Barnes Literary Society was founded in 2004 by a group of Barnes friends to provide a literary focus for members in the local area and beyond. The Society offers stimulating monthly evening events in a friendly atmosphere in the centre of Barnes, when there is an opportunity to hear published authors and other speakers give talks on a wide variety of literary topics. These range from novels to historical writing, drama, crime and contemporary issues. We also enjoy visits to places of interest once or twice a year.

BLS has proved to be increasingly popular over the years and now has a membership of over 350. On this website you can find out about our current programme, our previous distinguished speakers, and tour our gallery of posters and photographs. And should you wish to join, just click on our Membership page. Membership entitles free entry to each of the six evening talks, capacity allowing. There is no requirement to book. Membership runs for a year beginning in September.

Guests. If you would like to bring a guest to an event please email [email protected]. A guest ticket costs £10.

Grants/ Bursaries. The BLS is able to offer small grants and bursaries to organisations in the Borough of Richmond upon Thames that meet the Society’s objectives as set out below.

To promote the arts in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames for the public benefit by promoting and providing opportunities for the appreciation and understanding of literature. These opportunities could include visits to places of literary interest, a forum for the discussion of literary topics or such other activities as the Trustees shall, from time to time, determine.

To apply for funding, please complete an application form, found under the ‘BLS Policies’ section below, and return it to [email protected]