ESU

Zoom Event: the ESU Friendly International Forum hosted by ESU-USA
2022-10-25 15:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Online Meeting
The ESU Friendly International Forum is an informal forum aimed at exchanging views, with an underlying aim of building future collaborations and initiatives. The host of the FIF moves between different ESUs internationally and each forum centres around a topic selected by the hosting nation.
The topic of this fifth FIF, hosted by our colleagues at ESU-USA, will be: ‘How do we facilitate cross-cultural exchange and understanding in our respective countries, and what benefits do we see from this?’
The discussion will be led by 2022 ESU Luard Morse Scholar, George Pratt, who will be reflecting on his semester abroad as part of the programme, and considering the benefits of international exchange.
The ESU has always been a conduit to share and exchange views, and it is our hope that these Friendly International Fora will bring the international members of the ESU closer together and lead us all in exciting directions as we listen and learn from one other.
Date: Tuesday, 25 October at 10am New York time (equivalent to 3pm UK time – please ensure to check your local timezone)
Register for the Zoom here: https://esuus-org.zoom.us/j/81228193420?pwd=[REDACTED]

Bristol Branch: 'The Magic of Matter' by Dr Felix Flicker
2022-10-20 19:15 - 20:30 | The Apostle Room, Clifton Catholic Cathedral, Bristol, Clifton Catholic Cathedral, Bristol, BS8 3BX, United Kingdom
Bristol Branch are delighted to be hosting a talk entitled ‘The Magic of Matter’, presented by Dr Felix Flicker. Having attended the University of California, Berkley as an ESU Lindemann Trust Fellow, Dr Flicker is currently a lecturer in theoretical physics at Cardiff University and works on the quantum underpinnings of matter. His new book, ‘The Magic of Matter: Crystals, Chaos, and the Wizardry of Physics’ introduces the magic of condensed matter physics, including the science to conjure crystals from chaos & new particles. Doors will open at 7.15pm for light refreshments, with the talk beginning at 7.45pm.
For further information please contact Nigel Currie, Chair of Bristol branch: nigelcurrie29@gmail.com. Tel: 0117 914 0773

2022 ESU Evelyn Wrench Lecture with Dr Rowan Williams
2022-10-19 18:30 - 20:00 | The English-Speaking Union, 37 Charles Street, London, England, W1J 5ED, United Kingdom
We are delighted to announce this year’s Evelyn Wrench lecture will be given by Dr Rowan Williams who will deliver a talk on the freedom of speech and ‘culture wars’.
Rowan Williams has recently retired as Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and was previously Archbishop of Canterbury. Prior to that, he taught theology in Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol and Yale, and has written widely in theology, spirituality and contemporary issues. His original research focus was on Russian religious thought.
His most recent works include: Justice and Love: A Philosophical Dialogue (with Mary Zournazi), and Looking East in Winter.
6.30pm Reception with a welcome glass of wine
7pm Lecture given by Dr Rowan Williams
This celebratory evening is held in support of the ESU’s education programmes. Every ticket sold will help the English-Speaking Union in its work to give young people the speaking and listening skills and cultural understanding they need to thrive.

Salisbury Branch: Richard Hopton, ‘A Reluctant Hero, the life of Captain Robert Ryder VC RN’
2022-10-19 10:00 - 14:00 | The White Hart Hotel, 1 St John's Street, Salisbury, SP1 2SD
Whereas Monday, 19 September 2022 has been appointed the day of Her Late Majesty’s funeral and has been declared a day of National Mourning, Terence Dear, Hon. Branch Secretary, hereby gives Notice that the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Branch, will now be held at The Mercure Salisbury White Hart Hotel, 1 St John Street, Salisbury SP1 2SD on Wednesday, 19 October 2022. The Agenda, Reports and Nomination Papers previously issued will still apply. The Meeting will commence at 10.30am. Coffee will be available from 10am.
After the AGM there will be a talk:
‘A Reluctant Hero, the Life of Captain Robert Ryder VC’ by Richard Hopton
Lunch will be served at approximately 12.15pm to 12.30pm.
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.
Lunch & Talk ticket price: £20 (Members) & £22 (Guests)
Talk only ticket price: £10 – FREE for first-time visitors
Cheques payable to ‘English-Speaking Union’ should be sent to:
ESU Luncheon Secretary, 3 Stonemasons Yard, Salisbury SP1 2HX
esusalisbury-eventssec@esu.org
Direct transfers can be made to:
Bank: Coutts & Co, 440 Strand, London WC2R 0QS
Sort Code: 18-00-02
Account Name: English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth
Account No: 01817590

