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August 2008

Dear Member,  

Restructuring of the Society

At the Annual General Meeting held on 15th May 2008, in the light of the Society’s enhanced financial position, members unanimously approved the Special Resolution to establish a charitable company limited by guarantee with objects substantially the same as those of the Society.   The Committee is now working on the implementation of this resolution with legal assistance and in line with current Charity Commission recommendations.    I shall keep members advised of progress.

 

Lecture Programme 2008 - 2009

I am sending you the Society's Programme Card of lectures and events for the next twelve months by post, but the Reply Slips for the three talks later this year are attached to this Newsletter.  Members can also reply by telephone or fax on: 01442 833589 or by e-mail: richard@rjowens.plus.com

On Thursday 18th September, we welcome Juliet Highet, writer and photographer who has published widely on frankincense, culture and travel in the Arab world.   Originally living in Africa as a photo-journalist, Juliet has also lived in India and has extensive knowledge of Oman and the Middle East.   Her talk, “Frankincense: Oman’s Gift to the World”, is also the title of he beautifully illustrated book on the subject.  

Neil Richardson, our speaker on Thursday 13th November, has a business and marketing background, and is a graduate of the University of Western Australia.   In 1989 Neil moved to Oman and has since specialised in heritage management and the preservation of traditional craft industries.   He lectures on Oman’s craft traditions and is the co-author, with Marcia Dorr, of the two-volume publication on “The Craft Heritage of Oman”.

Our last lecturer this year, Sir Terence Clark KBE, CMG, CVO, needs no introduction to members of the Society.    Ambassador to Oman from 1990 to 1994, and subsequently Chairman of the Society, Sir Terence is now a Vice-President.   On Thursday 11th December, he will talk to us on “One Hundred Years of Oil in Oman”.   Best known for his writing on the Saluqi, the hunting hound of Arabia, Sir Terence was asked by PDO to write a history of oil in Oman.   His talk will be of interest not only to those connected with the oil industry, but all who wish to understand the importance of the commodity to the development of the Sultanate.

The Society has been recording lectures and these can be purchased in DVD format for £10 (plus postage) should you wish to view a lecture you may have been unable to attend.   All last year’s lectures are available.   Please contact me for further details.

32nd Annual Luncheon, Thursday 30th October 2008 at the Army & Navy Club.

This year, we are delighted that HE Rawya bint Saud al Busaidi, Minister of Higher Education of the Sultanate of Oman, has accepted an invitation to be our principal Omani guest at our lunch.   Members of the Society who have an interest in the field of education will find this event of particular interest, but for all members it will also be an excellent opportunity to arrange to met friends for a congenial lunch.

Our Lunch will be held at the Army & Navy Club, with drinks in the Library at 12.30 and lunch in the Pall Mall Room at 1 p.m.   The cost will be the same as last year, £39 per person, which includes drinks before lunch and coffee. Our lunch last year was heavily over-subscribed and to avoid disappointment, I would strongly recommend members to book early.

An Application Form for tickets is attached and this should be returned, with your cheque, to Group Captain Geoff Brindle as soon as possible.   The final date for applications is 20th October.   The Club is happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements, and these may be specified on the Application Form.   If you have any queries regarding the lunch, please telephone Geoff on 0207 585 2438 or e-mail:  gcfbrindle@btinternet.com

Sir Donald Hawley Memorial Lecture

In recognition of Sir Donald’s contribution to the Society and to relations with Oman, an annual lecture in his memory will be inaugurated on Thursday 21st May next year.   This will be given by a prominent speaker in the evening at the Army & Navy Club.   As the lecture will be held near the customary date of the Society’s Annual General Meeting, it has been decided to combine the two events.   The AGM will precede the Memorial Lecture, and a drinks reception will be held afterwards.   Full details will be provided in later Newsletters.

Student Projects

The Committee continues to make grants from His Majesty’s gift to the Society towards student projects, as it is felt this area of activity is of particular benefit in furthering good relations with Oman. Four students have been selected for gap-year placements at The Sultan’s School in 2008 / 09, and one undergraduate is spending part of the summer in Oman to work on her dissertation.    We now welcome applications for both gap-year and university level placements during 2009 /10.   The Society also supported Offscreen Education’s project to bring eight students from the Middle East, including two from Oman, to the UK this summer for an experience of British art and culture.

