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ESU NewsTHE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION Creating global understanding through English

ISSUE No. 137 MAY 2008

US Ambassador Delivers ChurchillLecture in ESU’s 90th Year

ContentsChurchill Lecture . . .Page 1

Churchill Lecture cont’d . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2

Sir Ian Blair Dinner . .Page 3

SSE Reunion . . . . . . .Page 3

India Conference . . . .Page 4

India Conference cont’d . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5

SSE Scholarships . . .Page 6

Faiths Forum . . . . . . .Page 6

Morehead-Cain Awards . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6

USA Debate Tour . . . .Page 7

Biofuels Debate . . . . .Page 7

Presidential Panel . . .Page 7

Hines Page Interviews . . . . . . . . .Page 8

Argentine Recital . . .Page 8

Sea-Vac Update . . . .Page 8

Thai Drama . . . . . . . .Page 9

Eastbourne Book . . . .Page 9

Marsh Award . . . . . . .Page 9

Language Matters . .Page 10

St Petersburg Conference . . . . . . .Page 10

Obituaries . . . . . . . .Page 11

Diary Dates . . . . . . .Page 12

The ESU was honoured and delighted when The Hon Robert H Tuttle, the Ambassador of the United States of America, gave the 32ndChurchill Lecture, on 17 March at Guildhall.

This glittering event coincided with the ESU’s90th anniversary year and was one of our bestattended Churchill Lectures ever.

Guildhall has been the centre of City governmentsince the Middle Ages. Its imposing medievalhall has stained glass windows and several monuments to national heroes including AdmiralLord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill.

The Rt Worshipful the Lord Mayor LocumTenens, Alderman Sir Robert Finch welcomed500 guests on behalf of the City of LondonCorporation. Representatives from embassies,high commissions and governments, as well asESU members and their guests filled the venueto capacity.

Drawing from the preface to Churchill’s A Historyof the English-Speaking Peoples, which hewrote at Chartwell on 15 January 1956, Theproblems, perils, challenges and opportunitiesconfronting the English-speaking peoples oftoday, Ambassador Tuttle spoke on Freedom’sFate – The Destiny of Democracy?

He posed three questions:• What are the drivers of democratic

development, and what is the relationship between elections and democracy?

• Is democratisation the same as westernisationor modernisation, and what is the relationshipbetween economic development and democracy?

• And finally, what should we mean when we talk about the "promotion of democracy," and what is our policy response?

Continued on page 2.

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US Ambassador Delivers Churchill Lecture inESU’s 90th Year continued

He gave a thought-provoking analysis on the development ofdemocracy as a fluid process using the analogy of waves. He wasoptimistic about a new wave of renewal and, in particular, ofdemocracy across the Islamic world. He said: “It may be the righttime to reassess our policies, or re-evaluate our programmes, but itis always the right time to re-affirm our faith in freedom - and indemocracy as the system that best reflects the potential of thehuman spirit.”

In his closing remarks, he quoted a letter written by Lady Soames,Sir Winston Churchill’s daughter, six months before his death: "Inaddition to all the feelings a daughter has for a generous father, I oweyou what every English man, woman and child does - liberty itself."

Ambassador Tuttle’s speech received a rapturous response from theaudience.

Lord Hunt had introduced the speaker and Edward Gould, ESUDeputy Chairman gave the Vote of Thanks.

Lady Soames then presented Ambassador Tuttle with the ESUChurchill Medal of Honour. She said: “It is a very great privilege topresent this distinguished medal as a token of our great respectand deep gratitude for Ambassador Tuttle’s support of the English-Speaking Union.”

There followed a champagne reception in Guildhall Art Gallerywhere guests were welcomed by Deputy Pauline Halliday, the ChiefCommoner.

The ESU is very grateful to the City of LondonCorporation for donating such a magnificentvenue for the lecture and for hosting the reception in Guildhall Art Gallery.

A full copy of Ambassador Tuttle’s speech canbe found on the ESU web page, www.esu.orgor from Jo Wedderspoon jo_wedderspoon@esu.org.

Ambassador Tuttle addresses guests at Guildhall

Lord Hunt introducing the speaker

Lady Soames and Ambassador Tuttle

(L-R) Edward Gould, Ambassador Tuttle, Lady Soames, Alderman SirRobert Finch, Valerie Mitchell and Lord Hunt

Ambassador Tuttle and Deputy Pauline Halliday

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SSE Class of 1954 Reunion

A very special Alumni Reunion took placein Dartmouth House to celebrate the SSE’s50 year anniversary.

An impressive ten of the original ’54 yearthat sailed out on their schoolboy voyage toAmerica gathered to catch up and exchange

memories of their trip together – some ofwhom had not seen each other since thatillustrious journey!

