Royal Over-Seas League facts for kids
Front view of Over-Seas House
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| Abbreviation | ROSL |
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| Established | 1910 |
| Founder | Sir Evelyn Wrench |
| Type | Non-profit members' organisation |
| Legal status | Incorporated by Royal Charter |
| Purpose | The support of international understanding and friendship through social and artistic activities. |
| Headquarters | Over-Seas House, Park Place, London, SW1 (since 1922) |
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Patron
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HM The King Charles III |
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Vice-Patron
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Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy |
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President
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Lord Geidt |
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Chairman
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Helen Prince |
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Key people
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Director General, Dr Annette Prandzioch |
The Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) is a special club that started in 1910. It's a not-for-profit group, which means it doesn't try to make money for owners. Instead, its main goal is to help people from different countries become friends and understand each other better. This idea connects all its members around the world.
ROSL has a beautiful old building in London called a clubhouse. It's a very important historical building. The club hosts many events. These include talks about world issues, music concerts, art shows, and special food and drink events.
The clubhouse has a dining room, over 80 bedrooms, and spaces for events. There's also a garden that looks over Green Park. Members can enjoy eating outside there in the summer.
ROSL also helps young musicians and artists. It has an arts program, including a music competition that has been running for over 70 years. In 2021, ROSL started a series of talks and debates. These events feature journalists, politicians, and other important thinkers.
The ROSL Foundation is a charity connected to the League. It helps support music, arts, and history projects.
Contents
Who Leads the Royal Over-Seas League?
The Patron of ROSL is HM The King Charles III. A patron is like a special supporter. The Vice-Patron is HRH Princess Alexandra. The President is The Rt Hon The Lord Geidt.
The Director General is Dr Annette Prandzioch, who started in 2020. The Chairman is Helen Prince. These people help guide the League and its activities.
What Can You Do at the Clubhouse?
The ROSL clubhouse has 83 bedrooms. Many of these rooms have great views of the Royal Park or the London skyline. Members and their guests can choose from different dining options. There's a relaxed bar and garden, afternoon tea in the Drawing Room, and fine dining in the 1910 Dining Room.
The dining room was updated in 2022. It has a team of chefs and has worked with famous chefs like Irini Tzortzoglou, Cyrus Todiwala, and Daren Liew.
The club also has nine event spaces. Members and event planners can use these for parties or business meetings. Six Park Place is the name of ROSL's commercial event venue.
ROSL publishes a magazine four times a year called Overseas. It has articles by famous journalists, stories from members, and information about upcoming events and art programs.
Being a member lets you go to many events. This includes the Public Affairs Series, where important world issues are discussed. Famous speakers have included Michael Gove, Lord William Hague, Julia Gillard (a former Prime Minister of Australia), and Scott Morrison. ROSL also connects with talented musicians like Joseph Calleja.
How to Become a Member
The ROSL has 11,000 members all over the world. The cost to join depends on how close you live to the London clubhouse or your age. Young people aged 17 to 25 get a lower membership fee. To become a member, you usually need someone who is already a member to suggest you.
The Annual Music Competition
ROSL holds a music competition every year for musicians aged 30 and under. There are awards for solo performers and for music groups. The solo winners then compete for a gold medal and the top prize.
This competition has been helping young, talented musicians for over 70 years. Some famous past winners include Jacqueline du Pré, Melvyn Tan, Piers Lane, Jonathan Lemalu, Sean Shibe, and the Marmen Quartet.
After the competition, ROSL helps prize-winners perform in important places like Wigmore Hall. The organization also works with many music festivals in the UK, such as Brighton and Edinburgh. ROSL's chamber music concerts are a popular part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
These programs give young, talented artists a place to grow. They get advice, meet other musicians, receive help with promotion, and find chances to perform around the world.
The ROSL Foundation
The ROSL Foundation is a charity (Charity no. 306095). It was started on January 1, 1960, to celebrate ROSL's 50th birthday. The Hon. Alexander Downer AC is the Chairman of the Trustees for the Foundation.
ROSL's Coat of Arms
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See also
- List of London's gentlemen's clubs
- English-Speaking Union
- Evelyn Wrench
