OVERSEAS Quarterly journal of the ROSL Issue 3, September-November 2012

Jubilee in Focus Grand Final Welfare benefits Cycling at 70 How ROSL and the Celebrating 60 years How supporters of our Why one septuagenarian world paid tribute to of the ROSL Annual development projects member is getting on HM The Queen: a fresh Music Competition with are making a difference his bike for an epic road view of the festivities two very special events to young people in Africa trip across Europe OVERSEAS

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From the Director-General; 6 Editor’s letter ...... 4

OVERSEAS World ISSUE 3 September-November 2012 Jubilee on the Rhine ...... 5 Roddy Porter joins a river procession in Basel The Royal Over-Seas League is a self-funded Commonwealth organisation that offers clubhouse facilities to members, organises Commonwealth The Queen who launched art and music competitions and develops joint welfare projects with specific countries. a thousand ships ...... 6 Photographs and memories of the ROSL Overseas editorial team Editor Ms Miranda Moore celebrations on a boat in the Thames flotilla Deputy Editor Ms Claire Simon Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x205 Email [email protected] In them we Trust ...... 8 Design Ms Hannah Talmage How fundraisers are supporting the new Jubilee Display advertisements Mr David Jeffries legacy charity – and what you can do to help Tel +44 (0)20 8674 9444 Email [email protected] A world party ...... 10 Reciprocal club: Royal Over-Seas League Incorporated by Royal Charter How the world celebrated the Diamond Jubilee Kuala Lumpur ...... 23 Patron Her Majesty The Queen A review of the exclusive Royal Selangor Club Vice-Patron Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra KG GCVO Ride of a lifetime ...... 12 President The Rt Hon the Lord Luce KG GCVO DL Follow a septuagenarian member as he sets out New for 2012 at the Chairman Sir Anthony Figgis KCVO CMG* on an epic charity bike ride through Europe ROSL Shop ...... 24 Vice-Chairman Sir Roger Carrick KCMG LVO* Hon Treasurer Mr Simon Ward FCA* My Vancouver ...... 13 Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, The new British Columbia Branch President, London SW1A 1LR Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 Fax +44 (0)20 7499 6738 Web www.rosl.org.uk Liz Murray, recommends her favourite spots In the UK Email [email protected] Over-Seas House, 100 Princes Street, An icon for Dundee ...... 25 Edinburgh EH2 3AB Tel +44 (0)131 225 1501 Why the Scottish city is a fitting location for the Fax +44 (0)131 226 3936 ROSL news stunning new Victoria and Albert Museum Central Council Mr Graham Archer CMG*, Mrs Shirley Barr*, Mr Ralph Bauer, Mr Clive Carpenter*, Mr William Chalmers, News and views ...... 14 A Royal transformation . . . 26 Prof Monojit Chatterji, Mr Sohail Choudry, Nik Raof The latest from the ROSL clubhouses How has a £12m refurbishment improved Daud, Mr John Edwards CMG, Mr David Fall CMG, Mrs Patricia Farrant*, Mr Simon Gimson LVO, Kensington Palace? Step inside and take a peek Mr Peter Hamlyn, Mr John Harbor FCA, Miss Maureen Caine Prize ...... 15 Howley MBE*, Mr David Jamieson, Mrs Frances Meet the winners of the African writers’ award King, Miss Sheila MacTaggart LVO, Dr Edmund What’s on: London ...... 26 Marshall, Mr David Newman, Mr Ian Partridge CBE, Mrs Doreen Regan*, Ms Lindsay Ross, Mrs Judith Development news ...... 16 Welsh wanderings ...... 27 Steiner, Mr Geoffrey Thompson OBE From Kenya to Namibia, we report on ROSL’s Escape to the Brecon Beacons this autumn *Executive Committee projects overseas, and its newest supporters Director-General Maj Gen Roddy Porter MBE Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x201 Director of Admin and Finance Mr Shakil Tayub Special links ...... 17 Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x209 How you can benefit from ROSL’s ties to the Events Director of Public Relations and Development National Trust; plus ‘the Nepali link’ Ms Margaret Adrian-Vallance MBE Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x204 Email [email protected] Members’ events ...... 28 Director of Arts Mr Roderick Lakin MBE Tel +44 The other Diamond Jubilee . 18 (0)20 7408 0214 x325 Email [email protected] An overview of the inspiring Final concert as the Asst. to DG Ms Arabella Beresford-Mitchell Annual Music Competition marks its 60th year ROSL ARTS ...... 30 Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x201 Email [email protected] Membership Secretary Mrs Angela Farago Tel +44 Music at the palace ...... 20 Younger Members ...... 32 (0)20 7408 0214 x214 Email [email protected] With a review of the summer programme Catering Director Mr David Laurance Your chance to attend a special event at Tel +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x331 St James’s Palace, featuring ROSL prizewinners Email [email protected] What’s on: Edinburgh . . . . . 33 Edinburgh House Manager Mr Daniel Campbell Email [email protected] Books ...... 21 Scottish Development Officer Mr James Wilkie Reviews of recent publications by members Food and drink: London . . . 33 Email [email protected] Print Hastings Printing Company ROSL world ...... 22 Discussion Group and Tel +44 (0)1424 720 477 News from the global branches London Group ...... 34 The journal is published by the Royal Over-Seas League, Over-Seas 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: ROSL Annual Music Competition Gold Medal and First Prize winner, Jayson Gillham, in rehearsals before the Final © Jules Lawrence

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From the Director-General Editor’s letter

hen Lloyd Scott Wwas diagnosed with leukaemia, aged 25, he had an unusual reaction. Determined to beat the cancer, he ran the London marathon just three weeks before a risky bone marrow transplant – and again a year later. It triggered a s I write, a smoothly efficient Strategic Review that the Central Council lifetime of ‘extreme fundraising’ that has Swiss train bears Marianne and invited me to undertake. I delivered the final seen the self-styled ‘man who won’t be me effortlessly past acres of version of the review paper at the end of beaten’ run a 145-mile marathon through A sun-drenched vines and the May. The Council is considering the the Sahara Desert and cycle across shores of Lac Léman, en route to attend document with its recommendations for the Australia on a Penny Farthing. the Switzerland Branch’s annual dinner in future, and discussed it in detail at their I met Lloyd in June, a few days after his Lausanne. I am enjoying my visits to the meeting at the end of July. I will be able to latest stunt to raise money for the Queen branches and I appreciate the opportunity explore it further in the next issue. Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust – a to meet our members; thank you for the I am delighted to welcome Sara Brouwer 26-mile walk, dressed in a 140lb antique welcome you have afforded us both at and Emmerson Wood to our ROSL staff diving suit, along the Olympic marathon your recent events. family. Sara has replaced Alex Pavry as route. My research into the newly It has been a wonderful year so far. This Events Coordinator very ably and is already established Trust – for our four-article edition looks back on HM The Queen’s beavering away on our autumn and winter Focus on the Jubilee – introduced me to Diamond Jubilee and focuses on the events programme. Emmerson is with us for six some inspiring individuals dedicated to in which ROSL participated. The Jubilee months to help us develop the new role of helping disadvantaged people across the weekend was busy and exciting; it was a Guest Relations Officer, a member of staff Commonwealth in the name of HM The great pleasure to welcome so many who will be based in the Central Lounge Queen (page 8). Elsewhere, we look at members to London and Edinburgh, during the week in order to assist members ROSL’s own celebrations on the Thames particularly those who had travelled long with queries, event bookings, membership (page 6) and in a smaller flotilla on the distances from Australia, New Zealand, documentation and other issues. Rhine (page 5). Canada and the United States. Members of We are always delighted to show Our Deputy Editor, Claire Simon, has the Victoria Branch had a particularly prospective or new members around the been meeting some equally inspirational absorbing time, with a long programme London clubhouse and to describe the characters: ROSL member Max Dodd and of engagements. history of the house, how ROSL has his friend Warrick Try are embarking on an Our events programme continues to developed, and what facilities and events epic 10-week bike ride across Europe in develop and we have just heard that our are available. Such is the demand that we aid of cancer research. And if that doesn’t request to hold a musical evening and have programmed in daily periods at 11am impress you, bear in mind that the pair are supper at St James’s Palace on and 3pm each weekday to do so. ‘Show 70 years old – and (almost as impressive) Wednesday 10 October has been arounds’ can be booked with Emmerson will be blogging about the experience accepted. We are equally delighted that (see page 14 for his details) or via along the way (page 12). HRH Princess Alexandra, our Vice-Patron, Reception after hours. Claire has been ferreting out some will host this gala evening. Details are on I would like to alert members to a new fantastic UK sights, with trips to the page 20; this is an important event for approach we are taking to reminding you to stunning Brecon Beacons in South Wales ROSL and we encourage you to book early renew your membership subscription: (page 27) and the newly re-opened if you wish to attend. renewal notices will now appear as a page Kensington Palace (page 26). For more I have been astonished at the response in the December issue of Overseas. Please great activities, look no further than our to the invitation to dinner in the Tower of look out for this – it will be very obvious and Events section (pages 28-34). It is a London, which was several times over- we will have reminders on the website as particularly special year for the ROSL subscribed. I promise that we will be well. We hope that this approach will reduce Annual Music Competition, which has holding this dinner again soon for those our administration costs, thus enabling us to been marking its own Diamond Jubilee who missed out – so please keep reading focus additional resources on supporting with a first-rate Final in May (page 18). The Overseas and checking the website. members’ events and maintaining our celebrations culminate with a special Members who attended the AGM in May, rooms in the best condition. event at St James’s in October (page 20). or who have attended recent branch functions, may recall mention of the ROSL Roddy Porter Miranda Moore

4 OVER SEAS www.rosl.org.uk atmospheric: View of the river by night

FOCUS Jubilee on the Rhine Roddy Porter joins a surprising flotilla as Basel celebrates The Queen’s reign

OSL’s celebration of the Diamond that some photographed the bottle’s label in The flotilla staged from and finished at the Jubilee was genuinely worldwide. order to locate more. very fine Les Trois Rois hotel, a great place One joyous event was held in, In support of the event, a special to stay for anyone wishing to linger in Basel Rperhaps, a surprising corner of the photographic exhibition was staged in the and enjoy the hospitality, interesting history, globe. On 2 June, I was privileged to represent Merian Hotel at the north end of the Mittlere delicious cuisine and increasingly good wine the wider ROSL membership at a special party Brücke. It reflected on our shared artistic and the city has to offer. On disembarkation, the held on the River Rhine in Basel, Switzerland. literary heritage, and on Basel’s links with festivities continued at the Merian Hotel, The inspiration of Alan Chalmers, a ROSL The Queen, who visited the city in 1980 to Union flag bedecked, where traditional fish member and former British Honorary Consul open the garden exhibition ‘Green 80’. and chips were served to participants and in Basel, this event aboard the good ship ROSL’s Switzerland Branch is very well spectators. This was a marvellous curtain- Basler Dybli enabled 140 British, German, established, holds regular events and raiser for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Swiss, French and Dutch citizens to enjoy an continues to attract members. The branch It gave the British contingent a golden afternoon on the Rhine to honour The Queen. was well represented in the flotilla and our opportunity to honour The Queen, and the This unique collaboration between the guests expressed great interest in ROSL and locals occasion to celebrate our vibrant and British Residents Association (BRA) of Basel our future. The focus, however, was The charismatic monarch who, 60 years on, and ROSL was supported by the British- Queen and the celebrations were covered by continues to unite and excite the Swiss Chamber of Commerce. Thanks are local television and radio. The Loyal Toast Commonwealth of Nations. due to Angela Meier-Jones, BRA Regional was proposed and the National Anthem Chairman, for her sterling efforts. There may sung, accompanied by bagpipes, and many golden opportunity: not have been the 1,000 vessels that graced of our Swiss friends spoke very warmly of The Basler Dybli heads under Mittlere Brücke the Thames on the following day, but the Her Majesty. small flotilla that swept majestically up and As evidence of the strong bonds that link down the river was richly adorned with Union the UK and Switzerland, Basel and London, flags and admired by hundreds of curious the Rhine and the Thames, several local spectators. Attracted by publicity in the dignitaries accepted invitations to attend the media, locals converged on the Mittlere event. These included the Oberbürgermeister Brücke to witness this one-off extravaganza. of Weil am Rhein (an adjacent German town), Even the local ferries sported Union flags to the Dutch Honorary Consul and the Consul mark the occasion. General of Thailand. The atmosphere along the river was The event was a triumph of planning

vibrant, with much cheering, flag waving and and Alan Chalmers deserves enormous Porter oddy hooting of ships’ horns. Further enlivened by credit and our thanks for the detailed pipe music and Scottish country dancing, the coordination with a wide spectrum of guests basked in glorious sunshine and organisations, from the city authorities to the enjoyed a fine buffet with some delicious owners of ships companies, the river police

local wine. So good, in fact, was the wine and the fire brigade. Major GeneralPhotos: R

