Honorary president: Judith Butcher Honorary vice-president: David Crystal OBE
10 July 2009
SfEP comes of age
SfEP media release
The Society will be celebrating its 21st birthday at its annual conference in York in September. Over the last 21 years, the SfEP has developed from a twinkle in its founder's eye to a fully fledged and respected body that holds keys to many doors for its 1,400-strong membership.
Conceived in July 1988, the SfEP was the brainchild of Norma Whitcombe, a freelancer for many years. Encountering fellow freelancers at a publishing function in 1987, Norma was struck by the benefits of meeting and discussing matters together. A year later, her enthusiasm was rekindled at a conference of the Society of Indexers, and before the conference drew to its close, Norma stood up and announced her plan.
The SfEP held its inaugural meeting on 26 November 1988, and during its first year, a regular newsletter was started, four one-day training courses were run and eight local groups were established.
