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The English-Speaking Union was founded as a membership organisation, bringing together those who share a belief that better communication makes for better global understanding. Today, we have over 5,000 members in 36 regional branches across England and Wales who meet to socialise, gain new perspectives on the world and to help organise and raise funds for our educational work.
We are hugely grateful to our branches, which are central to the running of our Public Speaking and Performing Shakespeare competitions. Some also run their own, complementary, oracy programmes and many choose to sponsor local schools to take part in our Discover Debating programme or Discover Your Voice workshops.
To find out more about your local branch, please select the city/region nearest to you from the filter above.
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Branch events across the country
Two historic buildings
Lincoln & Lincolnshire
Following the success of its Zoom evenings in lockdown, the Lincolnshire branch invites you to join them for an evening of fascinating insights into the delights and challenges of running two of the nation’s unique historic buildings. Zoom host and Chair of ESU Lincolnshire Sir Michael Graydon will be joined…
ESU Evelyn Wrench lecture and dinner with guest speaker Mary McAleese
London
We are delighted to welcome Professor Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland, as the speaker at this year’s Wrench Lecture, which will take place at Dartmouth House. In her talk, entitled ‘An Uncomfortable State of Affairs’, Professor McAleese will begin with a look at Evelyn Wrench’s Irish roots,…
Zoom event: Lord Waldegrave in conversation with Alastair Niven SAVE THE DATE
London
The ESU Lincolnshire Annual Dinner
Lincoln & Lincolnshire
Save the date for the ESU Lincolnshire Annual Dinner with special guest speaker Former Secretary General of NATO George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen, at Lincoln College. More details to follow soon.
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
Bristol Branch: ‘Too good to check’ – some Bristol urban legends
Bristol & Somerset
Was a Bristolian freed from a German prison camp in return for a ransom paid in Woodbines? Was a building decorated with the actual head of an 18th century terrorist? Is there a plague pit under Primark? Were the unicorns on City Hall a deliberate insult to one of the architect’s…
ESU Thanksgiving Dinner with guest speaker will be Sir Peter Westmacott, former British Ambassador to the United States
London
Miles Young, ESU Chair requests the pleasure of your company for a Thanksgiving Dinner supporting the life-changing work of the English-Speaking Union. Our guest speaker will be Sir Peter Westmacott, former British Ambassador to the United States. Urbane, globe-trotting mandarins; polished hosts of ambassadorial gatherings attended by the well-groomed ranks of the international great…
Zoom event Matthew Rycroft in conversation with Alastair Niven SAVE THE DATE
London
The ESU Lincolnshire AGM
Lincoln & Lincolnshire
We hope as many members as possible will be able to join us in person for this event, though we will also be offering a Zoom option. More details to follow soon.
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London branch talk: The Traitor King: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Exile by Andrew Lownie
London
Sunday Times bestselling author Andrew Lownie ESU SSE Alumnus will discuss his new book The Traitor King: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Exile. The book examines the years following the abdication of Edward VIII when the former king was kept in exile, feuding with his family over status for his…
Dame Sara Thornton in conversation with Alastair Niven SAVE THE DATE
London
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
English-Speaking Union Spring lunch
London
A celebratory talk by Katya Galitzine on her mother’s life as a Dior Model in the 1950s. This will be followed by a Champagne lunch. The event will be held on Tuesday 22nd March at 11.30am at Dartmouth House in Mayfair (close to Green Park tube station).
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
London Branch: Book Club
London
ESU London Branch Members’ monthly book club at Dartmouth House, please contact Kathleen Earley for details this month’s book and to reserve a space: earley.kathleen@gmail.com …
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