NEWPORT AND GWENT PHILATELIC SOCIETY Newsletter 14 (November 1995)

Welcome to our newest members: Derek Fielding and John Flight-Parker. I will be updating the list of members interests in time for the next newsletter.

Meetings

The new season is passing quickly. This Summer Gwen Hussey hosted two meetings. This is a difficult job as the organiser has to provide the refreshments as well as a display. The other one was at Bill Osborn's house and was the first open air stamp meeting that I have attended. The Summer seems such a long time ago but there was some perfect weather and that evening was no exception.

The season kicked off with the usual members evening (8 sheets this time), at which 14 of the 24 members present provided displays. A marvellous start to the season. Vic Sheppard's display "Poles Apart" (Arctic and Antarctic mail) produced the usual interesting stories and was enjoyed by two surprise visitors, Roger and Heidi from Germany, who always seem to tie in their twinning activities with our meetings. We then followed with a members evening on the "New Europe". This brought out a lot of former Soviet Union countries, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany. Nobody seems to collect the former Jugoslavia. The final meeting in October was the video night, where two films, "Men of Letters" and "The Rainbow Verdict", borrowed from the Post Office Film Library were shown to an appreciative audience.

Federation Matters

I mentioned the 1995 Convention in the previous newsletter. The 1996 convention has now been booked by the Federation: it will be at the same place (Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot) on 27 April. Unfortunately, this is the same day as "Stamp 96", which is being organised in London by Stanley Gibbons. Those of us who went to Wembley for Stamp 95 found it an enjoyable event with lots of Postal Administrations and displays to keep up the interest. Back to the 1996 Convention... Entrance will be 50p and there will be a special postcard showing rare Welsh postmarks. Competition entries were down to possibly an all-time low of 14 in 1995. The Federation is hoping for better in 1996, so start writing up that display of yours.

The Federation AGM were held in Bridgend on 28 October. Roy Bentley provided a display of Lundy while I showed Severn Crossing covers and postcards. Gwen Hussey and Norman Hargreaves helped make the Newport contingent the largest from any club. The Federation has substantial surplus funds, mainly from Convention profits. There was some discussion of what to do with the money. If we need any for special events, we only need to ask them. For the pack circuit the charge of £14 a year has been waived for the coming year. This should help club funds. The Federation is thinking about other possibilities, including arranging a seminar on "writing up a collection" or on "judging".

Newport 50th

This is getting even nearer. As the first club meeting was held on 16 October 1947, a stamp fair in September or October 1997 would seem a good idea. Our venue for previous conventions does not look very promising as the M4 junction is blocked off for members travelling from the west. We are now thinking of a school in the High Cross area.

Stamp fairs

The usual fairs in Cardiff (Symes and Dragon) and in Bristol (Ann Scott) continue. Some of us went to Midpex in June. This was held near Coventry and was a bit of a challenge to find. Still it was worth it, with the presence of many specialist societies adding some interest. Swinpex was also worth a visit.

Cardiff arranged the usual visit to Autumn Stampex. As well as the coach arriving late, there was a bomb scare which meant that both halls were closed for an hour or more. I was lucky to miss this but I think that everyone enjoyed the day despite the problems. Two Federation members one medals: John Beachey of Bridgend got a GOLD for his airmail display (a first for any Federation member - congratulations) and Alan Rosser or Barry achieved silver.

The Spring Stampex has changed dates and venue. Please ignore what is in the programme. The dates are 24-28 January 1996 and the venue is Islington. Cardiff may be running a coach. The Federation Autumn day in 1996 is to be held in Llanelli. Barry is also planning a stamp fair for its 25th anniversary on 6 July 1996.

Twins

At the end of September, Newport Borough Council arranged a visit of representatives of organisations from Heidenheim. This gave me the chance to meet Dierck Lisdorf, the 24 year old vice-president of the Heidenheim stamp club. Those of you with long memories will recall Walter Spiller, who is still the President. Dierck enjoyed the visit immensely, especially as it coincided with the Autumn day in Barry. We are thinking about a return visit next year. He also wants to try to arrange some youth exchange visits.

John Perry

Honorary Secretary