OVER SEAS Quarterly journal of the ROSL Issue 2, June-August 2012

Let the Games begin Forging links Polar mission Stunning Scotland An alternative view of New showcase for The first woman to Edinburgh day trips: 2012 from organisations with cross Antarctica alone from racing to the Oceania’s hopes to ROSL membership reports back on her Bass Rock and from Shakespeare in Urdu schemes and benefits incredible journey castles to a Concorde

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From the Director-General; OVER SEAS Editor’s letter ...... 4 ISSUE 2 June-August 2012 The Royal Over-Seas League is a self-funded World Commonwealth organisation that offers clubhouse facilities to members, organises Commonwealth

art and music competitions and develops joint World of movement ...... 5 N O I T I D

welfare projects with specific countries. E One of the Cultural Olympiad highlights: a P X E C I

Overseas editorial team T dance series inspired by cities across the globe C R A

Editor Ms Miranda Moore T N A S

Deputy Editor Ms Claire Simon N A R T Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x205 Oceania goes for gold . . . . . 6 E N

Email [email protected] O Y K

What would it mean for some of the world’s S

Design Ms Hannah Talmage R E P S

Display Advertisements Mr David Jeffries A K

smallest nations to win an Olympic medal?

Tel +44 (0)20 8674 9444 © Email [email protected] Golden opportunities ...... 8 Royal Over-Seas League Why the Games are introducing spectators to Harping on ...... 23 Incorporated by Royal Charter Patron Her Majesty The Queen little known, yet inspiring Paralympic sports Why world-renowned harpist Ieuan Jones has Vice-Patron Her Royal Highness been serenading ROSL diners for 30 years Princess Alexandra KG GCVO President The Rt Hon the Lord Luce KG GCVO DL Staging Pakistan ...... 10 Chairman Sir Anthony Figgis KCVO CMG* Tracking the difficult journey to London of Books ...... 24 Vice-Chairman Sir Roger Carrick KCMG LVO* Hon Treasurer Mr Simon Ward FCA* an inventive Urdu adaptation of one of Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, Shakespeare’s best-known comedies London SW1A 1LR Tel +44 (0) 20 7408 0214 Fax +44 (0) 20 7499 6738 Web www.rosl.org.uk In the UK Email [email protected] Alone in Antarctica ...... 12

Over-Seas House, 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh Felicity Aston answers our questions about her Exploring the Lothians . . . . 25 EH2 3AB Tel +44 (0) 131 225 1501 incredible lone journey across the South Pole Spectacular day-trips from Over-Seas House, Fax +44 (0) 131 226 3936 Edinburgh, including a visit to Kelso Races

Central Council My Buenos Aires ...... 14 Mr Graham Archer CMG*, Mrs Shirley Barr*, Mr Ralph Former Overseas Editor, Vicky Baker, offers her Krakow: worth its salt . . . . . 26 Bauer, Mr Clive Carpenter*, Mr William Chalmers, Prof Monojit Chatterji, Mr Sohail Choudry, Nik Raof recommendations for a trip to the city Why this Polish city makes a great destination Daud, Mr John Edwards CMG, Mr David Fall CMG, for a short break from the London clubhouse Mrs Patricia Farrant*, Mr Simon Gimson LVO, Mr Peter Hamlyn, Mr John Harbor FCA, Miss Maureen Howley MBE *, Mr David Jamieson, ROSL news What’s on: London ...... 26 Mrs Frances King, Miss Sheila MacTaggart LVO, Dr Edmund Marshall, Mr David Newman, Mr Ian Top arts and cultural events this summer Partridge CBE, Mrs Doreen Regan*, Ms Lindsay Ross, News and views ...... 16 Mrs Judith Steiner, Mr Geoffrey Thompson OBE *Executive Committee The latest from the ROSL clubhouses Director-General Maj Gen Roddy Porter MBE Events Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x201 Annual Report 2011 Director of Admin and Finance Mr Shakil Tayub Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x209 summary ...... 17 Younger Members ...... 27 Director of Public Relations and Development Forthcoming events; plus a review of the Ms Margaret Adrian-Vallance MBE Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x204 Email [email protected] ROSL world ...... 18 2012 Inter-Club calendar so far Director of Arts Mr Roderick Lakin MBE Tel +44 (0) 20 7408 0214 x325 Email [email protected] An Aussie club crawl . . . . . 20 ROSL ARTS ...... 28 Asst. to DG Ms Arabella Beresford-Mitchell From the Brisbane Polo Club to the Karrakatta Including ‘A Musical Bouquet for Her Majesty’ Tel +44 (0) 20 7408 0214 x201 Email [email protected] Club, a review of some Australian reciprocals Membership Secretary Mrs Angela Farago Tel +44 Members’ events ...... 30 (0) 20 7408 0214 x214 Email [email protected] Catering Director Mr David Laurance Young Artist 2012 ...... 21 Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x331 Announcing the 17-year-old Thai winner Food and drink: London . . . 32 Email [email protected] Edinburgh House Manager Mr Daniel Campbell Email [email protected] Special links ...... 22 What’s on: Edinburgh . . . . . 33 Scottish Development Officer Mr James Wilkie A new series on ROSL’s organisational Print Hastings Printing Company Tel +44 (0)1424 720 477 membership scheme launches with a look at Discussion Group and The journal is published by the Royal Over-Seas League, Over-Seas the Royal Academy; plus Grange Hotels London Group ...... 34 House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR. Any views expressed in editorial and any advertisements included are not necessarily endorsed by the Central Council. ISSN 00307424 FRONT COVER: A London 2012 test event, the London-Surrey Cycle Classic begins on The Mall in August 2011. Top British rider Mark Cavendish went on to win © LOCOG

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From the Directo r-General Editor’s letter s we go to press, talks are already A taking place at Over-Seas House about how to cope with the travel and postal restrictions during the Games. For me, the potential problems are immense; I am based in East London, in the heart of the Olympics area, and am still unsure what to expect. A pop-up campsite is set to bring 10,000 visitors a day, music and live entertainment to the area, but many ummer is upon us and we are keenly NEXT CHAPTER : Maj Gen Roddy residents have yet to secure tickets to any anticipating the , which Porter with his wife Marianne (left) of the events. Despite these gripes, I can’t open soon. This year of almost and President of the help but be excited by the prospect of this Scontinuous celebration began, in March, Chapter, Ishrani Jaikaran, during major sporting event coming to London. with the Commonwealth Observance Day his visit to the Chapter in October Already the Cultural Olympiad is service in . This annual bringing us gems such as the Globe to landmark also acted as a fitting ‘curtain raiser’ to Suu Kyi’s guardian, and co-founding the Britain- Globe Shakespeare Festival (page 10), with the celebration of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Burma Society and Prospect Burma, an ‘World Cities: 2012’ (page 5) and other In her Commonwealth Day message, Her organisation supporting Burmese students. We exciting dance, music and theatre Majesty emphasised that ‘Connecting Cultures’ are also deeply grateful for everything she extravaganzas set to follow. Our Focus on (the 2012 Commonwealth theme) should be contributed towards ROSL. London 2012 celebrates the hope and about strengthening “the bond of I would like to express my thanks to Claire magic of the Games, and their potential to Commonwealth citizenship we already enjoy, by Simon and Alex Pavry for producing the 2011 make a real change to people’s lives. With using our cultural connections to help bring us ROSL Annual Report, available to members on so much Olympics coverage, we asked even closer together, as family and friends across request from the Public Relations Department ourselves if we could really run any new the globe”. This theme lies at the heart of ROSL’s (see summary on page 17). It is a good read, material on the subject, but our articles on mission. Our own celebrations this year, within summarising last year’s activities and reflecting the medal chances of the Pacific Islands and beyond the Commonwealth, are not simply on another year during which a satisfactory (page 6) and the unique Paralympic sports about enjoyment of the occasion; they are also surplus of income was achieved, full use was (page 8) provide two very different and very much about strengthening the social and made of our facilities in London and Edinburgh, truly inspiring perspectives. cultural bonds that unite us. and all branches held a wide range of events. Another sporting inspiration, Felicity We will be marking the commencement of Membership declined in 2011 to just under Aston reports back on her journey across the Olympic and Paralympic Games with a 16,000, but we also welcomed more than 1,400 Antarctica alone (page 12). Hers is an special event on Friday 27 July (see page 30), new members. Membership is our life blood, so incredible story of determination and and will hold a reception for the Kenyan Olympic I encourage everyone to play their part in perseverance through some of the harshest team at Over-Seas House in July. Television introducing family, friends and colleagues. We and most beautiful terrain in the world. facilities will be available to members for the have much to offer in the months ahead and I Finally, if you have ever dined in the duration. Road closures and diversions are am planning year-on-year refurbishments and ROSL Restaurant, you may well have inevitable but we will hold a social gathering improvements in both clubhouses to enhance enjoyed music from one of the world’s each evening, for members staying at the your membership. There is much to be enjoyed foremost solo harpists, Ieuan Jones. We London clubhouse, at which we can brief you on at ROSL this summer and I look forward to celebrate the ROSL Gold Medallist’s Olympic events and answer questions; details meeting you at our events. 30-year role as ROSL harpist on page 23. will be available at the clubhouse. In order to make communication with For the chance to hear other outstanding We learned with great sadness of the death members more effective, we would like to do musicians and ROSL ARTS Finalists, of one of our ROSL vice-presidents, Lady much more via email. Therefore I ask all including the 2011 winner, Sean Shibe, (Patricia) Gore-Booth, on 2 February; many members who have an email address to let us please see the details for forthcoming members will have known her and read her know by emailing [email protected]. events (page 28). obituary in the newspapers. Lady Gore-Booth led a most distinguished life, acting as Aung San Roddy Porter Miranda Moore

4 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk WORLD World of movement Samantha Whitaker on one of the highlights of the London 2012 Festival

hen German choreographer Pina Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Sadler’s Bausch was asked to create a Wells, which is co-hosting ‘World Cities 2012’. The dancers dance for London to mark the When the dancers returned home after each W 2012 Games, she refused. “Pina trip, Bausch asked them to perform what they mime, laugh and said that London was too fragmented, too much had discovered. She once said she was “not a multiple-personality city,” recalls Michael interested in how people move, but in what cry, and speak Morris, Director of Cultural Industry, who worked moves them”. The result of the collaborative with Bausch for more than 20 years. improvisations was a series of choreographic aloud self-penned Instead, an idea was born to bring to London travelogues, each one deeply informed by its 10 existing co-productions by Bausch’s company, host location. “In the case of ‘Palermo, Palermo’ monologues Tanztheater Wuppertal, each based on a different (1989), for example, the dishevelled city, with global city. “The Cultural Olympiad presented the buildings falling down in disrepair, is recreated perfect opportunity, as the collaborative spirit of literally with the dancers picking their way over Bausch’s work counterpoints the competition rubble on stage,” says Spalding. Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina between nations that exists in the Games,” The intricate and complex stage designs, by Bausch: ‘World Cities 2012’, explains Morris. Bausch’s longstanding collaborator Peter Pabst, 6 June - 9 July. Bausch died suddenly in 2009, just five days meant that it would be impossible to present the Sadler’s Wells, +44 (0)844 412 after being diagnosed with cancer. But by then whole series in just one theatre, as each project 430; www.sadlerswells.com. work on ‘World Cities 2012’ was well under way. takes several days to set up. The works will The Barbican, +44 (0)845 120 The series will run for six weeks during the therefore be split between Sadler’s Wells and 7550; www.barbican.org.uk. London 2012 Festival, the culmination of a four- the Barbican, an unprecedented collaboration year Cultural Olympiad designed to inspire and between two usually competing dance venues. celebrate creativity across all forms of culture. Dominique Mercy and Robert Sturm, the new For Festival Director, Ruth Mackenzie, “Bausch’s Directors of Tanztheater Wuppertal, have said great work is unforgettable and will be a highlight that being part of London 2012 is “an amazing LEAP OF FAITH: of the festival.” Such an ambitious staging, and outstanding homage to Pina Bausch and The Kolkata- involving 75 dancers, was only made possible a great honour”. Spalding is only sorry Bausch inspired ‘Bamboo through funding from the Cultural Olympiad. herself couldn’t be there. “For her, it would Blues’, one of 10 Bausch was appointed choreographer at have been a break; the company are rarely in works in the ‘World Wuppertal in 1973 and quickly began to make the same place for more than two weeks.” Cities 2012’ series her unique mark on the dancing world. “There is an atmosphere of questioning, but it’s very Samantha Whitaker is a Sub-Editor playful. People tend to see her work as bleak, but at Sunday Publishing and a former there is always a lot of laughter. She had a Deputy Editor of Overseas. tremendous sense of humour,” recalls Morris. “There are moments of joy, despair, hope, loss and terror. Then everything from the rehearsal is distilled and presented on stage.” The result is tanztheater (‘dance theatre’), a much- imitated fusion of dance and drama, with elaborate set designs, costumes and props, where the dancers mime, laugh and cry, and speak aloud self-penned monologues. In 1986, the first global collaboration, ‘Viktor’, was commissioned for Rome. Other cities followed suit, and over the next 23 years the group travelled around the world, from India to Brazil, to Los Angeles. “As guests of the local commissioner of the piece, the company were able to soak up the atmosphere and were shown unusual things that they might not otherwise have seen,” says Alistair Spalding,