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FOCUS The Queen who launched a thousand ships How ROSL marked the Diamond Jubilee with a vessel in the Thames River Pageant

t the beginning of June, London became a blur high spirits: of red, white and blue as people donned their The rain couldn’t most patriotic garb and, in true British style, ruin the day for (l-r) braved the elements in celebration of HM The Arabella Beresford- A Mitchell (Assistant Queen’s 60-year reign. With Her Majesty as Patron of the Royal Over-Seas League, the Diamond Jubilee became to the Director- the central and most important event of our 2012 General), Margaret calendar. We certainly celebrated in style, with three Adrian-Vallance events organised over the Jubilee weekend, including a (Director of PR), boat in the Thames Diamond Jubilee River Pageant and a Alex Pavry (former buffet evening to watch the Buckingham Palace concert. Events Coordinator) Here, some of the 150 members who joined us aboard and Sheila the aptly named Queen Elizabeth offer their memories of MacTaggart (ROSL that very special day. Central Council) Ella Slack Margaret Lakin and Jean Black As one of The Queen’s official rehearsal Queen, including the Margaret Lakin, wife of Roderick For Jean Black, who was on a stand-ins, ROSL member Ella annual Festival of Remembrance. Lakin, Director of ROSL ARTS, is five-week trip with the Victoria Slack is no stranger to dressing “I was asked to rehearse the no stranger to ROSL events, but Branch, it was worth flying up for a royal celebration. She part of The Queen for the River this one holds no comparison: thousands of miles from was filmed getting on to the Pageant and carried out a “Being part of the flotilla is not Melbourne to join the London ROSL boat for a German TV rehearsal in March, dressed in my even once in a lifetime; it’s an festivities. “I remember the show, which drew some attention winter coat. I sat on a white box absolute one-off. I was only Coronation. In order to watch it I from passers-by. “I was at on the Spirit of Chartwell.” young when Elizabeth became had to go to a local movie The Queen’s Coronation, so it is Queen, but everyone then was theatre where they were really special to be here again for royal dresser: Ella Slack brought up with the Royals. showing it for everyone.” her Diamond Jubilee. Yesterday I wore one of her ‘royal’ outfits There is only a month’s age was on the Mall with the TV crew for the occasion difference between myself and no comparison: Margaret and people kept approaching Princess Anne.” Lakin (right) and Jean Black thinking I was Her Majesty.” The question had to be asked, how did Ella become a rehearsal Queen? “I was Manager of Sport and Royal Events at BBC Television and one day I was asked to stand in for a rehearsal at the cenotaph to realign the cameras, as I am similar in build and height to The Queen.” This led on to many other events as

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The Royal Barge: The atmosphere was incredible as ROSL members watched the Spirit of Chartwell sail past – and even got a wave from the Royal Family

Musical tribute Members gathered at Over-Seas House to watch the Buckingham Palace concert on 4 June. After a hot buffet, the concert was shown on big screens, and the clubhouse afforded fantastic views of the fireworks that ended the show.

Aussie support: ROSL comfortable viewing: Australian members flew Members at the London clubhouse thousands of miles to be there

Robert Newell Caroline Roddis David and Christine the Coronation. We Sweeny camped out to be ROSL members David and able to see it, and I Christine Sweeny had more remember it was than most to celebrate on the absolutely pouring day as it marked their 40th down with rain – wedding anniversary. “Today is like today! All the a double celebration for us. children were We’re so happy to mark our brought to the front ruby anniversary on the ROSL of the crowds by boat for the Jubilee the soldiers so we celebrations.” could see what was double celebration: going on. I David and Christine Sweeny Tribute: Robert Newell and remember the headline that day Younger Member Caroline Margaret Lakin enjoy the music being that Everest had been Roddis felt “extremely conquered by Edmund Hillary patriotic” on the day. “We’re Former ROSL Director-General, and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. watching history happen and I Robert Newell, was the driving Today also brings back feel at the core of 21st-century force behind the idea of a ROSL memories of the Golden Jubilee, Britain. I’m so proud to be a boat in the flotilla. For him, the when I did a ROSL reception ROSL member and to be part day brings back wonderful at the Nairobi Club, attended of a club which really gives memories of 1953: “I was 10 by Prince Edward and the something back to society.” years old and my mother made Countess of Wessex. We lit a us come to Piccadilly to watch beacon to celebrate.” Patriotic: Caroline Roddis

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 7 WORLD FOCUS In them we Trust Miranda Moore meets the extraordinary fundraisers supporting projects in the Commonwealth through the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust

ven the staunchest of republicans would olympic record: agree that the Diamond Jubilee weekend was Extreme fundraiser a unifying and inspiring occasion, bringing Lloyd Scott wears an communities – and the entire Commonwealth antique diving suit, E with the Trust logo, family – together. But it has to be asked, what happens when the party’s over? The nations of the for his epic walk Commonwealth continue to face enormous challenges, along the London and although the festivities may have raised spirits, a 2012 marathon more lasting commitment is needed to change lives. route Step in the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. Launched under the slogan ‘A lasting tribute for a Pride and unity: lifetime of giving’ on the anniversary of Her Majesty’s Sir John Major and accession to the throne on 6 February, the Trust was well-wishers greet created to ensure that the legacy of the Diamond Jubilee Lloyd Scott at the year would be profound and enduring. According to its finishing line on Chairman, Sir John Major: “At the express wish of The Mall (below) The Queen, the Trust will help people across the Commonwealth – from the UK and Canada in the north, to Australia and New Zealand in the south.” Rather than establishing its own projects, it will support carefully selected charities that are working to make a tangible and sustainable difference to the lives of some of the Commonwealth’s most disadvantaged people. Offering us the opportunity to pay tribute to The Queen by way of a message, donation or both, it will Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Official Diamond work in six areas or ‘themes’: ‘Disability to Capability’, Jubilee song features a ‘cameo’ from Prince Harry (striking ‘Care with Dignity’, ‘Exceptional Leaders’, ‘Urban Food’ a drum) and has become an anthem for all that is good and ‘Young Diamonds’. Its success is dependent on our about The Queen’s 60-year reign. Thanks to a show- generosity. And fundraising is at its heart. stopping performance by the Commonwealth Band at the Leading the way is the commemorative ballad Sing, Diamond Jubilee concert, people were humming the tune which, to date, has sold more than 250,000 copies, topping all over the world, yet few who bought the souvenir record the UK singles charts in the Jubilee week. Written by Gary knew anything about the charity it was supporting. When Nicola Diamond, Head of Diamond’s House at Bristol Grammar School, proposed the Trust to her students as House charity they had never heard of it. “At the start they thought we were raising money for The Queen, rather than for projects in the Commonwealth,” she explains. In assembly, they watched a video in which the charity’s aims are described by John Major and HE Kamalesh Sharma, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who is on the board of Trustees. “Finding out more about it was really useful,” says House Captain Louise Parnell. “It was nice to see the kinds of people we would be helping in the Commonwealth. You don’t really realise, when you live in England, how connected you are to all these places, and the part we play through charity.” The school went on to raise more than £1,000 for the Trust, dedicating a week to fundraising activities that included a string of cake sales and a ‘street party’ on the school grounds. To create a Jubilee ‘feel’, stalls were decked with bunting and Union Jacks, souvenir Diamond Jubilee Trust wristbands were on sale, and

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tribute song: Gary Barlow presents Andrew Lloyd Webber, his collaborator on Sing, to The Queen at the Diamond Jubilee Concert

fun of the fair: Students of Bristol Grammar School don crowns and masks of the Royal family for a week of fundraising activities (below) © PA Photo © PA sixth-formers donned crowns and masks of the As the only person to have ‘run’ the course, Scott held the Royal family. Olympic marathon record until the London 2012 race in August, “Because it’s called Diamond’s House and it was the and he was careful to bear both the Union and Commonwealth Diamond Jubilee year, I thought it would be fantastic for flags, as well as the Trust’s logo on his chest. “The focus was us to get involved so that the pupils could remember the very much on the Commonwealth,” he says. “I was very keen historic event and the fact that they did something to promote the charity overseas: imagine what we could towards it,” says Diamond. Her students agreed. “It achieve if everyone just gave £1.” makes it a lot more memorable knowing that I did As a new charity the Trust has a lot of groundwork to do, and something in this year,” says Parnell, 17, who starred in it has not gained quite the coverage it might have hoped for. the sell-out school play that raised a further £400. “Now the Jubilee is finished they’re going to have to think very For fundraiser Lloyd Scott, his charity stunt was as carefully about how they sustain that legacy,” says Scott. But much about publicising the Trust as about raising money with a newly appointed Chief Executive in Dr Astrid Bonfield, (an impressive £5,000). On 28 May, the former Leyton and supporters including the Prime Minister David Cameron Orient goalkeeper set out on the new Olympic marathon and English Cricket Captain Andrew Strauss, he is not alone in route wearing a 140lb antique diving suit. He ended, five wanting to make that happen. and a half days later, on The Mall, just hours before the road was closed for the Jubilee celebrations. Visit jubileetribute.org to give thanks for The Queen’s 60 As a mini-heatwave struck, sweat poured into each of years of service to the Commonwealth by making a donation his 25lb boots and he struggled to make the necessary or leaving a tribute message. five miles a day. “The dedication of individuals is remarkable,” says Sir John. “The physical effort of walking, bearing such a weight – and in such extreme heat – was enormous, but no tiredness, or blisters, or As a mini-heatwave struck, sweat any other discomfort could stop him.” The former Prime Minister joined Scott at the start of the race, helping him into the heavy suit, and at the end, to rally a crowd of poured into each of his 25lb boots well-wishers. “It makes me enormously proud to see the tremendous effort that is being made to support this lasting legacy,” he adds. That level of support meant a lot to Scott, who fell behind on the first day despite being an old hand at extreme fundraising: as well as previous diving-suit marathons, he ran the ultra marathon in Death Valley, the Everest Marathon starting at 5,184m, and a marathon at the bottom of Loch Ness. But following replacement operations to both hips and his left knee, he is finding it more difficult to meet the challenges he sets himself. Looking for one last challenge, he decided to “do something for The Queen” in the Jubilee year, and the Trust could barely have hoped for a better ambassador. His daring venture garnered widespread media coverage, and did more than any other event to raise awareness of the charity.

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 9 FOCUS A world party From a yacht race in Kingston harbour to a 12-hour extravaganza on St Helena, the Jubilee was celebrated across the globe, says Samantha Whitaker

n Monday 4 June, more than 4,200 beacons Commission in Kenya. “It was the place where ‘a young were lit at sunset, creating a chain of light that girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess and climbed began in New Zealand, Tonga and Australia, down the next a Queen’, as described at the time by Oand stretched across the globe to safari legend Jim Corbett.” Bradshaw explains how Buckingham Palace in London, where Her Majesty lit the important it was for Kenya to mark the Jubilee: “There final beacon on stage to close the Diamond Jubilee are many special links in the relationship that bonds the Concert. Originally used for communication, the tradition UK and Kenya, and this one is particularly historic.” of lighting beacons has become a symbol of unity. Bruno On the island of St Helena, part of the British Overseas Peek, pageant-master of the beacons, said: “We set out Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean (with Ascension to mark the year by having 2,012 beacons worldwide, Island and Tristan da Cunha), there was a strong sense which would have been the most ever for this type of of patriotism among the Saints (as locals call occasion. To reach double that figure reflects the national themselves). Mike Dean, Tourism Development and worldwide respect and affection for The Queen.” Executive on the island, described the 12-hour In Kenya a particularly special beacon marked the spot extravaganza: “The day began with a parade of where, in 1952, Princess Elizabeth first heard that her uniformed contingents, followed by a village fair, a father had died. “It was an honour to light the beacon at procession of floats, and plenty of music and the Treetops Hotel in Aberdare National Park, surrounded entertainment. Four beacons were lit, one after another, by elephants, buffalo, rhino and leopards,” says John forming a diamond shape, plus a fifth at Longwood. The Bradshaw, Head of Communications at the British High day concluded with a spectacular firework display.”

