BRANCHES
Branch Features
Many of our branches now maintain websites , full of information on their upcoming activities , as well as reports on past meetings . Below you can read a selection of our favourite news stories . For more information visit esu . org / branches
EPPING FOREST
Apothecaries Hall Visit
On April 17 members of the Branch visited the Apothecaries Hall - home of the livery company which began in the mediaeval city of London . It was a fascinating experience . The hall , once the home of the monks of Blackfriars , was rebuilt after being burnt in the Great Fire of London . Luckily many works of art and priceless equipment were evacuated before the flames reached the original building . The photograph of members was taken in the Great Hall where the visit concluded , after which our organiser , Janet Wallace , led us to a fine wine bar for a delicious lunch .
OUSE VALLEY
Britishness : what is it ?
Britishness was discussed at The Ouse Valley St George ’ s Day lunch by writer and broadcaster Peter Whittle , who has recently published a book on the subject . At the Festival of Britain in 1951 everyone knew what it was , but come the Millennium Dome , no one seemed very sure . What had happened to erode our sense of national identity ? Several reasons were suggested : loss of Empire , the greatest influx of immigrants in our history in an extremely short space of time , changes in moral and social attitudes and insidious and continuing criticism from “ those who praise , with enthusiastic tone , all centuries but this and every country but their own ” ( The Mikado ’ s Little List ).
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