© A NGELOS GIOTOPOULOS

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FOCUS Oceania goes for gold

Most Pacific Islands have yet to win a medal at the Olympics. So what would it mean to their athletes to bring home the gold? By Catherine Quinn

s any world map will tell you, the place. “It’s so exciting to try it out, and very Pacific Islands are but a drop in the different to what I’ve trained with back home. ocean. Sprinkled across a wide I’ve cut out the gym part of my training so that A stretch of the Pacific between New I know the course really well by the time I Zealand and South America, the many small come to compete.” islands start at a mere eight miles across. Even With an £800-a-month grant from the the largest, Papua New Guinea, hosts a International Olympic Committee’s Olympic population only slightly larger than London. Solidarity Fund, Nicholas has been able to gain With such a small pool of potential access to better training and international NEAR MISS: In , Samoan weightlifter Olympians, and fairly restricted international- events that would otherwise have been closed Ele Opeloge came fourth in her category standard training facilities, it is perhaps no wonder that the islands of the South Pacific have yet to win an Olympic gold. The nearest “On the Cooks people really do get behind the has been a silver medal back in 1996, won for Tonga by native boxer Paea Wolfgramm. few who make it to the Olympics” With South Pacific athletes traditionally performing well in weightlifting at , many natives are looking to this sport to bring home the medals. But 2012 also promises a new diversity for Pacific Island competitors, with more Olympic qualifiers than ever before. One such hopeful is canoeist Ella Nicholas, who is representing the Cook Islands. Nicholas was born in but is native to the Cook Islands on her father’s side, and boasts an enormous extended family on the island of Aitutaki. “It means so much that I’m competing on behalf of the Cooks,” says Nicholas. “It’s not like with bigger countries where there are so many entrants you can’t really follow them. On the Cooks people really do get behind the few who make it to the Olympics.” Having landed in London back in April, Nicholas has been training hard to familiarise herself with the course, and has dedicated T I R G herself to making her nation proud. “I’m having N O Y J O so much fun, the facilities are amazing!” says R G N U R Nicholas of the newly built Lee Valley White / A P E

Water Centre, where the competition will take ©

6 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk to her. “The sponsorship has been extremely order to access the best training facilities, and TRAINING: Cook Islands canoeist Ella valuable to me,” she explains. “It’s really hard concedes that South Islanders are Nicholas has been in London since April, for the Cook Islands to send athletes to the disadvantaged in this respect. training at the Olympic venue for her sport: Olympics because the country doesn’t have a “It was tough back home,” he says, “the the new Lee Valley White Water Centre lot of money.” pool was often closed when I wanted to train, So, do the Pacific Islands stand a chance of and it was difficult to find other athletes who winning a medal this year? With small were of the same standard to train against. But who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to populations and a financial disadvantage there is a real camaraderie amongst the South train. In Oceania, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands compared to large nations, the islands tend to Islanders, and athletes from New Zealand and competed for the first time in Beijing, thanks to focus on only a few disciplines – those which too. We’re all usually staying in the this support. “The priority for the IOC is to utilise the natural strength and height of the same area when we’re competing, so we see focus primarily on athletes who need funding populace, including weightlifting, and water- quite a lot of each other.” the most, and place them on an equal footing based sports such as swimming. The current Pini has also benefitted from sponsorship, with their competitors from more developed wisdom is that the few athletes in these and as one of an expanding number of athletes regions of the world,” explains Sandrine. categories have done well to simply get from smaller nations, is proving the importance For athletes from the tiny islands of through. But there is always hope that some of the IOC Solidarity Fund. “The fund is Oceania, the funding means the chance both will return home with a medal. designed to help smaller National Olympic to compete and to experience the wider world For some countries, such as the tiny eight- Committees to prepare and qualify their beyond island life. “It’s an amazing mile long Nauru, the pride of qualifying is more athletes for the Olympic Games,” explains experience,” says Ryan Pini. “The fund helps than enough. But others are tipped for big Sandrine Tonge of the International Olympics make the Olympics available to more people. things in 2012. Weightlifters Wendy Hale of the Committee (IOC), based in Switzerland. The greater the number of South Pacific Solomon Islands and Ele Opeloge from “The programme includes access to top- athletes who compete, the more recognition have proved themselves world-class. While class training facilities and coaches at home or the islands will have on a world stage and the Papua New Guinea swimmer Ryan Pini won abroad; medical assistance; board and lodging more locals will realise the opportunity exists. gold at the Commonwealth Games costs; and a fixed subsidy to enable athletes to The chance to be able to travel, experience in 2006, and despite a disappointing compete in Olympic qualification events.” different cultures, and potentially the glory of performance in Beijing 2008, hopes to do well The IOC are understandably proud of their medalling for your country – it’s just too good this year. achievements, and have grown their sponsorship to pass up.” “It hasn’t really sunk in yet that I’ve candidates from 939 for Athens 2004 to 1,088 qualified,” says Pini. “But things are looking in the 2008 Beijing Games, to 1,220 for London Freelance journalist Catherine Quinn writes good in terms of my training.” The swimmer 2012. The funding has helped to secure for numerous publications, including The has moved from his native island to Australia in medals for athletes from India and Afghanistan Times, and The Telegraph .

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FOCUS Golden opportunities Jessica Moore gets a crash course in some of London 2012’s lesser known sports from our top Paralympians

xpect to learn something from the pressing. Boccia is effectively crown green London 2012 Paralympic Games. After bowls, but in a wheelchair.” Then there’s goalball. the Olympics has delivered a host of “Goalball is a very interesting sport,” says Efamiliar sports – among them Spence. “Have you seen the film Dodgeball …?” swimming, athletics, boxing and 23 other For those who missed it, Dodgeball was a stalwarts – the Paralympics could open eyes 2004 comedy blockbuster that saw Hollywood and pass it. All competitors are blindfolded to and minds to new events. sillymen Will Ferrell and Ben Stiller throwing ensure their impairment is the same. “The ball “We introduce people to lesser-known balls at each other at high speeds and with travels at up to 80km an hour, so your body is Paralympic sports by linking them to an alarming ferocity. “Goalball is just like that, but on the line. It’s one of the most popular sports equivalent able-bodied sport,” explains Craig you’re totally visually impaired,” says Spence. at the Paralympics. Those who watch it at Spence, Media and Communication Director at Another key difference is that the goalball has London 2012 will see some of the best the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). bells inside, so the athletes – two teams of goalkeepers in the world.” “Powerlifting is essentially weightlifting – bench three players – rely on their hearing to block Strategic play Boccia is the chalk to goalball’s cheese. While “In , the latter is high-octane, “boccia can be quite slow,” says Leslie Halicki, Boccia Committee people with Chair at the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA). a disability “Experienced players can spend a lot of time strategising.” The game, which was first were introduced to the Paralympics in 1984, is for athletes with a locomotor disability. Players are excluded. divided into four classifications, and the object is to propel a ball closest to the ‘jack’. With The Games number-one-ranked player Nigel Murray, Team GB fancies its chances of gold this year. changed all Powerlifting, meanwhile, is about brute strength. These are no ordinary bench- that” pressers. “The world record-holder can lift the equivalent weight of two baby elephants,” says Spence. The sport has been at the Games since 1964, and today it is practiced in about 100 countries, by lower limb amputees, people with spinal cord injuries, and athletes with cerebral palsy. INSPIRATION: While each of these three sports is The 2008 Swedish internationally successful, “We need to raise men’s team for awareness,” says Spence, whose organisation goalball, a fast- acts as the international federation for paced, high-octane powerlifting. “The two top powerlifting nations sport for the are Iran and Iraq – countries with a history of visually impaired hostility – so the atmosphere when they

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ROLE MODEL: role models growing up, because I’ve always In Beijing, Zoe wanted to be involved, but I hadn’t even Robinson was the heard of goalball until 2008, when I was 15,” youngest member says Ottaway. of the GB boccia She joined a local team in Norwich in team, playing December that year. By 2010, she was training alongside silver with the national women’s squad. “That was a medallist Nigel bit of a shock,” she laughs. “The coach offered Murray, Dan Bentley me the chance to go to one of their training and David Smith camps, as an experience. At the end of that weekend, they said I had potential and invited me to keep training with them.” Both the British men’s and women’s goalball teams have qualified for London 2012. “I’m training hard,” says Ottaway. “We have to go for the dream – and that’s the gold medal at a home Games.”

S Determination Y N E D

U Jawad echoes her determination. “Powerlifting O C N E V

E is my life,” he says, although he was initially a I L

© S

E reluctant recruit. “My friend dragged me to the R U T C I P gym. I didn’t think I was strong enough.” That was 2005. Within two years, he was training compete is intense. For London 2012, we’re able-bodied people agreed with that. China for Beijing, but then he fell ill with Crohn’s targeting UK publications for those spent millions of pounds in the lead-up to Disease. “It’s been hard,” he admits. communities, inviting them to come and cheer those Games on increasing accessibility across Jawad is mentored by the Olympic medal- on their athletes.” China. So the Paralympics have a proven track winning British athlete Roger Black MBE and For the International Blind Sports Federation record for instigating change.” believes that such role models are important. (IBSA), the focus is on extending goalball into “When I was six, I watched him compete at new territories. “We do that through clinics Changing perceptions the 1996 Olympics. If it wasn’t for that race, I where we train coaches and referees,” says The aims for London 2012 are more targeted. probably wouldn’t have dreamed of the Kari Marklund, chairman of IBSA Goalball. “We “Our starting point in the UK is far better than it Paralympics. He’s where it all began.” hope they will then start their own groups. was in China – but there will still be some So could Jawad inspire today’s six-year- We’ve recently been in parts of Africa, Asia and perception changes,” says Spence. “The olds? “We need a role model to win some South America, getting interest going there.” Paralympics is getting more attention from the medals. The reason people don’t know about It’s a similar story with boccia. Halicki British media than ever before. For example, powerlifting is because the British athletes explains: “We do promotional workshops in Sainsbury’s have signed David Beckham as an haven’t been in the media enough. That’s developing countries and we train the ambassador, and he did a training session with understandable, because we haven’t achieved international technical officials.” A challenge is the British five-a-side blind football team, anything great yet,” he says. “With my illness, I cost. “Boccia balls are expensive. They’re where they blindfolded him. Paralympic can have very bad days. But on a good day, mostly handmade, and there are only about football, as a result, had a lot of coverage on who knows.” four companies worldwide that produce them.” Channel 4 and it has been one of the best- Millions worldwide will see him and his Yet the sport is not difficult to promote; for the selling sports for London 2012.” fellow Paralympians compete. “We sold 1.1m most severely disabled people, “it’s the only Paralympic athletes are taking centre stage, tickets in the first four weeks, which is a record sport they can compete in”, and CPISRA too. “One of the main challenges for the for any Paralympic Games, and we’re knows that boccia can change lives. Paralympic movement is that people cannot expecting 4 billion TV viewers to tune in, which There’s no doubt that big international name our athletes,” says Spence. “A key would make it the second-biggest sporting competitions are also important for the difference between this Games and previous event in the world after the Olympics,” says progression of these sports. “It’s not very often ones is that sponsors are now using Spence. “Tickets are still available and you can that people with severe disabilities get noticed Paralympic athletes – so BT’s face for their buy a day pass for a venue – so at Excel, on or acknowledged, but with the Paralympics, London 2012 campaign is [South African one ticket, you can see boccia, powerlifting, boccia has more exposure now than ever Paralympic sprinter] Oscar Pistorius. Richard sitting volleyball, wheelchair fencing and table before, and that’s great,” says Halicki, Whitehead, who’s a [British] double leg tennis.” Time to break from tradition? “The Spence goes further: “Four years ago, in amputee sprinter, is in Poweraid adverts on Paralympics is a great way to get a flavour for China, people with a disability were excluded British TV. [British athlete] Stefanie Reid is in new sports.” from society. The Paralympic Games totally the Visa adverts. We never used to see our changed that. In fact, 72% of people with a Paralympic athletes, and now we do.” The London 2012 Paralympic Games run disability in China said they feel they ha ve Two new faces are Amy Ottaway and Ali from 29 August to 9 September. greater job opportunities and greater Jawad. Ottaway is a member of the British opportunities to be included in society as a women’s goalball squad. Jawad is a British Jessica Moore is a freelance journalist and result of the Paralympic Games – and 82% of powerlifter. “I was aware of Paralympic sports editor, and a former Acting Editor of Overseas .

