OVERSEAS Quarterly journal of the ROSL Issue 4, December 2013-February 2014 City of the future A family of nations Portraits of a club Art on the Southbank From pop-up venues to Why strengthening View the full collection ROSL artists discuss a Cardboard Cathedral, connections within the of ROSL portraits, their work, with Christchurch’s Commonwealth is vital. with paintings of Lord stunning pictures from inspirational recovery A five-page Focus Luce and The Queen the scholars’ exhibition 14448 Steinway Overseas mag ad_Layout 1 03/10/2013 14:15 Page 1 OVERSEAS OVERSEAS ISSUE 4 December 2013-February 2014 The Royal Over-Seas League is a self-funded Commonwealth organisation that offers clubhouse facilities to members, organises Commonwealth art and music competitions and develops joint welfare projects with specific countries. Overseas editorial team 5 18 Editor Ms Miranda Moore Deputy Editor Ms Christine Wilde: © Jules Lawrence +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x205; [email protected] Design Ms Hannah Talmage Display advertisements Mr David Jeffries: From the Director-General; Princes Street, fare thee well . 17 +44 (0)20 8674 9444; [email protected] Editor’s letter . 4 As he retires as Scottish Development Officer, Royal Over-Seas League James Wilkie looks back at 21 years of service Incorporated by Royal Charter Patron Her Majesty The Queen Scholars on show . 18 Vice-Patron Her Royal Highness World Princess Alexandra KG GCVO ROSL visual arts scholars explain the inspiration President The Rt Hon the Lord Luce KG GCVO DL Our place in a global family . 5 behind their work, with photos from the exhibition Chairman Sir Anthony Figgis KCVO CMG* Vice-Chairman Sir Roger Carrick KCMG LVO* Roddy Porter examines ROSL’s role within the Hon Treasurer Mr Simon Ward FCA* international Commonwealth community The ROSL portrait Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, collection . 20 London SW1A 1LR; +44 (0)20 7408 0214; Looking to the future . 6 Stunning images of ROSL-commissioned Fax +44 (0)20 7499 6738; [email protected]; Kamalesh Sharma, the Commonwealth Secretary- paintings by prizewinning contemporary artists www.rosl.org.uk General, explains the new strategic plan Over-Seas House, 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 3AB; +44 (0)131 225 1501; Fax +44 (0)131 226 3936; Branches: what’s on? . 22 [email protected]; A youth community? . 7 Revamped section with details of all the winter www.rosl-edinburgh.org Is the Commonwealth relevant to young people events organised by branches around the world Central Council today? One Younger Member shares his views Miss Farah Amin, Mr Graham Archer CMG*, Steinway & Sons pianos are individually Mrs Mae Barr MBE, Prof Monojit Chatterji, Mr Sohail Choudry, Nik Raof Daud, Mr John Edwards CMG, Let them learn . 7 In the UK created, which gives them their own unique Mr David Fall CMG*, Mrs Patricia Farrant*, Mr Simon How ROSL bursary alumni in Namibia are taking Handcrafted Perfection Gimson LVO, Mr Peter Hamlyn*, Mr John Harbor FCA*, characteristics and incomparable sound. Miss Maureen Howley MBE*, Mr David Jamieson, a leading role in our humanitarian work overseas Secret arts in the city . 25 Mrs Frances King, Miss Sheila MacTaggart LVO, Two little-known galleries in London and Suffice to say that those at the top of their Dr Edmund Marshall, Mr David Nicholson, Commonwealth: what Edinburgh make our art critic’s top picks Miss Caroline Roddis, Ms Lindsay Ross, Mrs Judith profession, as well as those who simply want Steiner, Mr Geoffrey Thompson OBE, Mr Frank Wibaut does it mean to you? . 8 *Executive Committee Personal perspectives from members worldwide Top 10 London the best, invest in nothing less. Director-General Maj Gen Roddy Porter MBE: and Edinburgh . 25 +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x201 After the earth moved . 10 Our choice of the best sights and sounds for Director of Admin and Finance Mr Shakil Tayub: +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x209 Charting the inspirational rebuilding of visitors to the clubhouses this festive season Director of Marketing Ms Gemma Matthews: Christchurch three years after the earthquake +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x204; [email protected] Director of Humanitarian and Education Projects At the arcade . 27 Ms Margaret Adrian-Vallance MBE: Don McKinnon’s Auckland . 11 Step inside the luxury shopping passage that is “STEINWAY & SONS IS THE ONLY PIANO ON WHICH THE +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x307; [email protected] Recommendations for a trip to the NZ city from a stone’s throw from Over-Seas House London Director of Arts Mr Roderick Lakin MBE: PIANIST CAN DO EVERYTHING HE WANTS, AND EVERYTHING +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x325; [email protected] the former Commonwealth Secretary-General HE DREAMS” Asst. to D-G Ms Arabella Beresford-Mitchell: +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x201; VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY [email protected] Events Membership Secretary Mrs Angela Farago: ROSL news +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x214; [email protected] ROSL calendar . 