South Wales Branch: Lord David Owen, 'Riddle, Mystery and Enigma: Two Hundred Years of British-Russian Relations'
2022-10-14 12:00 - 16:00 | Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ, United Kingdom
The South Wales branch has persuaded Lord David Owen to revisit his South Walian roots and speak at a lunch at Cardiff City Stadium 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.
Those outside the branch who may wish to hear Lord Owen in Cardiff can make a booking for this lunchtime talk at Cardiff City Stadium by contacting esuswb@gmail.com after September 1st when prices and further details will be available here.

REIMAGINED: An evening with Cameron Owen
2022-10-11 18:30 - 20:00 | The English-Speaking Union, 37 Charles Street, London, England, W1J 5ED, United Kingdom
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.
Please reserve your ticket(s) here: https://cameronowen.eventbrite.co.uk

Ouse Valley Branch: 'Morecambe Moments' by Gail Stuart
2022-10-04 12:00 - 14:30 | King’s House, 245 Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9AZ, United Kingdom
Gail started Morecambe Moments some years after her father Eric Morecambe’s sudden death in 1984, and says that it could not have been done during her father’s life time. After his death, quite simply, this is Gail’s personal tribute to her dad. A number of years ago Gail was asked by a friend to do a talk at a charity dinner. “I looked blankly at him and said What about?”. He, of course, said, “Your dad!”
Little did Gail expect that this would be the start of another career. The continued interest in Eric Morecambe has meant that Gail is now being kept very busy speaking with all sorts of groups across the country.
Booking forms are available on request from Interim Chair, Ellen Punter, and must be returned at least seven days prior to the event: ellen.punter@esu.org
These meetings are open to local branch members and their guests, as well as other members of the ESU. Ouse Valley branch welcomes new members and embraces those who have supported the ESU, as well as the local branch, for many years.

English-Speaking Union of United States Gala in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
2022-10-03 23:00 - 2022-10-04 02:00 | Online
Please join us virtually on October 3, 2022 at 7.35pm (New York time) for a Gala hosted by the English-Speaking Union of United States in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
The International Community’s virtual access to the Gala has been made possible by a generous donation from ESU-US Board member and benefactor Mr. Donald Best.
Members of the international community that are registered will be recognized from the podium and their countries and names will part of the Gala slide presentation.
https://www.esuus.org/esu/activities/2022-esu-gala/globalstream/

Young Members' Introduction to Judging
2022-09-21 19:30 - 20:00 | The English-Speaking Union, 37 Charles Street, London, England, W1J 5ED, United Kingdom
Discover how Young Members can get involved with the ESU’s lifechanging work by becoming a judge for the ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition.
Led by some of our brilliant young volunteers, this informal discussion will explain what the ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition is, why it’s so important for young people, and how Young Members can support the ESU’s vital mission by getting involved as a judge! It’s truly a wonderful opportunity for any young person looking to gain more experience, meet interesting peers, and develop skills for their future.
Speakers include:
Louis Preston:
Louis is Chair of the English-Speaking Union’s Young Members Forum and a former competition participant, who has been involved with the organisation since 2015. He is currently working on a documentary in Qatar.
Emma Robinson:
Emma is a new ESU judge, who travelled to America on the ESU’s Secondary School Exchange program. She is currently a final year student at the University of Manchester.
Daniele Scanio:
Daniele is an ESU Oracy Coach and judge, who started his ESU involvement in 2018. He is currently a tutor and PHD student at Durham University.

