It was with much sadness that earlier this year, we shared news that Bob Draper, one of BRLSI’s most loved and valued volunteers and the House Manager at BRLSI for many years, died. Bob was the face of BRLSI to countless visitors and members for nearly thirty years. His kindness, warmth, humour, fervent sense of curiosity, and belief that culture was for the many and not the few are values that he has instilled in BRLSI forever. It was for a lifetime of dedication to BRLSI that Bob was awarded the MBE for services to the Institution in the New Year’s Eve Honours list in 2005.

We know that like us, many of you will be wanting to celebrate Bob’s life and his many contributions to BRLSI, and BRLSI will be holding its own memorial to Bob, on the 21st of October at 2pm. If you can join us, please RSVP at reception@brlsi.org. Tea and Cake will be provided.

Please keep an eye on this newsletter for news of a special webpage being created to celebrate Bob’s achievements and contribution to BRLSI soon.

The image above is from a painting of Bob, painted by Rex Valentine in 2008, and which now hangs in the Murch Room at Queen Square.