Our Head Office, Dartmouth House, is open to members and their friends from Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 18h00.
On Friday 15th March, 25 members and guests met for lunch in the restaurant l’Embarcadère in La Menitré, the first time our association had visited the restaurant since new owners took over several years ago. The food and service were both excellent and we plan to return on a summer’s day to lunch on the terrace and enjoy the wonderful views over the river Loire.
Following lunch, we made our way to the brewery La Piautre, where we were welcomed by our charming English-speaking guide. We learned that the brewery was founded 20 years ago by two friends whose original idea was to establish it on a boat on the Loire, hence the name. Using locally grown barley, but unable to source malt locally, it was soon decided that the malting process would take place on site. Members enjoyed a video of the process before learning that different naturally flavoured beers are obtained from varieties of hops from France and abroad: Alsace, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, included. Ten years ago, experiments began using malted barley to make whisky. Water, malt, and yeast are mixed and fermented for roughly a week before being distilled. Stills similar to those for Cognac are used and today 7 varieties of single malt whisky are produced. The company continues to experiment and has recently produced the first La Pautre gin. Samples were much appreciated during the tasting session that was the climax of an interesting and enjoyable afternoon.
The 2024 Regional Public Speaking Competition in English took place in the Salons de la Présidence at the Préfecture, Place Michel Debré, Angers, during the afternoon of 23 March 2024, when 11 candidates presented their speeches on the theme “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”.
This year, teachers from 7 lycées in the region worked with their students towards the competition:
3 candidates were selected by the jury to represent the ESU Loire Valley in the national finals, 6th April, at the Assemblée Nationale in Paris, when a total of 11 candidates representing this region, Aix-Marseille, and the Paris region, will compete to represent France in London at the ESU international public speaking competition in May.
Our thanks to the judges and teachers involved and to our partners, the Bibliothèque Anglophone in Angers, and the Maison de l’Europe Maine et Loire – Europe Direct, for their work prior to, and during the competition.
Our Head Office, Dartmouth House, is open to members and their friends from Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 18h00.
The in-house catering is provided by Graysons who serve delicious menus with mouth-watering options for breakfast, with an array of tempting small plates and sharing dishes at lunchtime, not to mention cakes and afternoon tea and tipples. There is something for every occasion and every appetite and the excellent food on offer helps make Dartmouth House the vibrant and inclusive setting for the ESU’s charitable work it has always been.
Staff at head office look forward to greeting ESU members in 2024 and wish to remind everyone that membership fees help to provide young people with the life-changing speaking and listening skills and cross-cultural understanding they need to achieve their full potential and to change their lives and communities for the better.
I have been in post for a fortnight as Director General and I wanted to write to you to say how delighted I am to be at the ESU. I have spent my time with the staff and members, getting to know the education programmes and seeing the work our members do across England and Wales. I’ve been impressed with the great enthusiasm and commitment to our work.
I am hugely excited about our collective potential as an international community to raise awareness of the work the ESU does. The team at Dartmouth House have updated me on the longstanding support for the ESU amongst all of you, as well as the work you’ve undertaken in your respective countries to raise the profile of this important organisation. I believe there is much that we can achieve together and look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.
From an international perspective, my immediate priority is working with our friends in the US to finalise the agenda for the International Council Meeting in Cleveland in October. Work is well underway on the programme of activities and the team should be able to share this in a few weeks’ time.
In the meantime, I look forward to meeting many of you in London in May for IPSC week and everyone else at the ICM in October.
Very best wishes
Charles
Charles Byrne
Director General
The English-Speaking Union
charles.byrne@esu.org
The unique English Speaking Union residential summer school, Debate Academy, takes place every year in August at Stamford School in Lincolnshire. This friendly, immersive summer school for 14- to 18- year olds offers top-quality coaching in debate to all ability levels. It’s a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange, in a supportive and fun environment.
