A Celebration of The Boy’s Own Paper at The Annual Westerman Seminar

The 2016 Annual Westerman Seminar is now only a matter of a few weeks away. The seminar from 10am until 4pm on Saturday 13 February at The Memorial Library, Portsmouth Grammar School is sixth seminar dedicated to the life and works of Percy F. Westerman, the Portsmouth born writer of children’s adventure stories and his contemporaries. The theme of this years seminar is The Boy’s Own Paper, an iconic title that survived without change from the very first issue published in January, 1879 until its final disappearance from the newsagents shelves 88 years later in February, 1967. ‘Whatever boys do makes up the mixture of this little book’ was the translation of the latin slogan (Quicquid agunt pueri nostril libelli farrago) which the famous Boy’s Own Paper used to win over generations of young readers. The weekly paper was a clever blend of exciting fiction, from writers that included Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne and Portsmouth’s very own Percy F. Westerman, bolstered with articles covering new science, technology, history, crafts and sports

This very friendly and informative seminar organised by the Portsmouth based Westerman Yarns organisation, includes sessions on Arthur Conan Doyle, George A. Henty, Dr Gordon Stables and of course Percy F. Westerman, all of whom contributed to The Boy’s Own Paper story. In addition there will be displays from the Conan Doyle Collection (Portsmouth Museums Service), The Research Collections of the University of Worcester, some rare BOP editions on loan from various private collections and a selection of antiquarian and rare children’s books for sale.

Places at the seminar are £17.50 including all refreshments and a buffet lunch. Advanced booking is advised by contacting Nigel Gossop at The Westerman Yarns. Telephone: 023 92 37 55 94 or email: westermanyarns@gmail.com