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FOCUS Staging Pakistan The cast and crew tell Miranda Moore why they sacrificed so much to bring an Urdu version of The Taming of the Shrew to London

ebruary 2012: In the science lab of to put on the works of Shakespeare in 37 Foreman Christian College in Lahore, languages, they were determined to bring a an illustrious cast are preparing to take Pakistani play that would showcase the F their version of The Taming of the country’s dramatic arts. The Taming of the Shrew to London’s famous Globe Theatre. It is Shrew fitted the bill. a constant struggle. Rolling blackouts mean “This play is very Pakistani,” said Hussain, a there is often no electricity; the musicians director who is known for his TV work. “A man frequently leave town to play ‘bread and butter’ wants to marry [off] his two daughters. The gigs; and a new Director, Haissam Hussain, younger is likable and pretty but the older one SPECTACLE: recently took over, just four months before the is stubborn, and the man will not let his Nadia Jamil and play is due to go on stage. younger daughter marry until the older one is Omair Rana as “Wherever we can find rehearsal space – out of the way. What is not Pakistani about Katherina and college labs, rooftops – we meet; whoever can this story?” Petruccio (right); volunteer water and a snack, crisps, biscuits Jamil agrees. “This translation has left us and posing with brings them along. Actors make the four-hour feeling Shakespeare wrote about many aspects some of the cast and drive from Islamabad every week to make it of Pakistan perfectly,” she says. Like many of musicians (below) to rehearsals,” says leading actress Nadia Jamil, who plays Katherina. They are humble words from one of Pakistan’s most celebrated “This has actors, who has appeared in numerous TV series and films. been a “Transport, electricity and family commitments also interrupt rehearsal show schedules. Some of the actors are juggling jobs as they must earn their bread and butter, propelled and we can only offer small stipends,” adds Executive Producer Susannah Harris-Wilson. by the love, Such working conditions reflect the gaping hole in funding behind this Urdu adaptation of passion one of Shakespeare’s best-known comedies. But the lack of funds is compensated for by and will the determination, commitment and verve of the cast and crew. “This has been a show of the propelled at the local level by the sheer love, passion and will of the actors and those actors and directing us,” agrees Jamil. directors” Showcase for talent Fast forward to May, and Theatre Wallay’s Taming… debuted at the Globe to Globe Festival, part of the Cultural Olympiad that is running alongside the London 2012 Games. ROSL member Susannah Harris-Wilson, Music Director Valerie Kaul, and UK Coordinator Patricia Rogers have been the driving force behind the production. When they heard that The Globe was inviting international companies

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A global playwright A nationwide celebration of set the play in modern Iraq, William Shakespeare as a global using the country’s rich playwright is at the heart of the traditions of poetry, music and London 2012 Festival. Launched ritual; while LIFT at Riverside in April, the World Shakespeare Studios will stage a Tunisian Festival involves thousands of version of Macbeth in July, international artists in around casting the eponymous tyrant 70 productions. as modern-day Tunisia’s Zine In To Be or Not To Be , 50 Ben Ali. actors are taking Shakespeare’s The World Shakespeare words to the streets of London Festival is produced by the and using them to speak to the Royal Shakespeare Company, in public in ‘pop-up moments of collaboration with leading arts wonder’ (ends 9 September). In organisations and the Globe to April, a production of Romeo Globe Festival. See www.world and Juliet at the Swan Theatre shakespearefestival.org.uk.

DEDICATION: (L-r) Hamza Kamal (Grumio), Omair Rana (Petruccio) and Osman Khalid Butt (Hortensio) rehearse in a college science laboratory (right) the other actors, Jamil has turned down better independence. Taming… is the story of such paid work to bring this show to London. A women and men, straddling two worlds and creating some humourous ambiguity. At one former student of Harris-Wilson, she relished learning to find the balance,” adds Jamil. point Katherina agrees to submit to Petruccio’s the chance of playing one of Shakespeare’s “Pakistan has a common love of the bawdy wishes, but the servant uses a feminine ending strongest female roles and was particularly comedy and romance, and in Taming… we when he tells his master ‘you have won’, so it drawn to the Producer’s interpretation of the have taken full advantage of this.” sounds as if he is also talking about Katherina. play. “Susannah’s view was that the characters Seasoned actor Omair Rana, who plays A gr eater challenge were the aspects of the [Katherina and Petruccio] were shrews who Petruccio, agrees. “The crassness, the play that could cause offence in Urdu. Its most tame each other. They are both rebellious and crudeness, the gentleness, the colour, the famous line, ‘Kiss me Kate’, accompanied in disdainful of conventional society; they are humour – all that fits very organically to the final instance by an on-stage kiss, would both disdainful of rasm [‘customs’], rivaaj Pakistan. The script includes people from not have been permissible in Pakistan, so the [‘formalities’] and status quo,” she said. interior Sindh, Punjabis, Pathans… it’s not just translators had to go for the “rather less With no government funding nor any local one city or community,” he told reporters. passionate” ‘Give me your hand’. sponsor, Theatre Wallay and the Kashf “We’re acting as ambassadors for Pakistan, Foundation launched the project with just a reflecting alternate views of the country.” World class quarter of their proposed £85,000 budget. The play lends itself very well to this. The When the Urdu Taming of the Shrew debuted in Aamna Kaul started work on the translation with characters hail from various Italian cities, May, no one could have guessed it had had such sisters Mariam and Zaibun Pasha. Divided by including Padua, Verona and Pisa, and the a challenging journey to The Globe. Pakistan’s continents and new to literary translation, they translators utilised this for comic effect. In contribution to the festival was a riot of colour worked together over Skype, sending passages many areas of Pakistan, Urdu is not the first and music, with live singers and musicians, and of the play to each other via email. language. “Characters coming from these even a bhangra jig. They set their adaptation, not in 16th-century regions speak Urdu with particular linguistic Hussain’s main concern had been to ensure Padua, but in Lahore in the late 20th century: “A quirks,” says Kaul. This not only enabled them that everyone – not just Urdu-speakers – would time when there was a dictatorship and women to showcase the “vernacular richness” of the be able to understand the play; “to convey the were particular targets for repression, as language but also to explore “the dynamics essence, beauty and feel of the country through appears to be the case for the female between dominant and otherwise under- the actors, action, dancing and music”. When he characters in this play,” explains Kaul. “As feudal represented communities”. took over as Director, he declared: “I want this to and cultural norms clash with the industrial and They made Petruccio’s servant a Pathan from be the best play among the 37 countries. For modern in Pakistan today, women continue to Khyber Pakhtunkwa and, as a Pashto-speaker, he me, it’s about representing Pakistan through a find their balance in juggling tradition and tends to mix up genders when speaking Urdu, world-class production.”

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 11 WORLD Alone in Antarctica Felicity Aston reports back following a record-breaking expedition to the South Pole. By Claire Simon anymore’. It wasn’t even a discussion with n 22 January 2012 Felicity Aston myself, it was a decision I made every day. reached Hercules Inlet on Then I’d have to argue with myself to carry on. Antarctica’s Ronne Ice Shelf, Some days I would get on with it; others I Oending a 59-day, 1,084-mile would find myself crying about what lay ahead. expedition in which she became the first What I did discover was the mental woman to ski across Antarctica alone. The determination that I possessed to just carry on. incredible journey took her from the Ross Ice It’s all about perseverance; bravery goes out Shelf to Hercules Inlet via the South Pole. the window and I realised I just had to keep The sun was the going. We do it every day in our lives; Crossing Antarctica is no mean persevere in jobs we may not be happy in, in only constant feat. What were the biggest situations we don’t want to be in. I think we challenges you faced? should give ourselves a pat on the back about thing in my whole The biggest challenge of all was mental rather how we manage to persevere all the time. than physical. Of course the physical challenges expedition; I knew

were immense – I was skiing around 10 hours Did you encounter any N O I T I D E

each day in minus temperatures, so my body P

surprises? X

E it was there, C I T

took a beating. However, I’ll never forget when I was very well prepared, but the most C R A T N A

the plane dropped me off at the start of the surprising thing was the sense of aloneness. S N

A almost like it was R T

expedition and I realised I was thousands of It’s not the same as loneliness: I just had such E N O Y K

miles away from anyone, completely alone. a huge sense of being alone, thousands of S R

E protecting me P S A

There was a physical reaction too: I have 10 miles from anyone else. K

© S E

years of experience and that just seemed to go Another thing was the altitudes I reached. I R U T C I away; I was left shaking. Although I knew I didn’t expect the change in altitudes at all, but P was safe and had all the equipment I needed, I at one point I was 3,500 metres above sea around at this amazing landscape I was in. It felt a huge sense of vulnerability. level. The air is much thinner, and because the would be a moment where I’d realise how air is so dry in Antarctica anyway, I developed lucky I was to be experiencing all of this. What motivated you and did this strange cough. It seemed ridiculous to me The sun would shine down and, even in you ever want to give up? that in Antarctica I could be suffering effects -40 degree temperatures, I’d feel its warmth. Every single morning. The first thought that hit from altitude, but the cough kept me awake. It was incredible. me whenever I woke up was ‘I can’t do this Also, my kit kept playing up and some of it just The sun was the only constant thing in my stopped working: a bubble appeared in my whole expedition; even when the weather was ROOM WITH A VIEW: Securing compass, my lighters stopped working. I lost miserable I knew the sun was there the tent on the Antarctic Plateau my appetite. Then I started heading somewhere, almost like it was protecting downwards to the Pole and everything started me. My shadow was there for the first half of working again and my cough disappeared. my journey, but after that it was behind me, away from my view. Those moments where I What is your most poignant just stopped and realised what an amazing memory? experience it was often came from really It’s funny you ask that; I normally get asked tough times. what is my best or worst memory. However, so often the two are simultaneous, completely Did you ever feel you were intertwined. There were days when the going crazy, being alone for weather was so bad that I couldn’t see 59 days? anything and it was really miserable. But As I said, the sun felt like the only constant suddenly some sun rays would appear in thing around me, and sometimes I’d have shafts through the clouds and I’d see these conversations with it. At times I did consider most incredible cloudscapes, and I’d look how talking to the sun would be viewed in

12 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk WORLD

PERSEVERANCE: Felicity Aston skis towards Wilson Nunatak on the coast of Antarctica

TRIUMPH: Reaching the South Pole, part-way through the journey

Then I’d eat lots of chocolate and nuts throughout the day for energy levels, and a freeze-dried meal in the evening. I took 16 supplements a day to keep me going.

