Autumn-Winter ESB News

Despite being an ardent fan of technology for business, I am not of the generation that checks out everyone's in depth profile or history prior to meeting them. However if I had done so with Richard I would have seen that he had been CEO of ESB, Chair and member of the Board of Management, as well as Honorary Treasurer. For many years Richard played a significant role in the on-going success and impact of ESB. So what is the organisation to which he gave his passion and service? In the words of its founder Christabel Burniston, writing in 2003, the main purpose is to prove that every single being, of whatever age or ability is welcomed and heard as a complete individual, not being compared to any other. We do this in our Oracy work by assessing the learner’s personal research and transmission of their ideas through a talk, their grasp of the language of others to communicate meaning through recitation and reading of poetry, speeches

and books and their interaction with, interest in and listening to their peers. Our Assessors travel the world to do this work and the reach of ESB over its history has been far and varied. From our beginning in 1953, in Southport, Christabel was confident that those involved with this work would have a breadth of outlook; approaching their work imaginatively; would be tolerant about the varied background and speech differences of the learners and most of all would be alert to tuning into new trends. There is no wonder when you hear this description, that Richard found a home with ESB and we, in turn, found an outstanding contributor and leader. Many other colleagues share that view: Richard’s contribution to ESB, over so many years and in so many roles, was utterly incomparable. Right until his death he was an active and committed trustee, and I know I can speak for the whole trustee body in saying that we could not

4