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triumphant: The beacons, along with those on Ascension Island Commission in Islamabad. They marked the spot with a Jamaicans and Tristan da Cunha, were probably the most remote in commemorative plaque and the capsule, which contains compete in a the chain. St Helena is only accessible by sea, usually via drawings of the children’s communities, postcards of festive yacht the last working Royal Mail Ship – a five-day voyage from Pakistani landmarks, coins, newspapers, photographs race in Kingston Cape Town. and video footage, will be recovered in 25 years. harbour Despite talk of a move away from the monarchy, In New York, 1,000 people ran 6km through Central beacons were lit at four sites in Jamaica, and the Royal Park in the Great British Run. “The Queen has Jamaica Yacht Club hosted a boat parade and yacht race witnessed a remarkable amount of change in her 60 in Kingston Harbour – mirroring London’s Jubilee flotilla years as monarch and her ability to adapt with grace – with each boat beautifully decorated in the colours of has always been a hallmark of her reign,” says Danny the Jamaican flag. The following week, tributes were Lopez, British Consul-General in New York. “The paid to The Queen at a Special Joint Meeting of the Diamond Jubilee is an extraordinary international Houses of Parliament, where the Speaker of the House occasion, and the iconic Central Park was the perfect of Representatives said: “The people of Jamaica have setting for New York’s own celebration.” historically reserved a special place in their hearts for In the UK – particularly in London – the Jubilee hype The Queen and the institution of the British Monarchy. was followed by excitement about the London 2012 This is true today, notwithstanding the many changes Games. But throughout the year, members of the Royal that have taken place in the world, and in the relationship Family will visit Commonwealth countries on behalf of between Jamaica and the UK.” The Queen, and I am sure they will find an extremely As well as the beacons, hundreds of street parties, warm welcome wherever they go. lunches and garden parties took place across the globe. The UK’s annual Big Lunch, which is organised by the To see video footage and photos of Jubilee celebrations Eden Project in Southwest England and aims to around the world, visit the Jubilee Pinterest Board at encourage people to get to know their neighbours and pinterest.com/foreignoffice/diamond-jubilee. local community, this year became the Big Jubilee Lunch and formed part of the main programme of events. An island Pride: Locals on the island of St Helena estimated six million people worldwide took part in showed their colours with a patriotic parade lunches of all sizes – from small private parties in back gardens to street parties and park picnics. Peter Stewart, Big Jubilee Lunch Director, said: “This year’s Big Lunch really captured the nation’s imagination – not to say its love of a royal celebration.” Big Lunches were held in 70 countries, including Afghanistan, Nepal, Nigeria and the remote island nation of Tuvalu. In the Canadian Arctic, an Anglo-Canadian group on a special expedition in honour of The Queen had tea and cake on the summit of Mount Barbeau, the highest point of the Queen Elizabeth Islands. It is thought to have been the world’s most remote Jubilee party. Many British embassies, high commissions and missions overseas marked the Jubilee in other ways, including a Great British Car Rally in Abu Dhabi and a Mad Hatter’s tea party in Bahrain. In Pakistan, schoolchildren buried a time capsule at the British High

Lunches were held in 70 countries, including Afghanistan and Nigeria

historic place: Special celebrations at Treetops (right), where The Queen found out she had acceded to the throne

global family: The Queen and Prince Philip revisit Treetops Hotel during a four-day tour

© PA Photo © PA of Kenya in 1983 (left)

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 11 WORLD Ride of a lifetime Claire Simon asks 70-year-old Max Dodd about his 3,000km charity bike ride

arlier this year, an interesting email landed in my inbox from Max Dodd, a ROSL member for more than 30 years. E He and his childhood friend, Warrick Try, would be celebrating their 70th birthdays by cycling 3,000km over 10 weeks, passing through 10 European countries and blogging about the trip along the way. The aim: to raise money for cancer research in Australia. Describing themselves as “two ancient idiots with plans to stay young”, Max and Warrick set off in August on a trip that will take them from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. Warrick has suffered from multiple forms of cancer and when, in 2009, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he decided that raising his fitness levels was key to his recovery. He is convinced that it is thanks to this determination that he is now cancer free for the first time in more than a decade. Wanting to raise money to help others in his situation, he applied to take part in the Australian Tour de Cure, a popular bike ride in aid of cancer research, but did not get a place due to balloted entry. Max had been This will be Warrick’s first long-distance enjoying life: Warrick (l) and planning a cycling trip through Europe to bike ride, but meeting Max in June, I was Max on one of their bike rides raise awareness about the importance of struck by how relaxed he was about this. are aiming for 50-60 miles a day, with a 9am exercise for the older generation and asked “There’s no point worrying. We all must live start and a mid-morning coffee break. “We’re Warrick to join him. “Warrick jumped at the entirely moment for moment and cope with not going to overdo it,” he explains. chance,” says Max. “His wife was less situations as they arise. My message is just to Sponsorship has been essential to help enthusiastic at first though!” enjoy life.” When I asked about their training fund the trip, with a large proportion raised The friends have known each other for 60 he smiled. “Warrick is very physically fit at the through events organised by Warrick, years. “I met Warrick the week The Queen moment anyway. Just before we go I will including cyclothons and raffles. The trip is was in Sydney in 1954, on the first day of our probably start cycling the 100km from St Goar bare essentials only: the bikes are basic and school term.” Though their lives moved in [on the Rhine Gorge], where I spend a lot of accommodation is in hostels where available. different directions, with Warrick becoming a time, to Frankfurt.” Their principal aim is to raise as much money businessman and Max a solicitor, their Embarking on such a long trip clearly doesn’t for cancer research as possible and, in so friendship has been lasting. Max’s long- faze the septuagenarians. “You can’t let age doing, make their contribution towards the distance cycling trips started in 1974 with an stand in the way of what you want to do,” says prevention and cure of the disease. eight-day, 700-mile ride from Sydney to Max. “Yes, my system is showing signs of too To follow Max and Warrick’s blog about Melbourne. For him they have been a great many birthdays, but that doesn’t matter. For us their epic trip or to sponsor them, visit way of seeing the world and providing it is a wonderful way to draw attention to the www.wheelingforhealing.com. Max Dodd breaks from the routine of office life. importance of fitness for older people.” They will report back in a future issue of Overseas.

“My system is showing signs of too many birthdays, but you can’t let age stand in the way”

dedication: Max Dodd (l) and Warrick Try (r) have been friends for 60 years

12 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk WORLD

LIZ MURRAY’S Vancouver Vancouver often ranks highly in the world’s top cities to live in. Why do you think that is? Its natural beauty and the availability of so many different things to do. It is said that, at any time of year, you could ski and sail on the same day. The scenery is beautiful and the city planners have made a conscious effort to plan for residential areas within the city centre, which makes it a very walkable and habitable city. What are your favourite things to do? Vancouver is a great city for walking, so strolling around the city – or meeting friends at one of the many lovely coffee places, preferably with a view of the sea or mountains. There are lots of opportunities to attend concerts and listen to wonderful music. Vancouver is surrounded by many areas of outstanding natural beauty. Where would you recommend for a weekend visit? Whistler/Blackcomb in the mountains is an obvious choice, as it is an all-seasons resort, and so is a visit to one of the Gulf Islands, like Saltspring. Or perhaps a ferry to the Sechelt Peninsula or Vancouver Island. A visit to the Okanagan Valley, where the wine country is well established, is a great way to spend a few days. Do you have a favourite bar? I like the piano bar at the Salmon House Restaurant. There is live music on a Friday and Saturday. It’s difficult to find a place where you can dance these days so this is a special venue. What would you miss if you moved away? The sea and water views – the sea and mountains are defining aspects of Vancouver and create much of its wonderful ambiance.

Liz Murray is the new President of the British Columbia Branch. Since retiring as the Executive of a major Canadian organisation, she has been volunteering for the Vancouver Board of Trade. Interview by Claire Simon.

sea views: The islands of northern British Columbia, seen from above Tourism British Columbia. Photographer: Russ Heinl Russ Photographer: British Columbia. Tourism

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 13 ROSL NEWS News and views The latest from the clubhouses in London and Edinburgh

Titanic memories A Titanic-themed evening was held at the Edinburgh clubhouse to mark the 100th anniversary of the tragedy. The menu was similar to that served in the first-class dining room of the ship. Attended by 75 people, the event raised £1,600 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). A speaker from the RNLI explained the day-to-day heroics of their crews (pictured). Top prize in the raffle was a stay at the Loch Ness Clansman hotel. RNLI-Nigel Millard

Chairman’s lunch At the Chairman’s Diamond Jubilee Lunch on 9 May, the guest speaker was Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder of the charity Kids Company, who spoke about her life and her inspirational work in helping disadvantaged Farewells and welcomes young people in London. The lunch was ROSL waved a sad goodbye to Alexandra Pavry in June. Alex has been the dedicated and followed by the Annual General Meeting. enthusiastic Events Coordinator for nearly two years, and has now moved overseas. Shop Pictured l-r are ROSL Director-General Maj Manager, Andrew Bowen, who has been a friendly face for many members during visits to the Gen Roddy Porter; Lady Luce; Camila clubhouse, has also left to work with a PR company. However, ROSL is very happy to welcome Batmanghelidjh; ROSL President Lord Luce; Sara Brouwer (l), Alex’s replacement, and Emmerson Wood (r); they are already fitting in well and ROSL Chairman Sir Anthony Figgis. at Over-Seas House. If you are interested in a short tour around our beautiful listed buildings, please contact Emmerson on [email protected] or phone +44 (0)20 7408 0214 ext 215. All change The May Central Council was the last for outgoing Council members Pamela Voice (l), Marilyn Archbold (r), Diana Grey and Paul Dimond; it was the first for Frances King (centre) and David Fall.

14 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk ROSL NEWS Caine Prize Nigerian author Rotimi Babatunde wins Africa’s premier literary award

otimi Babatunde from Ibadan, ROSL has supported the Nigeria, is the 2012 winner of the Caine Prize since 2001, by £10,000 Caine Prize for African providing accommodation for the shortlisted Rwriting for his short story writers at the London clubhouse prior to the Bombay’s Republic, published in Mirabilia announcement of the winner. During their Review Vol 3.9 (Lagos, 2011). The winner stay at Over-Seas House, the shortlisted was announced at an awards dinner held writers gave readings from their works on on Monday 2 July at the Bodleian Library Friday 29 June in Princess Alexandra Hall. in Oxford. The four other shortlisted writers were inspiring: (L-r) Melissa Tandiwe Myambo, Central Council Billy Kahora (Kenya), Stanley Kenani Lizzy Attree (Caine Prize Administrator), The Central Council warmly (Malawi), Melissa Tandiwe Myambo Rotimi Babatunde, Constance Myburgh and welcomed their guest speaker, (Zimbabwe) and Constance Myburgh Stanley Kenani at Over-Seas House the Nigerian Deputy High (South Africa). The chair of judges, author Commissioner, Ambassador and Fellow of the Royal Society of Oluwatoyin Lawal, to their lunch Literature, Bernardine Evaristo MBE, in May. Pictured (l-r) are ROSL described the shortlist as “truly diverse Chairman Sir Anthony Figgis; fiction from a truly diverse continent”. She Ambassador Lawal; and ROSL called the prizewinning work “ambitious, Director-General Roddy Porter. darkly humorous and in scorching prose, it exposes the exploitative colonial project and the psychology of independence”. Rotimi Babatunde’s fiction and poems ROSL have been published in Africa, Europe and archives America, and he is a winner of the BBC Edinburgh members World Service’s Meridian Tragic Love Story are collecting archive competition. His plays have been material about ROSL to presented by Halcyon Theatre in Chicago, display in the Edinburgh Riksteatern in Stockholm, and in the UK by clubhouse. Gems include the Royal Court Theatre, the Institute of literature about members’ Contemporary Arts and Churchill Theatre, tours of Canada for £47.50 Bromley. He is currently taking part in a in the 1930s and old prints collaborative piece at the Royal Court and of Princes Street. If you Young Vic, as part of World Stages for a have any materials you World City. would like to donate to the ROSL archive, please email fraser.campbell@ Bombay’s Republic: an extract cobbs.info. When an African man is pondered the destiny of their forgetting. For him, things conscripted into the Allied common struggle on that would never be locked in Forces during the Second neglected front, an effort that, boxes again and that World War, he confronts true to his prophecy, would consciousness, the harsh circumstances but remain anonymous, like the irreversible awareness equally liberating travails of faceless and handed out not by charity to possibilities. Bellicose and nameless characters forever Bombay but appropriated by still grieving the abrupt end entombed in a book of fiction him from the jungle without of the war, Colour Sergeant that will never be written. gratitude and by right, was Bombay returns to his The platoon leader plodded enough recompense from the homeland to effect changes away with heavy steps, his war. With the campaign over, never dared before. spirit sapped to the lees by the only thing that mattered ‘The platoon leader, a his valedictory agonies. to Bombay was the brand- no-nonsense combatant from Bombay watched him go. new universe of possibilities the Welsh highlands, was He sighed. Bombay didn’t he would be taking home almost in tears as he care much about memory or with him from the front.’