POST PONED: Talk by author Rupert Wieloch on his book ‘Churchill’s Abandoned Prisoners’
2022-09-19 18:00 - 20:00 | English-Speaking Union, Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, England, W1J 5ED, United Kingdom
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED
One hundred years ago a group of 15 British soldiers serving with the British Mission to Siberia were captured by the Red Army on Russian Christmas Eve (6th January). They were held in a lice-infested room at Krasnoyarsk for three months, whilst Prime Minister Lloyd George’s representative signed a prisoner exchange treaty with Lenin’s envoy in Copenhagen. One of the prisoners was a young Captain Brian Horrocks (played by Edward Fox in the film A Bridge Too Far), who succumbed to epidemic typhus, but was saved by his best friend who nursed him through the illness. In March, the prisoners were escorted to Irkutsk where a British train arrived to pick them up, but the Bolshevik authorities only allowed the women and children to leave and sent the despondent soldiers 3,500 miles to hateful prisons in Moscow.
In his talk at the English Speaking Union, Rupert Wieloch will describe how the soldiers maintained morale and coped with their fearsome ordeal and explain what the War Secretary, Winston Churchill, did to secure their protracted release. Rupert was educated at Winston Churchill’s alma mater and completed a Fellowship in International Relations at Pembroke College, Cambridge during a 35 year career in the British Army. His extensive research includes a treasure-trove of unpublished documents and archives from Philadelphia, London, St Petersburg and Oxford.

Lincoln Branch Spring Lunch: 'The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight: Past, Present and Future' by Sqn Ldr Mark Sugden
2022-09-13 12:00 - 17:00 | International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick Ave, Lincoln, LN4 2HQ, United Kingdom
Lincoln branch are pleased to announce that they have managed to reschedule the postponed Spring Lunch to Tuesday, 13 September at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln with special guest Sqn Ldr Mark Sugden who will speak about ‘The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight: Past, Present and Future’.
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 fallen in service of the United Kingdom.
Sugden joined the RAF in 2001 as a university graduate and recent member of the University of London Air Squadron and was streamed to fly fast jets. With a plethora of postings to the Tornado F3, Hawk T1 and Hawk T2 and Eurofighter Typhoon, his RAF career has taken him around the world, including the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and South Atlantic, and he has undertaken Quick Reaction Alert, allied exercises and taught Tactics & Weapons as well as participating in operations against Daesh.
Members tickets are £33, and guest tickets are £37.
Tickets for ESU Lincolnshire events are available from Hon. Secretary Mrs. Kelly Bevers, ESU c/o Carlbom Shipping Ltd, Mariner House, Trondheim Way, Stallingborough, Immingham. DN41 8FD.
Tel: 01469 571 387
Email: kelly.bevers@carlbom.co.uk
Please note: event timings given are provisional and will be confirmed soon.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind In Conversation with Alastair Niven
2022-09-12 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom
Join us online on Monday, 12 September at 6.30pm to join Sir Malcom Rifkind KCMG QC in conversation with Alastair Niven OBE LVO.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind is a former MP and served in the cabinets of Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He has held a variety of high-profile positions within the government, including Secretary of State for Scotland, Defence Secretary, and Foreign Secretary. More recently, Malcom sat as chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament. He continues to be actively involved in international affairs, and will be providing an expert and experienced insight on current affairs and his views of the world during his conversation with Alastair Niven.
This event is free to attend for ESU members (tickets cost £10 for non-members), and will be hosted on Zoom.

London Branch: Sanctions Debate with headline speaker Bill Browder
2022-09-05 18:00 - 21:00 | The English-Speaking Union, 37 Charles Street, London, England, W1J 5ED, United Kingdom
ESU London branch are delighted to invite you to a debate at the ESU’ s headquarters Dartmouth House, Mayfair on Monday, 5 September.
The motion for this debate is: ‘This house believes that sanctioning private individuals in order to pressure foreign states is not only legally questionable, it is also ineffective’.
We are pleased to confirm that Bill Browder, British-American financier, political activist and leading lobbyist of the Magnitsky Act, is speaking for the opposition as our headline speaker.
Doors will be open from 6pm and the debate will begin at 6.30pm sharp.
Following the debate Dartmouth House’s bar will remain open until 9pm to allow attendees to mix and share ideas.
All proceeds from this event will support the ESU Schools’ Mace debating competition. Find out more about the competition here: https://www.esu.org/competitions/schools-mace/

