The Anthony Powell Society Newsletter
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The Anthony Powell Society Newsletter Issue 47, Summer 2012 ISSN 1743-0976 We have been suffering – it is true to say that we are still suffering and shall suffer for no little time – from the most devastating trade depression in our recorded history. We have been forced from the Gold Standard, so it seems to me, and others not unworthy of a public hearing, because of the insufficiency of money in the hands of consumers. Very well. I suggest to you that our contemporary anxieties are not entirely vested in the question of balance of payment, that is at least so far as current account may be concerned, and I put it to you that certain persons, who should perhaps have known better, have been responsible for unhappy, indeed catastrophic capital movements through a reckless and inadmissible lending policy. The Acceptance World; from Widmerpool’s speech at the Le Bas Old Boys’ Dinner Contents From the Secretary’s Desk … 2 Actions for these Trying Times … 3-5 REVIEW: Edward St Aubyn … 6-14 Caledonia Names … 14-15 Society Notices … 16 Dates for Your Diary … 17 AP and CP Snow … 18-19 Two Views of Dance … 20-25 Cuttings … 26-29 Merchandise & Membership … 30-32 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #47 From the Secretary’s Desk The Anthony Powell Society Thinking about these financially- Registered Charity No. 1096873 challenged times – as the Trustees have The Anthony Powell Society is a had to in recent months – reminds me of charitable literary society devoted to the Widmerpool’s impenetrable speech at the life and works of the English author Le Bas Old Boys’ dinner in AW. Anthony Dymoke Powell, 1905-2000. One remembers Widmerpool’s speech as being interminably long – doubtless the Officers & Trustees effect AP wished to create – whereas in Patron: John MA Powell fact the whole section, including President: The Earl of Gowrie PC, FRSL Jenkins’s narration, is a mere five pages. Hon. Vice-Presidents: As we all know Widmerpool actually says Julian Allason very little; the whole speech is a Patric Dickinson LVO masterpiece of intricate verbiage which Michael Meredith appears to say much but in truth says Dr Jeremy Warren FSA nothing. The quote on the front page is the most cogent passage. Society Trustees: Dr Christine Berberich Intricate, meaningless and self-important Stephen Holden seems to be today’s public perception of Jeffrey Manley (USA) most politicians, financiers and tycoons. Dr Keith C Marshall (Hon. Secretary) In AP’s day society was much more Dr Derek WJ Miles (Hon. Treasurer) deferential towards the great and the good Paul Nutley (Chairman) although the Depression of the 1930s, Tony Robinson when Widmerpool’s speech is made, was Prof. John Roe a time when that reverence began to Elwin Taylor (Switzerland) break down. Membership Office: Intricacy though is not misplaced. Yes Dorothy & Graham Davie AP is using it for comic effect. But the world of finance, banking and economics Newsletter & Journal Editor: is nothing if not complex – as is being Stephen Holden demonstrated by all the cross-currents of Hon. Archivist: Noreen Marshall the present European financial and political turmoil. Every solution seems to All correspondence should be sent to: be a “worst case scenario”, supported by Hon. Secretary, Anthony Powell Society the few and apparently violently opposed 76 Ennismore Avenue, Greenford by the many. Middlesex, UB6 0JW, UK Phone: +44 (0) 20 8864 4095 Through all of this the Trustees have to Fax: +44 (0) 20 8020 1483 try navigating the Society safely and Email: [email protected] you’ll see in this issue some of the actions we are taking to try to trim the sails – and Cover photograph © John S Monagan 1984 and reproduced some of the things you can do to assist. by kind permission. © The Anthony Powell Society, 2012. All rights reserved. Stormy seas are inevitable. Let’s all work Published by The Anthony Powell Society. to ensure our safe passage is too. ■ Printed and distributed by Lonsdale Direct Solutions, Wellingborough, UK. 2 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #47 Actions for these Trying Times by Keith Marshall (Hon. Sceretary) & Derek Miles (Hon. Treasurer) It seems that everywhere is in recession, the glue on envelopes has a finite shelf prices are rising faster than income and -life! savings rates have collapsed. The Society 5. As everyone will be aware the returns is not immune from this and our finances on investments and savings are are being stretched. Our aim in this article currently very low and have been for is to report on the current situation, what some years. This means that while we the Trustees are doing to manage it and have reserves they don’t generate