Guests included John Birch, John Boyd,John Cole, Ted Maden, Michael Mander,Noel Marshall, Paul Mundy, John Paine,

Fred Pearson and Martin Skan. The AlumniAssociation Committee was represented byits Honorary Chairman, Brian Marsh andVice President, Jenni Hibbert.

There were many amusing and memorablestories of the alumni’s experiences in theUS and it was clear that the scholarshiphad a very strong and positive impact ontheir lives. They were all thrilled to meetagain in Dartmouth House, where they hadundergone their nerve-racking interviews forthe scholarships 50 years previously.

The Reunion Dinner menu was chosenespecially by Martin and Bridgette Skan,former owners of Chewton Glen Hotel. The meal took place in Dartmouth House’sChurchill room which was decorated withspecial memorabilia from the guests’ 1954 voyage.

This wonderful event, captained by Martin Skan, was clearly a testament to the programmes which the ESU still runs today.

Sir Ian Blair Acknowledges Role of ESUScholarship

In early February, Sir Ian Blair was the guest speaker at an exclusive dinner, held at Dartmouth House, in aid of the AlumniAssociation.

Sir Ian Blair, an SSE alumnus, gave a talk on Policing theMetropolis in a Time of Controversy. Over 50 guests, includingalumni from all programmes, attended a beautiful evening in theLong Drawing Room, where they enjoyed a drinks reception andthree-course dinner, followed by Sir Ian’s talk.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, who is an active supporterof the Alumni Association, described how important his ESU scholarship has been to his career and how committed he felt to

giving back to the ESU, in gratitude to the scholarship he wasawarded to Harvard-Westlake School. He also touched on thescale of the challenges facing the Metropolitan Police today.

After Sir Ian’s fascinating speech, guests were invited to ask questions, moderated by Lord Hunt. Alumni commented on howenjoyable the talk had been and how privileged they were to attendsuch a special evening.

The Alumni Association hopes there will be more such successfulevenings in the future and, with so many accomplished and interesting alumni amongst the ESU’s ranks, there should be many more to come!

Lord Hunt, Sir Ian Blair and Brian Marsh, Honorary Chairman, ESU Alumni Association

Guests at the SSE Class of ’54 Reunion

Sir Ian Blair and Jenni Hibbert, Vice President, ESU Alumni Association

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The ESU Celebrates the Way Forward on the Indian

In February an international conference was held in New Delhi,India. Organised in collaboration with the British Council, this two-day event, at the British Council’s offices, was deemed to beone of the ESU’s most successful conferences. Entitled English,India and Globalisation, it covered a wide range of topics.

Speakers represented both Indian and English organisations.Guests, drawn from five countries, were joined by local academics, diplomats, government representatives and journalists.

Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of State for External Affairs,Government of India, opened proceedings. He underlined that Indiawas home to the largest English-speaking population in the worldand that the language had a symbiotic relationship with Indian languages and vernaculars, representing the very essence of globalisation.

HE Sir Richard Stagg, British High Commissioner to India, Mr RodPryde, Regional Director, British Council, India and Sri Lanka andValerie Mitchell, Director-General, ESU also provided openingremarks. There followed sessions and lectures on English and theRise of India’s Economy, English and Education in India, Englishand Diplomacy, and The Political Dimension – A New Culture.

The keynote speech, India and the UK, Looking Back and LookingForward, was given by the esteemed writer and broadcaster SirMark Tully. He captivated the audience with his illuminating talk.

It raised some very important talking pointsabout the relationship between the two countries and the Indian languages - andinspired excellent questions from the assembled delegation.

Other speakers included Mr Peter Kyle, Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatreand Professor Christopher Mulvey, Chair, The English Project, Winchester.

Peter Kyle held guests spellbound with hiscomparisons of literature in India and the UKand by making William Shakespeare come alivefor his audience.

Christopher Mulvey excited delegates by outlining an impressive new initiative, TheEnglish Project, due to be launched in 2012.This is a major exhibition on the English language, that illustrates how English shapesour world and our future.

Gurcharan Das, author, consultant and public intellectual spokefrom the Indian perspective. He propounded the idea of “Inglish,” a language that was indigenous, independent and innovative in theway it combined Indian colloquialisms with English.

Saurabh Srivastava, Vice-President, National Association ofSoftware and Services Companies, described how India’sInformation Technology boom was based on the sound English language skills of the employees and entrepreneurs in that sector.

A panel discussion, featuring ESU representatives from five countries, India, Yemen, Tajikistan, Romania and the UK, highlighted where the ESU stands today and its future in a changing world.

Formal conference proceedings culminated in a debate on Dialogue and Debate, after which, HE Sir Richard Stagg hosted a magnificent reception at the British High Commissioner’sResidence.

