The QES NEWS Page

This page supplements the printed Newsletter which the Society distributes to members three times per year, but will not replace it. We will be pleased to hear from QES members and any other interested people or organisations, with articles related to the English language, concerning education, employment, the arts, literature and life in general.


New (acting) Chairman for the Society

image Rhea Williams

At a Board of Trustees meeting in early March, it was agreed with much pleasure, that RHEA WILLIAMS would be appointed as acting Chairman of the Society, with immediate effect.

Mrs Williams, (a short profile is available here,) is also a QES English Academy Board member. She is looking forward to the challenges of the Chairmanship and is keen to increase interest in and membership of, the Society. She said, "It is really important that the younger generation have a sound knowledge of 'good' spoken and written English. English is becoming the world language; we need to keep a formal version of it that all will understand while still allowing for the fact that it is a growing and ever changing language. "

Mrs Williams is a former teacher and you can read some of her thoughts about education in Britain, within this website.

The Chairmanship of the QES is subject to an election at the Society's AGM in September, next, following the retirement of Miss C P Cawood, after many years of loyal service to the Society. Miss Cawood remains a member of the QES and is a Vice-President, but felt it was time to step back and enjoy retirement.



QES Summer Lunch

The QES Summer Luncheon was held in London on 10th July. 40 members and their guests attended the event, at which the speaker was Mrs Rhea Williams, the society's Acting chairman. Despite the very hot weather, the event went well.

Image of guests at the top table


QUEST 105 Published

Some of the items in this issue: QES AGM • QES Acting Chairman • Historical Infinitive • English in the European Union • Singular or Plural? • From those who should know better • Thinking up a language • Australian etiquette • No gender please,we're British and much more.

Please send your items for Quest to The Editor.


London Branch

The London Branch will be meeting on Thursday 21st October at 6.30 p.m. at the Medical Society of London, Lettsom House, 11 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London, W1G 9EB, in the library. Anna Marx, a young editor for O'Mara Books Ltd. and a Cambridge graduate in English, will talk about editing books; David Bann, a consultant to O'Mara Books, will speak on book production. Both were involved with Bernard Lamb's book, The Queen's English and How to Use It.

For more details about the book, please go to our BOOKS PAGE



Malcolm Will Be Missed

It is with great regret that we announce the death of one of our founder members, Malcolm Skeggs. Malcolm was a staunch supporter of our aims and objectives as a society and fulfilled the role of Language Adviser. In the past he served on the committee as well as working as editor of Quest.

image: Malcolm Skeggs at a book launch

Malcolm Skeggs, at a book launch with fellow members in 2008