Lincoln Branch: Summer Evening Reception and Private View of the Sculpture Exhibition at Doddington Hall
2022-08-08 17:00 - 19:30 | Doddington Hall, Doddington Hall, Doddington, Lincoln, LN6 4RU, United Kingdom
Monday, 8 August sees a return of the biennial Sculpture Exhibition at Doddington Hall commencing with the ESU Lincoln branch’s Summer Evening Reception and Private View, offering a super opportunity to get together over some drinks and nibbles and a popular chance to see this much admired and successful exhibition of talent and imagination with thanks to Claire & James Birch.
Tickets cost £10 per member and £12.50 for friends/supporters.
Tickets for ESU Lincoln events are available from Hon. Secretary Mrs. Kelly Bevers, ESU c/o Carlbom Shipping Ltd, Mariner House, Trondheim Way, Stallingborough, Immingham. DN41 8FD.
Tel: 01469 571 387
Email: kelly.bevers@carlbom.co.uk
Please note: event timings given are provisional and will be confirmed soon.

The Traitor King: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Exile by Andrew Lownie
2022-07-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, England, W1J 5ED, United Kingdom
Sunday Times bestselling author and ESU BASS/SSE scholar Andrew Lownie will discuss his 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 wife, Wallis Simpson, and denied any real job.
Drawing on extensive research into hitherto unused archives and Freedom of Information requests, it makes the case that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were not the naïve dupes of the Germans but actively intrigued against Britain in both war and peace.
Traitor King reveals the true story behind the German attempts to recruit the Duke as a British Pétain; the efforts, by Churchill in particular, to cover this up; the reasons why the Duke, as Governor of the Bahamas, tried to shut down the investigation into the murder of a close friend, and shines light on the relationship between the Duke and Wallis, revealing it to be far from the love story it is often assumed to be.
6pm event opens with a drinks reception
6.30pm talk begins
Books will be available to purchase at the event.

South Wales Branch: Summer Garden Party at Gileston Manor
2022-07-19 17:30 - 20:00 | Gileston Manor, Gileston, Barry, CF62 4HX, United Kingdom
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 comfortable outdoor shelter should the weather turn against us, but with luck we will be free to wander through the magnificent gardens and enjoy the prospect of watching the sunset over the Bristol Channel.
Tickets are £25 with drinks on arrival and canapés. Payment can be made via BACS to:
Bank: Coutts & Co, 440 Strand, London, WC2R0QS
Account Name: English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth
Account No: 01817590
Sort Code: 18-00-02
Please contact the following email address to register for this event: esuswb@gmail.com

Ouse Valley Branch: Primary Debate Academy
2022-06-30 09:30 - 12:30 | University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Ave, Bedford, MK41 9EA
Ouse Valley branch will be holding a Primary Debate Academy on Thursday, 30 June at the University of Bedford, Polhill campus.

Lincolnshire Branch: Where the Wild Things Will Be - a walk through Wilder Doddington with Claire and James Birch
2022-06-28 10:00 - 12:30 | Doddington Hall, Doddington Hall, Doddington, Lincoln, LN6 4RU, United Kingdom
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 or boots) suitable for traversing rough terrain.
Tickets for ESU Lincolnshire events are available from Hon. Secretary Mrs. Kelly Bevers, ESU c/o Carlbom Shipping Ltd, Mariner House, Trondheim Way, Stallingborough, Immingham. DN41 8FD.
Tel: 01469 571 387
Email: kelly.bevers@carlbom.co.uk

Ouse Valley Branch: Primary Public Speaking Competition
2022-06-15 09:30 - 12:30 | Bedford Prep School, De Parys Ave, Bedford, MK40 2TU
Ouse Valley branch will be holding a Primary Public Speaking Competition on Wednesday, 15 June at Bedford Prep School.

Celebratory Jubilee lecture by Richard Fitzwilliams followed by Afternoon Tea
2022-06-13 14:15 - 17:00 | Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, England, W1J 5ED, United Kingdom
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 is regularly interviewed on television, radio and asked to write articles on royal matters. This talk is a synthesis of his experience and research.
The talk will commence at 2.30pm sharp and will be followed by a traditional afternoon tea.
Ticket sales are now closed.