There was also a reception at the British Council to launch BarryTomalin’s book The World’s Business Cultures and How to UnlockThem. Barry Tomalin is an expert in intercultural communicationsand his latest work looks at the accepted ways to conduct businessin other countries.

Delegates at the Taj Mahal

Shri Anand Sharma and Valerie Mitchell

Sir Mark Tully delivering his speech

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an Subcontinent

The entire conference proved to be an enlightening, varied and first class occasion, which educated, informed and stimulated thedelegates. Everyone left with a wider understanding of the role ofEnglish in India and with their pre-conceptions challenged. Theevent also gave the ESU a unique opportunity to begin to re-buildthe ESU in New Delhi.

A cultural programme, organised in conjunction with Cox and King,started with a pre-conference tour of New Delhi, taking in suchsights as India Gate and the President’s Palace.

Following the conference, it continued through Rajasthan to thepink city of Jaipur and the ancient Rajput capital of Amber. It concluded with two days at Ranthambore National Park and TigerReserve where delegates were fortunate enough to see the tigersup-close and in their natural habitat; some also enjoyed an elephant ride!

For many, the highlight was a magical trip to watch the sunrise atthe Taj Mahal in Agra. As one delegate commented, “To see the Taj Mahal at dusk is majestic; to see it at dawn is sublime”.

“The English-Speaking Union and the British Council share theview that the English language is a fantastic tool which can enablepeople from all parts of the world to communicate across culturesand socio-political boundaries. We thoroughly enjoyed workingwith the ESU in India and we look forward to hosting many moreevents together in the future.”Rod Pryde, Regional Director, British Council, India and Sri Lanka

“English has a unique role to play in the dimension of the newIndia, as a facilitator of communication. The English-SpeakingUnion is not in favour of a monolinguistic community, but stronglysupports linguistic diversity with all the colour and culture that it brings, which was identified in the ESU panel discussion representing five countries. The ESU has gained from this successful conference and now looks forward to working closelywith the British Council in the future and particularly in its task of re-building and strengthening ESU branches in India.”Valerie Mitchell, Director-General, ESU

Rod Pryde and Sir Richard Stagg

(L-R) Saroj Chakravarty, Sir Mark Tully, Richard Stagg and Shri AnandSharma during the conference

The speakers: (L-R) Rod Pryde, Christopher Mulvey, Valerie Mitchell,Gurcharan Das, Saurabh Srivastava, Barry Tomalin and Peter Kyle

ESU panel discussion: (L-R) Saroj Chakravarty, Dilip Borowake, Katie Brock, Sheikh Tawla Abdullah, Parvonakhon Jamshedov andAlexandru Budisteanu

Krishnar Omkar delivering his speech during the ESU debating session

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2008 SSE Scholars Take Up the BatonIn early March, candidates were inter-viewed at Dartmouth House for the 2008SSE Scholarships. Thirteen awards weremade to scholars who will take up theirplaces in September.

This award has been running for 80 yearsand is one of the most prestigious programmes managed by the ESU, as evidenced by those who reminisced at therecent class of ’54 reunion.

Recipients gain the opportunity to spend a gap year at an American High School.Selection is based on scholastic record,breadth of interests, adaptability and thepotential to be an ambassador for the UKand for the ESU.

This year’s interview panel comprisedAdrian Underwood, Former Director,Boarding Schools Association, ElizabethStokes, ESU Director of Education and

Katherine Plummer, ESU EducationProgrammes Manager.

For further information about SSE scholarships, or to apply next year, please contact education@esu.org or visit www.esu.org.

Three Faiths Forum Dialogue

In March, the ESU hosted an event in collaboration with the ThreeFaiths Forum. Lord Hunt and Valerie Mitchell welcomed threespeakers from the Forum - Sir Sigmund Sternberg, Revd MarcusBraybrooke and Imam Maulana Shahid Raza.

In a panel discussion, they aired their ideas surrounding theengagement in Trialogue between Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Each re-asserted the Forum’s aims, which are to encourage friendship, goodwill and understanding amongst people of the three Abrahamic monotheistic faiths in the United Kingdom andelsewhere.

Sir Sigmund Sternberg is a businessman who has dedicated a greatpart of his life to serving the Jewish community and the cause ofdialogue and interfaith relations across the globe.

Imam Maulana Shahid Raza is the Deputy Director of the MuslimCollege in London and President of the World Islamic Mission ofEurope.

Revd Dr Marcus Braybrooke is a retired Anglican parish priest. Hehas been involved in interfaith work for over forty years, especiallythrough the World Congress of Faiths.

Karsten van Sander, the Education Officer of the Three Faiths alsospoke, giving an overview of the organisation’s Youth and EducationDepartment.

Lord Hunt kindly presided the dialogue which sparked a livelydebate between the audience and the guest speakers.