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 15 ROSL NEWS Development news Margaret Adrian-Vallance reports on projects in Kenya, Namibia and Botswana, and support from Switzerland, Canada and beyond

rom Canada to Kenya, Benin to Botswana, the New on the scene are a variety of hitherto non- valued support: interconnected nature of ROSL’s welfare/ member organisations and individuals who have heard Dave Southwood in educational projects and assisting organisations about the projects. They include Canada’s Digital the ROSL garden continues apace. In Kenya’s lush Rift Valley there Opportunity Trust, which is working in Africa to improve with a rare 19th- F century Zulu arm is good news from ROSL bursary recipients Antony young people’s access to IT, and PublicationsUK, which Waweru and Beatrice Njeri at Nyandarua High School. donated 1,000 copies of Jubilee: A celebration of the 60 band, awarded for Both passed end-of-term exams in 11 subjects, including year reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II, with the ROSL logo bravery (below left) several A grades. Antony writes: ‘My first term in on the front and three pages about ROSL inside. secondary school has gone well’, although cold showers Retailing in shops at £10, the book is available from the food for in the mornings took a bit of getting used to. Beatrice ROSL Shop for £8, with all proceeds going towards our thought: says: ‘I was seventh out of 49 and promise to improve in development projects. A great menu is on chemistry and history.’ Other supporters include Mike Main, renowned for his offer each week for In Namibia’s eastern desert, where even drinking travels, research and knowledge of African rock art, and students living in water can be in short supply, teacher Mariane travel writer and photographer Dave Southwood, who the SOS Children’s Ramakhutla reports: ‘We are doing fine here at Katora grew up in Botswana and has provided many helpful Village in Botswana [Primary School]. The money we received last year paid contacts in southern Africa over the years. (below right) school and hostel fees for ROSL bursary recipients.’ All these strands came together in April during an School uniforms and toiletries were bought in the first excellent two-day programme of visits to schools in term, hostel fees paid in the second term and money Botswana, including the remarkable SOS Children’s saved for the third term. Elsewhere, ten ROSL bursary Village. This was organised by ROSL member Sarah recipients continue to do well at the University of Ward. Such was her hospitality and excellent planning Namibia, with only one dropping out. The Helpless that we covered a lot of ground in a very short time. With Kindergarten at Tsumeb now has electricity and contacts and advice from Sarah and Mike Ward, ROSL plumbing, and Hippo Primary near Gobabis is near the bursary recipient Cwisa Cwi (from just across the top of its league in virtually all respects. border), school principals, teachers, community leaders, In May, I met Samuel Dossou-Aworet from Benin, who Alec Campbell and others, the foundations were laid for has helped make this support possible through two a variety of partnerships in Botswana, ranging from donations from Fondation Espace Afrique, which is school bursaries and water tanks to ways of using IT and based in Geneva. He says: ‘The ROSL project is well local knowledge and craftsmanship in isolated areas. administered, which is one of the reasons the Fondation has supported it. There are too many situations in Africa where money gets lost in governments, local offices or spent on large, unnecessary vehicles. Proper monitoring ‘There are too many situations where and keeping track of individuals who have been supported is very important but difficult to do.’ money gets lost. Proper monitoring is Generous support has also come from Jo Brown, ROSL Switzerland Branch Secretary, and members from the Canton de Vaud and other areas, as well as branches very important but difficult to do’ in Australia, England and Scotland.

16 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk ROSL NEWS SPECIAL LINKS National Trust Graham Archer looks at why the Trust is one of ROSL’s biggest organisational membership groups

embers of the National Trust constitute one of the largest of the ROSL organisational impressive: membership groups. The National Trust is The south front of Ham Man independent, self-financing charity, House in Surrey launched in 1895 to protect places of historic interest and natural beauty. It now has more than 4 million members, and responsibility for some 618,000 acres of countryside, 700 miles of coastline, 290 parks and gardens, 104 nature reserves and 400 buildings, most regularly open to the public. Trust members are entitled to free admission to most properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and, under reciprocal arrangements, to properties managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Many ROSL members based overseas find it advantageous to take out membership of the Trust, or to take advantage of reciprocal visiting arrangements with the National Trusts of other countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The National Trust is exploring ways to increase its involvement in London boroughs. For example, its members can now visit the stunning, recently restored Leighton House Museum in Holland Park for a The Trust is responsible for discounted price. Other Trust properties in London that may appeal to visitors to Over-Seas House include 290 parks and 400 buildings Ham House in Richmond and Osterly Park and House, once described as ‘the palace of palaces’, now with a newly restored water garden. ROSL members may Images/John Millar ©National Trust also enjoy a day-trip to Hampstead to see the 17th-century Fenton House, Hampstead Grove (‘a gem of a house’) and 2 Willow Road, a modernist home full of The Nepali link innovative designs. In 2008, ROSL supported the first Sigdel, a 2011 ROSL ARTS Scholar To mark the centenary of the death of Octavia Hill, one international exhibition of the from Nepal, will be exhibiting in the of the founders of the Trust, the ROSL London Group Kathmandu Contemporary Art ROSL Annual Scholars Exhibition arranged a talk at Over-Seas House about the Trust Centre (KCAC), featuring the work at gallery@oxo in October. earlier this year. The new National Trust projects being of 108 artists. ‘The Open Door’ George Harwood-Smith planned in London will be a pleasing addition to the exhibition was a huge success and opportunities for closer links between the Trust and filled the central lounge at Over- For further details about the KCAC ROSL members. Seas House with contemporary see www.kathmanduarts.org.uk or Asian and international art. email [email protected]. For information about joining the Trust and details of its Founder and Director Celia properties, please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Washington established the success: KCAC’s latest KCAC in 2007 as a means of exhibition in Kathmandu Graham Archer is a member of the ROSL Central promoting the work of Council and Deputy Chairman for the National Trust contemporary Nepali artists Advisory Board for the London and South-East Region. abroad. Since then it has gone from strength to strength, with new artists’ studios and a gallery opening this year in the grounds of Scheme benefits the historic Patan Museum. Individual members of certain organisations can The KCAC continues to foster a obtain a 50% joining fee discount when applying strong relationship with ROSL and for ROSL membership and do not need a will be holding a fundraiser at the proposer or seconder. The full list can be found

London clubhouse next year. Sunil Photographer Nodar, of Antonio Courtesy at www.rosl.org.uk.

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 17 ROSL NEWS The other Diamond Jubilee Roderick Lakin reports on the 60th ROSL Annual Music Competition Final

Decision-making was not prolonged as Jayson emerged as a clear winner

ondon’s Queen Elizabeth Hall has been the by way of Prokofiev and Ibert, with Ian Clark’s showpiece show stopper: setting of the Final Concert of the ROSL Annual for contemporary flute techniques, Zoom Tube. South The judges applaud the winner of the Music Competition for almost 40 years, and on African baritone Njabulo Madlala brought a First Prize, Wednesday 8 May, the 2012 Final proved to be communicative stage presence and burnished vocal L Jayson Gillham an inspiring evening of first-class music-making worthy quality to a programme encompassing opera, oratorio, of the competition’s 60th anniversary. The occasion was lieder and a traditional South African song. Pianist graced by the presence of ROSL Vice-Patron HRH William Vann (Royal Academy of Music), who played for Princess Alexandra, who presented the prizes at the end Njabulo, amply demonstrated why he was chosen as of the concert. winner of the accompanist prize. The Final Concert is a prestigious platform for the New Zealand-born violinist Ben Baker (Royal College of winners of the solo award section and our ensemble Music) chose two contrasted pieces – James prizewinners. This year’s performers earned their place MacMillan’s evocative After the Tryst and Fantasie in C in the Final through a demanding series of auditions, Op.131, an intense late work by Schumann – bringing to lasting more than 100 hours, held in February and March both an unshowy and intelligent musical personality. at Over-Seas House. Since its inception in 1952, one of Finally, Australian pianist Jayson Gillham performed the competition’s core aims has been to provide a Debussy, Ligetti and Liszt. His nuanced, pellucid account London showcase for outstanding young musicians from of Debussy’s Etude No 11 Pour les arpèges composés the Commonwealth who are studying or working in the showed a different kind of technical command and capital, and it was gratifying in our 60th year that three musical sensibility to his performance of Liszt’s show- out of the four solo finalists were from different stopping Rhapsodie Espagnole, which he dispatched Commonwealth countries: Australia, New Zealand and with the requisite brilliance and élan. South Africa. The chamber ensemble section of the competition is The solo award winners perform during the first half of of equal importance to the solo awards and while the the concert: the challenge is to choose an imaginative jury retired to the Green Room to deliberate on their and well-contrasted recital programme of just 20 choice of solo award winner, the two major ensemble minutes to encapsulate their particular musical award winners were showcased. The Busch Ensemble strengths. British flautist Matthew Featherstone (piano trio) performed the first movement of (Guildhall School of Music and Drama), who opened the Mendelssohn’s D minor Piano Trio, and, in complete concert, showed stylistic versatility and accomplishment contrast, the Aurora Duo (percussion) presented in a programme that began with CPE Bach and ended, Zivkovic’s theatrical musical duel Duo per Uno. They also

18 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk ROSL NEWS

brought the evening to a close, after the presentation of awards, with a serene performance of the prelude to Bach’s English Suite No 2, arranged for marimba duet. In the jury room, after the votes were collated, discussion and decision-making was not prolonged, as Jayson Gillham emerged as a clear winner. As Gold Medallist, the Australian pianist joins distinguished competition alumni including John Lill (1963), Melvyn Tan (1976), Barry Douglas (1979) and fellow Queenslander Piers Lane (1983). As Director of Arts, I look forward to devising

performance and other career opportunities for our 2012 © Jules Lawrence prizewinners over the next few years. Given ROSL’s Prizewinners: (L-r) Benjamin Baker violin, Jayson outstanding track record of talent spotting over 60 Gillham piano, Matthew Featherstone flute, Njabulo years, the ‘class of 2012’ will undoubtedly find their Madlala baritone and William Vann accompanist individual niche at a high level of the music profession around the world. high praise: ROSL Vice-Patron HRH Princess A double CD of the Final Concert, recorded live at Alexandra congratulates the 2012 Gold Medallist, Queen Elizabeth Hall, will be available in October from pianist Jayson Gillham the ROSL Shop at Over-Seas House, London. Price £6 (mail order plus p&p). Panel of Adjudicators 2012 More than half of the adjudicators for the competition are themselves past ROSL prizewinners. Bryan Allen, Sheila Armstrong*, David Campbell, Martin Cousin*, Amy Dickson*, Danny Driver*, Sarah Field, Gavin Henderson CBE (Chairman)*, Vanessa Latarche*, Carmine Lauri, Keith Lewis*, Nona Liddell MBE*, Pat Macmahon*, Leslie Neish*, Ruth Palmer*, Ashan Pillai, Robert Plane*, Stephen de Pledge, Sophia Rahman, Tom Randle, Rodney Slatford OBE*, Colin Stone and George Vass.

