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GNE-News

Jane Austen Society of the Netherlands

In honour of 200 years of "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, the Jane Austen Society of the Netherlands has wonderful news: we are going to pay tribute to Jane Austen by naming a rose in her honour! This  new garden rose (a fragrant "English" rose) will receive a name related to Jane Austen and her novel.
 
The exact name and other details such as colour, will be revealed to the public on June, 23rd, in a little ceremony. This ceremony will take place in an elegant 18th century Amsterdam canal house, a City Palace, with a beautiful garden.
After the ceremony will be a lecture on Pride & Prejudice by Sandy Lerner (owner of Chawton `Big` House and author of Second Impressions, a sequel on P&P) and a beautiful programme with Jane Austen`s Favourite Songs.
 
On June the 2nd , Susannah Fullerton, President of the Jane Austen Society Australia and author of Jane Austen & Crime, A Dance with Jane Austen and recently Happily ever After-Celebrating Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice , will come to JASNL for a Talk and a wonderful  Pride&Prejudice Afternoon Tea.
 
No need to say we’re very proud and honoured that Sandy Lerner and Susannah Fullerton will pay us a visit!
 
On June the 29th JASNL is having a Pride and Prejudice Ball at Kasteel Cannenburch.

British Society Magazine
 

The BritSoc ZINE, the new e-magazine from the British Society of Amsterdam.
The aim of the magazine is to reach as many British citizens as possible in the Netherlands. Regarding this point, John recommended passing on the magazine to you as it may be of interest to your wider network of members and fellow Brits.
The November issue of ZINE, the BritSoc online magazine, is now out. Zine website
Direct to ZINE magazine
 

"Inspire people with words" (BBC & ESU Awards)


19 April 2012

‘Inspiring People with Words’ is exactly what the participants achieved on 17th April when they took part in the final of the BBC & English Speaking Union Awards in partnership with the Netherlands-England Society (GNE).  
Over 100 schools took part in the competition which culminated in a very exciting final with winners in the categories of Young Speaker, Young Writer and Digital Voice Awards.
 
British Ambassador Paul Arkwright headed the panel of judges which was faced with the very difficult task of finding the best in each category. The standard was extremely high both in terms of language, content and presentation.  Topics in all three awards varied from ‘Is social networking anti-social?’ to ‘Is news created by the Media?’. Winner of the speaking competition Vincent van Reen, with his speech ‘What can I teach my teacher’ which exhibited a high level of excellence in the English language and a creative approach to his subject.

Jobs at the EU Civil Service?

At the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, we’re currently trying to raise awareness for British citizens, who live, work or study in the Netherlands, to consider a career in the EU.
 
Have you ever considered a career in the EU Civil Service? As a British national living, working or studying in the Netherlands you are already accustomed to an overseas way of life and you may have gained invaluable language skills. Therefore the EU could be the career option for you. If you would like to work for one of the world’s largest international organisations and impact on the lives of over 500 million people in 27 countries, then find out more about a career in the EU Civil Service at our video where you can also see a message from the Foreign Secretary, William Hague.

Nieuwe president

William Fisher, President of GNE

Het door de ALV benoemde comité heeft op 22 december jl. de benoemingsprocedure voor een nieuwe GNE-president afgerond. Wij zijn zeer verheugd u te kunnen melden dat unaniem is besloten de heer William Fisher (Bill) per 1 januari a.s. te benoemen tot nieuwe voorzitter van ons genootschap.
De door de afdelingen afgevaardigde en stemgerechtigde bestuursleden van de afdelingen hebben in de laatste Algemene Leden Vergadering (ALV) van het Genootschap Nederland - Engeland op 29 oktober een comité uit hun midden gemachtigd de selectieprocedure en benoeming van de opvolger van Abel Rasterhoff als nieuwe president van het genootschap af te ronden. Hiermee is voorkomen dat de benoeming van een nieuwe president moest wachten tot de volgende Algemene Vergadering, namelijk op zaterdag 12 mei 2012.

Het door de ALV benoemde en namens de ALV in deze volledig gemachtigde comité bestaat uit de vier leden van het Hoofdbestuur (Jan Bakker, Ingrid de Beer, Josefine den Hartog en Monty Kraayeveld) met als toevoeging de voorzitter van de afdeling Twente Hans Kräwinkel.

De heer Fisher (Bill) heeft het comité ondertussen laten weten dat hij er naar uitkijkt om zich voor het GNE in te zetten en u allen te ontmoeten.

Meer informatie download resumé.

 
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...