Imam Maulana Shahid Raza, Sir Sigmund Sternberg and Revd Marcus Braybrooke

The ESU is delighted to announce that this year, three UK candidates were successful in receiving Morehead-Cain ScholarshipAwards: Gregor MacLennan of Fettes College, Joel Semakula from the Fulbright's USAP programme and St Angela’s and St Bonaventure’s Sixth Form Centre and Russell Martin ofSevenoaks School.

Morehead-Cain Scholarship Awards to the University of NorthCarolina in Chapel Hill are among the world’s most generous university scholarships. They provide a fully funded four-year undergraduate first degree programme for selected British schoolleavers. Scholars also gain opportunities for global travel, work

experience and support from the Morehead-Cain Foundation staffand alumni.

Shortlisted UK candidates must pass two rounds of interview atDartmouth House before travelling to Chapel Hill for a weekend ofintensive interviewing alongside candidates from the US, so oursuccessful candidates can be truly proud of their selection.

We wish all three scholars every success in their studies.

For further information about the Morehead-Cain scholarships or to apply next year, please contact education@esu.org or visitwww.esu.org.

Morehead-Cain Scholarship Awards

When visiting Dartmouth House, why not take a moment to look at the display cabinet, where you will find an exclusive range of gift items, all featuring the ESU logo. The items for sale are reasonably priced starting from

just £3.50 and range from key fobs to an impressive assortment of glassware, ties, and jewellery.

Ask at reception for details.

ESU Merchandise

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Speech and Debate Squad USA: Tour of the UK

The annual tour of the American National Debate Squad, coordinated by the ESU’s Centre for Speech and Debate, welcomedto the UK Meredith Price and Darryl Stein. Meredith is an alumnaof Lewis and Clark College, Oregon, and currently works as an analyst for IBM. Darryl is an alumnus of the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley. He currently teaches debate at WesternWashington University.

The visitors had an auspicious beginning to their tour in February.Following orientation from staff at the Centre, and a quick introduction to British debating formats, they competed in the Inner Temple Intervarsity. They reached the semi-finals of this

competition - an impressive achievement for their first British tournament.

In the following week, as well as enjoying a tour of the Houses ofParliament, organised by ESU alumnus Andrew Mitchell MP, thepair continued to acquit themselves successfully, debating inIreland, the American School in London, and in Oxford.

At the American School they competed against the two Britishmembers of the corresponding British debate tour, Alex Just andAlistair Cormack. This foursome also put on a UK-US show debatefor the Dartmouth House Debating Society.

The following day Alex Just treated Darryl and Meredith to dinnerwith Deputy Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia, at the OxfordUnion. They then attended one of the Union’s weekly debates,where Darryl spoke.

Meredith and Darryl confirmed their quick adaptation to Britishdebating when they competed in the Cardiff Intervarsity. Meredithwas placed the top speaker overall but the team narrowly missedout on winning the tournament after reaching the grand final.

Next, they headed to Edinburgh where they rounded off their tripunder the stewardship of Robert Marrs of ESU Scotland, whoorganised more sightseeing and debating with a Scottish flavour.

They returned to London ready to catch their flights home the nextmorning. Many new friends were in attendance to see them off.This was a fitting tribute to a pair which was not merely the mostsuccessful to come here on the tour, in debating terms, but alsoamong the most affable.

Darryl Stein and Meredith Price

In early March, Dartmouth House DebatingSociety hosted another event which successfully paired the ESU with a partnerorganisation. The ESU’s Centre for Speechand Debate joined forces with CanningHouse to bring the Society, This Housebelieves Latin America should prioritisefood, not biofuels.

Canning House is a not-for-profit organisation, founded in 1943, to stimulateunderstanding between Britain, Spain,Portugal and Latin America.

In the light of the growth of the biofuelsmarket, and general concern surroundingthe environmental impact and sustainabilityof fossil fuels, it is unsurprising that a greatmany people found this debate a germanetopic.

The Society was delighted to host representatives from the biofuels industry,as well as from Canning House and associated organisations. Of particularimportance in bringing these groups together was David Thomas, Chairman ofCanning House and Honorary Treasurer of the ESU. Mr Thomas introduced proceedings and outlined the debate’s overall context, before handing over to theESU’s James Probert (Head of the Centrefor Speech and Debate), who acted aschairperson.

Both sides were passionately and expertly argued. The proposition comprisedJamie Dick (Westminster College) and Ben Woolgar (St Paul’s School) and theopposition, Charlotte Outen (The GrangeSchool, Hartford) and Mattea Shackleton(City of Norwich School). Both Jamie and

Mattea were selected by Canning House asa consequence of their involvement withthe organisation. Charlotte was the winnerof an essay competition on the subject ofbiofuels in Latin America, administered by Canning House and Ben is an activemember of the national schools debatingteam for England, which is selected andcoached by the Centre for Speech andDebate.