© Jules Lawrence * Adjudicators for the final. © Jules Lawrence

The prizewinners

Main awards Gold Medal and First Prize £10,000 Jayson Gillham piano Australia/UK ROSL Award for Wind & Percussion in memory of £5,000 Matthew Featherstone flute UK Lady Barbirolli, supported by Dyers Company ROSL Award for Singers in memory of Pamela Faulkner £5,000 Njabulo Madlala baritone South Africa

ROSL Award for Strings £5,000 Benjamin Baker violin New Zealand/UK ROSL Award for Keyboard £5,000 Jayson Gillham piano Australia/UK ROSL Award for Accompanists £5,000 William Vann UK ROSL Ensemble Prize A £10,000 The Busch Ensemble ROSL Ensemble Prize B £10,000 Aurora Percussion Duo

Awards for musicians from overseas Lorna Viol Memorial Prize and ROSL Trophy for £3,000 Njabulo Madlala baritone South Africa the most outstanding musician from overseas Sir John Manduell Award for an outstanding £1,000 Njabulo Madlala baritone South Africa South African musician Australian Musical Association Prize £1,000 Helen Sherman mezzo soprano Australia Tait Memorial Scholarship for an Australian Musician £1,000 Morgan Pearse baritone Australia Tait Memorial Scholarship for an Australian Musician £1,000 Sujin Park violin Australia Australian Musical Association Prize £1,000 Jayson Gillham piano Australia McCallum Prize for a pianist of promise £1,000 Charis Cheung piano Canada Mitchell Award for a New Zealand musician £1,000 Benjamin Baker violin New Zealand/UK

Additional award Elias Fawcett Award for an outstanding ensemble £2,000 Trio Anima

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 19 ROSL NEWS Royal Collection Trust © HM Queen Elizabeth II 2012 Trust Collection Royal Music at the palace Director of Arts, Roderick Lakin, announces a musical evening at St James’s Palace, hosted by HRH Princess Alexandra

he Royal Over-Seas League has been granted Music Competition. The Annual Music Competition opulent setting: the privilege of holding a musical evening in the is at the heart of the work of ROSL ARTS, now in its Dinner will be served magnificent setting of the State Apartments of 60th year, and occupies a singular position within in the State St James’s Palace, hosted by HRH Princess the cultural life of the UK and the Commonwealth. Apartments of St T James’s Palace, Alexandra, ROSL Vice-Patron, on 10 October to celebrate Past alumni have distinguished themselves at the the 60th anniversary of the ROSL Annual Music highest level of the music profession worldwide, and including the Throne Competition. A concert featuring recent prizewinners of return to give their support as the core of our panel Room (above), the ROSL Annual Music Competition will be given in the of adjudicators. following the concert Picture Gallery at 7pm, preceded by a champagne In the past decade, donations and legacies from reception at 6pm and followed by supper in the Queen ROSL members have enabled us to transform the Anne, Entrée and Throne rooms. Dress is black tie for concert room at Over-Seas House, London into a gentlemen and evening dress for ladies. first-rate chamber music venue, renamed Princess Alexandra St James’s Palace Hall, and to purchase a Built in the first half of the 16th century, St James’s Steinway concert grand piano. Palace is still used for many formal and State occasions. Thanks to the generosity of Henry VIII was the first in a long line of monarchs to ROSL members and long-term reside at the palace, ending only when Queen Victoria supporters, more than moved to Buckingham Palace. Foreign ambassadors £800,000 has been raised continue to be accredited to ‘the Court of St James’, and towards our initial target of £1 visiting Heads of State are received there. The Queen’s million. Funds raised are held Life Guard, the Yeoman of the Guard, the Chapels Royal in a restricted fund within the and the Royal Watermen have their headquarters at the ROSL Golden Jubilee Trust palace, and several senior members of the Royal (registered charity no. 306095). Household have apartments there. This Appeal exemplifies the The State Apartments, enlarged by Christopher Wren confidence with which ROSL and redecorated by William Morris in the 19th century, has embarked on its second are used for official entertaining. They house a 100 years and its strong sense marvellous collection of paintings, including works by of purpose, inspired by the Gainsborough, Sir Peter Lely and Sir Joshua Reynolds; vision of our founder, Evelyn tapestries commissioned by Charles I; and an impressive Wrench, and the directives of display of firearms. our Royal Charter. ROSL Centenary Appeal To mark ROSL’s centenary in 2010, an appeal was HRH Princess alexandra: launched to endow the awards of the ROSL Annual ROSL Vice-Patron

20 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk ROSL NEWS

Booking information Tickets are £150 each, which includes the champagne reception with canapés, concert and supper with wine Books (food by the highly regarded caterers By Word of Mouth). Members are encouraged to make a donation to Reviews of recent works by the ROSL Centenary Appeal in addition to the ticket price for the event. ROSL members On previous ROSL musical evenings at St James’s Diplomatic Palace, in 1988, 1995 and 2004, the demand for tickets Anecdotage: Around greatly exceeded the availability. Members are urged to the world in 40 years make their ticket applications at the earliest opportunity. Sir Roger Carrick Allocation of tickets will be made strictly in the order Elliott and Thompson Limited, in which applications are received. One third of the 2012 tickets will be held back until Friday 7 September for ISBN: 978-1-907642-55-5, members based overseas. £18.99. Available for the Tickets will be mailed on Friday 21 September, discounted price of £13 from and on the same date, those who have not been Sampans & Saffron the ROSL Shop. allocated tickets will be notified and cheques returned. Cake Deadline for ticket applications: 14 September 2012. Richard Lewis This excellent read by Sir Kenwater Books, 2012 Roger Carrick, ROSL’s Vice- ISBN: 978-0-9571832-0-9, Chairman, gives an account of £12.75 his experiences as a career diplomat that weaves a unique Ticket order form Sampans & Saffron Cake is a thread through some of the A Musical Evening at St James’s Palace biography based on diaries momentous foreign policy 10 October 2012 written by Lewis’s grandfather, issues the UK has faced Fritz Lewis, from 1904 to 1928. since 1960. Please complete this form, or a photocopy, and return with An engineer, sailor, sportsman From the dark days of the payment to arrive no later than 14 September 2012 to ROSL and family man, Fritz led an Cold War through the British ARTS (SJP), Royal Over-Seas League, Park Place, St James’s extraordinary life, and the diaries withdrawal from East of Suez, Street, London SW1A 1LR. Tel: +44 (0)20 7408 0214 x 324. shed light on the histories of to the development of Anglo- Email: [email protected]. Or book online at www.rosl.org.uk. China and Falmouth during an French and US/UK relations, important historical period. Sir Roger writes fluently on Membership no...... Claire Simon his increasingly central role Name ...... in British affairs as his star Address ...... rose in the Foreign and ...... Commonwealth Office. Telephone no...... Literary festival The wisdom contained in his Email ...... The Budleigh Salterton reflections is as pertinent today Address to which tickets should be sent (if different from above) Literary Festival takes as it is helpful in throwing ...... place this year on 21-23 useful light on the past. His ...... September, with speakers narrative, focused as it is on including Douglas Hurd, serious events, is also very I wish to book ...... tickets at £150 each Joan Bakewell, Penelope entertaining. This is a memoir In addition, I would like to make a donation of ...... to the ROSL Lively, Peter Hennessy laced with humour; I Centenary Appeal and Wendy Cope. Its endangered myself with hot TOTAL ...... Founder Susan Ward and coffee, laughing aloud at some Honorary President Hilary of the wonderful stories. And Gift Aid declaration (optional) Mantel are both ROSL those of us who have worked in As a UK taxpayer, I would like the ROSL Centenary Appeal (GJT) to members. Novelist Hilary a Government Department can treat this and any future donations as Gift Aid donations, which will Mantel will be speaking only empathise with his enable the charity to reclaim my basic income tax on these on Bring Up the Bodies, experiences of HM Treasury. donations. (To qualify for Gift Aid, what you pay in tax must be at the second book in her Sir Roger will speak at a special least equal to the amount we will claim in the tax year). trilogy about Thomas ROSL Book Event on Monday Cromwell. 26 November (see page 30). Method of payment Maj Gen Roddy Porter Cheques (sterling) should be made payable to ‘ROSL’. All major credit cards accepted AMEX/Diners Club/Mastercard/Visa* *please indicate Readers’ offer C/C no...... Buy Diplomatic Anecdotage for the special price of £13, Expiry date ...... including free p&p in the UK. To order via cheque or credit Security no. (on signature panel) ...... card, email [email protected] or call +44 (0)1256 302 Signature ...... 688 and quote CODE 7DV. Offer ends 15 October. Date ......

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 21 ROSL NEWS ROSL WORLD The latest from the global branches

Australia Members of the New South Wales Branch [email protected] united: (Clockwise from left) Ken Bock attended a Queen’s Birthday Lunch hosted by Nova Scotia: Liz Stern, +1 902 678 1975, (Australia-Britain Society) on the Young the Australia-Britain Society. The South [email protected] Endeavour; Roddy Porter with the new Australia Branch will hold its main Diamond Ontario: Ishrani Jaikaran, +1 416 760 0309, Edinburgh Branch Committee at the Jubilee celebration in October, but members [email protected] branch’s AGM; the Western Australia toasted HM The Queen at their June meeting. Jubilee Dinner Party: (l-r) Richard Savage Recent speakers at the branch’s monthly (Australia-Britain Society), Katie Dunkley lunches include winemaker Geoffrey Patritti Hong Kong (Victoria League), Tony Abbott (Chairman and author Nigel Starck. Hon. David Wooton Hong Kong: Perveen Crawford, ROSL WA), Tonya McCusker, HE Malcolm succeeded Marjorie Scriven as South Australia www.rosl.org.hk McCusker, Alex Butterworth (Australians for Branch President. Constitutional Monarchy) Some members of the New South Wales and Victoria branches were on board the ROSL New Zealand boat in the Jubilee flotilla. Coral Strahan, Manawatu Branch members donned hats to Victoria Branch Secretary, organised a range of watch the Diamond Jubilee flotilla at a special UK activities during the trip, including the Trooping tea party, while the Auckland Branch joined In May, the Bath Branch was joined by the Colour (Major General’s Review), a concert ranks with the Royal Commonwealth Society members of the Taunton Branch for a at the Royal Albert Hall and tea at the Ritz. at the Northern Club for cocktails and held a Jubilee Cream Tea at Bathampton Mill, The Western Australia Branch, in celebratory lunch at the Black Sugar Restaurant. reached by boat on the River Avon. The Bath association with the Australia-Britain Society, A Diamond Jubilee concert and reception Branch holds a monthly coffee morning. Australians for Constitutional Monarchy and will be held on 18 September at Government In April, the Bournemouth Branch the Victoria League, organised a dinner, in House, Wellington, hosted by the NZ Patron, welcomed ROSL Vice-Chairman, Sir Roger April, in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. the Governor-General of New Zealand, Te Carrick, and his wife as guests of honour at HE The Governor of Western Australia, Kwana Tianara o Aotearoa. ROSL Director- the AGM. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations Malcolm McCusker, who is the new Branch General Roddy Porter and his wife Marianne began that month with a concert in Patron, proposed the Loyal Toast. Sir William will attend the event, at which past ROSL Blandford Forum Parish Church by ROSL Heseltine, a former member of the Royal prizewinners will perform. prizewinners the Cavalieri Quartet and Household, was guest speaker. New Zealand: Lyn Milne, clarinetist Robert Plane. Attended by more New South Wales: Lily Murray, [email protected], www.roslnz.org.nz than 100 people, the event raised £800 for [email protected] the church’s Cupola Fund and ROSL’s Queensland: Sharon Morgan, Namibia Project, as well as raising the profile [email protected] Switzerland of ROSL in northwest Dorset. The branch South Australia: Michael Kent, In June, 140 members of the British holds weekly coffee mornings, its Annual [email protected] Residents’ Association (BRA) and the ROSL Dinner was held in May and, in June, Roddy Tasmania: Robert Dick, Switzerland Branch embarked on the Rhine and Marianne Porter were guests of honour [email protected] steamer Basler Dybli, for a Jubilee event at its Annual Queen’s Birthday Lunch. Victoria: Coral Strahan, +61 (0)3 9654 8338, organised by ROSL member Alan Chalmers. Following the Cheltenham Branch’s AGM, [email protected] After a performance by the Basel Scottish member Barbara Snell gave an illustrated talk Western Australia: Anthony Abbott, +61 Dance Society, passengers boarded to the on Russia. To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, (0)8 9368 0379, [email protected] sounds of the Dalhousie Pipe Band. BRA a lunch was held at the Cheltenham Dandy Chairman, Michael Type, welcomed guests, Restaurant. Monthly meetings re-start in including Roddy Porter, who proposed the September with Frances Kay’s illustrated talk Canada Loyal Toast. A message of greeting from HM on Gloucester Cathedral. The British Columbia Branch welcomed Liz Ambassador Sarah Gillett was read by Alan A series of popular events at the Edinburgh Murray as President and gave thanks to her Chalmers (for a full report see page 5). clubhouse included Lord Charles Bruce’s talk predecessor, Pam Ducommen, at a reception Switzerland: Jo Brown, +334 5040 6631 on the Kolkata Scottish Cemetery; an overview in May. A toast was raised to HM The Queen of the ROSL Namibia Project by Central in celebration of her Diamond Jubilee. Council member Clive Carpenter; a Scottish Alberta: Cynthia Cordery, +1 780 477 0001, Thailand Members’ Dinner at which the Rev John P [email protected] Thailand: Roger Willbourn, + 66 2649 2690, Chalmers was speaker; and a guitar recital by British Columbia: Liz Murray, [email protected] 2011 Annual Music Competition Gold