The video you filmed the moment you reached Hercules Inlet was extremely emotional. What were you feeling? I don’t think I knew what I felt, or even if I know now. There was a huge sense of relief that I’d normal society, but when you’re out there rang my mum on Christmas Day and just cried reached the end safely. However, there was everything is so different. Also, I’d constantly down the phone. I knew it was a bad idea much sadness that the adventure was over. have arguments with myself. I’d get so because it would make it harder after the call, There was also a feeling that my sense of emotional about being alone and not wanting but I just had to do it. momentum, my routine and life for 59 days to carry on, then I’d get angry at myself for had come to an abrupt halt. It was a hugely feeling like that. Did you have a typical routine? emotional experience reaching the end and I’m My routine was extremely important – it was glad I filmed it, although I haven’t been able to Did you fall ill or injure yourself? what helped me to carry on as it removed any watch the film since being back, because of No, luckily – I couldn’t afford that to happen. emotion from the situation. The focus on what the emotions involved. Being alone, I had to be extremely cautious I had to do every day took my mind off what and look after myself as there was no one lay ahead. My routine encompassed the How did it feel coming back to there to look after me. I did suffer from smallest things, from when I’d put my jacket the UK? chilblains and other things, but nothing major. on to when I’d turn on my stove. I’d ski for 90 To be honest, I haven’t had a chance to think minutes, then have a break, then I’d ski for about how I feel; there’s been no sense of Did you speak to your family another 90 minutes – for 10 hours each day. In anticlimax because I’m so busy. I’m not quite while you were there? previous expeditions I skied for longer hours sure I really know or understand what the I had a satellite phone as I had to make a daily, each day, but I was very aware that I was alone whole experience has meant to me yet. I’m scheduled call to the camp in Antarctica to let and needed to look after myself. I made sure I going to write a book about the experience to them know my whereabouts. If they didn’t hear got 7-8 hours sleep a night. try and find out. from me in 24 hours they’d send a plane to my last known location. I could have called anyone What did you eat? What’s the next adventure? with the phone but I didn’t; I didn’t want to face I had to carry food, so it was light. I ate things I don’t have any immediate plans on the the ultimate sense of being alone that would which were high in carbohydrate, fat and horizon, but it’s extremely unlikely I’d do hit after ending a conversation with my family. I calories, like porridge or noodles for breakfast. anything on my own again.

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 13 WORLD

VICKY BAKER’S Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is considered one What would you miss most if COLOURFUL: A street in the of the top world cities to visit. If you left? Abasto neighbourhood you are there for just a couple The spontaneity. In the UK, people plan of days, what should you see? months ahead and struggle to coordinate Buenos Aires has been called There are some important sights, such as the their diaries; in Buenos Aires, you can call the ‘Paris of the South’. What Casa Rosada (pink-hued government house) someone one day ahead, or even on the same is your favourite cultural and the beguiling Recoleta Cemetery, which is night, to make dinner plans. I also like the fact experience? a maze of elaborate tombs. Without doubt, you it’s a 24-hour city. I am a big fan of late night I quite like something that is not at all Parisian. should take time to wander through the dining and often go to restaurants around Peñas are small music clubs that showcase cobbled streets and antique shops of San 11pm or later. folklore musicians from the country’s Telmo, and the restaurants and boutiques of northeast. There’s a specific sort of dance fashionable Palermo. However, be sure to also Argentina is famous for good called chacarera that I like more than tango. set aside some time to visit a non-touristy café steak and red wine. What’s It’s more open and down-to-earth, involving or parrilla (steakhouse) for the best people- your favourite thing to eat? dancers clapping to the beat and then swirling watching opportunities. Not steak for me, because I’m vegetarian around each other. I always say I’ll learn it one (I landed in the wrong place for that). But I day, but that never seems to happen. How would you describe make up for this ‘problem’ through Buenos Aires in three words? appreciation of local wines. Of course, Vicky Baker is a former Editor and Cultural, passionate, unpredictable. Argentina is best known for its malbecs from Deputy Editor of Overseas . She has lived in Mendoza, but it also does a fine line in Buenos Aires for four years and works as a What’s your favourite thing to cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and torrontés, freelance journalist. She has just launched do there? coming from the northeast of the country, and a small travel agency to help travellers get I love taking a Sunday day-trip to Tigre [on the even Patagonia. the most out of trips to Argentina: M A

H Paraná Delta] for long lunches and kayaking. www.ArgentinaPas ion.com. S D O R F MUST-SEE: Casa Rosada in

A It’s only an hour away from the city centre, but Interview by Claire Simon. N N A

© it’s another world – so peaceful and relaxing. the Plaza de Mayo June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 15 ROSL NEWS News and views The latest from the clubhouses in London and Edinburgh

Celebrating 25 years In March, staff celebrated Tony Hanmer’s 25 years’ service to ROSL as Deputy Catering Director/Conference and Banqueting Manager. Both ROSL and Convex Leisure are very grateful for his dedicated work. E I N R

Tony is pictured with Jessica A C M A H

Taube, Head of Sales for Convex A R G

4 Guest 5Central Council speaker In March, the ROSL Central The ROSL Central Council welcomed HE Dr Chris Council welcomed Nonis, Sri Lanka’s High The Lord Mayor of Commissioner to Great Britain, Westminster, as guest of honour and speaker. Councillor Susie He is pictured (second from Burbridge, as their left) with ROSL Vice-Chairman, guest of honour Sir Roger Carrick (left), Central and speaker at Council member, Marilyn their January lunch. Archbold, and Director-General, She is pictured with Roddy Porter ROSL Chairman, Sir Anthony Figgis (left), and the Director-General, Maj Gen Roddy Porter

16 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk ROSL NEWS

Annual Report 2011 summary The retirement of the former Director- General, Robert Newell, and former Assistant to the Director-General and Membership Secretary, Fatima Vanicek, in late 2011 after 32 years’ service, featured prominently in the Annual Report. Major General Roddy Porter, who succeeded Mr Newell, wrote the Director-General’s report and, in it, refers to Robert Newell’s great contribution to ROSL as well as his own reasons for taking up the post and his hopes for the future. Similarly, ROSL Chairman, Sir Anthony Figgis, reflects on the uncertainties ROSL felt at the  Changes in Edinburgh 5A Royal visit beginning of the year with the The Members’ Lounge at Over-Seas House, At the end of January, while recession, the out-sourcing of Over- which offers superb views of Edinburgh visiting one of the Scottish Seas House, Edinburgh, to Highland Castle and Gardens, has recently been regiments at its Edinburgh company Cobbs, and the changes in refurbished. House Manager, Daniel barracks, ROSL’s Vice-Patron, staff, but concludes that ROSL has Campbell, oversaw the restoration of the HRH Princess Alexandra, paid fared well. Sir Anthony also refers to wooden floor and added some beautiful an overnight visit to the his trip to the Australian branches period furniture, including a grandfather Edinburgh clubhouse. The during the Commonwealth Heads of clock and leather sofas. A small library following day she met the staff Government Meeting, and his trips to has been established along the rear wall, and had morning tea with some branches in Canada and Hong Kong. and a request has gone out to members in Edinburgh Branch Committee Honorary Treasurer, Simon Ward, Scotland for hardback books members and guests reports a pleasing surplus of £125,391 for 2011, but reiterates the importance of not only attracting new members but also retaining existing ones. He talks about the ‘programme of rolling refurbishment of the bed and public rooms at Over-Seas House, London’, which continued in 2011, and the plans for extensive and substantial repairs and improvements for Over- Seas House, Edinburgh, in 2012. The Annual Report also records the varied activities of the Discussion Group, London Group, ROSL members’ events programme, ROSL Younger Members, worldwide ROSL branches, ROSL ARTS and ROSL development projects, as well as providing ‘Snapshots of 2011’ –a photo montage of significant events. The 2011 Annual Report was edited, designed and produced in-house by Claire Simon, Deputy Editor of Overseas , and Alexandra Pavry, Marketing and Events Coordinator. It is available from the PR Department, or by calling +44 (0)20 7408 0214 ext 205/206.

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 17 ROSL NEWS ROSL WORLD The latest from the global branches

Australia re-elected for a further term, and members At the South Australia Branch’s monthly enjoyed a talk by Helen Reynardson about lunches in February and March, the guest living in Libya. The branch also held a dinner on speakers were Anthony Steel, a former 16 April to celebrate The Queen’s Birthday and Adelaide Arts Festival Director, and Professor Diamond Jubilee. Rick Sarre, who discussed alternatives to : Lily Murray, custodial sentences. The branch had a day-trip [email protected] to a specialist cheesemaker, and celebrated Queensland: Sharon Morgan, and HE Lady Janine Mateparae, in Government Commonwealth Day with a reception hosted [email protected] House. Maj Gen Roddy Porter will attend the by the Lord Mayor of Adelaide. South Australia: Michael , event, which will showcase ROSL In February, the Branch organised a [email protected] prizewinners. Members will be sent an Diamond Jubilee Dinner at the Hotel Windsor : Robert Dick, [email protected] application form in August. Diamond Jubilee in Melbourne, in honour of HM The Queen. Victoria: Coral Strahan, +61 (0)3 9654 8338, celebrations are also taking place at the More than 150 people attended, including [email protected] Auckland, Manawatu, Christchurch, South two former Governors-General: Major-General Western Australia: Anthony Abbott, Canterbury, Oamaru and Southland branches. Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC and Rt Rev +61 (0)8 9368 0379, [email protected] New Zealand: Lyn Milne, [email protected], Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE. The Branch www.roslnz.org.nz President, Jason Ronald, read The Queen’s Canada message, and a special presentation was In March, the Alberta Chapter held its AGM Switzerland made to the Branch Secretary, Coral Strahan, and brunch, at which a change to the award Switzerland: Jo Brown, +334 5040 6631 for her 21 years’ service to ROSL in Victoria. structure, to focus on music and the arts, The Western Australia Branch Chairman, was approved. President Cynthia Cordery Thailand Tony Abbott, represented the branch at the reported on her trip to New Zealand, where The reception and prize-giving ceremony for Multifaith Commonwealth Day Service at St she had met ROSL NZ Director, Lyn Milne. the ROSL Thailand Young Artist of the Year George’s Cathedral, Perth. At the AGM, also Liz Murray is due to succeed Pamela 2012 competition was held at the Sukhothai held in March, he reported an increase in Ducommun as President of the British Hotel in March. From an initial entry list of membership and a very satisfactory financial Columbia Branch, and the hand-over will more than 100 paintings, 12 finalists were year, which included a AUS$5,000 donation to include a reception for members. chosen. Hataiwan Thepmalee, a 17-year-old the ROSL-Namibia Project. The officers were Alberta: Cynthia Cordery, +1 780 477 0001, student at the Darasamutr School in Chonburi, [email protected] won the competition with her painting ‘Private ANNUAL EVENT: Edinburgh Branch Chair, British Columbia: Liz Murray, World’. Trophies and prizes were presented by Bill Chalmers (left), with Dr Richard [email protected] ROSL Thailand Vice-Patron, Chulakorn Simpson MSP, guest speaker at the ROSL Nova Scotia: Liz Stern, +1 902 678 1975, Singhakowin. The winner received a substantial Edinburgh Commonwealth Day Lunch [email protected] cheque and a visit to Over-Seas House, Ontario: Ishrani Jaikaran, +1 416 760 0309, London, where the paintings of the finalists will [email protected] be displayed (see page 21 for a full report). ROSL Director of Arts, Roderick Lakin, was Hong Kong Chairman of the judging panel for this year’s Hong Kong: Stella Lam, competition. During his stay, he and the ROSL [email protected], www.rosl.org.hk Thailand Council members had the opportunity to discuss the further development of arts New Zealand competitions for the young people of Thailand. ROSL NZ will celebrate the Jubilee of both The branch is grateful for the generous HM The Queen and the ROSL Annual Music sponsorship of the Sukhothai Hotel, Jet Competition, in Wellington, on 18 September. Airways and The Bangkok Post , without which The Jubilee Concert and reception will be the competition could not have taken place. hosted by Governor-General and NZ Patron, Thailand: Roger Willbourn, +66 2649 2690, HE Lt General The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae [email protected]

www.rosl.org.uk ROSL NEWS

CELEBRATION: (L-r) Christine Thompson (Secretary to British Consul-General), Dr Peter Hollingworth (former Governor-General), Jim Thompson and Lily Murray (Secretary ROSL NSW) at the Victoria Branch’s Diamond Jubilee event (right); and Director- General Roddy Porter at the West Sussex Branch AGM, with (l-r) Marianne Porter, Branch Chairman Marilyn Archbold and Branch Secretary Brenda Heaton (left)

