East
Midlands
North East
South
South East
South West
Wales
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.
Join the community
friendship
volunteering
Fundraising
Branch events across the country
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 …
South Wales Branch: AGM
South Wales
The South Wales Branch will be holding their AGM on Thursday, 19 May at Cottrell Park Resort. Reception drinks will be served from 6.00pm and a hot buffet supper from 7.00pm. There is no formal seating and no need to pre-order food – there will be a choice of either…
SAVE THE DATE: Oxfordshire branch centenary dinner
Oxford & Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire branch is delighted to be holding a dinner at Oriel College, Oxford, to mark 100 years since its founding. More details to follow soon.
Oxfordshire Branch: 100 Year Anniversary Fundraising Dinner
Oxford & Oxfordshire
Exactly 100 years ago on 30th May at Oriel College Oxford, the Oxfordshire Branch of the ESU was formed. Dr Spooner, Warden of New College, was made the President. We are holding a dinner exactly 100 years later to celebrate the occasion. This year our speaker will be Miles Young,…
Ouse Valley Branch: Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration
Bedfordshire & Milton Keynes
The Ouse Valley branch is holding an event to celebrate H.R.H. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, as well as the branch’s work. There will be a brief introduction about the ESU and the Ouse Valley branch, and the winners and runners up from local competitions will be invited to showcase their…
Oxfordshire Branch: Guided tour of Rodmarton Manor
Oxford & Oxfordshire
Ernest Barnsley who built Rodmarton Manor was a follower of William Morris, who was one of the leaders of the English Arts and Crafts Movement towards the end of the 19th Century. CR Ashbee was impressed when he visited Rodmarton in 1914 and he wrote “I’ve seen no modern work…
Celebratory Jubilee lecture by Richard Fitzwilliams followed by afternoon tea
London
H.M. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee We are delighted that Richard Fitzwilliams will be delivering a talk on H. M. The Queen’s remarkable reign and the purpose and future of the monarchy. Richard Fitzwilliams is a royal commentator, public relations consultant, film critic and lecturer; he…
Ouse Valley Branch: Primary Public Speaking Competition
Bedfordshire & Milton Keynes
Ouse Valley branch will be holding a Primary Public Speaking Competition on Wednesday, 15 June at Bedford Prep School.
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 debate at Dartmouth House
London
Join the ESU London branch for a Debate at the ESU’s HQ Dartmouth House. Doors will be open from 6.30pm and the debate will begin at 7pm sharp. Following the debate Dartmouth House’s bar will remain open until 9pm to allow attendees to mix and share…
Lincolnshire Branch: Where the Wild Things Will Be - a walk through Wilder Doddington with Claire and James Birch
Lincoln & Lincolnshire
The Lincolnshire branch will be hosting a walk through Wilder Doddington with Claire and James Birch who will explain their 100 year project for nature recovery and natural capital at Doddington. This event is free but booking essential (numbers are limited). Please bring appropriate clothing and footwear (stout shoes…
Ouse Valley Branch: Primary Debate Academy
Bedfordshire & Milton Keynes
Ouse Valley branch will be holding a Primary Debate Academy on Thursday, 30 June at the University of Bedford, Polhill campus.
SAVE THE DATE: 4th of July celebration at Dartmouth House
London
Please save the date for our Summer Party.
South Wales Branch: Save the date for a summer garden party at Gileston Manor
South Wales
The South Wales branch is delighted to invite you to brush-up your boaters, button-up your blazers and fluff-up your finery for the re-established summer garden party – this year in the beautiful setting of Gileston Manor, generously sponsored by owner, Mrs Lorraine Jones. There is the advantage of some very…
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 …
Salisbury Branch: ‘The Women of the Raj’ by Brian Freeland
Salisbury & Wiltshire
‘The Women of the Raj’ by Brian Freeland Brian Freeland has written a dozen stage scripts (nine produced so far, four of them published). Following comments that he didn’t write many good roles for ladies, he staged a piece about the British women in India during the second half of…
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 …
South Wales Branch: Save the Date for a lunch and talk with Lord David Owen
South Wales
The South Wales branch has persuaded Lord David Owen to revisit his South Walian roots and speak at a lunch on Friday, 14 October. Lord Owen played a leading role in twentieth century politics and is a prolific author on a range of historical and political topics. This event will…
Salisbury Branch: Richard Hopton, 'A Reluctant Hero, the life of Captain Robert Ryder VC RN'
Salisbury & Wiltshire
Captain Ryder led the famous raid on St Nazaire in 1942. Captain Ryder had a distinguished and varied career in the Royal Navy, including three years in the mid-1930s commanding a ship on an Antarctic expedition. His biography is being republished in March to coincide with the 80th anniversary of…
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 …
Salisbury Branch: Johnny Fenn, 'Nepal - a photographer's perspective'
Salisbury & Wiltshire
As an ambassador for the charity Hello World, Johnny has travelled frequently to Nepal and been actively involved in their project to provide solar powered internet-enabled education hubs to remote communities. He has built a very successful career as a photographer specialising in adventure, expedition and commercial photography. Coffee will…
SAVE THE DATE: English Speaking Union's AGM
London
Please save the date for our annual general meeting.
Salisbury Branch: Felicity Herring, 'James Barry RA and his niece Dr James Barry'
Salisbury & Wiltshire
Dr James Barry was first female doctor in Britain. Born in Cork in 1789 she was the niece of the artist James Barry RA. In 1809 she disguised herself as a man and went to Edinburgh University to train to be a doctor. Following her graduation in 1812 she joined…
Registered charity number: 273136