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GNE-Homepage (Genootschap Nederland-Engeland)

The Genootschap Nederland-Engeland is a Dutch society which aims at promoting friendly relations between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The British Ambassador is Patron of the Society.

The primary purpose of GNE is to bring together people from the Netherlands and the UK living in the Netherlands, promoting friendship, sharing mutual interests and extending support and information to newcomers.

GNE-Membership

The Genootschap Nederland Engeland, GNE, has both Dutch and English members.

GNE-Branches

 
The societies nine branches are spread throughout the country. Each branch is run by its own committee which is responsible for the branch`s seasonal programmes. Occasionally branches also organize special national events. For upcoming events and activities see `GNE-Afdelingen` (tabs left) and GNE-Events-Calendar (also tab left)
 

For whom, and how to become a member of GNE? 

All people with interest in concerts, theatre performances, lectures,talks,  tours in or travel to England and / or visits of museums where there personal interest of aspects of English and/or British social, artistic, literary, educational, scientific, political or cultural life is a leading factor are welcome to receive membership of our society / association. Our area of interest if of course not just England, in fact it is the whole United Kingdom or UK.
Look at ‘Branches’ (tabs on the left) to see which GNE Branch is closest to you and phone or mail the secretary for a membership. You can also fill in the `Contact GNE` form by clicking on: Contact form.

BBC & ESU Awards

In 1988 GNE started a public speaking competition for schools. The underlying idea was to encourage young people in Dutch secondary schools to improve their skills in communication in the English language. In 1995, GNE also started to organize a young writer’s competition. The well-known pharmaceutical company Glaxo, later Glaxo Welcome, was the main sponsor for 15 years. Then the BBC took over as main sponsor and the Speaking and Writing competitions are now run in parallel as one annual event: the BBC & ESU Awards. All the sponsors of the BBC & ESU Awards underline the importance of this initiative by the GNE to organize competitions for young people striving for excellence in the English language, both in the spoken and written form. Thanks to the support of many parties, the BBC & ESU Awards has now become a prestigious national event in the Netherlands.


Het Genootschap Nederland-Engeland is een Nederlandse vereniging die gericht is op het bevorderen van vriendschappelijke betrekkingen tussen het Verenigd Koninkrijk en Nederland. De Britse ambassadeur is beschermheer van het Genootschap.

Het primaire doel van GNE is het samenbrengen van mensen uit Nederland en mensen uit het Verenigd Koninkrijk die in Nederland wonen. Het daarmee bevorderen van vriendschap, het delen van wederzijdse belangen en uitbreiding van ondersteuning en informatie voor nieuwkomers.

GNE-Lidmaatschap

Het Genootschap Nederland Engeland, GNE, heeft zowel Nederlanders als Engelsen als lid. Het kan daarom ook als een Anglo-Dutch vereniging of Sociëteit worden gezien.

GNE-Afdelingen

Het Genootschap Nederland-Engeland heeft negen afdelingen in heel het land. Elke afdeling wordt bestuurd door zijn eigen commissie die verantwoordelijk is voor de seizoensgebonden programma`s van haar afdeling. Af en toe organiseren onze afdelingen ook speciale nationale evenementen.

Voor wie en hoe kunt U zich bij GNE aanmelden? 

Het GNE als Anglo-Dutch c.q. Anglo-Netherlands club of associatie richt zich uiteraard niet alleen op Engeland c.q. de Engelse cultuur of taal. Het interessegebied betreft in feite heel het VK. Zowel Nederlanders als Britten, geïnteresseerd in concerten, lezingen, reizen naar Engeland, rondleidingen en bezoeken aan musea waar de kennis van aspecten van Engeland c.q. het Verenigd Koninkrijk worden gevoed zijn van harte welkom.
Kijk bij ‘Branches’ c.a. afdelingen (tabs links boven) om te zien welke afdeling het dichts bij u ligt, en mail of bel de secretary voor een lidmaatschap.  Uiteraard kunt U ook het `Contact GNE` formulier invullen door te clicken op: Contactformulier.

BBC & ESU Awards

In 1988 begon GNE een competitie `Engels spreken in het openbaar` voor scholen. De achterliggende gedachte was het aanmoedigen van studenten op Nederlandse middelbare scholen om hun vaardigheden te verbeteren in de communicatie in het Engels. In 1995 begon GNE ook een vergelijkbare competitie voor schrijvers. Het bekende farmaceutische bedrijf Glaxo, later Glaxo Welcome, was de belangrijkste sponsor voor 15 jaar. Toen nam de BBC de competitie als hoofdsponsor over, en sinds die tijd lopen de twee competities `Spreken in het openbaar` en `Schrijven` parallel naast elkaar als een jaarlijks terugkerend evenement: de BBC & ESU Awards. Alle sponsors van de BBC & ESU Awards onderstrepen het belang van dit initiatief door de GNE voor competities voor jonge mensen die streven naar uitmuntendheid in het Engels in zowel gesproken als geschreven vorm. Dankzij de steun van vele partijen, zijn de GNE Awards nu uitgegroeid tot een prestigieuze nationale gebeurtenis in Nederland.
 

 
events

During the GNE lecture season, events are regularly held and talks are given about once a month and unless otherwise stated, these are delivered in English. The visiting speakers are all experts in their chosen fields and their lectures are both informative and entertaining. They may feature different aspects of British life, arts and culture, places and people. Occasionally we are also treated to a traveller`s tale. Wherever possible, lectures are illustrated.
An overview of this year`s programme is given below. For more details on our events and talks please click events & talks. For the full programme with dates, venues and entry fees per branch, please click branches.

