Young Science Fiction Reading Group

The Young Science Fiction Readers Group (YSFRG) was formed in 1960 for the BSFA's under-21 members. Its stated purpose was 'to lure young SF readers like ourselves into fandom'.

Brian Jordan, Jim Linwood and Alan Rispin met at Whitsun 1959 to discuss the idea of forming a group for young fans. They attempted to place an advertisement in Nebula and editor Peter Hamilton was supportive but the magazine folded before it could appear. The group was however publicised through the BSFA's own publications and at the suggestion of Ella Parker an advertisement was submitted to New Worlds, appearing in #97 (August 1960).

A first YSFRG Newsletter was produced by Linwood, also in August 1960. A second (and final) issue appeared in March 1961 with a membership roster. It also announced the group's demise with Linwood explaining:

Making a rough estimate (l haven't typed the membership list yet) the membership of the YSFRG at the beginning of December stands at 30... over half of these are newcomers to fandom. Almost all of you heard of the group by way of fanzines and the first newsletter, which was circulated to all members of the BSFA, but only two members wrote to me after seeing the ad in New Worlds. U.S. membership stands at three... Bob Lichtman has pointed out that young science fiction readers wouldn't like being segregated into a club specially for them, and if he'd had been in such a club he would never bothered with fandom. Bob's reasoning is sound, BUT the purpose of the YSFRG is to find potential fans, and introduce them into fandom, not unlike the BSFA's policy except that its fees tend to scare away the schoolboy-student-apprentice type.

Members

1. Paul Andrew
2. Nikolas Atkins
3. Ulla Boberg
4. Jacqueline Bratton
5. Craig Cochran
6. Peter Davies
7. John Dyke
8. John Derbyshire
9. Harry Douthwaite
10. Derek Gorman
11. Dave Hale
12. Ken Hedberg
13. Brian Jordan
14. Pat Kearney
15. John King
16. Jim Linwood
17. Andy Main
18. Pete Mansfield
19. Ivor Mayne
20. Peggy Rae McKnight
21. Chris Miller
22. Mary Munro
23. Jim Norrie
24. Darroll Pardoe
25. Bob Parkinson
26. Tom Porter
27. Alan Rispin
28. T. P. Slattery

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Club

1960—1961

This is a club page. Please extend it by adding information about when and where the club met, when and by whom it was founded, how long it was active, notable accomplishments, well-known members, clubzines, any conventions it ran, external links to the club's website, other club pages, etc. When there's a floreat (Fl.), this indicates the time or times for which we have found evidence that the club existed. This is probably not going to represent the club's full lifetime, so please update it if you can!