22 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk ROSL NEWS

ULtra modern: The Petronas Towers dominate the city centre © Graham Carnie © Graham

Photo: Paul McGovern Paul Photo: Reciprocal club: Medallist Sean Shibe. At the Edinburgh Branch AGM, the Director-General Roddy Porter told members about current ROSL developments; the Jubilee Lunch was well Kuala Lumpur attended; and the summer season ended with a Gala Opera Evening and the ROSL ARTS Director of Arts, Roderick Lakin, visits the Royal programme on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Exeter, Taunton and West Cornwall Selangor Club, a bastion of a bygone colonial age branches held their AGMs in April. In May, the Exeter Branch enjoyed a Jubilee Coffee ne of the great benefits of ROSL Morning at the Royal Albert Memorial membership is access to a Museum, including a tour of the recently range of worldwide reciprocal re-opened museum. The weekly coffee Oclubs. In Kuala Lumpur, ROSL mornings of the Taunton Branch continue at has reciprocal agreements with the Royal Castle Green Inn. The calendar of the West Selangor Club. Situated in Merdeka Square, Cornwall Branch begins in September with a the heart of KL’s historic colonial district, social evening at Trevethoe House, Lelant. the club is a far cry from the bustling In May, a group of West Sussex Branch 21st-century city centre (KLCC) of glitzy members attended a lunchtime concert at shopping malls and ultra-modern high-rise the Brighton Festival, arranged in condominiums and office blocks, association with ROSL and featuring ROSL dominated by the iconic Petronas Towers. Annual Music Competition keyboard section In 1957, the Union flag was lowered for Distinctly british: The mock Tudor winner Ashley Fripp. In June, ROSL the last time in Merdeka Square, marking Royal Selangor Club in the old town Chairman Sir Anthony Figgis was guest of the birth of independent Malaysia. Today, honour at a lunch to celebrate the Diamond the Malaysian flag flies proudly from the step back in time: traditional Sunday roast Jubilee, which was also attended by world’s highest freestanding flagpole. is served and the British club style and members of the London Group. The square is an eclectic architectural character remains unchanged. Today, the Bath, Exeter, Taunton, Torbay: ensemble set around the padang, or open Royal Selangor Club is considered the most Sally Roberts, +44 (0)1823 661148, field. One side of the square is occupied exclusive club in KL and the Verandah [email protected] by the Sultan Abdul Samad building, a restaurant is a popular lunchtime Bournemouth: Gordon Irving, +44 (0)1258 splendid architectural confection destination, serving a variety of cuisines, 480887, [email protected] encompassing Mughal, Egyptian and including Malay, Chinese, Indian and British. Cheltenham: Kathleen Northage, Islamic styles, designed in 1897 by British Favourites include shepherd’s pie and sago +44 (0)1242 515540 architect A C Norman as the headquarters pudding, finished off with a comforting mug Edinburgh: Bill Chalmers, of the colonial administration. of Horlicks! It makes for an atmospheric +44 (0)131 5572754 Distinctly British in character, the interlude to a walking tour of this Glasgow: Bill Agnew, +44 (0)141 4230012 northwest corner of the square is occupied fascinating area of old Kuala Lumpur. West Cornwall: Ian Wood, by the gothic St Mary’s Anglican Cathedral +44 (0)1736 333460 (also by Norman) and, just across the road, Contact: Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, 50050, West Sussex: Marilyn Archbold, the mock Tudor elevations of the Royal Malaysia; [email protected]; +44 (0)1444 458853. Selangor Club. To step into the club is to +60 3 2692 7166; www.rscweb.org.my.

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 23 ROSL NEWS New for 2012 at the ROSL shop To mark a great year for Britain, the ROSL online shop has introduced a new line of products.

3 2

1

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The ROSL shop catalogue will no longer be printed. A full list of products and accompanying pictures can be found at www.rosl.org.uk. 1. Olympic 2012 monochrome mug. Part of the Olympic 2012 collection by Orders can also be placed by calling mastercraftsman and leading ceramic designer William Edwards. Price: £12 +44 (0)20 7408 0214 ext 215.

2. Wine Stopper with ROSL crest and namestyle. Price: £16 For postage, please add £3.95 for UK, £5.95 for Europe and £9.95 for the rest 3. Diamond Jubilee ROSL tumblers. Pair of cut crystal whisky tumblers of the world. Charges subject to increase engraved with the ROSL logo and ‘The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012’. if postage exceeds these amounts. Price: £35 Please allow up to 14 days for delivery 4. USB keyring with ROSL namestyle and 4GB storage. Price: £15 within the UK (up to 28 days for overseas). Last date for pre-Christmas 5. Diamond Jubilee Tankard in blue and gold. Part of the Diamond Jubilee ordering is 10 December for UK, Collection by mastercraftsman and leading ceramic designer William 1 December for overseas. Edwards. Price: £16

24 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk IN THE UK An icon for Dundee The V&A at Dundee will secure the city’s transformation, says James Wilkie undee enjoys one of the most spectacular city Yet Dundee has some distinct advantages over the sites in Europe. But don’t just take my word Basque capital, and the building’s location and outlook for it; ask Joanna Lumley, who was a young are far more spectacular. The RSS Discovery, the Dactress at the Dundee Rep in the 1960s, or Sir beautiful sailing ship of Captain Scott, will sit alongside Philip Cohen, the biochemist who helped establish a the museum. Built in the Juteopolis at the beginning of leading life sciences department at the University of the 20th century, it returned home in 1986. Dundee in the 1970s. Sir Philip first approached the city The V&A at Dundee will host major international from St Andrews and the view from the south bank of exhibitions, celebrate Scottish design heritage, inspire the River Tay convinced him that he was coming and promote contemporary talent, and encourage design somewhere special. innovation for the future. It will also provide a new focus Dundee’s post-war transformation from a rather for the city, restore its orientation as a port and, hopefully, depressed jute city to the home of a number of the contribute to its development as a centre of business world’s most cited scientists is one of the most and tourism. Construction work is due to start in 2013 remarkable changes I have seen. Like Liverpool, for an anticipated opening in 2015. The building is Glasgow and other great ports, Dundee has an expected to cost £45 million, with a £1 billion projected interesting cultural history, encompassing art, drama, spend on the regeneration of the entire city seafront. music, architecture and design. Its Victorian railway The V&A’s Director of Development, Sandy Richardson, bridge was the longest in the world when it was built, who spoke at Over-Seas House, Edinburgh in June, and in the 1920s it was home to some of the UK’s says: “V&A at Dundee represents a huge opportunity not foremost private collectors of modern art. just for Dundee and its environs, but for the whole of And now the Victoria and Albert Museum is coming to Scotland. It is a truly transformational project with Dundee. Acknowledging the city’s blend of dynamic international reach that will well and truly underline the history and contemporary culture, the great London importance – and impact – of Scottish design in all its museum of art and design is to establish V&A at Dundee. rich and varied forms.” Dundee is a 90 minutes’ drive or spectacular: Japanese architect Kengo Kuma won the international train ride from Edinburgh, and the remarkable Dundee and the competition to design the building and its inspirational Hospitalfield art house, which accommodates our ROSL River Tay seen structures are likely to establish it as one of Europe’s visual art scholars each year, is just 20 miles away. from the Law, a iconic sites, perhaps on a par with the celebrated hill in the centre

© Dundee City Council Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. For details see vandaatdundee.com. of the city

dynamic blend: The RSS Discovery will sit beside the new museum (left) contemporary: Artists’ impression of the Kengo Kuma-designed V&A at Dundee © V & A Dundee

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 25 IN THE UK

LONDON A Royal What’s on... The Queen: Art & image transformation National Portrait Gallery Until 21 October Claire Simon visits Kensington Palace as To mark the Diamond Jubilee, this landmark it reopens following a £12m refurbishment exhibition brings together some of the most remarkable portraits of The Queen, including t seems 2012 is a big year for Kensington Palace: not photographs by Cecil Beaton and Annie Leibovitz, only was it announced as the official residence of the and paintings by Lucian Freud and Andy Warhol. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, adding to a list of Tickets: £6. Contact: +44 (0)20 7766 7344; Iroyal residents that has included Diana, Princess of www.npg.org.uk. Wales, and Princess Margaret, but it also reopened following a £12 million, two-year transformation, which was completed in time for the Olympic and Jubilee celebrations. The main changes are the newly designed entrance and gardens. Previously, the palace was shrouded by trees and fencing, with the entrance at the side of the building; now visitors enter from the front through beautiful landscaped gardens. This has had a dramatic impact: before, the palace had around 1,000

visitors a day, now there can be up to 3,000. Hustler/ © William Hustler and Georgina London Gallery, National Portrait and the Burke P.Burke of Mr Kevin Courtesy © Chris Levine Collection. Private Children. Many previously private areas have been opened to public view. There are four different walking routes, photographic tribute: incorporating temporary and permanent displays, which all Dorothy Wilding’s ‘Queen Elizabeth II’ begin in the Vestibule – a central point for visitors to find marked the coronation in 1952 (left); and their way back to. Refurbished by theatre-makers Coney, Chris Levine’s 2007 ‘Lightness of Being’ the State Apartments now offer a more complete visitor experience. In the King’s State Apartment, children and Swan Lake adults alike are encouraged to participate in the Game of Royal Opera House Court, a card game helping visitors to understand how the 8 October - 24 November courts of George I and II worked. In the Queen’s State Anthony Dowell’s romantic interpretation of this Apartments visitors are led through the enchanted rooms much-loved ballet uses the 19th-century of Queen Mary II, where quiet voices issue out of choreography by Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa. gramophones, and cushions embroidered with ‘Sit here to Tchaikovsky’s score is matched by the dramatic hear the walls whisper’ encourage interactive learning. costumes, glowing lanterns and magical designs The Victoria Revealed exhibition is intimate and on display: inspired by the work of Carl Fabergé. inspired. Walking through the rooms where she grew 18th-century court Tickets: details at www.roh.org.uk. from young girl to Queen, visitors are given snapshots of dresses in the State Contact: +44 (0)20 7304 4000. her thoughts and emotions. Taken from her journals and Apartments (top) letters, some of her most heartfelt thoughts are scrawled dramatic: Sarah Lamb and on tables and projected on to the walls. A temporary souvenirs: Federico Bonelli take the lead exhibition (until 4 November) on the Diamond Jubilee of Memorabilia from roles in Swan Lake 1897 encourages visitor participation. In one room we are the Diamond Jubilee invited to write a letter of congratulations to Queen of Queen Victoria Victoria; in another we walk through the London of 1897 in miniature and experience the sights magnificent: Photo by Bill Cooper, courtesy of ROH. courtesy Bill Cooper, by Photo and sounds of the Magical scene in the Jubilee celebrations. Queen’s Bedroom London Open House Although I had not Various venues, London been to the palace 22-23 September before, many of the More than 700 buildings of architectural interest aspects I most enjoyed open their doors to the public free of charge. turned out to be new. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Open House With just 90 minutes London includes some of the most inspiring to look around, my architecture in the capital, including government only wish is that I buildings, private homes, historic houses, could have stayed a schools and town halls.

