About Us
Stamp collectors in the Medway area first got together to share their interest in 1922.
During WWII meetings lapsed, but started again immediately the war ended.
Membership has fluctuated over the years, but is currently about fifty.
Facilities have improved considerably since the days when pages were passed from hand to hand in the smoke-laden atmosphere of a well-known Rochester hostelry.
The Society now meets monthly from September to July, in comfortable, well lit surroundings and a warm, friendly and sociable atmosphere.
Members gather from about 7.00p.m.taking the opportunity to chat and buy stamps and raffle tickets or to request books from our Library.
Our 6th February 2012 Meeting
Meeting cancelled because of inclement weather.
Our 9th January 2012 Meeting
Bob Higgins provided two entirely different displays, the first entitled "120 years of Gibraltar" and the second "Dinosaurs and Prehistoric
Annimals". The Gibraltar exhibits ranged from the early use of British stamps, through the Spanish currency issues through to the QE2 issues.
The Dinosaur theme has lead many countries to issue some extremely colourful stamps and miniature sheets. Bob's main problem is how to arrange
the display since many items show animals together although they are from entirely different time periods. In addition very few of the items
were postally used as they were mainly issued for collectors. The two displays provided something of interest for everyone present.
Our 5th December 2011 Meeting
The Annual Club Auction
Our 7th November 2011 Meeting
Visit by Swale PS
Members were pleased to welcome two visitors in the audience as well as the Swale team.
Eddie Scott started the evening with a display of every stamp issued for use in Berlin from 1945 under allied occupation, then as
West Berlin from 1949 untilits integration into a reuntied Germany in 1990. His interest, kindled by army service in Berlin, lead
to stories linking the designs of the stamps and locations in Berlin.
Bob Browne presented an interesting display of stamps that have links with Kent. These included places and buildings but also
people and even a Sittingbourne postbox. Much research goes into such a display and we could have taken much longer than time
allowed looking at the sheets presented.
Our 3rd October 2011 Meeting
Michael Farrant entertained members with a display of items from his collection of the postal history of Zanzibar. The postal system was
introduced whilst it was a British Protectorate using Indian stamps and a canceller in Aden.French and German agency offices followed and
then Zanzibar was included in German East Africa where it remained until WW1. There were many rarities in Michael's display and his
presentation of their links with the development of the region made a most enjoyable evening.
Our 5th September 2011 Meeting
Ray Barton presented items from his collection of Mexico. The material ranged from prestamp covers through the early stamp issues from
1856 up to some early first flight covers. Ray explained the difficulty of collecting material that is eagerly sought after in the
Americas and not frequently stocked by dealers here.
Our 4th July 2011 Meeting
The Annual General Meeting was followed by a 1 page competion which was won by John (Edwin) Jarvis. This was followed by general displays
by Members of interesting sheets from their collections.
Our 6th June 2011 Meeting
Ted Borley, dressed in Lightkeeper's uniform, introduced his collection of items connected with lighthouses and lightships. In addition to
the philatelic material there were flags, photographs, postcards, books and magazines, labels and souvenirs and even a banknote.The display
ranged from the Pharos at Alexandria to modern lighthouses and the narrative covered designs,construction and operating considerations. It was
an instructive and enjoyable evening.
Our 9th May 2011 Meeting
There was a good attendance for Martin Lynes' presentation on Mechanised Letter Sorting. The display included examples of the range of codes
that have been used to assist sorting and showed the machines that have been used to accelerate sorting as the quantity of post has grown.
Our 4th April 2011 Meeting
There was a good attendance with half the members bringing "Something beginning with C". Subjects included Cyprus, GB 2004 Crimea issue,
early Ceylon, Cocos Keeling Islands, Canada, A26 cancels of Gibraltar, "Contary to Regulations" postcards, Cows, Chausey and Collectable Cards.
Our 7th March 2011 Meeting
Competition Night attracted only few entries. The Challenge Cup was won by Joyce Kemp with "Anglo Egyptian Army Concessions seals" and the
Thematic Trophy by Ed Jarvis with "Rocks and Crystals".
Our 7th February 2011 Meeting
Len Barnes presented a wide variety of material to illustrate the growth of French aviation and airmails. These ranged from the Balloon Post
used in the seige of Paris in 1870 to a letter intended for carriage on a Zeppelin flight on 26th August 1939, a flight which did not
take place because war was imminent. Mr Barnes covered the development of aircraft and their pilots, including some who became famous,
and the growth of airlines and postal routes.
