Junior Service League, such is the breadth and diversity of its community projects and activities.

Formed in 1936 under the guidelines of Mrs. C. Vail Zuill and fashioned on similar lines to US Junior Leagues, the 64-strong membership of the registered charity involves itself in everything from teas and cook books to debating competitions, consignment sales -- and even to helping other charities.

Some activities are fund-raisers while others are service projects. Many are annual fixtures, while others are one-off events reflecting the creative minds of the young women who have made the League such a success.

In May, for example, the organisation brought in well-known lifestyle author, cook and TV personality, Ms Martha Stewart, to address an elegant luncheon held at the Marriott Castle Harbour Hotel. The sell-out event also included an attractively staged mini trade fair, and book signings by Ms Stewart.

Next month, the League will co-host the first night of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society's production of "Annie'', making it a black tie affair with champagne.

Almost every day of the year, the League's caring hand is extended in some meaningful way to help people of all ages.

At the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, members regularly circulate a library cart throughout the wards, lending magazines to patients and replenishing reading material in various waiting areas.

Recently, it has taken the Extended Care Unit under its wing, and is currently formulating plans to brighten the lives of the patients.

At St. Brendan's Hospital, members regularly provide home baked cookies for the patients.

In fact, food is an integral part of the League's work. Not only has it produced its own cookbook, "Bermudian Cookery'', which has been a best seller and leading fund-raiser since 1974, but its members also organise the catering side of the annual Senior Citizens' Tea hosted by Premier Sir John Swan and Lady Swan at their official residence, Camden, and its members serve as waitresses.

League members also regularly make and sell refreshments at auctions, its own Consignment Sale, and the annual Science Day at the Bermuda Biological Station.

Revenue from all these projects is used in diverse ways, including scholarships. Already this year, the League has distributed approximately $6000 towards scholarships, including Outward Bound and the Biological Station.

Christmas is an extra-special time for the League, and already members are preparing for their annual bake and craft sale which will be held on December 4 on the Deliverance in St. George's.

In previous years, this seasonal fund-raiser has also incorporated tours of decorated Bermuda homes, including Camden.

A great deal of effort is also put into decorating the hospitals, and amassing donated gifts to put into hand made pouches for distribution to all patients on Christmas Day.

It is not, however, only for "good work'' that the League is known. There is also a very strong civic side to its activities.

In 1971 the League commissioned a replica of the Deliverance -- the ship which took survivors of the Sea Venture wreck on to Virginia -- to be built at Ordnance Island, St. George's. From day one it has become a major tourist attraction as well as an educational landmark.

League members maintain the ship's interior, make costumes for the exhibits, and act as tour guides. Lemonade and banana bread -- baked by members, of course -- is also offered to visitors on specific days.

In an effort to make children more aware and understanding of those with physical and mental disabilities, the League sponsors Kids on the Block -- a troupe of trained puppeteers who visit the Island's schools putting on their show-with-a-message.

One of the League's most popular programmes for Bermuda's youth is the annual debating competition, in which all of the Island's secondary schools participate.

Originally conceived by the late Mrs. Victoria Cox, this event -- now in its fourth year -- is designed to develop debating skills and self-confidence among the young.

About 40 distinguished community figures judge the competition, which involves each contestant debating a single motion from both a "pro'' and "con'' position.

Coaches prepare students for the debate in advance, and the winners then go on to participate in the World Schools' Championships. The 1992 winners will travel to Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada in February for their tilt at international awards.

The chosen topic for this year's local competition will be: The power of the media, and the set motion is: "This house deplores the media's distortion of political issues''.

An unknown motion, for which the students will only have an hour to prepare before impromptu debate, will be the pivotal point which determines the winners.

Fund-raising for the debating competition, formerly undertaken by the League, has now been assumed by a newly-formed debate society, which will also train winners for international competition.

"It was Mrs. Cox's dream to have a debate society,'' said League president Mrs. Burland.

In its never-ending quest to help all parts of the community, the League is currently putting a special emphasis on the needs of children. Recognising the lack of public playgrounds with good equipment, it intends to remedy the situation by spearheading a fund-raising drive to equip a playground area for large numbers of children.

On land set aside by Government at Shelly Bay Park, the League will assist in the erection of a very large, wooden structure on which as many as 60 children can play at a time. Swings and a special area for toddlers are also included in the scheme.

"Our proposed budget is $41,000, and the League's role is to spearhead the campaign to raise funds to build the structure,'' playground co-chairman, Mrs.

Nancy Sample, explained. "However, we are not just campaigning; we will also be donating a percentage of all funds we raise this year.'' The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation has pledged to cover the cost of duty on importation of the equipment, and the League is currently soliciting the support of various organisations and firms before turning to the general public for financial assistance. It has set the spring of 1993 as its goal for the completion of the fund-raising phase.

At the appropriate time, community support to assemble the equipment will also be sought.

"We want this to be a total community effort, and something for the future children of Bermuda too,'' Mrs. Sample said.

RARIN' TO GO! -- Bermuda Junior Service League president Mrs. Elysa Burland (centre) points to the proposed playground development at Shelly Bay Park.

Sharing her delight are Mrs. Nancy Pierson (left) and Mrs. Nancy Sample (right), co-chairmen of the playground project.