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The English-Speaking Union was founded as a membership organisation, bringing together those who share a belief that better communication makes for better global understanding. Today, we have over 5,000 members in 36 regional branches across England and Wales who meet to socialise, gain new perspectives on the world and to help organise and raise funds for our educational work.
We are hugely grateful to our branches, which are central to the running of our Public Speaking and Performing Shakespeare competitions. Some also run their own, complementary, oracy programmes and many choose to sponsor local schools to take part in our Discover Debating programme or Discover Your Voice workshops.
To find out more about your local branch, please select the city/region nearest to you from the filter above.
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Branch events across the country
Salisbury Branch: The true story of Mad Men with Miles Young
Salisbury & Wiltshire
The Salisbury Branch welcomes the chair of the ESU, Miles Young to speak on his career in Marketing. Overview: Who were the original Mad Men, and what’s the real story behind the ads you see every day? Miles Young may be able to help you find out. Miles Young spent…
Salisbury Branch: The Ancient Art of the Stonemason
Salisbury & Wiltshire
The Salisbury Branch is joined by Gary Price for a lecture on his career and the Salisbury Cathedral. Overview: Gary Price started work at Salisbury Cathedral in 1986 as a stone sawyer, four years later he became Head of Stone Sawyer. In 2012 he became Clerk of Works and has…
ESU Annual General Meeting and Christmas Reception 2025
English-Speaking Union
Please save the date for our Annual General Meeting and Christmas Reception – your chance to hear about the ESU’s achievements and plans,…
ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition Grand Final 2025
English-Speaking Union
The prestigious ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition, is the largest such contest in England and Wales. The different roles allow students to practice and excel in different skill sets, and the competition’s unique format, which pairs the speaker from one school with the chair and questioner of another, encourages quick…
ESU Schools' Mace Grand Final 2025
English-Speaking Union
The English-Speaking Union welcomes you to the Grand Final of the ESU Schools’ Mace debating competition, taking place on Thursday, 30 April at Dartmouth House, London. Guests are welcome to join us from 9am ready for the semi-finals to begin at 9.45am. Light refreshments will…
The ESU International Public Speaking Competition Grand Final 2025
English-Speaking Union
The International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) is the world’s largest competition of its kind. Bringing together participants, aged 16-20, from over 40 countries for a week of cultural exchange and competition, the IPSC is one of the ESU’s flagship programmes. The Grand Final on Friday, 16 May…
ESU Evelyn Wrench Lecture and Dinner 2025 with Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE ADC
English-Speaking Union
Please join us for our annual Evelyn Wrench Lecture…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
London Branch: Book Club
London
The ESU London Branch Members’ book club meets once a month at Dartmouth House to exchange views on a book chosen by the group. Discussions take place from 11.00-12.30hrs on the third Wednesday of each month. If you would like to join our friendly and informal club please contact Kathleen…
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