what you, the members, can do to help us. much in the way of useful income or The Background growth. First of all let’s look at some of the things 6. Keep in mind too that essentially all which are affecting the Society’s finances: the Society’s work is performed voluntarily – not just by the Trustees 1. Costs are generally rising and many and Officers, but also by other costs, eg. printing, postage, room hire professionals who give their time pro and labour charges, appear to be bono (or at greatly reduced rates). increasing faster than inflation generally. Actions 2. What will probably hurt us most is this So what are we doing about all this? The year’s increase in UK postage charges. Trustees have been considering a number UK inland second class postage of ideas for some time and these largely increased by around 40% overnight came together at our March meeting. and some overseas charges increased Some are short-term actions and some will even more; further draconian rises are take longer to come to fruition. predicted. When the Hon. Secretary 1. First of all, as you will notice, we are reported on this to the March Trustees’ printing the Newsletter on slightly Meeting it was estimated that if we lighter-weight paper. While the took no action the cost of mailing each heavier paper does give a higher Newsletter issue would increase by quality product the slightly lighter £100 this year. That’s a 30% increase. paper is estimated to save us around 3. Increasingly there are smaller, or even £50 per issue in postage charges (so no, discounts on services for charitable the cost will be going up by only £50 organisations and people are reluctant and not £100). That’s almost £1 per to commit pricing very far in advance. member per year saved. Moreover not everyone seems to be 2. The Trustees again considered the trying to contain their price rises possibility of emailing the Newsletter despite the downturn in business. to members. However not all 4. Wherever we can we make use of members have email and a dual-media discounts for buying in bulk, but this is publication would reduce the print run not always possible or sensible. Even and make it less viable (an even smaller print run means higher 3 Anthony Powell Society Newsletter #47 comparative costs). The feedback you posted a few months after publication) give us is that a printed Newsletter is and copies can always be made valued and you like having it drop available as a PDF file (or photocopy) through your letterbox – we certainly for a small donation. do! – it feels like value for money. 7. Needless to say the Trustees are The printed Newsletter is also a useful reviewing subscription rates in the marketing tool to give prospective light of the 2012 accounts. Early members. Consequently the Trustees indications are that we can maintain agreed that both the Newsletter and subscriptions at the current level this Secret Harmonies will remain printed year but an increase may well become publications for the foreseeable future, inevitable in 2013. Rest assured any although this will continue to be increases will be kept to the absolute reviewed from time to time. minimum. 3. We will also be looking very closely at 8. A set of much longer term actions the number of “free” Newsletters and revolves around the Merchandise Secret Harmonies we mail out and the Office. As you will recall we have number of spare copies we print. If asked for a volunteer to take on the you’re reading this and you’re not a Merchandise Office from Graham & member this may be your last copy! Dorothy Davie. (Graham and Dorothy So join now! will continue to be the Membership 4. All the merchandise prices have been Officers.) No-one has come forward. reviewed to reflect the increased UK It has therefore been decided that the postage rates. The changes take effect Merchandise Office will revert to the from this Newsletter. Hon. Secretary. While this is in some 5. Wherever we can we will be using ways a retrograde step it is also a email to keep in contact with members. positive one as it will enable us to Those of you with email should expect restart the work to develop the online to see subscription reminders, shop. This will also enable us to put acknowledgements, event memberships online – both new announcements etc. appearing in your membership sign-ups and renewals – email rather than through your and to consolidate credit card/PayPal letterbox – please keep an eye on your transactions into a single facility. (Yes, email box. Those who don’t have paper will remain an option!) email will, of course, still receive Although this latter may turn out postal communications. No-one slightly more expensive in bank should lose out! charges, having memberships and merchandise online will hopefully 6.