 
John-Wyatt:

JOHN WYATT is a specialist in African birds and animals having worked for 12 years in Northern Rhodesia/Zambia. In 1971 he began lecturing on wildlife and archaeological subjects and has now given over 3000 such talks. He co-authored and published the highly acclaimed British Teach Yourself Bird Sounds cassette series and led wildlife tours to many parts of the World but especially Africa and The Netherlands. At present the World`s only full-time Ornitho-Egyptologist undertaking research in Egypt and elsewhere for a book on Birds in Ancient Egypt : A Guide to their Identification which is scheduled for publication in August 2012.

Birds in Ancient EgyptMore information...
Hadrian`s WallMore information...
 
Ian White:

Ian White is a retired research scientist, who worked on computer and communications systems, but developed an interest in horology over twenty years ago. This includes its science, its history, and the social role of time.
He has earlier published a history of the Watch and Clockmakers in the City of Bath. Click clock-makers-at -batth for more information.
He has also advised Sotheby’s in 2010 on the history of a clock they recently sold (for $520,000).
He has worked in The Hague for four years, (1993–1997).
 

The Life and work of James CoxMore information...
 
John Cameron-Webb:
Operation Market GardenMore information...
 
John Pilkington:

John Pilkington has been called “one of Britain’s greatest tellers of travellers’ tales”.
In 1983, after journeys in Africa and Latin America, he completed a 500-mile solo crossing of the western Nepal Himalaya, and told the story in his first book, Into Thin Air. His interest in Asia grew further with the opening in 1986 of the border between Pakistan and China, making it possible – for the first time in forty years – to retrace virtually the whole of the Silk Road. John was one of the first modern travellers to do so, and he wrote about the journey in An Adventure on the Old Silk Road. This was followed in 1991 by An Englishman in Patagonia; recounting eight months spent exploring the southernmost tip of South America.
In 2000 he became one of only four people in modern times to walk the 1,600-mile Royal Road of the Incas in the Andes of Ecuador and Peru. In 2003 he explored the Mekong River and, with two Tibetans, reached and mapped its source at over 17,000 feet. In 2006 he turned his attention to the Sahara Desert, and joined a camel caravan carrying salt for 450 miles from the mines of Taoudenni to Timbuktu.

Georgia to AfghanistanMore information...
 
Florian Schweizer:

Dr Florian Schweizer is Director of the Charles Dickens Museum and leads the global Dickens 2012 campaign.
He studied in Germany and Britain and holds a PhD in English Literature from the University of London. He has worked at the Charles Dickens Museum since 2002 and is now managing a major redevelopment project which will establish the Museum as the most accessible literary museum in England. He has published and lectured widely on Dickens, the Victorians and British culture.

Wonderful Things: Museums and Galleries in LondonMore information...
 
Anne Marie Evans:

Anne Marie Evans MA FLS earned a Distinction in Fine Art at the ‘Bath Academy of Art’ and, then studied for a Masters at the ‘De Montfort University’, also graduating with a Distinction.  She is a world-famous artist who originally developed the English Gardening school’s - Diploma Course in Botanical Painting. She teaches worldwide and is co-author of An Approach to Botanical Painting.
For details see: Teaching and learning art with Anne Marie Evans and English Gardening School

Mrs Evans will try to bring the Highgrove Florilegium for the audience to see.

The History of FlorilegiaMore information...
 
Julian Paren:

Julian Paren is a physicist by training with a PhD in glaciology awarded by the University of Cambridge for research on the electrical properties of ice carried out at the Scott Polar Research Institute.  After a spell as Nuffield Senior Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham he joined the British Antarctic Survey in 1976 and made nine visits to Antarctica.  In his later years at BAS he was Director’s Assistant and Head of Information and Archives.  Throughout his time at BAS and in retirement he ran adult-education courses for the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning.

A photographic evening: Going South - the Antartic ExperienceMore information...
Exploring the Islands and western coast of ScotlandMore information...
Travelling the Western Isles of ScotlandMore information...
 
John McAleer:

John McAleer is Curator of Imperial and Maritime History in Greenwich (London).
He tries to convey the importance of imperial and maritime history using the rich and unique collections of objects and artefacts held at the National Maritime Museum. He does this in all sorts of ways from working on exhibitions and publishing scholarly articles to giving lectures and facilitating education sessions. He contributes regularly to conferences and journals by giving papers and writing articles and reviews related to my area of expertise.
 

Monsoon Traders: Britain, Asia and the East India CompanyMore information...
Scheepvaartmuseum: Monsoon Traders: Britain, Asia and the East India CompanyMore information...