The Chairman would like to remind members that that the Committee continues to welcome applications for grants consistent with the Society’s objects.   In addition to student projects, we have in the past given grants for archaeological and historical research in Oman, books on Oman, cataloguing archive and museum material in the UK, and seminars on Oman. Whilst we particularly welcome applications in respect of student initiatives, all aspects that further the knowledge of Oman in the UK are eligible for consideration.

“Warlords of Oman” by Philip Allfree

First published in 1967, “Warlords of Oman” is a classic of Arabian travel and experience.   It describes Oman in a different era and at a time when little was known about the country.   With the aid of a grant from the Society, it has now been re-printed in a paperback version and is available to members at the price of £9.99 (including postage and packing within the UK). Cheques should be made out in favour of Robert Hale Ltd. The order should state that you are a member of the Society, should be addressed to: 

Combined Book Services,   Units I / K,   Paddock Wood Distribution Centre,   Paddock Wood,

Tonbridge,   Kent   TN12  6UU.      E-mail:  orders@combook.co.uk        

Middle East Association

The Society has entered into Reciprocal Membership with the Middle East Association, the venue for our meetings for many years.   This enables members of the Society to attend MEA events at Members Rates (subject to availability of space).   Details of MEA events can be found on their website: www.the-mea.co.uk     Bookings should be made through the Events & House Manager, Jacqui Marshall, telephone: 020 7839 2137 or e-mail:  jacqui@the-mea.co.uk

Society Ties

A new supply of Society silk ties has now been received from Dege & Skinner of Savile Row.    These are available to members at £20 each, plus UK postage and packing of £1.50.  

Newsletter

We are planning to enhance the presentation of the Newsletter and it is the intention that the December issue will be in a new improved format with additional news of the Society’s events.

The Newsletter will still be available by e-mail and an increasing number of members already receive their Newsletter by this means.   It is particularly efficient for members who live abroad.   I should be most grateful if any members who would like Newsletters by e-mail to contact me at:  richard@rjowens.plus.com  

Finally, I regret to advise that two members of the Society died recently, Abdelmalik Eagle and Major Shaun Mahon.   I extend our condolences to their families and friends.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

Richard Owens

(Honorary Secretary)

Telephone and Fax:  01442 833589       E-mail:  richard@rjowens.plus.com

 

To:  Richard Owens,  Hon. Secretary,  Anglo-Omani Society,

September Cottage,  29 Chipperfield Road,  Bovingdon,  Herts   HP3  0JN

I / We wish to attend Juliet Highet’s lecture on Thursday 18th September 2008.

I / We shall bring as guests(s)

 …………………………………………………………………

I enclose a cheque for £ ……… (at £5 per guest).

Name of Member ………………………………………………………………………………

Telephone number or e-mail  …………………………………………………………………..

 

To:  Richard Owens,  Hon. Secretary,  Anglo-Omani Society,

September Cottage,  29 Chipperfield Road,  Bovingdon,  Herts   HP3  0JN

I / We wish to attend Neil Richardson’s lecture on Thursday 13th November 2008

I / We shall bring as guests(s) …………………………………………………………………

I enclose a cheque for £ ……… (at £5 per guest).

Name of Member ………………………………………………………………………………

Telephone number or e-mail …………………………………………………………………..

____________________________________________________________________________

To:  Richard Owens,  Hon. Secretary,  Anglo-Omani Society,

September Cottage,  29 Chipperfield Road,  Bovingdon,  Herts   HP3  0JN

I / We wish to attend Sir Terence Clark’s lecture on Thursday 11th December 2008.

 I/ We shall bring as guests(s) …………………………………………………………………

I enclose a cheque for £ ……… (at £5 per guest).

Name of Member ………………………………………………………………………………

Telephone number or e-mail …………………………………………………………………..

 

32nd  ANNUAL LUNCHEON, at the Army & Navy Club,  36 Pall Mall,  London.

Thursday, 30th October 2008.

I / We wish to apply for …… tickets for the Annual Lunch.

I / We should like to bring as guest(s) …………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I / We should like to be seated at the same table as ……………………………………………..

Please note any special dietary requirements …………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Name of Member ………………………………………………………………………………...

Address to which tickets should be sent …………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I enclose a cheque, payable to the Anglo-Oman Society, @ £39 per person.

Please return as soon as possible to:

Group Captain Geoff Brindle,

22 Thorney Crescent

London   SW11  3TT