Young Science Fiction Readers 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 issue 97 (August 1960). The age requirements were somewhat ambiguous:
IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 or not yet 25 years old and would be interested in learning about The S-F and Fantasy group write stating hobbies other than s.f. and fantasy to: Jhim Linwood [address] All letters will be answered promptly.
A first YSFRG Newsletter was produced by Linwood, also in August 1960, and implied an age-group of under-21s. He also said that the New Worlds advertisement "should produce a large response". A second (and final) issue of the newsletter appeared in March 1961. It included a membership roster but 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
- Paul Andrews
- Nikolas Atkins
- Ulla Boberg
- Jacqui Bratton
- Craig Cochran
- Peter Davies
- John Dyke
- John Derbyshire
- Harry Douthwaite
- Derek Gorman
- Dave Hale
- Ken Hedberg
- Brian Jordan
- Pat Kearney
- John King
- Jim Linwood
- Andy Main
- Peter Mansfield
- Ivor Mayne
- Peggy Rae McKnight
- Chris Miller
- Mary Munro
- Jim Norrie
- Darroll Pardoe
- Bob Parkinson
- Tom Porter
- Alan Rispin
- T. P. Slattery
| Club | 1960—1961 |
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