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WDPS Packet News
With effect from Friday 1st July 2011 the post of Packet Secretary will transfer from Alan Godfrey to Derek Steele and David Gerken. Derek will be responsible for all general and administration matters with David assisting with all accounting issues. Derek will be the postal contact for vendors for Packet material.
The new Packet Secretary contact details are:
Derek Steele - Phone 0118 978 2646
Packet slip returns will be by hand at club meetings or by post to David at:
David Gerken - Phone 0118 969 6040
External vendors have already been advised and it is expected that the transfer will be relatively seamless. Alan and Julian will provide support and assistance over the transfer period.
Please note that the success of the Packet depends on the material that is made available to it. Good saleable material is always required - please make up a book to ensure continued success.
Alan Godfrey
2011 Club & Open Competition
Wokingham are pleased to record the following successes in the club competition.
ADVANCED CLASS 1st Trevor Cornford - Captain Scott’s Last Expedition 2nd Eric Holmes - Gibraltar Queen Victoria Issues 3rd John Morgans - Wilding Booklets
POSTAL HISTORY 1st Eric Harris - The SCADTA Service in Ecuador
THEMATIC CLASS No entries
CLUB COMPETITION 1st Derek Steele - Newfoundland Airmails: Problems and Oddities 2nd David Gerken - Bridges
OPEN COMPETITION 1st Stephen Gardner - Telegraph Stamps of South America 2nd Eric Holmes - Natal Postal Stationery 3rd David Gerken - Working Dogs
Congratulations to everyone.
Amersham & District Philatelic Society
The Amersham auction will take place on Thursday 19 May 2011 with 326 lots.
March 2011 News
Thames Valley Philatelic Federation Competition 2011
The Society provided entries to the Thames Valley Philatelic Federation 2011 9-sheet Competition. The results of our members are shown below:
Postal History Class - First - Eric Holmes, Spanish Stamps Used on Gibraltar Mails 1850-60. Thematic Class - Second - Pam Harwood, Island Lights. Open Class - First - Derek Harwood, Deception Island. Aerophilately Class - First - Derek Steele, Newfoundland Airmails a Miscellany of Problems and Oddities.
Wokingham Society 10 sheet Postcard and Cinderella Competitions held 22 March 2011
The Postcard and Cinderella competitions were initially judged separately by the members on the evening and then an overall winner was decided:
Postcard Competition Winner: Trevor Cornford for Captain Scott’s last Antarctic Expedition. Cinderella Competition Winner: Mark Bailey for Strike Mail between Jersey & Paris 1974 French Postal Strike. Overall Winner: Trevor Cornford - Presented with the Cup.
New Members
We welcome the following new members: Roger Howard, Carl Warren and Mark Bailey
Brian Elliott
We have recently learned of the unexpected death of Brian Elliot, following a short illness.
Brian had been a member of WDPS for a number of years and will be remembered by many of us for his displays of Concorde related material, a subject about which he was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He also attended the meetings of the Concorde Society.
Brian had numerous friends at Wokingham and in previous years, he and his wife took part in the annual skittles social evening.
A card, signed by the members present at the meeting on 25th January, has been sent to the family and the Society will be represented at Brian's funeral on Friday 4th February, at Reading Crematorium.
Our thoughts are with Brian's family at this time.
Alwyn Lowe
January 2011 News
A thank you to those members who have sent their subscriptions for 2010-11.
Our Meeting in December was well attended and after a worthy display of Christmas items by members an enjoyable chat continued while partaking of the Christmas refreshments supplied by Alwyn Lowe assisted from the kitchen by Rodney Smith.
The following is attached for any members who have an interest in Zeppelin mail:
Welcome to the January 2011 eZEP-newsletter, the email information service from the ZEPPELIN STUDY GROUP with the latest on zeppelin mail and airship memorabilia!
In 1975, Ivo Lukanc published his book on Russian zeppelin mail (Ivo Lukanc, Zeppelinpost und Luftschiffbriefmarken der UdSSR). But since then, not much was published on Russian zeppelin mail. A discussion started recently on www.eZEPtalk.de dealing with the connection flights of Russian zeppelin mail on the 1932 and 1933 South America Flights operated by airship LZ-127 GRAF ZEPPELIN. It is interesting to see how many unknown covers and connection flights are hidden in the various collections. Most of these covers are not yet listed in the specialized zeppelin mail catalogues. The whole story including all images can be followed at eZEPtalk, which is the discussion board for zeppelin mail and airship memorabilia: http://www.ezeptalk.de/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=296
- Mussolini's wannabe-zeppelin - A crazy story about the madness of freak-mechanic Jon Sarriugarte and his contribution for the Burning Man festival at Nevada: http://www.spiegel.de/auto/aktuell/0,1518,721344,00.html
- US zeppelin mail on facebook: John Brennan presents unusual and interesting US zeppelin mail on facebook. This is the link for the 1930 stamp issue http://www.facebook.com/pages/zeppelinpost/116072294222#!/album.php?aid=28841&id=100001181450852 and this is the link for the 1933 stamp issue http://www.facebook.com/pages/zeppelinpost/116072294222#!/album.php?aid=38066&id=100001181450852 The web portal for zeppelin mail and airship memorabilia: http://www.eZEP.de/
November 2010 News
SKITTLES SOCIAL EVENING It was another enjoyable evening down at the Dog and Partridge for our annual skittles social. The numbers may have been slightly down on previous years but the enthusiasm flowed.
