colleagues inthe ESU send our sympathy to their familyat this very sad time. We shall all missthem enormously.

Baroness Brigstocke's Memorial Service

The Memorial Service for BaronessBrigstocke CBE, former Chairman of the ESU, who tragically died in a motor accident in May, was held at St Margaret's Church, WestminsterAbbey in September. Lord Watsongave the following Address recallinghow he first met Heather Brigstocke:

“The High Mistress of St Paul's GirlsSchool welcomed me and withoutdelay led me directly on to the stageof the auditorium. I was suddenlyconfronted with serried tiers of youngwomen staring down at me - the

visiting speaker - served up to their regular current affairs class.Their intelligence was visible, and so was their appetite for thedebate to come. I was seriously intimidated. Heather waved me tomy seat and whispered in my ear, “It's just how the Christians feltentering the Coliseum”, and flashed the warmest, most encouragingsmile imaginable. It was the start of a kind of complicity betweenus based on her zest for life, her sense of the dramatic, her senseof fun. Even the dullest meetings, or the most difficult subjectswere enlivened by this complicity. We hugely enjoyed workingtogether.

“We did so within the English-Speaking Union. She had a visionfor the ESU and she motivated me to share it. She saw how ourlanguage, the English language, mastered and used well, can liber-ate the potential and enrich the lives of millions of young people - giving them the power to express themselves effectively across the barriers of disadvantage, distance and self doubt.

“Hers was an educationalist's vision of what English can do as theworking language of the global village. It was a vision she soughtto realise through her own gifts and those of others. She partneredwith you - leading and motivating. She led by never compromisingover what was best, demanding it of herself and everyone else.She motivated by praise - always given directly and with charm -whenever it was earned. She didn't flatter. She rewarded. Herswas a gift for leadership of a very high order. Heather gave that giftof leadership to many causes and many institutions - to the FrancisHolland School, to St Paul's Girls School, to Landau Forte College,to the HSBC Education Trust, to the Gettrye Museum, to the SasaKawa Foundation, to Home Start International, to the ESU. Alwaysand everywhere she set standards and motivated individuals andorganisations to meet them. Why? Because she believed life is anextraordinarily precious gift of which each of us must make thevery most.

“Suddenly, tragically, that gift was taken from her, but only aftershe had indeed made the very most of it, and in doing so, helpedcountless others to do the same. We owe her so much.”

Above: Lady Heald receiving her ESU ChurchillMedal of Honour, June 1999.

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Diary Dates

FUTURE EVENTS

NOVEMBER

Tuesday 2 November at 9.00pm till lateAmerican Election Night PartyCome to Dartmouth House and watch the results roll in! Livesatellite links on giant screens will provide continuous coverageof the election results as they are announced. A raffle and otherevents will be held throughout the nightTickets: £50 to include food and two glasses of wineContact: Helen Sender

Wednesday 3 November at 7.30pmDebating Society Meeting at Dartmouth House'This House would make HIV testing compulsory in countrieswith high rates of infection'. This event is held in associationwith The Stop Aids CampaignContact: James Probert

Thursday 4 November at 6.30pm for 7.00pmRosemary Baird, Curator of the Goodwood Collection, will give a lecture on 'Glorious Goodwood - The history, house and art collection of the Dukes of Richmond' in aid of the ESU ChiltonArt History ScholarshipTickets: £17.50 to include a glass of wine Contact: Jacqueline Abbott

Monday 8 November at 7.00pmWilliam Lyne in conversation with Edward Greenfield at Dartmouth House One of the most well-known names in the music industry, jour-nalist and broadcaster will speak with William Lyne about histime as Director of the Wigmore Hall, the Edwardian venuewhich he transformed into a glittering gem of classical musicTickets: £10 to include a glass of wineContact: Katie Brock

Thursday 9 NovemberChampagne Reception at 7.00pm, Dinner at 7.30pmDinner with Theo and Sarah Fabergé’s ‘St PetersburgCollection’ – Black TiePhilip Birkenstein, Chairman of the Fabergé Collection, will givean amusing and informative talk at this dinner at DartmouthHouse, and bring you up to date with the family’s creationstoday – a selection will be on displayTickets: £70 to include champagne reception, dinner and half abottle of wine. Tables of 10 are available at £650This event is fully booked. Please contact JacquelineAbbott if you wish to go on the waiting list.

Wednesday 10 November at 10.30-11.30amAt Home at Dartmouth House Members and their friends are invited to coffee at Dartmouth HouseContact: Jacqueline Abbott

Wednesday 17 November at 6.15pmThe 2004 ESU Churchill Lecture will take place at Guildhall withguest speaker Senator George Mitchell, United States SenatorTickets: £25 to include a wine and canapé receptionContact: Sarah Spinney

Wednesday 17 November at 7.00pmAs part of the ESU American Arts Scholarship to AttinghamLecture Series 2004, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Anthony Wand Lulu C Wang, Curator of American Decorative Arts at theMetropolitan Museum, New York, will give a lecture on 'LouisComfort Tiffany, 1848-1933, Interior Designer, Glassmaker,Metalworker and Jeweller Extraordinaire'. Proceeds from the lecture help to support an ESU scholar at AttinghamTickets: £7.50 to include wineContact: Helen Sender

Monday 29 November at 7.00pmAlistair Horne, Britain’s Premier historian on France, will talkabout his new book ‘Friend or Foe’ at Dartmouth House. In this,the centenary of the Entente Cordial, this new history of Francereflects on the Franco-British relationship over the centuriesTickets: £8 to include a glass of wineContact: Katie Brock

Tuesday 30 November at 7.00pmLecture at Dartmouth House in association with the BritishEmpire & Commonwealth Museum. Lord Thomas of Swynnertonwill speak on ‘Slavery and the British Empire’Tickets: £10 to include a glass of wineContact: Katie Brock

DECEMBER

Tuesday 7 December at 12.00pm for 12.30pmThe Hon. Gerard Noel will present his new book ‘MILES A Portrait of the 17th Duke of Norfolk’ at a literary lecture at Dartmouth HouseTickets: £30 (members) £32 (non-members) to include two courses and wineContact: Katie Brock

Wednesday 8 December at 10.30-11.30amAt Home at Dartmouth House Members and their friends are invited to coffee at Dartmouth HouseContact: Jacqueline Abbott

Monday 13 December at 7.00pmESU Carol ConcertReadings and carols with the Rodolfus Choir directed by MarkShepherdTickets: £15 to include mulled wine and mince piesContact: Katie Brock

Please note that Dartmouth House will be closed from Thursday 23 December 2004 and will reopen on Wednesday 5 January 2005.

Friday 13 MayThe 2005 International Public Speaking Competition willtake place. The ESU is looking for members to host participantsfor the weekend 14-15 May. If you are interested, or would liketo discuss what is involved, please contact Helen Sender