UK Menuhin Scholars, and the cello and piano duo Eastern China. Margaret Adrian-Vallance, ROSL At the Bath Branch lunch in March, the guest Yelian He and Yasmin Rowe. Around 25 Director of PR and Development, was guest of speaker was Brigadier Bruce Jackman OBE members visited Loch Ness and stayed in the honour at the branch’s Annual Lunch in March. MC, Chairman of the Western Branch of the hotels run by Cobbs, who manage Over-Seas The West Sussex Branch held an informal Gurkha Welfare Trust. The branch holds its House, Edinburgh. Cobbs have beautifully lunch party, followed by the Annual General monthly coffee mornings on the second refurbished the Drawing Room in Edinburgh. Meeting in March, with guest of honour Maj Wednesday of the month at Pratt’s Hotel. At the Exeter Branch’s February meeting, Gen Roddy Porter, who was accompanied by The Bournemouth Branch held a Diamond Mac Maclaren spoke about the Penlee Lifeboat his wife, Marianne. Jubilee Concert in Blandford Forum on 21 April, disaster, and, in March, Ewart Walker spoke on Bath, Exeter, Taunton, Torbay: Sally Roberts, as part of a drive to recruit members in the the murder of Lord Erroll in Happy Valley, Kenya, +44 (0)1823 661148, [email protected] North Dorset area. Its regular coffee mornings in 1941. At the Glasgow Branch’s monthly Bournemouth: Gordon Irving, continue at Marriott Highcliff Hotel on Thursdays, meetings, talks were given on the ROSL Annual +44 (0)1258 480887, [email protected] and all are welcome. The Cheltenham Branch’s Music Competition prizewinners, the Coptic Cheltenham: Kathleen Northage, monthly meetings included illustrated talks by Church in Egypt, and the charity Mary’s Meals. +44 (0)1242 515540 local guest speakers, entitled ‘Bus Across the The Taunton Branch’s February talk about the Edinburgh: Bill Chalmers, +44 (0)131 5572754 Andes’, ‘Iceland’ and ‘Mary Kingsley, Victorian code-breakers of Park was followed, Glasgow: Bill Agnew, +44 (0)141 4230012 Explorer, Extraordinary and Forgotten’. in March, by a visit from the Director-General West Cornwall: Ian Wood, +44 (0)1736 333460 Members in Edinburgh continued to enjoy and his wife. Maj Gen Porter spoke of his hopes West Sussex: Marilyn Archbold, the branch’s arts lunches. Adrienne Chalmers and plans for ROSL, and discussed the future +44 (0)1444 458853 spoke on disability and the arts in February, of the branch as part of the Strategic Review. and Dr Richard Simpson MSP was guest For the West Cornwall Branch, the year HIGHLAND TOUR: On a trip to Loch speaker at the annual Commonwealth Day started with a talk on ‘Sending a Cow to Africa’, Ness, Scotland members (left) visited Lunch. Outstanding music was provided by the and continued with a film about a visit to Urquhart Castle (below) O T O H P K C O T S I

©

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 19 ROSL NEWS An Aussie club crawl ROSL member Jill Courtnell takes a whirlwind tour of some of the reciprocal clubs in Australia

n a recent visit to Australia, I made use of several ROSL reciprocal clubs It’s a little spooky and met the ROSL representatives Ofor New South Wales and Adelaide, when you seem who both had some useful local information. I used the Brisbane Polo Club as a base to meet to be the only acquaintances. It is an attractive colonial building, with a good club atmosphere in the guest, the large bar area, a comfortable library and a small downstairs dining area. Well-polished rooms are locked mahogany, substantial leather chairs and gleaming silver trophies are all pointers to the and the lighting fact that it was a true sporting club in the past. The Club Bar is where the livelier events are is dimmed held, and there is a large dining/function room upstairs, with a first-class chef in residence. Homemade biscuits, platters of finger GRANDEUR: The lobby at the sandwiches and warm scones with afternoon New South Wales Masonic Club, N E D N tea were just what I required to entertain also known as the Castlereagh I L A R A

guests. The staff are charming and helpful; Boutique Hotel S there is no accommodation. Lunch is served in the dining room, which There is a caf é that closes at 9pm and an elegant Central Perth can be booked for evening functions. However, restaurant, which is only open for lunch (unless The Karrakatta Club in Perth is also housed in most staff leave the building by 5pm, and if booked for private functions). There are meeting an historic building, squeezed between modern you are staying you are given a key to the rooms upstairs; access to the accommodation is towers. It is very central, with bus stops close premises. Should you wish to arrive ‘after by lift only, activated by the bedroom keycard. by. Formed by women, the club continues to hours’, the club will arrange for somebody to The room I was allotted was of adequate size, host many lectures and groups that appeal to admit you. It’s a little spooky when you seem to but the proportion was spoiled by the addition of women. The accommodation is comfortable be the only guest, the large rooms are locked the en-suite facilities, which were squeezed into a with en-suite facilities, and there is a pantry and the lighting in the passages is dimmed. narrow passage up a somewhat alarming step from which guests can make their own There is a lecture room, with a grand piano behind the door. continental breakfast, tea and coffee. for concerts and recitals, an elegant drawing The decor was rather tired baroque, but all room and a small library with some fascinating the essentials were there, and the bed was CLUB ATMOSPHERE: The Brisbane historic photographs, as well as a sitting-room comfortable. I think the hotel operation is Polo Club holds some lively events in for overnight guests. Embroidery and artwork, relatively recent and is aiming to restore the its opulent Club Bar made by members, adds to the genteel flavour whole building to its former glories. It offers a of the place. You can hear the chimes of the practical solution for a single traveller who prefers carillion from the famous bell tower that stands a club atmosphere to a slick and anonymous across the gardens in front of the Ferry Pier, city hotel. which provides a swift and useful link across the Swan River to South Perth. Brisbane Polo Club: +61 (0)7 3229 boutique 3766; [email protected]; My final stay was at the New South Wales www.brisbanepoloclub.com.au Masonic Club in Sydney, which prefers to call New South Wales Masonic Club, itself the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel. The Sydney: +61 (0)2 9284 1000; entrance is discreet, but once inside the design [email protected]; opens up to a scale of some grandeur – marble www.castlereaghboutiquehotel.com floors, large mirrors, chandeliers and columns. Karrakatta Club, Perth: + 61 (0)8 9325 The welcome is brisk and efficient. 8111; [email protected]; The bar is an obvious venue for the www.karrakattaclub.org.au. business community, but remains open late.

20 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk ROSL NEWS

PRIZE WORK : Vice-Patron of ROSL Thailand, Khun Chulakorn Singhakowiri, presents winner Hataiwan Thepnalee with the Royal Trophy (above); and her winning work, ‘Private World’ (left) Young Artist 2012 Director of Arts, Roderick Lakin, reports from Bangkok on the 5th ROSL Young Artist of Thailand competition, and reveals the winning entry

he ROSL Thailand Branch has been in put their own stamp on what they had been with the Royal Trophy, graciously granted by existence for only six years and in that taught and used their chosen medium to HM King Bhumipol, and a cheque for 100,000 short time it has established its express something distinctive and personal. baht (£2,300). Hataiwan also won a trip to the Tpresence in Thailand by supporting Again assessing the 40 works UK later this year, where she will spend a week young people, excellence and the arts through independently, we selected 12 finalists and, at Over-Seas House, London, as a guest of ROSL the creation of the Young Artist of Thailand and after further deliberation, chose as the winner ARTS. Her visit will coincide with an exhibition of Young Musician of Thailand competitions. I Hataiwan Thepnalee from Darasamutr School work by the 12 finalists at the clubhouse. was honoured to be invited to chair the panel in Chonburi Province. Her painting, ‘Private Speaking at the award ceremony, the of judges in the 2012 Young Artist competition, World’, is a wry commentary on the avoidance Chairman of the Thailand Branch, Jim Napier, and travelled to Bangkok, in April, for the final of face-to-face conversation in the age of social acknowledged The Bangkok Post , Jet Airlines, judging and award ceremony, which took place media and electronic communication. the Sukhothai Hotel and Louise Truslow for at the elegant and luxurious Sukhothai Hotel. All the finalists received a certificate and their support of the ROSL Young Artist of Prior to meeting in Bangkok, the five judges trophy in the award ceremony at the Sukhothai Thailand, and paid well-deserved tribute to (curator and lecturer Dr Axel Feuss, architect Hotel on 24 March. In addition to the overall ROSL Council member Simon Leslie, Asnee Tasnaruangrong, and artists Kriankrai winner, two artists were especially commended supported by Lily Hataikan Leelakitichok and Khongkhanun, Tawatchai Somkong and Louise by the judges: Kasidis Laoboonmee from Yudee Suwanborisut, for their untiring efforts Truslow) and I had assessed more than 100 Shrewsbury International School for his painting and expertise in administering the competition submissions independently online. The age ‘Bomb-Shell-Shock’ and Mairin Sirisahawat from submissions, overseeing the judging and limit is 20 and most of the submissions were Saint John’s International School for ‘Ying Yang’. mounting the exhibition of semi-finalists. ROSL from artists still at school – although the judges The Vice-Patron of ROSL Thailand, Khun should be very proud of the achievements of are not given the age, name or any other Chulakorn Singhakowiri, presented Hataiwan its ‘youngest’ branch. biographical information about the artists until they have chosen a winner. From our combined scores, 40 semi-finalists were chosen and Insights into a ‘Private World’ these works were brought together to exhibit Artist Hataiwan Thepnalee, 17, discusses her winning work (above left): in Bangkok. All the judges agreed that it was fascinating “Nowadays, technology plays a very important role in our daily lives. It seems like part to compare our impressions of the actual of our lives. It makes communication easier and more convenient; on the other hand, works with their online image. The standard of it makes us anti-social. We ignore family and people around us. all 40 works was impressive, reflecting good Although these people in the painting are in the same room, they do not look at one teaching and a foundation of technical skill. At another. They only live in the ‘square’ in their hands, as if they live in their own world.” this stage we were looking for artists who had

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 21 ROSL NEWS SPECIAL LINKS Forging new Royal Academy partnerships

Margaret Adrian-Vallance launches a new series on ROSL is pleased to announce a new ROSL’s organisational membership schemes partnership with Grange Hotels. When we are fully booked and unable to he largest ROSL organisational open submission contemporary art show in accommodate members at Over-Seas membership group comes from the the world. First held in a warehouse on Pall House, London, you will be offered a choice Royal Academy of Arts at Burlington Mall in 1769, with 136 paintings, it now attracts of 10 properties in various locations within T House, Piccadilly. Situated just five 12,000 works for consideration (including central London; the nearest to Park Place is minutes walk from the London clubhouse, the paintings, photography, prints, architectural Victoria or Vincent Square, off RA has pleasing architectural, arts and models, film and artists’ books), from which Gate. There are other hotels in Holborn, education similarities, so it is no surprise that 1,200 are exhibited. St Paul’s, Tower Bridge, Cooper’s Row and its supporters now account for 12% of ROSL’s ROSL member Biljana Tesic had works Langham Street, all with their own unique membership. “Tea in the ROSL garden is just selected in 2005, 2008 and 2011. “It is style and charm. Room rates will be charged bliss after walking round exhibitions”, say unbelievably exciting,” she said, showing me a at equivalent members’ rates and, if desired, RA/ROSL members Denys and Paola Johnson- coloured etching with a number of red ‘sold’ we would bring members back to the Davies, who live in Morocco. dots on it. “Last year there was a service to clubhouse once a room became available. The RA was founded by King George III in give thanks for art at St James’s, Piccadilly, on This partnership includes reduced 1768 to promote art and design through Varnishing Day [when artists, in the past, could membership and treatments at the St Paul’s education and exhibitions. Sir Joshua Reynolds re-touch their pictures]. Afterwards we go back Spa and Health Club (either daily or annually), was its first president. The Academy had a to the RA to view the exhibition with food, offered to all ROSL members whether you variety of homes until 1867, when it obtained a drink and a prize-giving. It is wonderful.” stay there or not. We are determined that, 999-year lease on Burlington House, originally With ROSL’s own connections to art and when necessary, our members should be an 11-bay mansion, completed in 1668 for the education, it is pleasing that an institution with comfortably accommodated elsewhere by an first Earl and Countess of Burlington. similar objectives tops the list of ROSL’s organisation that will look after them. It was set back from the busy east-west organisational membership schemes. www.grangehotels.com. thoroughfare, then known as Portugal Street, and had views over open countryside to the rear. In 1709, the second Countess commissioned James Gibbs, who designed Scheme benefits Rutland House (now part of Over-Seas House Individual members of certain organisations can obtain a 50% joining fee discount and the venue for ROSL’s own art exhibitions), when applying for ROSL membership and do not need a proposer or seconder. to improve the entrance and main staircase. These organisations range from the diplomatic missions of Commonwealth Successive owners, including the RA itself, countries to bee-keeping associations; from the Institute of Directors to the Erin have further altered the exterior and interior. Arts Centre; and from the Society of Authors to the universities of Oxford, This year, David Hockney’s ‘The Bigger Cambridge and Toronto. The full list can be found at www.rosl.org.uk. Picture’ and Johan Zoffany’s ‘Society Observed’ Although each family member joining ROSL has to complete their own application have been big attractions. Its famous Summer form and pay an annual subscription, there is only one joining fee per household. Exhibition (4 June - 12 August) is the largest