Champions. Highest Female score Jean Jones Highest Male score Alwyn Lowe Last Female playing Pam Harwood Last Male playing Jeremy Hopkins
CLUB MEETINGS The first meeting in November was given over to our own members providing displays on the subject of “Blue”. We have not used a colour as a display feature before but with a good turn out from the members the evening was fully taken up. As is usual with a member’s evening some stretched the ‘Blue’ to provide material rather than disturb items from the sheets in their collection. It was good to see one of our new members John Morgans showing for the first time some of his GB Wildings.
W.D.P.S. PREPARED SOCIETY GIFTS Thanks to members, the sale of key rings, pens, paperweights etc, of which a portion of sales goes to the Society, has raised almost £60.
Skittles Social Evening 2 November 2010
The Dog and Partridge, Riseley bowling alley has again been booked for our annual skittles evening 7.15 for 7.30pm. Cost £8 per person which includes a buffet meal. Book your place with Patrick Reid.
October 2010 News
PROGRAMME SECRETARY. The programme for 2011 has been prepared by Alwyn Lowe but as he now has other Committee responsibilities he wishes to vacate the position of Programme Secretary. This position does not take up a great deal of time, it is busy for a couple of weeks as speakers are obtained for the following year and then it only requires a letter to be sent to each speaker about 4 weeks before the meeting to remind them of the evening and where to find us. Please have a word with Alwyn if you feel you are able to help in this capacity.
SPEAKERS FOR CLUB MEETINGS. A small number of possible speakers is held by the Programme Secretary in case one is needed in an emergency and as a base for the following years programme. This speakers pool is in need of some additional names. If you are able to suggest any speakers for the future please give details to Alwyn Lowe.
HONORARY PACKET SECRETARY At the recent Committee Meeting Alan Godfrey advised that due to other commitments away from philately he would not be able to continue being our Packet Secretary from September 2011. This does mean that the Society must look immediately for somebody to take over this very important position. Please speak to either Alan or Julian Burgess with possible names and they will also be able to advise on how it all works. In the past our membership has readily come forward to assist on Committee and take specified positions. As mentioned above we now have the need for two persons to take over as Programme Secretary and Packet Secretary.
LIBRARY The Society has maintained a Library run by Alec Bunting for a number of years. At the moment a few catalogues are kept at the Bradbury Centre with the remaining items held by Alec, obtainable on loan by request to him. The intention is that a list of all the library books will be placed on the Society’s website. Full details of our library will take a few weeks to list.
Neil Evenett Funeral
The Society notes that Neil's funeral will take place at Easthampstead Crematorium on Friday 11 June at 2.15 pm.
Neil Evenett
The Society notes with regret the death of Neil Evenett who was a long standing member.
Neil's research and knowledge on Captain Cook and the facets of Cook's journeys were extensive and he could always be relied upon to relate stories of this great explorer at open evenings.
The Society extends its condolences to Neil’s family.
11 May 2010 - Postcard & Cinderella Competition
A new set of competitions has been introduced into our calendar. These are for "postcards" and "cinderellas".
On May 11th the first of these were held and they were very successful with seven and four entries respectively. It must be said however that all four cinderella entries were from Julian Burgess! Results are shown below.
We expect these competitions to be a regular feature in future.
POSTCARD CLASS 1st David Gerken - Bridges 2nd Derek Harwood - Scott Expedition 3rd Pam Harwood - Lighthouses
CINDERELLA CLASS 1st Julian Burgess - A Potpourri (4 displays)
13 April 2010 - Club & Open Competition Results
ADVANCED CLASS 1st Patrick Reid - The CTMS/T Tax Marks of Tasmania 1904-1939
2nd Eric Holmes - Gibraltar Instructional Handstamps
POSTAL HISTORY 1st Derek Steele - Studies on Scottish Wheel Tax
CLUB 1st Derek Steele - Arthur Sullivan’s 1931 Flight
OPEN CLASS 1st Derek Harwood - Sir Ernest Shackleton
2nd Eric Holmes - Gibraltar Rock Pictorial Issue
3rd Trevor Cornford - Medicine T.B. Story
Comm. Peter Alford - Lundy Island
Due to confusion over dates, the competition rules were relaxed to allow cinderella entries.
