Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL)

Several of our international members have reported in recent weeks that their governments are advising against travel to London, due to the ongoing uncertainty over Brexit, as well as more localised concerns such as demonstrations taking place in the city for and against the exit process. 

Join in one of London's biggest and most colourful celebrations this weekend, as Pride in London reaches its peak with the parade through the West End. 

ROSL ARTS are very proud to be taking part in Mayfair Art Weekend 2017, as one of over 60 galleries, auction houses, leading fashion brands and restaurants in Mayfair and St. James’s to open their doors to the public. This is the first year that the event is working in partnership with the Royal Academy of Arts, to celebrate the diverse offering of Mayfair as a vibrant hub of creativity and craftsmanship, where the worlds of art, fashion and luxury reside.

Mayfair and St James's was abuzz with art lovers this weekend, as galleries and exhibition spaces across the area opened their doors to the public to show them what the creative heart of London looks like. ROSL once again took part, beginning celebrations with the opening of our latest exhibition, in partnership with Liberty Gallery, on Thursday evening.

As well as the extensive programme of concerts, exhibitions, talks, dinners, wine tasting, parties, and more, organised by ROSL and Graysons, members themselves are very active in providing entertainment for their fellow members. Whether it's the Younger Members Group, the London Group, or branches around the world, there's something for everyone. 

As well as the extensive event programme organised by staff at ROSL, from the House of Lords Afternoon Tea, to Rush Hour concerts, art exhibitions, and wine tastings, a small army of members also provide a huge variety of social events for the rest of the membership to enjoy. 

ROSL Arts are proud to work with the Cynthia Corbett Gallery to present a selection of works from a wide range of emerging and established artists at Over-Seas House, London. The new exhibition will be installed next week, with a private view on Thursday 29 June. To attend, visit the ROSL website.

Look out for our new Events Guide, arriving with your next issue of Overseas in September. You'll be able to find out what's happening for the rest of year. Here are some of the highlights to look forward to. 

This weekend saw London fling open its otherwise unflung doors as some 800 buildings across the capital which are normally closed to the public, open up for two days so that we could all get a glimpse of some of the architectural hidden gems this city has to offer. The Royal Over-Seas League was one such building, with tours taking place throughout Saturday and Sunday. 

On Saturday 16 June, our Summer Ball will see Over-Seas House transformed for the day, as Cathy and Heathcliff request your company at Wuthering Heights to celebrate the 200^th birthday of their beloved Emily Brontë. 

On Saturday ROSL members enjoyed the Major General's Review at Horse Guard's Parade in London, with the Queen's household division putting on a wonderful display of pageantry, including 1,400 officers and men and two hundred horses. 

Many members may have noticed the large painting King George VI and Family by George Harcourt, which hangs in the Members' Drawing Room, but did you know it was lost for many years before being returned to the club in the early 1990s?

Yesterday saw Over-Seas House, London, play host to the Chairman's Lunch and AGM, both of which were very well attended by members from across the world. The day began with a drinks reception in the Central Lounge, before members headed up to the Hall of India and Pakistan for a two-course lunch and a speech from Delia Jarett-Macauley, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Caine Prize. 

For any members wishing to attend the ROSL Annual General Meeting, it takes place tomorrow, 11 May at 3pm,  in the Princess Alexandra Hall at Over-Seas House, London.

Last night the weather was kind to ROSL ARTS as we celebrated our second Garden Party of the summer. The evening began in the garden overlooking Green Park, with Friends of ROSL ARTS catching up over prosecco and canapés. 

We'd like to invite you to a new discussions series taking place in the Drawing Room of the London clubhouse, hosted by the Arts Society and ROSL ARTS. Curated by arts correspondent for The Guardian, Maev Kennedy, Drawing Room Discussions is an opportunity to hear from some high profile cultural figures on topics that captivate them. 

It was clear that our members wanted to join in the celebrations on Saturday, with people from all over the world coming together at the clubhouse to enjoy the festivities. Such was the demand that we ran three separate events throughout the building, to make sure everyone had the opportunity to be a part of the special day. 

Many of you have enjoyed our regular visits to the Fusiliers' Mess at the Tower of London for dinner over the years, but this year ROSL's bi-annual black-tie event will be heading on the road. 

...of Julia McMenemy, Guest Relations Officer. 

One of the many great things about being the Guest Relations Officer at the Royal Over-Seas League is the public nature of my position. As one of the more visible members of the ROSL team, I’ve gotten to know many of you very well in the year or so I have been at the club, and it is often the catch-ups and pleasantries I exchange with members that that form the highlight of my day.

...of Dean Cress, Housekeeping, Over-Seas House, London 

This weekend saw more than 800 venues across London take part in Open House, an annual opportunity for members of the public to see inside some of the capital's most iconic buildings for free, with ROSL opening its doors throughout Saturday and Sunday. 

The London Group visited the Royal College of Physicians on Friday 29 September and discovered 500 years of history, medicine, art and architecture. 

With ROSL's Fringe series of recitals complete for another year, all eyes to turn back to the clubhouse, where an exciting season of events starts in September and will see the return of the Rush Hour concerts. First up, BBC Radio's Clare Teal will give us a jazz-infused set on Tuesday 10 September. 

ROSL is situated over two houses; Vernon House and Rutland House. Vernon House is the property in which the Brabourne Room is located. The building is named after Admiral Edward Vernon whose family lived here.

After the huge success of last summer's Shakespeare in the Garden, our acting troupe return at the start of September for Much Ado About Nothing.