| The RLS Club was formed in 1920 by those who had known Stevenson and who wanted to care for his memory. The Club's main objective is one 'of fostering interest in Stevenson's life and works'. This has been met by the organisation of exhibitions, lectures and readings, the presentation of prizes for literary competitions, and the maintenance of the first Edinburgh museum dedicated to RLS at his birthplace at 8 Howard Place. The fine collection of memorabilia originally displayed there has been transferred to the City of Edinburgh's Writers' Museum in the Lawmnarket. Promotion of interest in RLS amongst children remains high on the list of priorities for the Club, and the school essay competitions sponsored by the Club have led many children to Stevenson and have demonstrated how they respond enthusiastically to his books. Since 1920, the Club has held an annual RLS Dinner or RLS Lunch at which members have been addressed by literary figures such as Walter de la Mare, John Buchan, or J.B. Priestley, as well as by modern personalities like Ludovic Kennedy and Frank Delaney. Club members live all over the world and for many the annual dinners or lunches are a focal point for their enthusiasm for RLS. The Club also organises an interesting series of events throughout the year and publishes the quarterly RLS Club News and the annual Yearbook. Whenever possible, the Club arranges additional benefits for Members, such as discounts on RLS-related purchases. In 1985, on the Centenary of A Child's Garden of Verses, the Club launched an international appeal with two aims: * to erect a memorial to RLS in West Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh * to create and endow the RLS Memorial Trust to help children with respiratory diseases. The first, a coppice of birch trees surrounding a simple stone column designed by the Scottish artist-poet Ian Hamilton Finlay, was inaugurated in 1989. The Memorial Trust will be the Club's living memorial - a continuing commitment in memory of RLS, and fund-raising for the Trust has been added to the Club's objectives. In 1994 the Club played an important part during the Centenary of the death of RLS, when the writer was celebrated in a host of events in many countries. The Club is always eager to welcome new members, whether RLS beginners or established RLS enthusiasts, so that the world-wide enjoyment his writing has already created will be maintained and enhanced wherever and whenever possible. Details of membership may be obtained from the Club Secretary: 5 Albyn Place EDINBURGH, EH2 4NJ Tel: 01 31-225 6665 [More text here] LINK TO Bulletin Board could go Here |
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