All photos credited to Claire Simon. Claire to credited All photos little longer. Free. Contact: www.londonopenhouse.org.

26 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk IN THE UK

Star gazing, hiking, cycling and fishing make up just a handful of the activities on offer. The nearest sizable town was Llandeilo, a 30 minute’s drive away. With a lovely chocolate shop, a couple of pubs and a Welsh handful of gift shops it was a charming place. But our real reason for hopping in the car was to visit Carreg Cennen castle. wanderings Wales is often referred to as the Land of dramatic Castles, which are familiar sights in the Claire Simon discovers the beauty setting: Beacons, due to the Norman conquest. Sunset in the A popular tourist destination, the dramatic of the Brecon Beacons Beacons Carreg Cennen is thought to date back to the 12th century, and walking trails lead to it from all directions. Being new to these lands, ondon is a fantastic city, but I do left urban life behind – all in a three-and-a- I am now fully converted to the wonders of seek a retreat to greener pastures half hour drive from central London. the Welsh mountains. every now and then – so I jumped Nestled in the moorlands of Claire stayed at Wilderness Cottage. For L at the chance to join friends for a Carmarthenshire on the western side of the details see www.uniquehomestays.com or long weekend in the Brecon Beacons in Beacons, our cottage backed straight on to call +44 (0)7878 155 071. May. Although there are trains and local the national park. Our nearest neighbour was taxis, hiring a car from London is easy and a 15-minute walk away, and the cottage itself gives you the freedom to explore. From was idyllic. The weather, drizzly and grey as Swansea, we headed north through expected, added to the dramatic setting as increasingly smaller villages until we came dusk fell and we settled down before a log to the edge of civilisation: a cattle grid and a fire. These lands are shrouded in mystery, Beacons sign marked our entry into the and with tales such as the Lady of Llyn-y-Fan, land of castles: national park. With only a few other vehicles, and the Physicians of Myddfai, it’s hard not Carreg Cennen a handful of cyclists and plenty of sheep, we to get caught up in the romanticism of it all.

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 27 EVENTS Members’ events October-December

OCTOBER Little Beauty Windsor Castle wine tasting exhibition talk and Thursday 18 October, 7pm, Great Kitchen tour £50, G Tuesday 2 October, 11am, Enjoy a tutored tasting of all £40, R six of the award-winning,

Visit the longest-occupied palace bespoke products from this Ian Jones © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Photographer 2012 Trust Collection Royal in Europe and view ‘The Queen: independent vineyard in the Sixty Photographs for Sixty Waihopai Valley, New Zealand. five ROSL members and guests) A Dram Apart: single Years’, as well as the Great Little Beauty winemaker Fleur or let us find one for you. cask whisky tasting Kitchen, State Apartments and McCree will guide us through Tickets include sandwiches Thursday 29 November, more. Tickets include an their full range of single vineyard and a glass of wine, with 7pm, £45, G exhibition talk with morning tea/ wines, accompanied by a opportunities to buy drinks from ‘Through the Scotch Malt Whisky coffee and a popular behind-the- complementary tasting menu. the bar throughout. The quiz will Society you can discover the scenes tour of castle life, with finish no later than 8pm. very best single cask, single malt afternoon refreshments. Guests NOVEMBER to travel independently and make The ROSL Big General their own lunch arrangements. Knowledge Quiz fine wine: Bottles Thursday 1 November, 5.45pm from Little Beauty’s Guided tour of (quiz to start promptly at award-winning range Goldsmiths’ Hall 6.15pm), £12.50, G Monday 15 October, Test your mental mettle as our midday, £10, R experienced quiz master puts the A walking tour through one of teams through their paces. Prizes London’s hidden treasures, include half-price tickets to the erected by the Worshipful next Dinner in the Tower of Company of Goldsmiths in 1339. London and wine chosen by the Enjoy an introduction to this Director-General – so start opulent abode and its fascinating swotting now. You can put history of riches, ruin and renewal. together your own team (of up to

Members’ events application form (see opposite) Membership no...... Please complete this form (or a photocopy) and send to: Sara Brouwer, PR Department (Members Events), Over-Seas House, Park Title ..... First name ...... Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR. Email: [email protected]. Surname ...... Tel: +44 (0)20 7016 6906. It is advisable to call in advance to reserve a ticket. Guest(s) and trip they are attending Alternatively you can now book online. Visit www.rosl.org.uk for more details. (please include title and first name): ...... EVENT DATE PRICE TICKETS Windsor Castle talk and tour Tues 2 Oct £40 ………… £..… ...... Tour of Goldsmiths’ Hall Mon 15 Oct £10 ………… £..… Address to which tickets should be sent: Little Beauty wine tasting Thu 18 Oct £50 ………… £..… The ROSL Big General Knowledge Quiz Thu 1 Nov £12.50 ………… £..… ...... Chairman’s Lunch Tue 13 Nov £58 ………… £…...... A Dram Apart: single cask whisky tasting Thu 29 Nov £45 ………… £…...... Festival of Christmas carols and readings Sun 9 Dec £20 ………… £….. Tel no ...... Payment – please send a SEPARATE CHEQUE for each event. Cheques (sterling) Email ...... payable to ROSL. For Credit/Debit Card Payments call +44 (0)20 7016 6906.

28 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk EVENTS

royal feast: Chefs pepare for a State Banquet in the Great Kitchen of Windsor Castle (left)

whisky available to mankind opulent: The recently anywhere in the universe.’ ROSL refurbished Livery Hall, has persuaded this exclusive designed by Sir Horace society to bring their expertise Jones, at Goldsmiths Hall and unique whiskies to our (right) club for an exceptional tutored tasting session. With Scottish- themed canapés. Credit: Richard Valencia. Valencia. Richard Credit: Chairman’s Lunch Tuesday 13 November, midday, £58, G The biannual Chairman’s Lunch, hosted by ROSL Chairman, Sir Anthony Figgis. Reception drinks will be served in the Wrench Room, followed by a three-course lunch in the Hall of India and Pakistan. Guest of honour and speaker to be announced.

December Festival of Christmas carols and readings Sunday 9 December, 3.30pm, £20, G The annual ROSL Christmas service at St James’s Church, Piccadilly, will be followed by a delicious festive tea and a visit from Father Christmas.

Application form opposite These codes identify availability: M Members only G Tickets available for members and their guests R Restricted number of tickets available B Tickets to be allocated by ballot. Payment for balloted tickets is not needed until tickets are allocated. Maximum two tickets per member. Only successful applicants will be notified.

Please note: A booking confirmation will be sent within 10 working days of receiving the application. Refunds can only be given if cancellations are made at least 15 days in advance. Tickets for all events are limited and members should apply early to avoid disappointment. Tickets may be restricted to two per member for popular events.

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 29 EVENTS

Director of Arts, Roderick Lakin, ROSL ARTS previews the autumn events

MUSIC EVENTS supports outstanding young Anne de Sir Roger Carrick: Princess Alexandra Australian musicians. Courcy: Diplomatic Hall, Over-Seas House Tickets: £15; Friends of ROSL The Fishing Anecdotage Aurora Duo ARTS £12. Includes wine, Fleet Monday 26 November, 7pm Sunday 18 November, 6pm served after the concert. Wednesday 31 ROSL Vice-Chairman Sir The dynamic percussion duo October, 7pm Roger Carrick reflects on a Delia Stevens and Yu Le (Royal BOOK EVENTS While the Raj was peripatetic life in the British Northern College of Music) Princess Alexandra at its height many Diplomatic Service, with showcase their versatility and Hall, Over-Seas House of Britain’s most postings from Bulgaria to virtuosity in an hour-long Lesley Downer: Across eligible young Indonesia. He was shadowed programme of music from Bach a Bridge of Dreams men were out in by the secret police in Sofia, to the present day. This will be a Wednesday 17 October, 7pm India running the country. With witnessed the riots of 1968 in captivating visual and aural The author of Geisha: The secret the advent of steam travel and the Paris and negotiated the experience from the winners of history of a vanishing world, opening of the Suez Canal, many withdrawal of British troops from the 2012 ROSL Ensemble Award Lesley Downer makes a young women followed in search Singapore (see review, page 21). (see page 18). welcome return to Over-Seas of romance and adventure. They Diplomatic Anecdotage is Tickets: £15; Friends of ROSL House to introduce her latest became known as the Fishing published by Elliott and ARTS £12. Includes post- novel. Based on the true story of Fleet, and Anne de Courcy tells Thompson. concert sparkling wine. The Last Samurai (the book by their hitherto untold story. Tickets £7; £5 Friends of ROSL Helen DeWitt), Across a Bridge A hectic social life greeted ARTS. Includes glass of wine. Prizewinners concert of Dreams is a tale of star- them, with tiger-shooting, Wednesday 5 December, 7pm crossed lovers set against a parties and balls. With men SCREENING Jayson Gillham piano backdrop of political and social outnumbering women four to Princess Alexandra Pianist Jayson Gillham, ROSL upheaval in 1870s Japan. one, romances and marriages Hall, Over-Seas House Annual Music Competition The author of many acclaimed were frequent – but after the David Jones Between 2012 Gold Medallist and First fiction and non-fiction books on honeymoon, life often changed the Wars: The year’s Prize winner (see page 18), Japanese subjects, Downer dramatically. Anne de Courcy of achievement by gives an hour-long concert of brings historical and cultural explores the reality of life for Derek Shiel and solo piano showpieces, and is detail to enrich this sweeping these young adventurers and, Adam Alive joined in guest performances narrative of love and war, of a drawing on diaries and letters Monday 19 November, 7pm by other talented ROSL nation divided and a love that rescued from attics, she brings A documentary exploring the Australian prizewinners. can never be. this forgotten era vividly to life. life and work of the Anglo-Welsh Given in association with the Across a Bridge of Dreams is The Fishing Fleet is published artist and poet David Jones Tait Memorial Trust, which published by Random House. by Weidenfeld and Nicholson. during the interwar years.

30 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk EVENTS

Sing for Her Majesty Stop press John Lill piano recital Do you sing in a choir? Would you like to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Tuesday 23 October, 7pm ROSL ARTS is delighted to announce the first in Jubilee? Cathy Graham, Director of a regular series of concerts in Princess Alexandra Music at the British Council, has news Hall, Over-Seas House, to be presented in about a wonderful new opportunity association with the Medical Music Society (formerly RSM Music Society). Fittingly for the The British Council and Making 60th anniversary year of the ROSL Annual Music Music have joined forces to celebrate Competition, the first concert will be given by The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in a very one of the competition’s most distinguished past special way, by commissioning Paul alumni, John Lill OBE. Programme and ticket Mealor to write a new piece of music, prices will be announced in September. Jubilate! Jubilee!. Making Music is the UK’s number one membership organisation for voluntary music, and does superb work encouraging all new paintings and prints by on show: kinds of music groups and individuals Pratheep Modi (India), Nick Olsen Prathap Modi’s ‘We to be part of a vibrant multicultural (Australia), Holly Parotti Will be Together’ music scene. We would like the piece (Bahamas) and Sunil Sugdil (left) will be on view to be performed by as many choirs (Nepal), who all undertook a at the 2012 Annual as possible, throughout the UK and ROSL ARTS funded residency at Scholars Exhibition the Commonwealth. the Patrick Allan Fraser Paul Mealor is one of Britain’s favourite Foundation at Hospitalfield in composers, famous for his Ubi Caritas, Arbroath, Scotland, last Director of Arts, Roderick Lakin, which was performed as part of the September. Glass work by Royal Wedding last year and Wherever previews the autumn events Samantha Donaldson, winner of You Are, which was Christmas No.1. the ROSL/Royal College of Art For tickets and Jubilate! Jubilee! is a setting of a trophy commission 2012, will details, call specially written poem by the Rt Revd From Jones’s conversion to also be exhibited. +44 (0)20 7408 Dr Geoffrey Rowell (Bishop of Gibraltar), Catholicism to his immersion Admission free. gallery@oxo, 0214 x 219 or scored for SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, in the Ditchling community, the Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse email culture@ bass) choir and piano, with a duration of film traces his development as a Street Southbank, London SE1 around five minutes. For a limited period, painter, poet and engraver; his rosl.org.uk. 9PH. See www.coinstreet.org/ it can be downloaded for free from friendships and relationships; whatson/exhibitionsandevents. www.makingmusic.org.uk/Jubilee – all his breakdown (1932-33); and we ask is that you fill in the form so that the success of his epic war we can let Her Majesty know how many poem In Parenthesis. Musical evening at performances of the work have been The film draws on interviews St James’s Palace given – and where – when we present with scholars, artists, writers Wednesday 10 October, 7pm the score to her later this year. and friends, including Rowan Celebration of the 60th anniversary of the ROSL We hope you will join this special Williams, Archbishop of Annual Music Competition in the presence of HRH celebration of the close relationship of Canterbury, and art historians Princess Alexandra. mutual dedication and affection between Paul Hills and Frances Spalding. For details and a ticket form see page 20. Queen and Commonwealth. With a running time of 78 minutes, it will be introduced by its Director, Derek Shiel, and will be followed by a question and answer session. Tickets £7; £5 Friends of ROSL ARTS. Includes a glass of wine. VISUAL ARTS gallery@oxo, London Annual Scholars Exhibition Wednesday 3 - Sunday 21 October, 10am-6pm daily ROSL ARTS returns to gallery@ dynamic duo: oxo at the landmark Oxo Tower, The Aurora Duo will situated close to the National perform in the Theatre on London’s Southbank. Sundays @ 3 series

