The Followers of Rupert Bear

Official Rupert Bear Society

 

 



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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. 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. From time to time there are specially commissioned 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.

We are unable to offer an on-line sale for this, but click the Annual for an application form to download:

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, their roles and contact details.

  • Rupert in the Express, March 2024

    Rupert in the Express, March 2024

    Rupert and the Capricorn story commenced in the Express on Wednesday 27th March. This was originally an autumn adventure appearing in the newspaper in 1966 and makes an interesting break …
  • AGM & Fun Day 2024

    AGM & Fun Day 2024

    AGM & Fun Day 2024 Hello Followers, This is the first notice that The Followers’ 2024 AGM will take place on: Saturday 31st August at 12 noon at the Radcliffe …
  • How A Cartoon Bear Saved Paul McCartney’s Career

    How A Cartoon Bear Saved Paul McCartney’s Career

    YouTube channel Parlogram (a channel dedicated to The Beatles and his members) has recently uploaded a video essay about Sir Paul McCartney (former Beatle and honorary member of the Followers) …
  • The Followers in the Collectors Gazette

    The Followers in the Collectors Gazette

    The February issue of the Collectors Gazette magazine published a 2 page article on The Followers. Reporter Ann Evans spoke to our secretary John Beck and former membership secretary Tony …
  • Curious Kent: Rupert Bear’s Canterbury roots

    Curious Kent: Rupert Bear’s Canterbury roots

    Curious Kent: Rupert Bear's Canterbury roots It's 150 years since the birth of Mary Tourtel, creator of Rupert Bear. Steve Ladner from BBC radio Kent visited the city of her …
  • Rupert in the Express February 2024

    Rupert in the Express February 2024

    Rupert in the Express February 2024
  • Superb Compendium of Tourtel Stories

    Superb Compendium of Tourtel Stories

    In celebration of Mary Tourtel's 150th birthday
  • Rupert in the Express January 2024

    Rupert in the Express January 2024

    Rupert in the Express January 2024
  • Members – Important note

    Members – Important note

    Members - you will have received the Winter Newsletter, no 117. There is an error. Please note that the 'Castles' piece on page 32 has been produced by our member …
  • Rupert in the Express November 2023

    Rupert in the Express November 2023

    Rupert and the Little Bells, a Bestall newspaper story from 1962/63, commenced on Wednesday 15th November for a first newspaper reprinting.  The story also featured in the 1974 Rupert Annual. …
  • Rupert in the Express October 2023

    Rupert in the Express October 2023

    Rupert’s Strange Party, a Bestall story originally appearing in the Daily Express in 1942, commences on Sunday 22nd October with Rupert getting an invitation to a Fancy Dress party. Nice …
  • The Archive of Jenny Kisler

    The Archive of Jenny Kisler

    In 2020 Jenny Kisler sadly passed away at the age of 84. Her Rupert archive had been kindly handed over to The Followers of Rupert by her children in 2022. …

The Followers of Rupert Bear

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Rupert Bear © ™ Express Newspapers.
The Followers of Rupert are grateful for permission to use the images on this website.

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