If you would like to send a student to Debate Academy, full information and booking can be found online here: https://www.esu.org/programmes/debate-academy/
This article was received from Sophie Loussouarn. She is the daughter of the chairman and also a university lecturer and author of books regarding British politics:
April 8th marks the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale which was sealed by King Edward VII and President Loubet in 1904 as an Alliance meant to counter the aggressive tendency of the German Empire.
It was the work of the French Ambassador in London Paul Cambon and the British Foreign Secretary Lord Landsdowne.
The Entente Cordiale paved the way to the diplomatic cooperation between France and Britain against Germany during the First World War.
At the beginning of the Second World War, France and Britain fought together hand in hand until June 1940 when France surrendered to Germany. After the Appel du 18 Juin 1940, General de Gaulle moved to London welcomed by Sir Winston Churchill. He became the leader of the Free French who were able to unify most French resistance forces in their struggle against Germany.
The Entente Cordiale was revived by the Franco British Summit on 10 March 2023 and by King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s visit to France in September 2023 .
For the first time French troops will guard Buckingham Palace at Monday’s Changing of the Guard Ceremony to mark the Anniversary. Scots Guards will join the Garde Republicaine to greet French President Emmanuel Macron on the same day outside the Elysée Palace.
On this special occasion, the French and British will pay homage to the spirit of cooperation and friendship that has defined the two nations’ history and the Entente Cordiale Prize will be introduced, named after some of the most illustrious historical figures, such as Queen Elizabeth II, General de Gaulle, Sir Winston Churchill and President Chirac who have played pivotal roles in shaping the Entente Cordiale’s legacy. The Entente Cordiale Prize aims to honour every year excellence, innovation, and research within LSE and Sciences Po as top-ranked social sciences universities in the world and within other future joining participating universities.
Sophie Loussouarn
Salle du Conseil Mairie du 7eme 116 rue de Grenelle 75007
For details of how to register: ljloussouarn@free.fr
Awaiting update
Awaiting update.
The ICM will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, between 18 – 24 October 2024
Happy Hour
The ESU USA is streaming a series of talks that are engaging, fun, and informative. Speakers are live and cover a wide range of topics. All free of charge. The custom is for speakers to suggest a unique cocktail to create and enjoy at home during the talk, hence the name “Happy Hour”.
Sessions are recorded and can be viewed at any time.
For more details: http://www.esuus.org/esu/activities/happy-hour
Awaiting update.
A reminder to all that once you have subscribed to the ESU you can pay members’ rates to attend events organised by any branch in France or elsewhere in the world.
A full list of member countries can be found on the main website: simply click the continent you are looking for under ‘Show Me’ at the top of the page: https://www.esu.org/international-network/
Don’t forget to check out the other sites on our Links page.
60 rue Boisnet, 49100 Angers
Open to the public: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 13h00 to 18h00 and Thursday 18h00 to 19h00
Meet the New Library Director Mandy Torsey-Guillet, shown here on the left with retiring director, Phoebe Marshall-Raimbeau.
“Springtime in the States” is a 3-day English-learning workshop for secondary school pupils. Participants learn English in a fun, interactive way with games, songs, and activities and lots of talking and moving around. The workshop will be at the library for three consecutive afternoons of three hours each, from 2 to 5 pm.
To sign up as a participant, please 02 41 24 97 07 or email info@ellia.org The number of participants is limited. Cost is 75 euros (includes snack, materials, and library membership).
Hundreds of second-hand books in English will be for sale: children’s books, young adult fiction, crime thrillers, classic novels, non-fiction (gardening, cooking), biographies, autobiographies, and many, many more.
2€ per book. 6 books for the price of 5. Plants and baked goods will also be on sale.
For more details of the many social activities that are available through the library, please contact the front desk on 02.41.24.97.07, or consult the website.
Do you like singing in French and in English? The Loire Valley Voices choristers have a repertoire that includes pieces by the Beatles, Sting, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Womach, Laurent Voulzy. They would welcome new members to their multicultural group, led by choirmaster, Stéphane Claire, who encourages each individual to find their true voice.