AT THE ACADEMY: Johan Zoffany’s ‘The Tribuna of the Uffizi’ (below) is displayed in the ‘Society Observed’ exhibition; and the Summer Exhibition (right) I I H T E B A Z I L E N E E U Q Y T S E J A M R E H

, 1 R 1 U 0 O 2 L O © C S N N O I I K T C W E A L L D

, O N C I K L D A Y O O B R N E H H O T J

22 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk ROSL NEWS Harping on Director of Arts, Roderick Lakin , talks to Ieuan Jones, resident harpist at the clubhouse Restaurant, about his 30 years with ROSL

n a recent survey of Restaurant users at SERENADE: Over-Seas House, London, regular diners ROSL Gold expressed particular appreciation of the Medallist Ieuan Iresident harpist and the distinctive Jones plays at the contribution which his playing makes to the Restaurant three dining experience. Few diners, however, realise evenings a week that they are being serenaded by one of the foremost solo harpists of his generation, a ROSL Annual Music Competition Gold Medallist and Professor of Harp at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London. Ieuan Jones comes from a farming family in Mid Wales and, thanks to the encouragement of an aunt and an enlightened County Music Scheme in Montgomeryshire, he began to play the harp at the age of 6. He made rapid progress , winning local and national eisteddfods , and was soon playing in the Montgomery County Youth Orchestra, subsequently becoming Principal Harp of the National Youth Orchestra. His playing came to the attention of the renowned Spanish harpist Marisa Robles, who became his teacher and mentor. With her support, Ieuan came to London to study at the Royal College of Music. An ‘experiment’ In 1981, while at the RCM, Ieuan won a prize in the ROSL Annual Music Competition, and the Director of Music and Art, Miriam Barling, invited him to play in the clubhouse Restaurant a few evenings a week as an experiment. He has been playing there regularly ever since. His solo debut at London’s Purcell Room, supported by ROSL, was attended by Sir Georg Solti, whose party included Lady Fermoy, Lady-in-Waiting to In 1984, Ieuan added the Grill Room at the in demand as an adjudicator, including, in recent The Queen Mother. This led to an invitation to House of Commons to his client portfolio, and years, for the ROSL Annual Music Competition, play at Royal Lodge, Windsor, the first of many he continued to play there regularly until 1997. and he divides his time between London and performances for members of the Royal Family. In 1985, he became the first and only harpist to Gregynog, Mid Wales, where he runs a festival win the First Prize in the ROSL Annual Music and a young musicians’ competition. Competition, and his career as a concert Ieuan finds ROSL members a rewarding He was invited to play soloist, recitalist and chamber musician took audience to play for (more discerning than at off. Playing in the ROSL Restaurant, and similar the House of Commons) and his ROSL in the Restaurant a work elsewhere, has given him the freedom to Restaurant playing has led to engagements as concentrate on his solo career without having far afield as Hong Kong and Australia. Over the few evenings a week to commit to a full-time orchestral job. years, he has built up a repertoire ranging from familiar light classics to West End hits and as an experiment. He In demand show tunes, which he adapts to suit the mood In 1997, at the age of 34, Ieuan succeeded and number of diners throughout the evening. has been playing there Marisa Robles as Professor of Harp at the RCM Ieuan Jones plays in the Restaurant at and he now sends his star students to deputise Over-Seas House, London, on Tuesday-Thursday regularly ever since in the ROSL Restaurant when his solo evenings. A selection of his recordings are commitments take him elsewhere. He is much available from the ROSL Shop.

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 23 ROSL NEWS Books Reviews of recent works by ROSL members

A Taste of Mey: make and absolutely delicious, shrouded in myth and marvel – life of his teacher protagonist, Recipes and Memories they are an ideal sweet treat, and from fighting ants the size of Scott Robinson. Christina Murray; Foreword can be served with cream. foxes to battling Indian monsters by HRH The Prince This is a thoroughly enjoyable larger than elephants. Gilded Lives, Fatal Charles, Duke of Rothesay book, which manages to give Richard Stoneman, a leading Voyage: The Titanic’s The Queen Elizabeth Castle of the reader a rare and insightful modern interpreter of the life of first-class passengers Mey Trust, 2011 look into the life of Queen Alexander, presents a range of and their world ISBN: 978-0-9569604-0-5, £20 Elizabeth The Queen Mother, translations from Greek and Latin Hugh Brewster A mix of anecdotes about while also delivering some truly texts, recounting tales of the man Robson Press, 2012 HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen delicious recipes. who is reported to have asked, ISBN: 978-1849541794, £20 Mother, photos, and recipes ‘How can a man become a god?’. The Canadian author, Hugh connected with her life at the Houses with Private Brewster, has delivered a well Castle of Mey, which she owned Chapels in the Heart Children in her Shadow researched and engrossing for 50 years, A Taste of Mey is at of Keith Pearson contribution to the wealth of the same time funny, moving and John Kinross; Foreword Grosvenor House Publishing material covering the centenary mouth-watering. The book is the by Michael Tavinor, Dean Limited, 2011 of the sinking of the Titanic. product of a combined effort by of Hereford ISBN: 978-1-908105-42-4, £9.99 While many focus on fact or myth, those who knew The Queen Fineleaf Editions, 2012 A book which sets emotions this account is about the Mother at the Castle of Mey, and ISBN: 978-1907741081, £9.95 running high, Children in her anecdotal stories of the people provides some of her favourite John Kinross explores the finest Shadow is set in the Second who took passage; some to recipes, interspersed with private chapels of Herefordshire, World War and follows 17-year-old die, others to survive. It is an snippets of her conversations, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Ruth as she leaves Wales to intensely human portrait of this offering a fascinating and Worcestershire and Warwickshire. serve the war effort. Profoundly maritime disaster. touching insight into her This detailed book explores 34 sad, the book provides a Hugh Brewster weaves a remarkable life. chapels, from the isolated Heath fascinating view of how the War fascinating tapestry of both Opening with a Foreword from Chapel – a small Norman building affected society, and the lives of personal loss and survival HRH Prince Charles, the book which stands on the site of a women in particular. around the more traditional works through a selection of medieval village – to the richly narrative; from hopeful, even starters, meat, poultry and game decorated interior of the chapel in Tales Out of School: triumphant beginnings, through dishes, fish and seafood, Madresfield Court, on which Real adventures at the the assumptions that all was vegetables, puddings, savouries Evelyn Waugh based Brideshead chalk face well, to the controversies, and baking, to end with ‘hoosh-mi’ Revisited . Illustrated with Stuart Newton celebrations and recriminations, – ‘a word devised by HRH The photographs and drawings, AuthorHouse, 2009 on both sides of the Atlantic, Princess Margaret… to describe a Houses with Private Chapels… ISBN: 978-1-4490-0870-3. For that inevitably followed. mix of any kind’. The first recipe is also provides instructions on how prices, please contact the publisher This very readable and dramatic taken from a dinner menu card, to get to each chapel. Set in London between 1980 and account, gleaned from personal given to The Queen Mother by her 2000, Tales Out of School is a recollections, adds significantly to Head Chef at the castle. Legends of Alexander behind-the-scenes story of life in the body of Titanic work. But are the recipes any good? I The Great the teaching profession. Having Review by Maj Gen Roddy Porter. tried the famous Jam Puffs. Richard Stoneman taught in various countries, Stuart Hugh Brewster will deliver a According to the anecdote I B Tauris, 2012 Newton provides readers with unique talk on his book on 8 June accompanying the recipe, these ISBN 978-1848857858, £14.99 an insight into the lives of at Over-Seas House, London. little half-moon ‘puffs’ created a Alexander the Great is often cited teachers by drawing on his own lot of laughter on picnics due to as the greatest commander of all extensive experiences and sharing Reviews by Claire Simon, the mess they created. Easy to time, yet his existence is them with readers through the except where stated.

24 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk IN THE UK Exploring the Lothians Director of PR, Margaret Adrian-Vallance , on some of the best day trips from the Edinburgh clubhouse

he joy of the Edinburgh clubhouse at If you have a car, visit beautiful Mellersten 100 Princes Street is that it is not only House, especially in March, when it holds a near the National Gallery and other Snowdrop Festival. Nearer to Edinburgh is T pleasures, but also within easy picturesque Musselburgh, which also has a walking distance – even with a suitcase – of race course, a good beach and a famous ice bus, rail and coach stations. This is day-trip cream parlour called S Luca, founded in 1908. heaven: the countryside is lovely, the buses If you want a change from bus and ferry, K C O T S I come on time and the choice of things to do take the train to the small seaside town of © and see is vast. There are magnificent castles, North Berwick and have a look at the gannet glorious golf courses, fine fishing and exciting population on an extinct volcano called the SUN, SEA, SAND: Seacliff Beach, North racing. So where to start? Bass Rock. Up the coast is the 14th-century Berwick, with Bass Rock in the distance Lena, the Head Receptionist, recommends fortress of Tantallon Castle, built on a headland Inchcolm Island, a tiny, beautiful strip of land with the sea on three sides. in the Firth of Forth, with sandy beaches, Inland, amid the lush fields of the east Beneath the city puffins and the occasional dolphin. It has Lothian hinterland, is something completely If you’re looking for an interesting and beautiful gardens and a magnificent 13th- different: the Museum of Flight at East unusual tour of Edinburgh, instead of century abbey, with the best preserved group Fortune. This was an aerodrome in both world strolling round its beautiful streets, why of monastic buildings in Scotland, and is wars and now has a Concorde into which not take a walk under its pavements? popular for weddings. The ferry from South visitors can climb. On a recent trip to the Scottish capital, I Queensferry, in the north of the city, takes “Historical towns like St Andrews and the visited the rabbit warren underworld of about 45 minutes. 18th-century village of Lanark are also an easy Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Centuries ago I like the quirky atmosphere of Kelso Races, train journey away. And it is easy to forget that the closes of Old Town Edinburgh were the smallest racecourse in Scotland, which has there are some great places to visit in the heart of the city’s social scene; a habit of rewarding each winner with a bag of Northumberland and Northern England,” says open-air and buzzing. Today, they are carrots. You can walk there from Kelso town, clubhouse manager Daniel Campbell. “And notorious for the chilling tales of the which has cobbled streets, a ruined church in don’t forget that there is a good cycle route ghosts of the 17th-century plague the centre, views of Floors Castle from almost between Edinburgh and Glasgow,” says a victims which supposedly haunt them. every angle, and glorious walks by the river guest checking in at reception. So whether Until 2003, these wonderfully Tweed. Ednam House Hotel is good for log fires it’s by train, bus, coach, bike, plane or on preserved streets – some dating as far and food, and the pastry shop near the bus foot, Edinburgh is a fabulous centre from back as the 16th century – were sealed stop (90 mins to Edinburgh) is alluring for snacks. which to explore. up. Now there is no shortage of tours on offer. My tour of choice was the Real Mary King’s Close Tour, hailed as ‘The A tiny, beautiful most unique visitor experience of Scotland’. Mary King was a prominent strip of land with business woman in Edinburgh, and visitors are led into her close by a sandy beaches, costumed character, who tells stories about the lives of the people who lived puffins and the there centuries ago, from the Foul Clengers (Plague Cleaners) to Mary occasional King’s daughter. There is something very harrowing dolphin about walking down the historically preserved pavements of a close which, before the devastation of the plague, K

QUIRKY: Scotland’s smallest C I was thriving. However, I came away S S O R

racecourse, Kelso Races, in the G having thoroughly enjoyed myself, as N H O J pretty town of Kelso well as having learnt a great deal about © the history of Old Town Edinburgh. Claire Simon

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 25 Krakow: worth its salt I R E D A N I R A P

