OVERSEAS

CONTENTS
24
“How is it that
the competition
has the knack
of selecting
musicians who
so frequently go
on to become
international
personalities?”
© James McCormick
From the
EDITOR
To celebrate 100 years of Overseas, we established a
competition with students of the Royal College of
Art (RCA), asking them to submit a contemporary
interpretation of the iconic cover designed by
Macdonald Gill. The competition continues a long
tradition both of featuring original artwork using
the ship motif on the journal's cover, and of ROSL's
work with RCA students. After much deliberation,
Juliette Poggi's clever subversion of the concept was
selected. As she explained, the design looks to new
generations, playfully shaping elements of the Gill
cover while keeping its original spirit and history.
In the next issue, you will be able to decide whether
you agree with the judges' choice, when we print the
shortlisted works and an article about the process.
The journal's success is, perhaps, unsurprising,
given the editorial credentials of the club's founder,
Sir Evelyn Wrench and financial backer, Lord
Northcliffe (see pages 26-31). In this centenary issue,
we feature articles by three writers who developed
their skills as young deputy editors at Overseas and
continue to work in magazine editorial: Ivy Storvik
at matchesfashion.com, and Samantha Whitaker
and Claire Simon reuniting at Sunday Publishing.
WELCOME
3. From the
Director-General
Roddy Porter marks the
Overseas centenary
and remembers our
friend and colleague
Roderick Lakin
ROSL NEWS
6. ROSL’s blazing light
Remembering
Roderick Lakin,
ROSL’s Director
of Arts for 31 years
9. Roderick Lakin MBE
A tribute from ROSL
Chairman Simon Ward
10. The spirit of the Fringe
Why the Edinburgh
Festival programme
was ROSL’s biggest
concert series ever
12. An unforgettable
experience
Cellist Alexander
Arai-Swale on a lifechanging
scholarship
13. Raising expectations
Australian violist Jared
Yapp on the impact of
the ROSL Travel Award
14. Artists in residence
Revealing the diversity
of our new Visual Arts
Scholars for 2015
15. Improbable success
Previewing ROSL
artist Julie Favreau’s
immersive video work
16. ROSL branches
Forthcoming events
around the world
20. News and views
Stunning pictures of
recent ROSL events
23. Stirred not shaken
Step inside the
Inter-Club Ball
24. Music Competition:
An audience guide
How to get the most out
of the annual contest
CENTENARY
26. 100 years of
communication
Lord Luce traces the
history of Overseas
27. Spreading the word
Evelyn Wrench’s
vision for the magazine
28. Overseas through
the ages
Delve into 100 years of
archive materials; with
a timeline of key events
31. Breaking news
Charting Lord
Northcliffe’s influence
on the journal
ROSL PEOPLE
32. Q&A: Lyn Milne
The NZ Director on
40 years with ROSL
WORLD
34. Fabergé at home
A walk through Russia’s
cultural capital
35. Making a difference
Tips and insights into
volunteering abroad
IN THE UK
36. Treasured places
The Editorial Team’s
favourite haunts
37. London & Edinburgh
highlights
Top events this winter
EVENTS
38. Christmas and
New Year at ROSL
Don’t miss our special
festive packages
38. Highlights
Dancing at the clubhouse;
plus two exciting trips
40. ROSL calendar
Details of all our
fantastic events
46. Contact details and
booking information
Claire catches up with ROSL NZ Director Lyn
Milne, whose 40-year journey with ROSL began
in 1977 as Marketing and Events Coordinator
(page 32). The two share their experiences of
working at Over-Seas House, more than 30 years
apart, in roles that have traditionally worked closely
together. Elsewhere, members of the Editorial Team
pick our favourite haunts close to the clubhouses –
from sports stadiums and pub theatres in London
to historic buildings and a comedy venue in
Edinburgh (page 36).
Our People and World sections in this issue are
greatly reduced due to the Centenary focus and our
special tribute to Roderick Lakin MBE. We remember
his tireless support of talented young artists, engaging
personality and vitality. He will be sadly missed.
Miranda Moore
editor@rosl.org.uk
4 OVERSEAS JOURNAL DECEMBER 2015 - FEBRUARY 2016 WWW.ROSL.ORG.UK 5