There followed a lively and engaging floordebate, and a close audience vote, whichnarrowly gave the debate to the proposition.David Thomas closed proceedings,applauding the spirit of the debate andcooperation between the ESU and CanningHouse. It is very much hoped that the twoorganisations will cooperate on more publicdebates in the near future.

Canning House-ESU Biofuels Debate

An expert panel of pundits addressed the prospects for thePresidential Elections at a joint meeting of the Pilgrims and theESU at Dartmouth House in early February. Field Marshal LordInge, President of the Pilgrims, welcomed the guests and Sir RobertWorcester, Chairman of the Pilgrims and ESU Governor, presided.

The panel comprised Stryker McGuire, London Bureau Chief,Newsweek, Greg Katz of Associated Press and Michael Williams ofRUSI (Royal United Services Institute).

The discussion was followed by a reception and dinner.

Panel Addresses Presidential Prospects

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Walter Hines Page Interviews

Interviews were conducted in March to select recipients of thisyear’s Walter Hines Page and Chautauqua scholarships. Theseawards for teachers are generously sponsored by the teachingunions ATL, NASUWT and NUT. The ESU is also grateful to theunions for providing representatives to the panel.

Six scholarships were awarded to provide teachers with the opportunity to spend two weeks in the United States to investigatean area of professional interest. The scholars plan to visit a varietyof schools and educational organisations and will explore issuesincluding autism, the teaching and learning of newly arrived pupils,raising achievement and the impact of performing arts activitieswithin the curriculum.

The panel also interviewed candidates for the Chautauqua scholarship which enables a teacher to study at the prestigiousChautauqua Summer School. The school is of value to those teachers who have particular interests in music, art, drama orcrafts.

Scholars of both awards are looking forward to exploring and comparing US strategies and ideas with colleagues in the UnitedStates, as well as sharing their own teaching experiences and promoting current UK educational initiatives and approaches.

For further information about the ESU professional scholarships, orto apply next year, please contact education@esu.org or visitwww.esu.org.

Page interviewers (L-R): Donald Fowler-Watt (IAPS), Paula Roe (NASUWT)and George Wiskin (NUT)

Argentine Singing Champion Gives ESU Recital Maria Eugenia Corradetti, winner of the ESU Argentine SingingCompetition gave a performance for guests at Dartmouth House inMarch.

The Dartmouth House recital opened with words of welcome fromValerie Mitchell and Anthony Westnedge, ESU Governor. Lady Deangave a heartfelt Vote of Thanks, some of it in Spanish, to end theevening.

Maria has loved music since a child and particularly singing. Shehad to beat competitors from 22 other schools in order to win theArgentine Singing Competition.

Her visit to the UK included London, Oxford and Malvern whereshe stayed with ESU families. She also visited Hereford where shewas given a tour of Hereford Cathedral and Hereford CathedralSchool.

Maria’s trip coincided with the Commonwealth Day Service inWestminster Abbey, so she was also able to attend this in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen, the Patron of the ESU, and,President of the ESU, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

Warm thanks go to ESU branches who provided a home-stay forMaria.

(L-R) Sofia Rodman, Anthony Westnedge, Maria Corradetti, Lady Dean

In early March a group of nine undergraduate history students fromthe University of Reading interviewed 30 ex-SeaVacs as part of theongoing research project into overseas evacuation.

All of the students are presently following a module entitled WarChildren.

These semi-structured interviews have been recorded into a digitalformat and will be transferred onto CD in the near future. The finalrecordings will be deposited at the ESU Library, the Imperial WarMuseum and Evacuee and War Child Archive at the University ofReading. Copies will also be given to those who contributed theirstory.

The event marked a new stage in the evacuee project, which began in November 2006. One overseas evacuee who participatedin the interviews remarked, “by coincidence I met an old friendhere today who was evacuated on the same boat as I was duringthe war. This project has given us the opportunity to re-forge friendships and these interviews today have been a great chance to relive some incredible memories.”

The ESU is indebted to Rio Tinto which has generously sponsoredthe project and the interviews. Our thanks also go to ProfessorMartin Parsons and Sir Brian Fall for their invaluable role in this initiative.

Sea-Vac Project Continues to Thrive

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Treading the Boards in Thailand

The second annual ESU Thailand Drama Competition award presentation was presided over by Her Royal Highness PrincessSoamsawali at the Thailand National Cultural Centre.

Building on its great success the previous year, ESU Thailand in co-operation with the Ministry of Education, the Office of theNational Culture Commission and the British Council Thailandorganised this English drama competition for secondary level students at schools around Thailand.

The purpose of this event is to promote constructive activities foryoung Thai people and to encourage them to perform and expressthemselves using the English language. It is also designed toenhance their knowledge and understanding of English, enablingthem to achieve a higher level of skill in English language usage.