29-34 Catering Operations Director Ms Louise Leighton-Rees: +44 (0)7809 322 591; News and views . 12 All of ROSL’s exciting events, one handy [email protected] Recent pictures from the clubhouses calendar. Find out what’s coming up for Edinburgh House Manager Mr Daniel Campbell: members, ROSL ARTS, Scottish members, [email protected] Bright young things . 14 YMs and more… Print Hastings Printing Company: Younger Member review of the recent clay shoot +44 (0)1424 720 477 Full booking information The journal is published by the Royal Over-Seas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR. Any views Members’ benefits . 15 and contact details . 34 expressed in editorial and any advertisements included are not How to make the most of ROSL’s reciprocal clubs Still unsure how to book? Find out here necessarily endorsed by the Central Council. ISSN 00307424 FRONT COVER: Cardboard Cathedral, Christchurch, designed by Shigeru Ban Architects STEINWAY HALL, 44 MARYLEBONE LANE, LONDON W1U 2DB TEL: 020 7487 3391 WWW.STEINWAYHALL.CO.UK December 2013-February 2014 OVER SEAS 3 OVERSEAS WORLD From the Director-General Editor’s ur unexpectedly glorious summer We look forward to hosting an exhibition letter gave way to an equally pleasant by children from MASK (Mobile Art School autumn and, while we inevitably in Kenya) at the London clubhouse in rowing up in O begin to turn our thoughts towards December and January, as well as inner-city Christmas, we have much to reflect upon as continuing the rolling exhibitions in the London, I the year’s shadows lengthen. I find it hard Edinburgh clubhouse. There is much music was able to mARching OnwARdS: G Commonwealth flags in The Mall at the to believe that I have been in post for two and art to enjoy, and ROSL ARTS goes from experience a rich years now. One is caught up so completely strength to strength (see pages 29-34 for diversity of cultures launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay for in ROSL’s extraordinary vitality and sense of our calendar of forthcoming events). right on my doorstep, the Commonwealth Games 2014 purpose around the globe that the passage Our refurbishment programme in from the henna tattoos of time becomes an increasingly redundant Edinburgh and London continues, and I am painted on our hands at metric of progress. It has been a pleasure pleased to say that the new lift in Edinburgh Diwali to the steel pans and colourful FOCUS to meet so many of our members in the is fully operational. We also have a smart costumes of the Notting Hill Carnival. In clubhouses, and the past few months have new room for small business meetings, some ways, we were experienced travellers proved to be very busy and successful. multimedia events and relaxed social before we had even left the capital. Many congratulations to Roderick Lakin, gatherings. The film nights are increasing My children are now experiencing this his team and all our musicians for a in popularity and it is encouraging that we same exciting cultural mix. And, for me, it is Our place in a programme of concerts at the Edinburgh have been able to welcome some younger one of the most immediate and thrilling Festival Fringe that surpassed anything that members to ROSL Scotland in recent days. parts of belonging to the Commonwealth. has been achieved before (see page 17). In London, the new wi-fi is working well For our Focus on ‘Commonwealth The music was outstanding, audience throughout the clubhouse and we have connections’ (pages 5-9), we asked ROSL numbers very good and the programme was been able to refresh the paintwork, lighting members what being part of the family of global family recognised by a Top Ten Acts award from and menu in the Restaurant. Please come nations means to them, and I hope this Three Weeks, the journal that covers the and enjoy the menu, ambience and some series of articles might encourage you to Director-General Roddy porter explores ROSL’s Fringe. Congratulations also to ROSL Gold very exciting additions to the wine list. reflect on your own Commonwealth identity. Medal winning saxophonist Amy Dickson, Membership renewal is nigh upon us and The support member states can offer one role within the Commonwealth of Nations who won a Classical Brit Award in October. we will soon be sending you a personalised another is another vital element. In the OSL has a unique place in much of the his or her incumbency; many of them make use of this SpORting We have just enjoyed a marvellous letter setting out the subscriptions for 2014 aftermath of the 2011 earthquake, specialist Commonwealth’s cultural and social privilege to entertain delegations and hold meetings at the chAncE: concert at the Wigmore Hall, featuring and bringing you up to date with the teams were sent to Christchurch from programme.