For more details please contact sylvie.reeves@club-internet.fr
Join our community of bilingual (English/French) families in the greater Angers area for fun outdoor activities this summer. If you’d like to attend any (or all!) of the events, email Hilary Hodge at hilarylynnehodge@gmail.com. She will send out an email before each event with more details.
The regional education board, the Académie de Nantes, is currently looking to recruit native English speakers to become full time or part time English teachers, either on a temporary or permanent basis.
They are looking for people from a whole range of different backgrounds, such as legal, medical, athletic, military, tourism, etc. Applicants can select the region in which they would prefer to work. If this is of interest, you can get in touch with the Académie via this link.
You will be asked for a CV, a short letter of motivation and your qualifications. If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an interview during which all details will be fully explained.
Beauville Arts brings together young people and performing arts professionals to stage inspiring high-quality performances. With an ethos close to that of the ESU, their courses and summer camps “develop talent and boost confidence, helping to create lifelong friendships and precious memories”.
The company works with schools during termtime and provide courses and camps during the holiday period. Themes for 2024 include: The Sound of Music, The Blues Brothers, Grease, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Footloose in Beauville, Shrek and We Will Rock YouSome on the Côte d’Azur, and in Bavaria, Germany, Mary Poppins and High School Musical.
Courses are taught in English and help develop skills in the English language as well as nurturing performing arts talent. More details can be found on the website: https://beauvillearts.com/ or by contacting claire@beauvillearts.com
Daily English is an association that provides French young people with the opportunity to learn English by being immersed in a British family and provides British in France with the means to earn an income by teaching and hosting them. Click here to visit the website.
There’s a clear structure to these visits: the youngsters arrive on Sunday afternoon, and the hosts spend the first evening putting them at ease. From Monday to Friday, there’s a lesson after breakfast each day, then an outing and lunch. In the evenings they all play board games or watch English films. On Saturday, they leave by 11am. Lessons are prepared by Daily English Daily who provide a whole teaching programme and the hosts simply print off what they need.
For more details either on how to host or how to find a suitable placement contact Sally on 04 99 65 21 63 or send an e-mail to sally@dailyenglish.fr
30 Rue de la Petite Bilange, 49400 Saumur
Since September 2021, in association with Language Connexion, this primary school has been offering all its pupils every assistance to learn English from an early age. A young British teaching assistant motivates learning by using songs and rhymes for the early years and by using English to teach various subjects to primary and junior pupils.
WWOOF, or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is an agricultural exchange that provides hands-on experience and education. WWOOF is not considered “work,” but rather a chance to exchange skills and language while learning about organic types of agriculture. Hosts provide housing, three meals per day, and other educational opportunities.
Typically, WWOOFers are expected to assist with farm work for four hours per day and eat with the hosts. During off-hours and weekends, WWOOFers, individuals with interests in agriculture, ecology, biology, environmental studies, sustainability, food systems, and/or English, can explore the locality.
Monthly skill shares and talks are hosted on the farm and talks are organised to nurture relationships with local universities and agricultural experts.
Asheville, North Carolina
In keeping with Asheville Sister Cities’ continued efforts in developing educational and international exchanges with our sister cities, the Summer Intern, Blake Noble, a UNCA student who is currently living on Peace Rock Farm is excited to offer a one to two-week-long educational and hands-on agricultural exchange program to individuals involved with ASCI through WWOOF.org.
Open to receive WWOOFers for one to two weeks from July – Aug 20th with the possibility of finding a week during UNCA’s School semester (Aug 21 – Nov 24th).
Our hostel-style Bunk has the capacity for 3-4 individuals. The laundry, bathroom, and shower are conveniently located nearby. For WWOOFers’ entertainment, there is also an outdoor movie lounge, a ping-pong table, a rope swing, as well as 50+ acres of land, trails, and winding creeks to explore and learn about!
For more information, email: bnoble@unca.edu
Awaiting update
