About the
Friends of the Chalet School

What is Friends of the Chalet School?

Friends of the Chalet School is a large, international, group who enjoy the books of Elinor Brent-Dyer, in particular the Chalet School titles, but also her others as well. (She wrote around 100 titles, of which nearly 40 are non Chalet, and of these, the La Rochelle Series in particular is closely linked to the Chalet School.)

Friends of the Chalet School was founded in 1989 by Ann Mackie-Hunter, then living in Australia.  It started almost by accident, as Ann explains:

"One weekend, I was practising typing on my word processor and started to type a brief newsletter about the Chalet School.   I mentioned  this on the telephone to my friend Val Shelley, President of the Abbey Girls of Australia, who later rang me back with the news that she had found 12 members for me. Australian Friends of the Chalet School was born."

Later, as news of the club spread across the world via the Elsie Oxenham Societies and word of mouth, people began joining from other countries and the name was changed to Friends of the Chalet School. A UK secretary was appointed and in 1993 Ann asked a Committee to help her run the club, as the membership began to grow rapidly. Since May 1995 the club has been run by Ann (who returned to the UK at the end of 1994) together with Clarissa Cridland.

In August 1999 FOCS celebrated its 10th Birthday. Around 125 members gathered for the event at Queens' College, Cambridge from 6-8 August.  The weekend was organised by Angela Brown, ably assisted by Lou Harrison and other members of the Shropshire Group. Sally Dore produced a music booklet which was unveiled at the weekend.

At 56, will I be your oldest member? / At 8, am I too young?

Goodness, no. We range in age from 8 to over 80, are male as well as female and come from all sorts of backgrounds.

Is there a section especially for younger members?

We have a separate section of at least eight pages called Le Petit Chalet which comes with the magazine for those aged 13 and under - with articles written by younger members, and articles written for them. There are also quizzes and puzzles especially for members of this age group.

What happens if I am aged 14 - 17?

Members aged 14-17 belong to St Clare's House. They pay a reduced subscription, have special quizzes, and from time to time other privileges are made available.

Are there really others like me?

We have over 1000 members so, yes, you are not alone!

I am desperate to buy some of the books not in print.

Each magazine has a section of sales and wants in which members advertise (for free) those elusive hardbacks, and also paperbacks, as well as books by other authors, which they have for sale (and request those they want!). This list is not available on the website.

We also provide a list of second-hand dealers (free to members on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope, plus a couple of extra stamps).

I don't think I'll be able to afford to buy books.

We run a lending library for those living in the UK. This contains copies or photocopies of all the Chalets, all the La Rochelles and her other titles, as well as books about Elinor Brent-Dyer and a video. There is a small charge for this for those aged over 18 and under 60 plus postage each way.

I have lots of queries about books.

We have a separate leaflet called Collectors' Corner which answers members' queries about book collecting and reading. This covers all books, not just those by EBD.

What will I get for my membership?

We produce four magazines a year, in May, August, November and February. These are actually proper A5 booklets of over 70 pages each. As well, there are four small booklets - Le Petit Chalet, Sales & Wants, Collectors' Corner and the last being pictures of the dustwrappers, covers and illustrations used in various editions, at the moment one book being covered per magazine.

Can we buy any extras?

We produce an Annual each year - more information can be found here.

Go to Girls Gone By Publishers for details on new titles and books we are reprinting.

Would I be able to write something for the magazine?

Yes, of course. We accept all contributions sent in by members no matter how short (unless they repeat exactly what has been in a previous magazine, are derogatory to EBD or smutty).

In fact, our most popular section is 'A Chalet Confab' which runs to around 20 pages and is made up of short comments by members on subjects running from the length of Miss Annersley's hair, through whether Vic Coles was a boy or girl, to who is or isn't in the von Eschenau family. 

Some members write something for every magazine, some occasionally and a lot never!  It's up to you, and you will be just as welcome a member however frequently or infrequently you write.