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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April 2022
Ouse Valley Branch: The inner workings of the UK Privy Council
‘The inner workings of the UK Privy Council’ with Alex Galloway (Retired Clerk of the Privy Council and Head of the Privy Council Office) The Privy Council is a group of advisers on the royal prerogative to the sovereign and has been in existence since the 1500s. Initially it advised on the authority, privilege, and immunity attached to the British monarch; however, now it is more concerned with the conduct of the government of the United Kingdom, including: foreign affairs, defence, and national security. Alex will…
Find out more »Dartmouth House tour
Join us for a tour of the English-Speaking Union's headquarters Dartmouth House; this opulent Grade II*-listed townhouse boasts a marble courtyard, French panelling and a Robert Adam fireplace. From a banker's ostentatious home to a military hospital and then the headquarters of educational charity the English-Speaking Union, Dartmouth House has had an illustrious history. Join us on a tour of the building and discover its story - which has been shaped by those who owned it. The tour will last…
Find out more »Bristol Branch: Should we keep an elected mayor for Bristol, or revert to the committee system?
In May 2012, Bristolians voted by a narrow majority to introduce an elected mayor as a way of running their city. This May, after a vote in the City Council, Bristolians are being asked to vote in another referendum on whether they wish to keep the elected mayor model, or revert to a committee system. On Thursday, 28 April, Bristol ESU are hosting a debate between two former mayoral candidates: Geoff Gollop, Conservative Councillor for Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze, who lost…
Find out more »May 2022
ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition Grand Finals 2022
The prestigious ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition, sponsored by the International Churchill Society, is the largest such contest in England and Wales, with around 400 teams (each comprising a speaker, questioner and a chairperson). The different roles allow students to practice and excel in different skill sets, and the competition’s unique format, which pairs the speaker from one school with the chair and questioner of another, encourages quick thinking and relationship building. Thirteen teams have succeeded through almost five months of…
Find out more »ESU Debate: ‘This House believes that cryptocurrencies and NFTs are a hyped-up fad’
We are delighted to invite you to join us at Dartmouth House on Monday, 9 May for a lively debate of the motion 'This House believes that cryptocurrencies and NFTs are a hyped-up fad'. Speakers For the proposition: Luke Gbedemah, Tech States Reporter at Tortoise Media Peter English, Cybersecurity expert speaking in a personal capacity Zain Hussain, trainee barrister whose dissertation explored laws on cryptoassets and freezing orders And for the opposition: Elizabeth Meade, Litigator at Cooke, Young & Keidan…
Find out more »Fabergé at the court of Edward VII: a talk by Geoffrey Munn OBE, MVO
We are delighted to mark the 30th year of the ESU Ann Chilton Art History scholarship with a talk by Geoffrey Munn OBE, MVO who is a jewellery specialist, historian and writer but is probably best known as a television presenter on the BBC Antiques Roadshow. Carl Fabergé was the maker of the famous Easter Eggs for the Russian Imperial Court but the range of his work is very much wider & includes jewelled flower studies and charming animal carvings made…
Find out more »International Public Speaking Competition
The ESU International Public Speaking Competition brings together the best young speakers from all over the world for a week of cultural exchange and public speaking contests. Established in 1980, it now reaches over one million young people in more than 50 countries across the globe, showcasing the highest standard of public speaking, while giving delegates an opportunity to meet and engage with other young people of different backgrounds and nationalities. This year’s finalists (national winners of the English-Speaking Union’s…
Find out more »Lincolnshire Branch Spring Lunch: Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – Past, Present & Future
PLEASE NOTE: this event has been postponed, with the date to be confirmed soon. The Lincoln branch is delighted to welcome Officer Commanding the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden as guest speaker. With a world-class team, he is responsible for the preservation and aerial display of some of the nation’s most iconic and priceless artifacts including six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota, with a mission to commemorate those who have…
Find out more »London Branch: Book Club
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
Find out more »South Wales Branch: AGM
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 lasagne or mushroom stroganoff. Charge per head to cover room hire, drinks and supper is £25 (this is not a fund-raising event; charges cover actual costs and your support is…
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