This year, the winning entry was from Yothinburana School for themusical play Oliver Twist while the runners-up were SurasakmontriSchool and Samsen Wittayalai School who performed Oliver Twistand Friends.

The winners received the trophy from Her Royal Highness PrincessSoamsawali and the two runners-up were presented with a trophyfrom ESU Thailand and the Ministry of Education

Congratulations to all of them.

Students perform a scene from Oliver Twist

In celebration of the 90th anniversary ofthe founding of the ESU, Eastbournebranch has become the first branch in our history to launch a guidebook to itshometown.

By kind permission of Her Worship, CllrMary Pooley, Mayor of Eastbourne, branchmembers gathered at the Town Hall to celebrate the launch of Let's Promenade, A Quirky Guide to the Empress of SeasideResorts.

Written by ESU Eastbourne member WillGlover, this is the first in a series of charitybooks to be launched by the branch. Allproceeds from sales will be donated to educational and child welfare charities.

Let's Promenade will raise funds for schoolseducating orphans in the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo.

Later this year Pack-a-Picnic, 5 Days Inand Around Loch Lomond will become thebranch’s second book to be launched. The resulting proceeds will be donated to the Children's Hospice on the banks ofthe Loch.

Copies of the book can be ordered fromwww.willglover.co.uk or 07515 281 258

Cllr Mary Pooley is presented with a copy of the book, with branch members Mrs Pat King, Miss Pam Alexander and

President, Mrs Jane Laycock

Eastbourne Book Launch

Entries are invited for the Marsh Award for Children’sLiterature in Translation for the best translation of a children’s book from a foreign language into Englishand published in the UK. The translation must be firstpublished in the UK by a British publishing companycovering the period 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2008.

The Award (of £2000) will go to the translator. Closingdate for entries is 30 June 2008. The shortlist will be

announced in October.

For further information or entry forms please contact Elizabeth Stokes:elizabeth_stokes@esu.org, 020 7529 1550.

The Marsh Award for Children’sLiterature in Translation If you would like

to strengthen theESU’s ever increasing educational programme by a donation or a legacy in your Will.

Please contact Jo Wedderspoon at Dartmouth House37 Charles StreetLondon, W1J 5ED, telephone 020 7529 1550email jo_wedderspoon@esu.org.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Support the ESU

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Language Matters – Tech Talk

In an occasional series of articles, the ESUlooks at influences that have helped toshape the English language.

Language is the tool we use to reflect theworld around us: as that world changes,we have to come up with new words todescribe new things. It is not just the internet that did not exist twenty years ago, the word internet had yet to becoined. The same goes for e-mail,googling, website, online and more. Words are entering the mainstream fasterthan we can update dictionaries.

The term internet is actually a bit of a disappointment: it sounds dull and technical. In no way does it evoke the free-wheeling excitement of what is servesto describe. The World Wide Web simile(how this differs from the internet is a mystery to most of us) is far more apt,though now less frequently used.

Web users in the nineties were known assurfers, which reflected their cutting-edgestatus. As the internet became less novel,so did the term used to describe its users.People now soberly browse the web or simply use it. The French, meanwhile,

coined the word internaute, a poetic termthat evokes space exploration and that weEnglish-speakers might do well to borrow.

Some of the more recent ‘tech’ words comefrom brand names.

The word googling is now widely understoodand will surely continue to be used afterGoogle is supplanted by a better searchengine. Most young people now spend theirdays facebooking, skyping or hotmailing.

Many terms are adaptations of old, sometimes little known words. An icon isno longer just a religious image, it is whatyou click on to open Excel. A mouse iswhat you use to do that but, unlike therodent, its plural can be mouses. A virusonline has the same malicious effect as oneoffline (and one kind of virus, the TrojanHorse, is also a re-working of a knownterm). An avator is a created online personality. In Sanskrit, an avator is a rendition of a god who has descended intolower realms of existence.

With a million users, the internet is nowthe place where language is made. Onlinechat-rooms have kicked up thousands ofnew technical terms, which live or die bythe number of people who use them. In1996, for example, one of the first peopleto post his diary online called himself anescribitionist. The word survived for a briefperiod until another user referred to herdiary as a weblog.

That was later shortened to blog, a termthat is now widely accepted. The peoplehad voted with their keyboards.

Written by Stanley Pignal.

Time is running out to book a place at an international conferenceorganised by the English-Speaking Union to be held at St PetersburgState University, School of International Relations on 20 May.

Speakers will include HE Mr Tony Brenton, Ambassador of theUnited Kingdom to the Russian Federation, Lord Watson,

The Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen and Professor LudmilaVerbitskaya, Rector of St Petersburg State University. Sessions andlectures will include discussion on Cities of Globalisation, The Roleof English as the Language of Globalisation and Universities –Agents of Globalisation and Cultural Diversity. Panel discussionswill follow, to be chaired by Valerie Mitchell and Lord Watson.