Society Meeting Tuesday 13 April 2010
The Society was asked by Glenna Thomas’s husband Hedley if he could present us with an item in remembrance of Glenna. It was felt that the provision of a gavel for the Chairman would be particularly relevant. Hedley would like to officially present the gavel to the Society before our meeting on 13 April 2010, the Postcard & Cinderella 9 sheet Competition evening.
Hedley and the Society will be pleased to see as many members as possible on this night.
Archivists’ Appeal
If anybody has any information, photos, stories or other memorabilia associated with the Society from it's inception in 1978 to the present that they are prepared to share with other members would they please let me know so that they can be considered for inclusion in the Society Archives.
I am particularly interested in photos from any period and any details of visits the Society made to other Societies.
Thanks, Chris Rayner.
WDPS Competitions It has been necessary to change the date of the Club competitions. To accommodate the availability of judges the Club competitions have been brought forward to Tuesday April 13 and the postcard and cinderella competition moved back to 11 May. On May 11 separate competitions will be held for postcards and cinderellas. Members will be the judges. A change in the rules for the Novices Cup has been agreed. As no entries were submitted last year the conditions for entry into this class have been relaxed. Entry is open to anyone who has not previously won a WDPS competition for which a cup has been awarded. It is hoped that the fine Novices Cup donated by Glenna Thomas will once again grace someone’s display shelf!
January 2010 News
The meeting on Tuesday 12 January is cancelled due to adverse weather.
December 2009 News
The Society’s last meeting of the year is a friendly get together to display members Christmas items and to enjoy a few eats and drinks ably provided by Alwyn Lowe. This year however we began by learning that two of our members were leaving us for areas new.
Our President, Ian Furby well known for his collections of Canada, Olympics and Penguins etc. sprung a complete surprise advising us that he had bought a property in Somerset and would be away in early January. Ian has been a member of the Society for some 25 years having served in various positions on the Committee. All wished him well for the future with a signed card including a voucher.
Also leaving was Paul Runacres who joined us about 3 years ago and is going to Inverness. Initially he will be away for 12 months and may return to the area at that stage. Paul was not able to be at the meeting but we all wish him all the best in Scotland.
November 2009 News
Future Society Auctions Now that our Auction Catalogue is on the website we are proposing to discontinue distributing hard copies of the catalogue to other philatelic societies and individuals who we know have access to the Internet. Our catalogue will normally appear on the website about 4 weeks before the auction i.e. early May and early November which can then be printed off.
The e-mail address wokinghamauction@googlemail.com can be used for bidding. Online bidders unknown to us need to provide a reference from someone we know or can be readily identified.
Hard copies of the auction catalogue will still be available at Society Meetings prior to and on the evening of the auction. Those persons who have already paid for the May 2010 Auction Catalogue will still receive their copy through the post. If this presents any problems please contact Dennis Proctor, Auction Manager.
November 2009 Auction There were 40 members in the room for our half yearly auction in the Bradbury Centre Hall. Our maximum number of lots for the evening of 303 were presented of which 203 were sold. A sum of just over £900 was raised. A satisfactory evening for vendors and purchasers.
2009 Skittles Evening Our annual skittles evening was held on the 1 December 2009 at the Dog and Partridge, Riseley.
Winners Highest Score Ladies: Pam Harwood Gents: Dave Gerken
Winners Knockout Ladies Last one standing: Jill Furby Gents Last one standing: Ian Furby
2009 Thames Valley 16 Sheet Competition The Society had a strong entry in this Competition, hosted by Harwell Stamp Club, participating in all the classes with excellent results: TRADITIONAL CLASS 1st Patrick Reid - Tasmania Postcards POSTAL HISTORY 1st Eric Holmes - Gibraltar Handstamps 4th Derek Harwood - London General Post THEMATIC CLASS 2nd Alwyn Lowe - All in a Life’s Work OPEN CLASS 2nd Trevor Cornford - Falkland Expedition AEROPHILATELY CLASS 1st Derek Harwood - Falkland-Argentine Air Service
CAMBERLEY & DISTRICT STAMP CLUB ANNUAL FAIR NEW OWLSMOOR CENTRE, SANDHURST 7 NOVEMBER 2009
We have been asked by the Camberley & District Stamp Club to provide an Exhibition by our members at this forthcoming fair. Some 6-8 members will be displaying their material. The fair opens at 10.30 am and includes, as well as the exhibition, various dealer tables and a public auction at 3.00 pm.
