We received the sad news that one of our members, Glyn Evans, passed away in September. Five club members were among those attending the funeral. Glyn had been ill for some time but continued collecting right to the end. His main interests were in GB and islands. His family requested that the Newport club arrange the disposal of his collection.

We also heard that a previous member, Jess Brace, passed away on 24 June 2005. Two of us attended the funeral service on 1 July at the Bethel Community Church on Stow Hill. Jessie had carried on as a member for many years following the death in 1981of her husband Fred, who had been the club chairman since 1976 .

In September the club received an email from Dr Sally Ewings, daughter of the late Len Ewings to say how pleased she was to find so much about him through the Internet. Len had joined the club in 1955 and soon became chairman, a post he then held until 1976. More about Len's contribution to the club can be found on the history pages of the web site.

Recent meetings

The new season started with the usual "new acquisitions" evening and was followed two weeks later by the first visit of the season. Bridgend club members showed us a range of material with postcards from Auschwitz followed by GB telegraph stamps, naval censors of the first world war and Red Indian postcards.

Five of us then visited the Cardiff club. Your secretary showed stamps from the Summer Isles, acquired from Glyn Evans' collection and displayed in his memory. Other members followed with postal service thematics, NATO, Falkland Islands and Fiji.

On 12 October, we were treated to a double-headed display of Leipzig by Gwen and Bernie, both experts in the subject.

Leipzig history

In medieval times it was usual for people to meet at a crossroad to trade goods. This created a market for refreshments for both the people and their horses. Soon inns were built and the meeting places became permanent. Leipzig was one of these and indeed is still an important market town with many large and imposing buildings, including a hall that holds the renowned Messe (trade fair) and stamp and other fairs. Bernie's display concentrated on the buildings while Gwen's showed the development of the fairs.

Here is one of the special postmarks from the Leipzig fairs that formed a large part of the displays.

South Wales Federation

The 2005 Autumn Fair in Port Talbot was on a very wet Saturday 8 October. Here is the Newport table placed strategically next to a warm radiator. Twelve of our members and families made the trip.

The Federation AGM was held on the following Saturday at its new regular venue in North Cornelly. The morning was given over to displays by club members. For Newport, Gwen and your secretary showed Xmas aerogrammes and Summer Isles. For the AGM, the Newport club had proposed the only two motions. The request for new frames for the Federation competitions resulted in a plan to create new light plastic frames to hang over the existing panels. This would speed up the hanging and dismantling and would mean no more drawing pin marks on sheets. The Federation also agreed to introduce a specific marking system for the junior entries.

Other items from the AGM were the announcement that Neil Prior was the new president of the Canadian Philatelic Society of GB and would be leading a team displaying to the Royal Philatelic Society. Colin Lewis had won the prestigious Pratt Award for an article he had written on Newfoundland.

Stamp fairs

The Barry club is holding a stamp fair on

5 November 2005at the Comprehensive School, Port Road West, opposite Tesco's.

Chris Doble's Dragon Fairs are at the Jury's Hotel in Cardiff on the first Friday in each month. The Cardiff Stamp Fairs at the City Hall run by AMP Fairs continue. All start at 10:00 a.m. Anne Scott continues her Bristol postcard fairs at the BAWA centre.

The Federation Convention date is confirmed as 6 May 2006 at the Princess Theatre in Port Talbot. The 2006 Autumn Day will be in Barry and Newport will host the 2007 Autumn Day in its Diamond Jubilee year.

Stamp Matters

South Wales Argus - 15 August 2005

- Can anyone save Llanarth Post Office, which closed at the end of July? It was reported that Royal Mail was joining forces with the Community Council to find a replacement. The picture shows Councilor Brian Hood outside the (now closed) post office. A few days earlier the South Wales Argus reported that plans had been submitted to turn the former Stanhope Street (Abergavenny) post office into an office and residential property


South Wales Argus - 6 August 2005

- Would-be Olympians from Gwent helped Royal Mail launch its miniature sheet that went on sale on 5 August. The picture shows Newport Harriers athlete Ashley Jones ready to run over the stamps.