Business leaders from the UK and St Petersburg will be addressingthe above issues, which are indicative of the future challenges withwhich we are faced.

The opening night dinner will be held in the magnificent Palace ofPrince Abamelek-Lazarev. The British Consulate General will alsobe giving a reception at his residence.

There will be a pre-conference cultural programme, which will includethe following sites of interest: the Peter and Paul Fortress, theHermitage Museum, the Galitzine Memorial Library, a visit to Peterhofand the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly (Mariinsky Palace).

For further information, or to make a booking, please contact Katie Brock.

Globalisation and Language, Unity in Diversity

Leith’s is delighted to announce it willbe joining the ESU Newsletter with aregular feature.

As the ESU’s contract caterer for over 10 years, Leith’s will be sharingwith you elements of their passions,successes, promotions and food ideasall of which they hope you’ll enjoyreading about.

If you would like to book into theLeith’s Revelstoke Restaurant,pleasecall Reception on 0207 529 1550.

If you have an up and coming event, meeting, reception or party, the Leith’sSales Team would love to hear from you.

Please call 0207 529 1578 or email dartmouthhouse@compass-group.co.uk

Leith’s Joins the Newsletter!

The Prince George Galitzine Memorial Library, St Petersburg

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Sir Donald Hawley

Sir Donald Hawley, who died suddenlyaged 86 on 31 January, was manythings: solicitor, lawyer, administrator,but it is for his diplomatic career andaccomplishments that he will be bestremembered.

His first diplomatic posting was in 1958as Political Agent to the Trucial States(now the United Arab Emirates). Cairofollowed, in the politically turbulent yearsunder Nasser, before a transfer with newwife Ruth, to Lagos during the periodwhen Nigeria moved from democracy tomilitary rule.

After a sabbatical at Durham University,which resulted in the publication of oneof the standard works on the TrucialStates, Sir Donald was posted toBaghdad. Resumption of relations withIraq required him as CommercialCounsellor and number two to the newAmbassador. It was a difficult time undera regime which shocked the world withthe public hanging of alleged spies forIsrael, an act that sorely tested British-Iraqi relations.

In 1970, Sir Donald became the firstAmbassador to the re-named Sultanate ofOman. He, later, went on to write the firstdefinitive book about the country, Omanand its Renaissance.

There followed a stint in London asAssistant Under Secretary in the Foreignand Commonwealth Office.

His last four years of service were asHigh Commissioner in Malaysia, whichfurther contributed to his unrivalledknowledge of the Islamic world.

In retirement, he wrote a number ofbooks, including several publications onthe Sudan and two volumes of advice onManners and Correct Form in the Gulf.He also passed on his knowledge on the

lecture circuit, where his sharp wit and puckish good humour endeared himto all.

In their Wiltshire retirement, Sir Donaldand Ruth derived great pleasure from seeing their four children graduate fromOxford, and what they subsequentlyachieved, while they themselves becameclosely involved in local and churchaffairs.

In 1985 Sir Donald joined the English-Speaking Union and became a memberof the Current Affairs Committee. In1990 he was elected to the Board ofGovernors on which he served six yearsand he was a member of the NationalCouncil for England and Wales. In 1990he was also appointed Chairman of theEducation Advisory Committee andserved for three years. He was a member of Lord Pym’s ManagementCommittee.

Always happy to share his knowledge andexpertise, he will be remembered as atrue friend and gentleman – courteous,witty, erudite and a man of integrity, honour and fun.

Obituaries

Magnus Anthony AxelCarlbom

Magnus Anthony Axel Carlbom, who tragically died at the early age of 73,became a Governor of the English-Speaking Union in 2004. He had previously been Chairman of theLincolnshire Branch from 1990-1997and its Vice-President thereafter.

Tony Carlbom devoted much of his life tobringing people together; the ESU was anatural for him. He founded the ESUCarlbom Scholarship which has, overmany years, helped young people to travel and gain experience around theworld.

He was a tireless supporter of his localbranch and the wider ESU objectives as a Governor at Dartmouth House.

Born at Fulstow in Lincolnshire, he was educated in the UK, Sweden andSwitzerland and did his national servicein Sweden. He trained in the shippingbusiness in Sweden, Germany andAmerica.

Tony Carlbom came from a distinguishedSwedish family. His grandfather hadestablished the firm of Carlbom Shippingat Grimsby in 1894 and Tony became itsManaging Director in 1966, later takingup the post of Managing Chairman.

The Carlboms have been Honorary

Consul for Sweden and Finland since thebeginning of the 20th century, roles thatTony adopted in 1981. In addition, hewas Chairman of the Humber Chapter ofthe Swedish Chamber of Commerce andHM Deputy Lieutenant of the County ofLincolnshire.