The exhibition brings together © Jules Lawrence

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 31 EVENTS Younger Members September-December

SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER top shot: Taking aim at the The club crawl The Moveable Feast beautiful Bisley Shooting Wednesday 5 September Thursday 15 November Ground * For further information on This year, this ever-popular staple Whether you’re new to London ROSL Younger Members and of the clubland calendar will or simply looking for a whale of year at the stately Savile Club, the Inter-Club Group, email grace the In and Out Club, a time, this gastronomic this is one event in clubland that Sara Brouwer (sbrouwer@rosl. Reform Club, National Liberation equivalent of musical chairs will should not be missed. org.uk) or Ross Lima (ross. Club and conclude in the Savage hold great appeal. Enjoy a Inter-Club details TBA.* [email protected]). Club with a traditional recipe of delicious dinner in the jazz and all-round chaos. Lansdowne Club’s beautiful Inter-Club details TBA.* Ballroom and meet someone Clay shoot for ROSLites new with every course. Saturday 6 October, 11am, £65 OCTOBER Inter-Club details TBA.* Put on your best tweeds and escape the big smoke for a Producers’ tasting morning of hand-eye coordination amid the outstanding menu December natural beauty of Bisley Shooting Ground. Tickets include Thursday 25 October The annual Inter-Club tuition for beginners, gun hire and safety equipment, a The Farmers Club will host the Christmas Ball pre-shoot bacon roll and post-shoot lunch in the Old first of the autumn’s Inter-Club Saturday 8 December Sergeants’ Mess Shooting Club. Instead of tuition, more dinners. Guaranteed to Get your trigger fingers ready experienced shots will practice a range of Olympic-esque showcase the cream of the crop, and hit the Inter-Club website for disciplines – and compete to become ROSL’s top shot. We will the tasting menu will be a treat tickets to the Christmas Ball, leave Waterloo at 10am to arrive at Bisley at 11am, and shoot of agrarian splendour. because these bad boys will run for 90 minutes. Inter-Club details TBA.* out within hours! Hosted this Let the sunshine in Inter-Clubbers put on a sunny face despite the rain, with Jubilee, Olympic and other fantastic events, says Sara Brouwer

he Diamond Jubilee marked a glorious events More followed in the form of the Travellers Club Garden season for ROSL, and the Younger Members’ Party and the Inter-Club Tennis Tournament and programme was no exception. The Diamond Barbecue. But let’s not forget the London 2012 Games. TJubilee Dinner and Music event in May Here clubland put its best foot forward and joined the combined ROSL’s acclaimed work in the arts with a Army and Navy Club for an Inter-Club Sports Day. For delicious sit-down dinner and outstanding performances those more disposed to mental exercise, the Inter-Club by ROSL prizewinning musicians. The event was Quiz at the Savage Club provided a fitting alternative. beautifully documented by Christopher Hanges, whose On a final note, Alex Pavry and Conrad Purcell hung up photos can be found on the Inter-Club Younger Members their coats as Younger Members Coordinator and Facebook page. Younger Members Rep. We will miss their expertise and Sadly, the summer continued to drizzle on – thank sense of fun, but welcome Ross Lima, who is already goodness for the Inter-Club events calendar bringing a fulfilling the role of Younger Members Rep brilliantly. little sunshine into our lives. The Royal Automobile Club kick-started things with a Best of British summer party, glorious: Younger Members at the ROSL including a jazz band, in their stunning terrace room. Diamond Jubilee Dinner and Music event in May

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EDINBURGH What’s on... September-November Food SEPTEMBER of wine and coffee, Tickets: £18; canapés. Tickets £12; Friends Edinburgh Festival £20 non-members. of ROSL ARTS £10. & drink: fireworks Sunday 2 September Coffee morning St Andrew’s Day Five-course dinner, wine, coffee Saturday 6 October, 10.30am Dinner London and malt whisky, with cocktails Supporting Guide Dogs for the Friday 30 November, 7.30pm on arrival and roof access to Blind. Tickets: £2.50. Three-course dinner with wine. Christmas Day lunch view the fireworks. Tickets: £125. Tickets: £33. Join the ROSL festivities this Time TBA.* Chairman’s Reception Christmas, with sparkling for new members * For details see www.rosl drinks and a canapé reception Bridge Club lunch Wednesday 24 October, -edinburgh.org/events.htm. followed by a traditional Friday 7 September, 12.30pm 6.30pm four-course feast and wine. One-course meal with sherry. Celebrate with fellow ROSL Introduce a guest. Tickets: £12. NOVEMBER Cobbs’ Christmas members on our shared tables Coffee morning package or book a private table and Music @ 100 Princes Saturday 3 November, 10.30am Edinburgh is one of the bring guests, starting at midday Street Talk on ‘How Lord Elgin lost his world’s most magical and finishing with The Queen’s Wednesday 19 September, Marbles’. Tickets: £2.50. places at Christmas, so Speech. £81.75 pp. For 6.30pm come for a three-night stay reservations, contact Alastair Violinist Ben Baker performs Arts Lunch: (24-26 December) at the Betty, Alastair@convexleisure. works by Strauss, MacMillan and Greasepaint monkey Edinburgh clubhouse from co.uk; +44 (0) 20 7491 3644. Saint-Saëns, followed by wine Wednesday 7 November, £275pp and enjoy a 20% and canapés. Tickets £12; midday discount on meals. The New Year’s Eve Friends of ROSL ARTS £10. Actor John Cairney returns with Christmas Day lunch menu To welcome 2013, the catering more tales of a life in theatre. includes a Kir Royale, team are planning a special Trip to the Highlands Two-course lunch with glass of seasonal canapés, three party for members. We are in Saturday 29 September - wine and coffee. Tickets: £20; delicious courses, a glass the process of finalising the Monday 1 October £22 non-members. Early booking of wine, coffee and mince event, so please check the Following the great success of is recommended. pies. In the evening a cold ROSL website (www.rosl.org. the Highlands visit in spring.* buffet and wine will be uk) in September for full details. Music @ 100 Princes available. On Christmas OCTOBER Street Eve, afternoon tea will be Arts Lunch: Wednesday 14 November, served in the Observation 21st season 6.30pm Bar with sparkling wine. Wednesday 3 October, midday Pianist Charis Cheung plays Music from St Mary’s Music works by Beethoven, Ginastera Traditional German School. Two-course lunch, glass and Liszt, followed by wine and Christmas market Provided by stallholders from Frankfurt, this popular Christmas market runs from 26 November to 5 January, selling a mix of classic and contemporary gifts, as well as a range of German food and drink. Bed and breakfast for two will be just £75, Sunday- Thursday, at this time (excluding Christmas and New Year periods). Bookings: reception@ rosl-edinburgh.org or +44 (0)131 225 1501. © iStockphoto

September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 33 EVENTS Discussion Group & London Group

Discussion group The political role of Henderson CBE, Principal of the School of Music, Kneller Hall, Meetings are held on the following London’s clubs Central School of Speech and currently trains the musicians Mondays, 7-8.30pm, at Over-Seas 12 November Drama, and Chair of the jury at and future band masters of the House, London. There is no charge, With Seth Thevoz, whose PhD at ROSL Annual Music Competition. British Army and armies no need to book and all ROSL Warwick University is on this topic. ROSL is hosting a wine tasting overseas. Tea and light members and guests are welcome. following the talk, which London refreshments will be available to Contact John Edwards, london group Group members can join for a purchase at the end of the tour. +44 (0)1732 883556, Meetings and outside visits are special discounted fee of £45. For Travel is by coach from Over- [email protected]. open to London Group members details see page 31. Seas House, London, departing Please note: The Discussion and their occasional guests. ROSL at 1pm and returning by 6pm. Group does not meet in members staying overnight at The Work of St James’s Tickets: LG members £22; guests September. Over-Seas House, London, are Parish £24. Meet at 12.45pm at Over-Seas also welcome. To join the London 15 November House. Apply by 8 October. 2012: ROSL/ Group, ask for an application form Talk by the Revd Lucy Winkett, Goodenough Diamond from the PR Department or from Rector of St James’s, Piccadilly, church work: Jubilee series the London Group Executive and a former Canon in Residence St James’s, Piccadilly Discussion Group meetings in Vice-Chairman c/o Porters’ Desk at at St Paul’s Cathedral. 2012 are organised in association Over-Seas House, London. with Goodenough College. Contact Clive Carpenter, Outside visits Founded in 1931, the college +44 (0)7798 824193, clivedavid For more details, contact Doreen provides residential [email protected]. Regan, +44 (0)20 7584 5879. accommodation in the heart of To apply for events, write to Bloomsbury for postgraduate Meetings Doreen Regan, London Group, c/o students from all over the Held once a month on a Thursday, Porters’ Desk, Over-Seas House, world. It is justifiably proud of 6-7pm, in the Mountbatten Room, London. Please enclose seperate its rich extracurricular life, which Over-Seas House, London. cheques payable to London draws on the intellectual and Group ROSL and a stamped, cultural interests and strengths of Exploring Wildlife in self-addressed envelope. its student body. See Oman www.goodenough.ac.uk. 20 September Guided tour of the An illustrated talk by James Austrian Ambassador’s Mandela’s children turn Borrell, a conservation biologist residence 21: coming of age in who recently completed an Wednesday 3 October, 11am the new South Africa expedition to the Dhofar View the architecture, furnishings 8 October mountains of Oman, in search of and paintings of the Austrian With epidemiologist Professor the critically endangered Embassy in London, built in the George Ellison, a fellow of Arabian leopard. early 19th century by the architect Goodenough College and of the George Basevi, courtesy of the

Royal Society for Public Health, Three score years Ambassador, HE Dr Emil Brix. Lamden © Derek who has worked in South Africa. and then…? Tickets: LG members £10; 18 October guests £12. Meet at 10.45am, adventures in oman: ‘A rambling through a musical life 18 Belgrave Square, London SW1. Volunteer poppy Climbing dunes in Dhofar in London’ by Professor Gavin Nearest Tube: Victoria. sellers 28 October - 11 November Guided tour of the We will be selling poppies at Royal Military School Over-Seas House, London. of Music and the If you are interested, please Museum of British call Helen Osborne on Military Music +44 (0)20 8503 5693 or (Postponed from 12 June). leave your name and Tuesday 16 October, 2pm contact number c/o Porters’ Founded in 1857 by the Duke of Desk, Over-Seas House.

© James Borrell Cambridge, the Royal Military

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September-November 2012 OVER SEAS 35 EVENTS

36 OVERSEAS www.rosl.org.uk