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Home > ESU branches in England and Wales

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A group of primary school pupils (a boy and three girls) sitting around a table and playing debating games for students

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

Salisbury Branch: The true story of Mad Men with Miles Young

Salisbury & Wiltshire

The Salisbury Branch welcomes the chair of the ESU, Miles Young to speak on his career in Marketing. Overview: Who were the original Mad Men, and what’s the real story behind the ads you see every day? Miles Young may be able to help you find out. Miles Young spent…

Salisbury Branch: The Ancient Art of the Stonemason

Salisbury & Wiltshire

The Salisbury Branch is joined by Gary Price for a lecture on his career and the Salisbury Cathedral. Overview: Gary Price started work at Salisbury Cathedral in 1986 as a stone sawyer, four years later he became Head of Stone Sawyer. In 2012 he became Clerk of Works and has…

Salisbury Branch: Nursing in the Falklands War on HMHS Uganda with Liz Ormerod

Salisbury & Wiltshire

The Salisbury Branch will welcome Liz Ormerod to discuss her experiences in the Falklands War. Liz Ormerod, Senior Nursing Officer in the QARNNS during the Falklands War, will share her experiences aboard Her Majesty’s Hospital Ship Uganda. Her talk will delve into the rapid transformation of SS Uganda into a…

The ESU alumni Valentine's Day debate

English-Speaking Union

In an era where love is just a swipe away, are we truly better off? Join us for this engaging debate as part of our alumni network series as ESU alumni contest the motion ‘This House Believes That Dating Was Better Before Matchmaking Apps.’ Come along to share your views…

ESU Annual General Meeting and Christmas Reception 2025

English-Speaking Union

Please save the date for our Annual General Meeting and Christmas Reception – your chance to hear about the ESU’s achievements and plans,…

The ESU International Public Speaking Competition Grand Final 2025

English-Speaking Union

The International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) is the world’s largest competition of its kind. Bringing together participants, aged 16-20, from over 40 countries for a week of cultural exchange and competition, the IPSC is one of the ESU’s flagship programmes. The Grand Final on Friday, 16 May…

ESU Evelyn Wrench Lecture and Dinner 2025

English-Speaking Union

Please join us for our annual Evelyn Wrench Lecture…

English-Speaking Union Spring lunch with Robert Hardman

English-Speaking Union

This March, we are delighted to welcome journalist, author and documentary filmmaker Robert Hardman as our special guest at our Spring Lunch which will raise funds for our educational programmes.  Celebrated for his unparalleled insight into the British royal family, Robert will take us behind the…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

London Branch: Book Club

London

The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…

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