Activities

The Society holds regular talks and meetings in the UK and the USA and arranges visits to places of interest connected with Beatrix Potter. Many of these events are free to Members; there is a charge for others. Non Members are very welcome at almost all events but a small additional charge is made.

An annual Linder Memorial Lecture is given, in London in May, to commemorate the contribution to Beatrix Potter studies and research made by Leslie Linder and his sister, Enid. The first of these was given at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1981 by Margaret Lane, as Patron of the Society.

International Study Conferences take place in the UK (Lake District or Scotland) and the USA.

Details of all these events appear on our Calendar of Events page

All Society Members receive the quarterly Journal and Newsletter which contains articles on all aspects of Beatrix Potter’s life and interests, items of original research, news of Beatrix Potter related events worldwide, reviews of exhibitions, new books and merchandise, details of Society events and much more.

 
Introducing Beatrix Potter

In 2005 The Beatrix Potter Society launched an exciting project. Entitled Introducing Beatrix Potter, it supports and brings together Members giving talks or providing presentations to adult groups about Beatrix Potter, and those who might be interested in doing so. A leaflet with brief biographical details of Beatrix Potter and a short book list, as well as information about the Society itself, is available as a hand-out. This Society initiative will help to bring the legacy of Beatrix Potter to a wider adult audience. A record of such events is kept by the organisers of the project – in the UK and the USA – who receive feedback questionnaires so that the success of and response to these presentations can be monitored.

Society Members in the UK, USA and France are already involved in events within this scheme. There is a translation of the leaflet into French. The Society has a number of images on CDs which Members may borrow to enhance their talks.

If you would like to be involved in this project as a speaker, or would like to arrange for an Introducing Beatrix Potter presentation for your group, then please contact info@beatrixpottersociety.org.uk.
Reading Beatrix Potter

One of the most important activities of the The Beatrix Potter Society is the reading of the Little Books by Society Members to children in their local libraries and schools. Started in 1998 in the UK, as an initiative during 'The National Year of Reading', and in 2001 in the USA, this project has now also reached France, Australia and Canada and the scheme grows steadily year by year. The classic tales are now being enjoyed by thousands of children, some of them hearing the stories for the very first time. With support from Frederick Warne, Beatrix Potter's publishers, and from The Beatrix Potter Society each Reader has display material together with worksheets and outline drawing masters that may be photocopied by the library or school. Some of the Readers also have copies of the large format editions of The Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (now sadly out of print) which enable large gatherings of children to follow the story more easily. Readers also have other personal Beatrix Potter related items which they display or use during the event and each Reader conducts the ‘Reading’ in their own way, with reference to the age of the children and the specific needs or interests of the group.

 

 


A 5 year old enjoys
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck
after the class reading at her school

Since the project began Readings have taken place in a wide variety of are, including the UK, USA, France, Canada and Australia, wherever Readers are available. Reading Beatrix Potter gives considerable enjoyment to both reader and listener and, as the scheme grows, so does the appreciation of the work of a remarkable woman.

If you would like a reading of the stories in your local library or school, please contact the Society at info@beatrixpottersociety.org.uk and you will be put in touch with a Reading Beatrix Potterorganiser.
For details of forthcoming Readings open to the public, please see our Beatrix Potter News page.

THE BEATRIX POTTER™ ROSE !

The Beatrix Potter™ rose, sponsored by The Beatrix Potter Society and grown by Peter Beales Roses, Norfolk, was launched at the RHS Chelsea flower Show on 24 May 2010 to celebrate the Society’s 30th Birthday.

Patricia Routledge, C.B.E., Patron of the Society, attended the launch.

The rose is a delicate creamy pink coloured shrub rose with a subtle fragrance, reflecting a rose which Beatrix Potter herself painted, and can be ordered direct from Peter Beales Roses.

www.classicroses.co.uk

  

For further details of Beatrix Potter Society activities, visit our Calendar of Events page