©

DANCING CITY: The outdoor dance programme comes to London’s Docklands

A two-hour flight from Gatwick, the Polish city is N O

D LONDON N O L

,

perfect for a short getaway, finds Miranda Moore O T N P

© W­ hat’s on... ­ escending the first of 378 steps, I HISTORIC: Wawel Cathedral and Castle, make the mistake of looking over the atop Wawel Hill Damien Hirst Exhibition banisters into the vertiginous depths Tate Modern Dof the mine below. I had read a little extracted in 1996, but hundreds of miners still 4 April - 9 September about Poland’s salt mines before making the work at the site in order to maintain and secure Key­works­by­one­of­the­world’s­most trip to its one-time capital, Krakow, but nothing it – an especially important task considering influential­contemporary­artists,­including prepared me for the size and beauty of the that nearly 20,000 people live overhead! iconic­sculptures­from­his­‘Natural­History’ caverns and tunnels carved out underground The short trip back to Krakow gives a glimpse series;­the­installation­‘In­and­Out­of­Love’, by miners since the 13th century. of suburban Poland. It is the only time we use not­shown­in­its­entirety­since­its­creation A short bus-ride from Krakow, Wieliczka transport during our three-night stay. Our hotel, in­1991;­and­‘Pharmacy’­(1992). Mine stretches out beyond the town above to one of many situated in or close to the Main Tickets: £12.20-£14 (Tate members free). 300km, extending downwards through nine Market Square and buzzing Jewish district, is Contact: +44 (0)20 7887 8888. levels. The three-hour tour takes 1.2 million within strolling distance of all the major sights, Web: www.tate.org.uk. visitors a year through just a tiny area of the including St Mary’s Basilica and the Old top three levels. Via labyrinthine tunnels, we Synagogue, which houses an interesting little Greenwich + Docklands are led through eerie hallways, adorned with museum on the city’s Jewish history. International Festival salt sculptures of important mining and religious Circled by parkland where the city walls Greenwich and East London figures, to chapels with carved salt idols and once stood, the old town is pretty, with some 21-30 June chandeliers made of salt crystals; caverns colourful and impressive architecture. Running Ten­days­of­theatre,­dance­and­spectacle, exhibiting the tools of the trade; shops, cafes, through the centre of the Main Market Square with­a­mix­of­free­and­ticketed­events. and a museum. The crowning glory is the is a covered arcade of stalls selling traditional Highlights­include­a­puppet­performance ornately carved cathedral; beautiful but spooky products, from handcrafted wooden toys and of­Ted­Hughes’­ Crow poems,­and­an as the salt shimmers in the unnatural light. ceramics to amber jewellery. Many of the bars inventive­interpretation­of­the­Greek­myth Miners in hard hats pass by carrying heavy and restaurants are housed in brick cellars with Prometheus Awakes ,­by­the­disabled-led loads. The last of Wieliczka’s mineable salt was vaulted ceilings. The owners need only add low Graeae­Theatre­Company. lighting to create a dramatic effect which, Tickets and event details: www.festival.org. BUSTLING: Pedestrians, tourists and coupled with the fantastic quality of food, makes shoppers in the busy Main Market Square the dining experience as enjoyable as the sights. New English Ballet Theatre: From Wawel Hill there are great views over ‘Synergies’ the city and river Wisla. Despite surviving the Peacock Theatre wars, Wawel Castle suffered years of neglect 4-8 July and internal damage, but its interiors have been New­English­Ballet­Theatre­is­an­ambitious faithfully reconstructed. The guided tour of the new­venture­to­nurture­the­talents­of Royal State Apartments is particularly interesting, young­ dancers,­musicians,­designers­and piecing together a fascinating recent history of choreographers.­‘Synergies’­will­showcase Poland via an exploration of the castle’s rooms. its­18­young­dancers­through­a­mixed­bill R A L I U

G Miranda’s three-night stay cost £200 via of­world­renowned­choreography­and A Z E M

Ó lastminute.com, including flights from Gatwick premieres­by­emerging­choreographers.­ G O D N

A and 3-star accommodation with breakfast Tickets: £12-£38. Contact: +44 (0)844 412 L O R

© (based on two sharing). 4322. Web: www.sadlerswells.com.

26 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk EVENTS

ROSL Younger recommends… The Riding Club London is a private members’ club and concierge service that brings together equine enthusiasts from across the city. The RCL hosts a Members variety of social events and regular riding lessons with leading experts in all disciplines, including dressage, June-August jumping, polo and hunting. As a ROSL organisational partner, JUNE The Inter-Club Sports Day the RCL offers all ROSL members Best of British Thursday 12 July £50 off their annual membership fee. Friday 22 June Dust off those egg and spoons, and start For more information visit The RAC kick-starts the summer with a practising the three-legged sprint; a new www.ridinglondon.com or call celebration of all that is British. Join fellow addition to the Inter-Club calendar sees a +44 (0)20 3589 2385 referencing ROSL. Inter-Clubbers for Pimm’s on the RAC’s return of old school favourites in the private terrace, overlooking the Carlton wonderful surroundings of St James’s Square. Gardens. Inter-Club details TBA.* Hosted by the Army and Navy Club. Inter-Club details TBA.* The Inter-Club quiz Friday 29 June AUGUST The annual Inter-Club battle of wit and The Inter-Club Tennis superfluous knowledge will be hosted by the Tournament and BBQ reigning champions, The Savage Club. Join up Sunday 19 August with your fellow ROSL Younger Members and Whether you’re a tennis pro or simply enjoy a give the other London clubs a run for their nice Pimm’s, the fourth annual Inter-Club money. Inter-Club details TBA.* Tennis Tournament and barbecue at the Queen’s Club is not to be missed. Inter-Club N O

JULY D details TBA.* N O L B U The Travellers Club L C G N I D Garden Party *For further information on ROSL Younger I R

July (date tba) Members and the Inter-Club Group, email © An annual summer favourite, hosted by the Alex Pavry ([email protected]) or Conrad PARTNER: The Riding Club London Travellers Club. Inter-Club details TBA.* Purcell ([email protected]). Tickling the taste buds The 2012 Inter-Club calendar got off to a delectable start, says Alex Pavry

t was a fiery start to the year Bowmore 15-year-old darkest, for Inter-Clubbers, with the and a whisky miniature and Caledonian Club hosting a tumbler to take home at the end Iwhisky tasting in association of the evening. with Morrison Bowmore Distillers. The Carlton Club followed suit Members were treated to whisky in early March, with a cheese and cocktails and canapés, before wine tasting. Charlie Miller, of sampling drams from the Justerini & Brooks, conducted a Auchentoshan and Bowmore tutored tasting of eight wines, Distilleries while Philip Nickson, with cheese and nibbles served to S E

of Morrison Bowmore, complement. The hotly contested, G N A H R

delivered an informative and blind-tasting competition kept E H P O T S I

entertaining presentation. everyone on their toes, and R H C

Participants were treated to a sandwiches were served in the © variety of whiskies, including a bar afterwards to help those who TASTY TIPPLE: Inter-Club members enjoy limited edition Valinch and a had neglected the spittoons! a tutored wine tasting at the Carlton Club

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 27 EVENTS ROSL ARTS Director of Arts, Roderick Lakin , previews the summer programme

MUSIC EVENTS country’s most valuable and Princess Alexandra Hall, sought-after awards. An unusual Over-Seas House combination of four pianists at A Musical Bouquet for two pianos, they present a Her Majesty distinctive and captivating visual Wednesday 6 June, 7pm and auditory experience. Liane­Keegan­(contralto),­Russell Their wide-ranging programme Harcourt­(counter­tenor),­Lee includes music by Beethoven, Cheong­(piano),­Kylie­Los­(piano) Mendelssohn and Smetana, plus Presented in association with virtuoso showpiece works, written Tait Memorial Trust, a concert of especially for them by leading music in celebration of the New Zealand composers Graham Diamond Jubilee of HM The Farr and David Hamilton. Queen, on the anniversary of Tickets: £12; ROSL members £11; Coronation Day, 1953. Friends of ROSL ARTS £10. Tickets: £12; ROSL members £11; Includes cream tea, served Friends of ROSL ARTS £10. afterwards. Includes wine and canapés, served afterwards. Wigmore Hall The Monday Platform Sundays @ 3: Leonore Trio ROSL Prizewinners Sunday 24 June, 3pm Monday 11 June, 7.30pm A welcome return to Over-Seas Sean­Shibe­(guitar)­ House for distinguished ROSL Cavaleri­Quartet­ past prizewinners Ben Nabarro Music by Haydn, Janacek, (violin) and Gemma Rosefield (cello), Dowland, Britten, Albeniz and who are joined by pianist Tim Boccherini. In The Herald , Michael Horton for a performance of piano Tumelty wrote: ‘…The finest trios by Dvorak and Arensky. A acoustic guitarist I have ever PRIZEWINNER: Matthew Featherstone will perform in the Music @ perfect treat for Midsummer Day. heard, Sean Shibe… remember 100 Princes Street programme for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Tickets: £12; ROSL members £11; this name. One day he will be Friends of ROSL ARTS £10. famous: I do not exaggerate.’ Includes cream tea, served Of the Cavaleri Quartet’s afterwards. Wigmore Hall performance in December 2010, Bob Briggs Sundays @ 3: wrote, in Musicweb International : Estrella Quartet ‘Tonight’s performance was Sunday 22 July, 3pm obsessional, nothing was left to The Estrella Quartet are winners chance, every nuance was of the Pettman/ROSL ARTS clearly determined in advance so Scholarship 2011, for an that the music could be outstanding chamber group experienced as the dynamic, from New Zealand, one of the passionate and thrilling creation it is… performances which EXCLUSIVE: A Friends of ROSL transcended mere music making.’ ARTS Champagne Garden Party Tickets: ROSL members and in the clubhouse garden concessions £12; Friends of ROSL

28 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk EVENTS

ON THE FRINGE: ROSL Annual Music Competition award winners, The Busch Ensemble, will play in Edinburgh

ARTS £10 (reduced from £15). Chairman of Booker Plc and of the prizewinners. Commonwealth exhibitions and regular mailings. Members’ and Friends’ tickets Booker Management Committee. wines and sweet pastries are To become a Friend of ROSL available from ROSL ARTS, not The prize, which has been served afterwards. ARTS, please call +44 (0)20 from the Wigmore Hall box office. awarded annually since 2000, is In June, existing Friends will 7408 0214 ext 219 or email for a short story published in receive an invitation to attend one [email protected]. BOOK EVENTS English (whether in Africa or of the garden parties. Joining the Princess Alexandra Hall, elsewhere) and written by Friends costs just £30 for ROSL Over-Seas House someone born on the African members or £35 for non-members. For tickets, call ROSL ARTS Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage continent whose work reflects that Benefits include discounted on +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x 219 by Hugh Brewster cultural background. tickets to all ROSL ARTS events, or email [email protected]. Monday 18 June, 7pm This event will be chaired by invitations to private views of Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage takes us Lizzy Attree, Administrator of the behind the panelled doors of the Caine Prize, and offers a unique Titanic’s elegant private suites to platform for some of the best Over-Seas House, Edinburgh present compelling, memorable new literary voices coming out ROSL ARTS @ Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012 portraits of some of its most of Africa. Monday 13 - Friday 24 August notable passengers. The intimate Tickets: £7; ROSL members and ‘The best place to spot future talent is undoubtedly the Royal Over- atmosphere on board this famous concessions £6; Friends of ROSL Seas League music series.’ The Herald ship is recreated as never before, ARTS £5. Includes wine and ‘The concert I attended… took me so far from the High Street’s as historian Hugh Brewster canapés, served afterwards. madding crowd that I left the ROSL uplifted, exuberant… I’m sure I’ll interweaves personal narratives of be back for more Bach, Mozart, tea and biscuits!’ the liner’s fascinating passengers ‘FRIENDS’ EVENTS In August, ROSL ARTS once again heads to Scotland for the 13th with a haunting account of the Over-Seas House, Annual Series of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Presenting 30 fateful maiden crossing. London concerts in 12 days, with titles such as the popular ‘Bach for Tickets: £7; ROSL members Friends of ROSL ARTS Breakfast’ and ‘Mozart at Teatime’, the series has become a priority and concessions £6; Friends of Champagne Garden Parties for discerning festival goers. Musicians include the Estrella Quartet, ROSL ARTS £5. Includes wine, Wednesday 25 July, 6pm Sean Shibe (guitar), Jun Sasaki (cello), Matthew Featherstone (flute), served afterwards. Wednesday 5 September, 6pm Ashley Fripp (piano), the Busch Ensemble, James Sherlock (piano), Exclusive to Friends of ROSL Timothy End (piano), Brian O’Kane (cello), and the Castalian, Cavaleri Caine Prize for African ARTS, the Annual Champagne and Brodowski string quartets. Writing Garden Parties are the highlight Tickets: £12; £10 ROSL members and concessions; £8 Friends Thursday 28 June, 7pm of the summer calendar. A of ROSL ARTS. Brochures with full programme details are Readings by the five shortlisted Champagne reception in the available to download at www.roslarts.org.uk or from ROSL writers for the 2012 Caine Prize for garden at Over-Seas House, ARTS from July. To book, call +44 (0)131 225 1501 or email African Writing. The prize is named London, is followed by an hour- [email protected]. after Sir Michael Caine, the former long concert by ROSL

