BRANCHES
Midlands
On 2 September 2002, after 15 years
with Barnardo’s, I began work as a Regional
Officer with the ESU. Initially my Regions
were the North East (Lincolnshire,
Northumberland & Durham and York
& District) and the North West (Chester,
Liverpool & Merseyside, Manchester
& East Cheshire and Mid-Cheshire) of
England. However, since June of this
year I have exchanged the North East
for the Midlands Region (Birmingham,
Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire
and Worcestershire).
In my time there have been a good
number of exciting events and inspiring
causes. York & District Branch shared
the visit of a guide at The Hermitage
in St Petersburg with other likeminded
organisations. Lincolnshire Branch
have had ‘full houses’ at their Annual
Dinners with guest speakers like
Matthew Parris. Liverpool & Merseyside
Branch support a young writers’
award and schoolchildren’s visits to
the Philharmonic Children’s Concert.
The Mid-Cheshire Branch has supported
ESU programmes like the Great
Shakespeare Debate and the Secondary
School Exchanges.
I am still getting to know the
Midlands Region. However, I’ve
discovered that there is great support
for music with the Birmingham Branch
sponsoring a student at the Manhattan
School of Music, Gloucestershire
Branch sponsoring ‘Excellent Music
Students’ and Worcestershire Branch
awarding 3rd prize in the county ‘Young
Musician of the Year’ competition.
Besides supporting Rhodes Scholars the
62 | dialogue
Oxfordshire Branch has also initiated
a State School Leavers’ Award to help
selected students’ with their costs at
the start of their university courses.
I know from attending committee
meetings and many of the special
events that every Branch is concerned
to grow. Congratulations to Liverpool
& Merseyside whose new chairman has
just recruited five new members and to
Oxfordshire who have recruited another
ten members.
Bill Ramsey
“I would love to feel that one
day you look back and feel you
are glad you sponsored me! I
continue to try my hardest and
enjoy every second I am given
at the Academy. However, it
wouldn’t be possible without
your help”.
Soprano Music Scholar, Eleanor Broomfield
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
As you read this edition of Dialogue,
we will be listening to the exquisite voice
of our soprano Music Scholar, Eleanor
Broomfield, at our annual Christmas
Party, in Jenny Hunter’s home in
Dumbleton, Gloucestershire.
Eleanor is currently studying at The
Royal Academy of Music in London, and
has just started the second year of her
four-year course. E X[