Holder of a private pilots licence, anaccomplished horseman, skier and beekeeper, Tony and his wife Gunilla gavegenerously of their time and money insupporting a range of charities inLincolnshire and London.

A modest, charming and decent man, hewas often described as the “the perfectEnglish gentleman.” He will be greatlymissed in his county and at DartmouthHouse, but he will be long rememberedfor his many acts of kindness and generosity, and for the unfailing courtesywhich was his hallmark.

We extend our deepest sympathy toGunilla and to the Carlbom family.

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Diary DatesDARTMOUTH HOUSE Telephone : 020 7529 1550

Published by the English-Speaking Union, Registered Charity No. 273136 Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London W1J 5ED Tel : 020 7529 1550 Fax : 020 7495 6108 Email : esu@esu.org Web : www.esu.org

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ADVANCE NOTICE

MAY

Friday 9 May from 9 amInternational Public Speaking Competition Final. Members arewelcome to Dartmouth House to see the heats in the morning. Contact: Katie Brock

Saturday 10 May at 3 pmInternational Schools Mace Final to be held at Liverpool TownHall. The international championships involving the nationalchampions from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.Contact: Beth James

Wednesday 14 May 10.30 – 11.30 amESU members are invited to a coffee morning at DartmouthHouse. This is an opportunity to meet old and new members,and to introduce friends to the ESU’s international headquarters.Contact: Annette Fisher

Tuesday 20 MayGlobalisation and Language, Unity in DiversityPlease see page 10 for details.

Wednesday 28 May at 8 pmESU France International Dinner in Paris in honour of Lord Hunt.Monsieur Pierre-Christian Taittinger, Honorary President ESUFrance and Mme Beatrix de Montergermont-Keil, President ESUFrance and former President ESU International Council will preside. On Thursday 29 May a tour of the 17th centurychateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte is organised.Tickets: €80Contact: Katie Brock

JUNE

Wednesday 11 June 10.30 – 11.30 amESU members are invited to a coffee morning at DartmouthHouse. This is an opportunity to meet old and new members,and to introduce friends to the ESU’s international headquarters.Contact: Annette Fisher

Tuesday 17 June at 7 pmLiterary lecture in aid of The ESU Arts Scholarship to Attingham.Bruce Robertson, Deputy Director of Arts Programmes in the LosAngeles County Museum of Art, will be speaking on HighCulture and the Wild West: the Development of Art Museumsin the American West.Tickets: £7.50 to include a glass of wine Contact: Gillian Parker

Wednesday 18 June at 7 pmLiterary lecture with Julia Fox, historical researcher and teacher,on her newly published book on the highly topical Jane Boleyn:The Infamous Lady Rochford. The story of Henry VIII’s queens –as seen through the eyes of Jane Rochford, sister-in-law to AnneBoleyn and cousin to Katherine Howard. Tickets: £8 to include a glass wineCopies of the books will be available for purchasing and signingContact: Gillian Parker

JULY

Tuesday 8 July 3.30-5.00 pmHouse of Lords Tea Party. Lord Hunt will receive guests on theTerrace of the House of Lords. Tickets: £25 Contact: Gillian Parker

Wednesday 9 July 10.30 – 11.30 amESU members are invited to a coffee morning at DartmouthHouse. This is an opportunity to meet old and new members,and to introduce friends to the ESU’s international headquarters.Contact: Annette Fisher

Wednesday 30 July at 7 pmLiterary lecture with Tim Heald on his recent book PrincessMargaret: A Life Unravelled. An elegant and sophisticated biography of Princess Margaret, the controversial sister of Queen Elizabeth II. Tim Heald is a biographer, crime writer and journalist. He was chosen by Prince Philip to be his biographer on his 70th birthday. Tickets: £8 to include a glass of wineCopies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Contact: Gillian Parker

15 – 18 September ESU World Members’ Conference 2008There is still time to register for the World Members Conference in Edinburgh. The conference theme is Creating an ESU for the modern world, and guest speakers include: Sir Christopher Meyer, The Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, Sir Richard Dearlove, Professor David Crystal, Sir John Bond, Shami Chakrabarti, Sir Bob Worcester.

A full and exciting programme of pre-andpost-conference tourshas also been laid on.

The conference website, www.esuworld2008.org,gives full details.

The delegate fee is £330.

Monday 24 November Gala Concert at Goldsmiths’ HallThe cellist Steven Isserlis is generously giving a recital in aid of the ESU Music Scholarship Fund, to celebrate the 100th birthday year of the founder Belinda Norman-Butler and the 90th anniversary of the ESU. This will be a superb evening of music in the magnificent Goldsmiths’ Hall.Contact: Gillian Parker