The British Origami Society is a registered

charity Charity may refer to: Giving * Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons * Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sharing * C ...

(no. 293039), devoted to the art of

origami ) is the Japanese art of paper folding. In modern usage, the word "origami" is often used as an inclusive term for all folding practices, regardless of their culture of origin. The goal is to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a f ...

(paper folding). The Society has 700 members worldwide and publishes a bi-monthly magazine called "British Origami". They also have a library which is one of the world's largest collections of Origami resources, containing well over 4000 books, and a similar quantity of magazines, journals, convention packs and catalogues. As stated in the constitution of the society, its aims are, "to advance public education in the art of Origami and to promote the study and practice of Origami in education and as a means of therapy for the relief of people who are sick or mentally or physically handicapped".The constitution of the British Origami Society. http://www.britishorigami.info/society/constitution.php The society was founded at its inaugural meeting held at The Russell Hotel in London 28 October 1967. It was formed from the Origami Portfolio Society which had been founded in 1965. The first president of the new society was

Robert Harbin Robert Harbin (born Edward Richard Charles Williams; 12 February 1908 – 12 January 1978) was a British magician and author. He is noted as the inventor of a number of classic illusions, including the ''Zig Zag Girl''. He also became an author ...

, a noted British

magic Magic or Magick most commonly refers to: * Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces * Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic * Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...

ian and author. Later, another notable president was

Alfred Bestall Alfred Edmeades "Fred" Bestall, MBE (14 December 1892 – 15 January 1986) wrote and illustrated ''Rupert Bear'' for the London ''Daily Express'', from 1935 to 1965. Biography Early life Bestall was born in Mandalay, Burma in 1892, where his p ...

, who had been writer and illustrator of ''

Rupert Bear Rupert Bear is a British children's comic strip character and franchise created by artist Mary Tourtel and first appearing in the ''Daily Express'' newspaper on 8 November 1920. Rupert's initial purpose was to win sales from the rival ''D ...

'' for the London '' Daily Express'', from 1935 to 1965. The Society created the Sydney French medal to honour recipients for outstanding services to origami. The first recipient was David Brill in 1992.

Notes and references

External links

* Origami 1967 establishments in the United Kingdom Arts organizations established in 1967 Cultural charities based in the United Kingdom {{UK-org-stub