Bob Nicholls
We regret to inform you of the recent death of our member Bob Nicholls from Bracknell. We send his wife and family our sincere condolences.
The Angus Parker Collection of Coffee House Mail to be auctioned
In September, Cavendish Auctions are selling The Angus Parker Collection of Coffee Houses Mail c.1679-1850. In the write up mention is made of Angus acquiring the intact collection of coffee house material of J. Franklyn Jones who had no less than 105 covers. Franky was a member of our Society in his latter years and donated the Franklyn Jones Cup for our Club Competition in 1985. Apparently his material is still on his original album sheets.
The Angus collection constitutes by far the largest holding of Coffee House material to ever come to the market. This is an extraordinary collection when one remembers just how rare most Coffee House covers are. It is said that perhaps there is seen one in 1,000 for pre-stamp covers and much less for the 1840+ period. Coffee Houses were primarily an 18th century phenomenon, they declined gradually during the 1800-35 period and had almost vanished by 1845. They were largely eclipsed by merchants acquiring their own premises and also by the rise of London Clubs.
In the introduction to Bryant Lillywhite’s definitive tome, his 1963 “London Coffee Houses” he lists no less than 2034 Coffee Houses. Essentially they provided a Poste Restante mail service for merchants and others, being especially useful for businessmen from the provinces who needed a London accommodation address and part-time office.
Lloyd’s Coffee House was probably the most famous - leading directly to the creation of the modern Insurance giant Lloyds of London, but in their time Jamaica, Jerusalem and American inspired Coffee Houses were equally vital for overseas communications. These in many cases offering better systems for sending mail than the Post Office. Letters would be regularly collected from Coffee House ‘bags’ (into which letters could be placed for 2d or 3d a time) by reliable ships’ Captains bound for foreign parts. Cheap postage after 1840 undoubtedly hastened the decline of Coffee House’s mail services.
Note on 2009 AGM
This year’s Annual General Meeting was the third in the cycle where the Chairman automatically resigns resulting in other officers also changing. This provides us with the following officers for the coming year:
President: Ian Furby Chairman: Alwyn Lowe Vice Chairman: Alec Bunting
All other Officers and Committee Members remain the same with the addition to the Committee of Stephen Gardner.
The Society does like to confer on members who provide a long time service to the Club the title of Honorary Life Member and this has been given to Chris Rayner in recognition of his service as our Honorary Treasurer.
The Packet Secretary mentioned that obtaining material for boxes was continuing to be difficult and would be happy to receive material for the boxes or be put to touch with any vendors wishing to put material into our circuit.
Our membership numbers for the year stand at 121 being just one less than the previous year. This it is felt is a very good situation but new members are as ever very welcome. The facilities we have available are excellent and are probably not bettered by many Stamp Clubs in the Country. Approx 30/40 members continue to attend our meetings this is often a welcome surprise to our speakers.
The meeting thanked Stephen Gardner for getting the web site up and running so efficiently and hoped that members will make full use of the facility. The web site is for the use of all members who wish to provide philatelic news, stories etc. Stephen is the Webmaster and the Committee have given him overall responsibility for items that are placed on the web site.
2009 Club Competition
Wokingham are pleased to record the following successes in the club competition.
ADVANCED CLASS 1st Eric Holmes - Spanish Stamps used in Gibraltar 2nd Derek Steele - Scottish Wheel Tax: Type 2A 3rd Eric Harris - Columbia: Maritime Marks
POSTAL HISTORY 1st Derek Steele - New insights into Scottish Postal History 2nd Eric Holmes - Maritime Mail of Madeira 3rd Eric Harris - Paquebot Marks on Columbia Mail
THEMATIC CLASS 1st Alwyn Lowe - All in a Life’s Work 2nd Derek Steele - Classical Mechanics to Quantum 3rd Ian Furby - Lunar New Year
CLUB COMPETITION 1st David Gerken - G.B. Varieties
OPEN COMPETITION 1st David Gerken - LZ 129 Hindenburg 2nd Trevor Cornford - Shackleton at South Georgia 3rd Ian Furby - Scout Christmas Labels
Congratulations to everyone.
2009 Thames Valley Philatelic Federation Competition
Wokingham are pleased to record the following success in the TVPFC by its members.
Traditional Class – First: Eric Holmes with “GB Postcards used in Gibraltar”
Thematic Class – First: Alwyn Lowe with “A Life’s Work”
Aerophilately Class – First: Derek Steele with “Arthur Sullivan’s Survey Flights in Newfoundland”
Congratulations to all. |