Zoom Event: The ESU Friendly International Forum hosted by ESU Poland
2022-06-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The ESU Friendly International Forum is an informal forum aimed at exchanging views, with an underlying aim of building future collaborations and initiatives. The host of the FIF moves between different ESUs internationally and each forum centres around a topic selected by the hosting nation.
The topic of this fourth FIF, hosted by our Polish colleagues, will be: ‘What motivates us to promote public speaking in our respective countries?’
The ESU has always been a conduit to share and exchange views, but within the wider international family of the ESU there is more that can be done! It is our hope that FIF will bring the international members of the ESU closer together and lead us all in exciting directions as we listen and learn from one other.
Date: Monday, 13 June 2022, 1pm BST
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86471211392?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting passcode: [REDACTED]
Please see below for a message from Alina, Chair of ESU Poland:
Dear ESU members, inspired by the 3rd FIF hosted by Dominga Chamorro representing Chile, we would like you to take you to a different corner of the world, Poland – so far away, yet so close.
As is the case with the countries we have not visited, the associations may be limited to famous people, events or even stereotypes, often confused with those of our neighbours. Visiting a country, however, often changes the perspective. Poland has always been considered a hospitable place, but also a community in which two people may have three contradicting opinions, according to an old joke. We have weaknesses and virtues, but public speakers we are not. This shortcoming may result from the character of our educational system, only now gradually shifting the main focus from knowledge to skills, or may be rooted elsewhere. Yet, since 1999 we have not missed an International Public Speaking Competition and our young speakers make us proud and happy.
The meeting to which we would like to invite you will be hosted by this year’s winner of the National Finals in Poland – Julia Smuczynska and her sister Sara, who represented Poland at the International Public Speaking Competition in 2011 and is now one of the organizers. The question we would like to ask ourselves and each other is what motivates us to promote public speaking in our respective countries.

Oxfordshire Branch: Guided tour of Rodmarton Manor
2022-06-07 13:45 - 17:30 | rodmarton manor, Rodmarton Manor, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6PF, United Kingdom
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 to equal it, nothing I know of Lutyens or Baker comes up to it. And when I ask why I find the answer in the system, the method rather than the man. It is a house built on the basis not of contract but of confidence, and Barnsley has been allowed a free hand to put all his personal knowledge and techniques into the work. The English Arts and Crafts Movement at its best is here – so are the vanishing Traditions of the Cotswolds”.
Directions:
Rodmarton Manor is off the A433 between Cirencester and Tetbury. If approaching from the Stroud direction turn off the A419 at Jolly Nice/Frampton Mansell junction. Please note this is a narrow lane unsuitable for coaches, which should head to Cirencester and approach via A433.
Meet at 1.45pm for 2pm tour of the house, followed by a walk around the garden. Tea and cake will be served at 4.45 pm.
Further details see: Rodmarton Manor.
Please send your cheques paid to ESU to Dr Jan Carter:
Paddock Cottage
Thrupp
Oxon OX5 1JY
01865 848528
ESU charity reg no: 273136
Or pay via BACS:
Coutts &Co, a/c 01817590, sort 18-00-02,
Please inform Dr Carter (jan@paddockcottage.net) if you wish to attend.

Oxfordshire Branch: 100 Year Anniversary Fundraising Dinner
2022-05-30 19:00 - 22:00 | Oriel College, Oxford, OX1 3BJ
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, the present Warden of New College. We are holding the event in the Champney’s Room at Oriel College.
Miles Young was elected 48th Warden of his alma mater, New College, Oxford, in September 2016, succeeding Sir Curtis Price.
In 1990, he was appointed as managing director of Ogilvy & Mather Direct in London. In 2019, he was elected Chair of the Conference of Colleges, succeeding Sir Rick Trainor, the Rector of Exeter College in 2008, the then-WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell appointed Young as CEO of Ogilvy Worldwide. In 2013, his work for US-French cultural relations was recognised by the award of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres during a ceremony at the French Consulate in New York.
Dinner includes:
Pre-dinner drink
Three course dinner
Coffee and mints
Red and White Wine (1 glass each)
Non-alcoholic drinks
Vegetarian option—please advise when booking
Total cost £70.
Please send your cheques paid to ESU to Dr Jan Carter:
Paddock Cottage
Thrupp
Oxon OX5 1JY
01865 848528
ESU charity reg no: 273136
Or pay via BACS:
Coutts &Co, a/c 01817590, sort 18-00-02,
Stating “Oxfdinner” and inform Dr Carter (jan@paddockcottage.net) if you wish to attend.

