Take a look at the exciting ESU events on offer, from lectures and recitals to our world-class competitions. We hope to see you at one of them soon!
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October 2022
SAVE THE DATE: An evening with Cameron Owen
REIMAGINED: International pianist, singer and Juilliard graduate, Cameron Owen (aka Cameron Richardson-Eames) presents his own cinematic interpretations of familiar song repertoire, as well as original material blending his classical pedigree with mainstream influences. With guest appearances by acclaimed West End composer, Pippa Cleary, and West End dancers. The performance will start at 6.30pm sharp and will be followed by a drinks reception from 8.00pm.
Find out more »South Wales Branch: Save the Date for a lunch and talk with Lord David Owen
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 be a sell-out, so please look out for booking forms in the first week of September.
Find out more »Salisbury Branch: Richard Hopton, ‘A Reluctant Hero, the life of Captain Robert Ryder VC RN’
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 the raid. Coffee will be served from 10.15am, with the main talk beginning at 11am sharp, and lunch from 12.30pm. Lunch & Talk ticket price: £18 (Members) & £20 (Guests)…
Find out more »London Branch: Book Club
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 Earley on earley.kathleen@gmail.com Book club reading list for 2022: January-February: Klara and the Sun – Kazuo Ishiguro February-March: The Light that Failed – Rudyard Kipling March-April: Serotonin – Michel Houellebecq…
Find out more »The ESU International Council Meeting 2022
The English-Speaking Union International Council Meeting 2022 is being held in Karachi, Pakistan from Thursday, 27 to Monday, 31 October 2022. The ICM is a formal annual meeting of International ESUs from across the globe, and ESU members and guests who wish to attend would receive a very warm welcome from ESU Pakistan. The package cost for delegates is £450 per attendee, and £410 per attendee for their guests. If you would like further information and to book a place…
Find out more »November 2022
Lincoln Branch: Annual Dinner with guest speaker Lord Patten
The Lincoln Committee is delighted to announce that Chris Patten (Lord Patten) will be guest speaker at their Annual Dinner in Lincoln on Friday, 11 November. Elected Member of Parliament for Bath in 1979, Patten held several senior positions in Conservative governments under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, and was appointed Governor of Hong Kong, tasked with overseeing the final years of British administration and prepare for its transfer to China in 1997. In 2003 he was appointed Chancellor of…
Find out more »London Branch: Book Club
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 Earley on earley.kathleen@gmail.com Book club reading list for 2022: January-February: Klara and the Sun – Kazuo Ishiguro February-March: The Light that Failed – Rudyard Kipling March-April: Serotonin – Michel Houellebecq…
Find out more »Salisbury Branch: Johnny Fenn, ‘Nepal – a photographer’s perspective’
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 be served from 10.15am, with the main talk beginning at 11am sharp, and lunch from 12.30pm. Lunch & Talk ticket price: £18 (Members) & £20 (Guests) Talk only ticket price:…
Find out more »December 2022
SAVE THE DATE: English Speaking Union’s AGM
Please save the date for our annual general meeting.
Find out more »Salisbury Branch: Felicity Herring, ‘James Barry RA and his niece Dr James Barry’
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 the army and was posted to South Africa where she maintained her male persona throughout even fighting a duel. In Cape Town she performed the first successful caesarean section in…
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