About the Followers of Rupert Bear

The Followers of Rupert was formed in 1983 to bring together Rupert Bear enthusiasts and to promote the appreciation of Rupert's past, present and future. We are not an over-serious organisation, but largely adults who enjoy the "fun side" of Rupert while recognizing the quality of the storytelling and artwork in the Rupert stories and respect him as a character in illustrated children's literature not a cartoon character.

The organisation is intended primarily for adults but young people and children are more than welcome. We enjoy the support of Rupert's owners and publishers and see our mission, in part at least, to encourage, monitor and comment upon Rupert's development.

Past Presidents have included Alfred Bestall and Terry Jones and Honorary members include Paul McCartney who wrote the popular Frog Song.

We currently have approaching 1000 members and invite you to join us.

The Society gets its name from the Rupert annuals. Each year at the end of the stories is a page advertising Rupert in the Daily Express and on that page is the slogan 'Follow Rupert in the Express' and so we are 'the Followers'!

As well as a regular Newsletter the Followers produce many Rupert related items.

These include a

• Rupert calendar every year
• Regular Newslettter Supplements featuring Daily Express Rupert stories that have never been reprinted since their newspaper appearance
• Nutwood Special Issues containing either stories that have not previously been coloured, or brand new coloured stories

There is also a range of Christmas cards, Notelets and postcards, plus some 'specials' such as the book 'Rupert and the Women in his Life' and the Bestall tapes, a double CD which features Alfred Bestall talking about his life and involvement with Rupert.

Two beautiful hard-backed Rupert-Annual-style books have been produced featuring Rupert stories that have never appeared previously in colour and have been coloured specially for the Followers.

All these items are available only to Followers and many are sent free to subscribing members.

Exclusive Followers' Items

Members are also able purchase other Rupert memorabilia not available on the open marketplace but commissioned and designed especially for the society.
This has included figurines, Christmas cards and T-shirts and also lovely prints of popular endpapers from past Annuals.
From time to time there are specially commissioned and coloured re-prints of long forgotten Rupert stories that have not been published for decades which you will receive as a free gift if you are a member.

More about us and the benefits of membership:

Just click on the image to read more about member benefits and how to join us.

Signed copy of the Rupert Annual

One item we are able to offer to non-members is the Rupert Annual signed by the current Rupert Artist, Stuart Trotter.

2024 Signed Annuals SOLD OUT

Members who attend our Annual Gathering meet Stuart, who signs their annuals for them.
Annuals ordered by post are mailed out during the first week of September.

Recent Annuals have rapidly sold out and become unavailable.  To guarantee a signed copy, order now.

Committee

Click here to find the current Followers committee and their roles.