SAVE THE DATE: Oxfordshire branch centenary dinner
2022-05-30 | Oriel College, Oxford, OX1 3BJ
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.

South Wales Branch: AGM
2022-05-19 17:30 - 19:30 | Cottrell Park Resort, St Nicholas, Cardiff, CF5 6SJ, United Kingdom
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 much appreciated).
Payment may be made by Cheque to The English Speaking Union and posted to:
Stephen Purcell,
Windmill Farm House,
Llantwit Rd. Wick,
Vale of Glamorgan,
CF71 7QD
Or by BACS to: 18-00-02 01817590
(Please use BACs Reference SWBAGM)

International Public Speaking Competition
2022-05-13 | The English-Speaking Union, 37 Charles Street, London, England, W1J 5ED, United Kingdom
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 or other public speaking competitions in their country) must write and deliver a speech connected with the themes ‘Our real choices are made without us realising it’ and ‘We expect too much from our heroes’.
The Grand Final of the IPSC will be streamed live on Friday, 13 May at 5pm GMT on the ESU YouTube channel, and we welcome all who would like to watch the world’s brightest young speakers in action to join us then:

Fabergé at the court of Edward VII: a talk by Geoffrey Munn OBE, MVO
2022-05-10 17:30 - 20:00 | The English-Speaking Union, 37 Charles Street, London, England, W1J 5ED, United Kingdom
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 from a variety of semi-precious stones. It was these that captivated King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra and as a result the Royal Collection has an unrivalled collection of both.
Drinks will be served from 5.45pm, the talk will commence at 6.30pm sharp.
Please reserve your ticket(s) here: https://faberge.eventbrite.co.uk

ESU Debate: 'This House believes that cryptocurrencies and NFTs are a hyped-up fad'
2022-05-09 18:00 - 21:00 | Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, England, W1J 5ED, United Kingdom
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 LLP specialising in cryptocurrency and digital assets
Harry Webster, Co-Founder of Voxoglass Gallery, the world’s first physical NFT Gallery
Sheraz Malik, founder the cryptocurrency Kyoto Coin and CEO of Digitorize, a NFT creation and promotion platform
Invited Floor Speaker:
Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan, The Financial Times’ banking and fintech correspondent
Doors will be open from 6.00pm and the debate will begin at 7.00pm sharp.
Following the debate Dartmouth House’s bar will remain open until 9pm to allow attendees to mix and share ideas.

Please reserve your ticket(s) here: https://esudebate.eventbrite.co.uk
All proceeds from this event will support the ESU’s charitable work, helping young people to communicate and thrive.

ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition Grand Finals 2022
2022-05-08 10:00 - 17:30 | Churchill College, University of Cambridge, Storey's Way, Cambridge, England, CB3 0DS, United Kingdom
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 competition, a total of eighty branch heats and regional finals, and a myriad of topics, to reach Finals Day at Churchill College, Cambridge.
The passion, talent, and enthusiasm of these young speakers is always a highlight of our educational calendar – this Finals Day is a showcase for the very best of speaking, chairing and questioning in the UK.

Bristol Branch: Should we keep an elected mayor for Bristol, or revert to the committee system?
2022-04-28 19:15 - 21:00 | The Apostle Room, Clifton Catholic Cathedral, Bristol, Clifton Catholic Cathedral, Bristol, BS8 3BX, United Kingdom
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 to Bristol’s first elected mayor George Ferguson in 2012, and is now in favour of the committee system, and Sandy Hore-Ruthven, former Green Party Councillor, who lost to the sitting mayor Marvin Rees in 2021, and is in favour of retaining the mayoral model.
The meeting will be held in the Apostle Room of Clifton Catholic Cathedral, Pembroke Road, BS8 3BX.
The event will start at 7.45pm, with doors opening at 7.15pm. There is an entrance charge to cover costs of £2 for members, and £5 for guests.
Further information from Nigel Currie, Chairperson: nigelcurrie29@gmail.com
