WELCOME
FROM THE EDITOR
“We continue to showcase the unique
and ground-breaking charitable work
undertaken by the ESU worldwide.”
W
elcome to the Winter 2013/14
edition of dialogue, the magazine
of The English-Speaking Union.
In this issue, we continue to
showcase the exceptional and ground-breaking
charitable work undertaken by the ESU worldwide,
particularly focussing on our long-running exchange
programmes. The Walter Hines Page Scholarship
has been running for 90 years, enabling British
teachers to travel to America and encouraging the
cultural and professional exchange of ideas which is
so central to the ESU’s mission. On pages 35–37,
you can read more about the Page scholarships, and
more information is available at esu.org/page.
A further fascinating programme of events, open
both to members and the public, is scheduled to
be held at Dartmouth House. This includes what
promises to be a very special evening with Princess
Galitzine, who was a close personal friend of
playwright Terence Rattigan and who will be hosting
an evening of discussion on the life and works of
the great author. More information on this, and
the rest of our events programme, can be found
at esu.org/events or on pages 42-49 in this edition
of dialogue.
The ESU’s branch network continues to thrive.
Many branches are now maintaining their own
website, containing information on the branch’s
activities. For more information, go to esu.org/
branches. You can read reports from across the
ESU’s 34 members’ groups in England & Wales on
pages 57-70.
In December we said farewell to our DirectorGeneral, Peter Kyle, who joined us in May 2012.
Peter oversaw significant changes at the ESU, not
least being a wide-ranging staffing restructure and
a financial review which has led to the organisation
being on much firmer and more sustainable footing
than when he joined. We all wish Peter well in the
future, and very much hope that he will stay in touch!
Wishing you all a very happy festive season, and
prosperous new year,
Best Wishes,
Michael Pryke
Head of PR and Communications
ESU| 2