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 29 EVENTS Members’ events June-August JUNE The ROSL Olympic quiz S E C

Henley Royal Regatta Thursday 12 July, 6.30pm, £30, G A L A P L A

Wednesday 27 June - Sunday Test your sporting knowledge with Y O R C I

1 July, all day, £150, G a quiz to get you in the Olympic R O T S I H

Enjoy this fabulously British event spirit. Prizes will be awarded to © M A E T alongside one of the most the winning team (consisting of S W E N - beautiful stretches of the River 4-5 ROSL members and their P R Thames. Tickets include a table in guests). Tickets include a finger H the Henley Restaurant for the buffet and glass of wine. duration of the day; unlimited table service beverages, 12-6pm Olympic Games (Pimm’s, house wine, bottled Opening Ceremony beers, fruit juice and mineral Friday 27 July, 7pm, £45, G water); a glass of pre-lunch Join the Director-General and raise Champagne; three-course lunch, a glass in celebration of the London including the Henley seafood 2012 Games. A reception drink, platter; Regatta afternoon tea; and followed by hot fork buffet with an entrance badge to the Henley wine, will be served in the Hall of Royal Regatta (Regatta Enclosure). India and Pakistan, where the Transport to and from Henley is Opening Ceremony may be not included. If you have any viewed on television screens. queries, please contact Alastair Betty on +44 (0)20 7491 3644 or AUGUST [email protected]. House and Jubilee Tea in the JULY Savill Gardens Tea at the House Thursday 2 August, 10am, £50, R of Lords Enjoy a splendid day out with a Tuesday 3 July, 3.30pm, £35, G tour of Frogmore House in An annual favourite, hosted by Windsor, renowned for its ROSL President Lord Luce. beautiful landscaped garden and Afternoon tea will be served in the 18th-century lake; followed by Cholmondeley Room and Terrace, entrance to the Savill Garden, overlooking the . where a gardening expert will be

Application form opposite S E C A L These codes identify ticket availability: A P L A Y M Members only O R C I R O T

G Tickets available for members and their guests S I H

©

R Restricted number of tickets available M A E T S W

Please note: A booking confirmation will be sent within 10 working days of receiving the E N -

application. Refunds can only be given if cancellations are made at least 15 days in P R advance. Tickets for all events are limited and members should apply early to avoid H disappointment. Tickets may be restricted to two per member for popular events. EXCLUSIVE ACCESS: Tower of London (August)

30 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk EVENTS G O C O L

© OLYMPICS: Celebrate with top her own words, in the new events at Over-Seas House (July) Victoria Revealed exhibition; master the games of Royal Kensington Palace Court in the magnificent King’s private tour State Apartments; get a glimpse SPLENDID: The beautiful Dinner in The Tower Tuesday 21 August, 11am, £15, R of a modern Princess in a small house and gardens of Wednesday 15 August, 7pm, A private tour of the recently but special exhibition of some Frogmore House in Windsor £55, R re-opened Kensington Palace, of the dresses of Diana, (August) A black-tie dinner, followed by the following a £12 million, two-year Princess of Wales; and uncover Ceremony of the Keys, at Her transformation. Discover stories secrets in the beautiful Queen’s on hand to answer any questions Majesty’s Royal Palace and from ’s life, told in State Apartments. you may have, before you retire to Fortress, more commonly known ROSL’s own private tent to enjoy a as the Tower of London. Hosted magnificent Jubilee Tea. by ROSL Director-General, Major Chairman’s Lunch Tickets include travel to and General Roddy Porter, the event Tuesday 13 November, midday, £58, G from Windsor, departing from Over- includes a reception drink, three- The biannual Chairman’s Lunch, hosted by ROSL Chairman, Seas House, London; a private tour course dinner with wine in the Sir Anthony Figgis. Reception drinks will be served in the Wrench of Frogmore House; full afternoon Royal Fusiliers’ Officers’ Mess, and Room, followed by a three-course lunch in the Hall of India and tea; and a ‘Gardens in a Royal a Yeoman Warder guided viewing Pakistan. Guest of honour and speaker to be announced. Landscape’ souvenir guide book. of the Ceremony of the Keys.

Members’ events Application form (see opposite) Please complete this form (or a photocopy) and send to: Alexandra Pavry, PR Department (Members Events), Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR. Tel: +44 (0)20 7016 6906. Email: [email protected] It is advisable to call in advance to reserve a ticket. Alternatively you can now book online: see www.rosl.org.uk for more details.

Membership no...... EVENT DATE PRICE NO. Name ...... Henley Royal Regatta ...... £150 ...... £ ...... Name of guest(s) Tea at the House of Lords Tue 3 Jul £35 ...... £ ...... The ROSL Olympic quiz Thu 12 Jul £30 ...... £ ...... and trip they are attending: ...... Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Fri 27 Jul £45 ...... £ ...... Frogmore House & Jubilee Tea Thu 2 Aug £50 ...... £ ...... Dinner in The Tower Wed 15 Aug £55 ...... £ ...... Address to which tickets should be sent: Kensington Palace private tour Tue 21 Aug £15 ...... £ ...... Chairman’s Lunch Tue 13 Nov £58 ...... £ ...... Payment – please send a SEPARATE CHEQUE for each event. Cheques (sterling) Tel no ...... payable to ROSL. For credit/debit card payments call +44 (0)20 7016 6906.

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 31 EVENTS Food & drink: London July-August

Olympic specials

Brunch menu Enjoy brunch in the Buttery with a glass of sparking wine throughout the London 2012 Games. Served daily, 10am-2pm. £12.80 pp. CELEBRATION: Cocktails will be part Olympic hour of the Olympic- To celebrate the Olympic and themed food and Paralympic Games coming to drink menus at Over- London, selected drinks will be Seas House, London half price in the Cocktail Bar for ‘Olympic hour’, while the Games are on. O T O H P

27 July - 12 August & 29 August - K C O T S I 9 September, 6-7pm. ©

32 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk EVENTS

EDINBURGH What’s on… June-September

JUNE Bridge Club lunch Friday 1 June, midday An opportunity to introduce a guest. One course with sherry: £12. Coffee morning Saturday 2 June, 10.30am Duncan McCallum (Historic N N Scotland) will speak about O O S S S I S I T T T T A A

Edinburgh Castle. P P I I T T T T A A H

H

© Royal Diamond Jubilee © Sunday 3 June summer production of The Presenting 30 concerts in two PAINTING PARADISE: Work Special lunch and large screen Magic Flute . weeks, it includes the popular from Hatti Pattisson’s ‘East TV event. Tickets, including pre-concert Bach for Breakfast and Mozart at Neuk Paradise’ exhibition, at Details to be announced. cocktail reception and supper: £30. Teatime programmes. These the Edinburgh clubhouse, will concerts feature outstanding include ‘Pink Forest’ (top left) Scottish members’ Arts Lunch ROSL prizewinners from the UK and ‘Sea Explosion’ (above) dinner Wednesday 27 June, midday and the Commonwealth. Friday 8 June, 7pm for 7.30pm for 12.30pm Brochures available in July. With Speaker Rev John P Philip Long, Director of the V&A Tickets: £12; ROSL members ROSL ARTS Chalmers, Principal Clerk of the Museum in Dundee, talks about £10; Friends of ROSL ARTS £8. exhibition: Over-Seas General Assembly of the Church its eagerly-anticipated opening. House, Edinburgh of Scotland. Two courses, coffee and glass of SEPTEMBER Friday 27 July - Sunday 16 Three courses with wine, coffee wine: £18; ROSL members £17. Edinburgh Festival September; admission free and reception drink: £31. Fireworks Scottish artist Hatti Pattisson AUGUST Sunday 2 September exhibits ‘East Neuk Paradise’, a Gala Opera Evening Edinburgh International Cocktails on arrival, with a five- series of her latest paintings, Thursday 21 June, 6.30pm Festival Fringe 2012 course dinner with wine, inspired by the sea and Students of the Royal Scottish Monday 13 - Friday 24 August followed by coffee and malt landscapes of Fife. Pattisson’s Conservatoire Opera Department Now in its 13th season, Music @ whisky. Roof access available to mixed media style is created present an enticing programme 100 Princes Street returns for its view fireworks. using highly textured brush of music by Mozart from their critically acclaimed sell-out series. Tickets: £125. Time to be arranged. strokes juxtaposed with subtle watery mark-making. Her work varies from the figurative to the abstract, depicting the local Special mid-week offer seascapes and landscapes she grew up with. ROSL­Edinburgh­has­a­special wine­(single­occupancy Hatti Pattisson studied at offer­for­June­and­July.­A­two- supplement­£59).­ Central Saint Martins in night­stay­between­Sunday­and We­are­also­offering­a­10% London and later at Duncan of Thursday­is­just­£115­pp­for­a discount­on­Royal­Yacht Jordanstone College of Art and double­room­with­a­full­Scottish Britannia­visits.­For­more Design in Dundee. She breakfast­and­dinner­on­one information­call­reception­on currently lives and works from night,­including­a­bottle­of­ +44­(0)131­225­1501. her studio in Edinburgh.

June - August 2012 OVER SEAS 33 EVENTS

Discussion Group & London Group

DISCUSSION GROUP Over-Seas House, London, are Meetings will be held at Over- also welcome. To join the London Seas House, London, on the Group, ask for an application form following Monday evenings from from the PR Department or from 7 to 8.30pm. There is no charge, the London Group Executive Vice- no need to book and all ROSL Chairman c/o Porters’ Desk at members and guests are welcome. Over-Seas House, London. Contact John Edwards, Contact Clive Carpenter, +44 (0)1732 883556, +44 (0)7798 824193, clivedavid [email protected]. [email protected] . Please note: The Discussion Group does not meet in August Meetings and September. Held once a month on a Thursday, at 6-7pm, in the Mountbatten 2012: ROSL/ Room, Over-Seas House, London. Goodenough Diamond Jubilee series Treasures from the Discussion Group meetings in Royal Collection 2012 are organised in association 21 June with Goodenough College. An illustrated talk by Oliver Founded in 1931, the college Everett, Royal Librarian Emeritus, provides residential who was Librarian at the Royal accommodation in the heart of Library, Windsor Castle, from Bloomsbury for postgraduate 1984 to 2002. students from all over the world. It is justifiably proud of its rich extra- The History of the curricular life, which draws on the Ancient Olympic Games intellectual and cultural interests 19 July and strengths of its student body. To mark the London 2012 Games, a See www.goodenough.ac.uk. talk on the history of the Olympics will be given by Dr Steve Kershaw, Shock and Awe: Classics Tutor in the Department of An exploration of Continuing Education at the contemporary art and University of Oxford. theology M U E

11 June Parliamentary S U M H S With The Rev Jennie Hogan, a Peregrinations I T I R B E priest in the Church of England, 23 August H T F O S and Chaplain and Faith Adviser at A talk by London Group Chairman, E E T S U R

Goodenough College. Dr Edmund Marshall, about his T E H T

overseas experiences as an MP, © The Hanoverian from Ottawa to Esbjerg, and Royal Palaces Baltasound to Berlin. ANCIENT WORLD: The famous School of Music, Kneller Hall, 9 July statue ‘ Discobolus’; the ancient currently trains the musicians and With Wolf Burchard, a member of Outside visits Olympics is explored in July future band masters of the British Goodenough College and Curatorial For more details, contact Doreen Army and armies overseas. Tea Assistant at the Royal Collection. Regan, +44 (0)20 7584 5879. To Guided tour of the and light refreshments will be apply for events, write to Doreen Royal Military School of available at the end of the tour. LONDON GROUP Regan, London Group, c/o Porters’ Music and the Museum Travel is by coach from Over-Seas Meetings and outside visits are Desk, Over-Seas House, London. of British Military Music House, London, departing at open to London Group members Please enclose a cheque payable Tuesday 12 June 2012, 2.15pm 2.15pm and returning by 6.30pm. and their occasional guests. ROSL to London Group ROSL and a Founded in 1857 by the Duke of Tickets: LG members £22; members staying overnight at stamped, self-addressed envelope. Cambridge, the Royal Military guests £24.

34 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk