Lanarkshire Philatelic Society
"Society Visit"
Ayrshire Philatelic Society
The Lanarkshire Philatelic Society gave a warm welcome to four guests from the Ayrshire Philatelic Society at the meeting on Friday afternoon. The four presented a superb set of displays to members.
First was John Chalmers with interesting historic postcards illustrating Kilmarnock in days of old! Streets and buildings now long gone were illustrated as were also in some old views of Prestwick. Some postcards showing Auchincruive first, as a stately home designed by Robert Adam then, after 1927, when it became the West of Scotland Agricultural College - was displayed - along with some views of the nearby well known stepping stones across the River Ayr.
A different display was presented by Alan White a wonderful series of local stamps issued by various Scottish Islands. He began with the Summer Isles and stamps depicting the Map of the largest island Tanera Mor - these used to pay for the carrying of mail between the island and Achiltibuie on the mainland. Also Nature, Scouting, Clan Tartans, and many other fascinating views. Lovely colourful Stamps issued for the islands of Shuna, Easdale, Staffa, Sanda, Muck, Pabay and Tiree were viewed.
Ken Gibb took members out to St Kilda and members learnt a lot about the history and events on the island during the years it was inhabited. Historic postcards of life in the Village, the "Parliament" and the "cleits" were viewed. The tragic story of Lady Grange who was abandoned on the island by her husband a newspaper report told how she made her "home" in one of the cleits! The evacuation of the island on 29th August 1930 was illustrated in postcards, covers and postmarks. Also the stories of 2 aircraft crashes Bristol Beaufighter in 1943, the two crew died; a Sunderland aircraft, on navigation exercise, in 1944, all crew died. Lastly - 2 Bank notes - £5 issued in 2009; and £20 issued in 2020 (by Clydesdale Bank) gave illustrated views of the island.
Finally Ian Smith travelled away from Scotland to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. In 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars, the French ceded Mauritius to the British. In 1814 it became a British Colony. In 1847 the first stamps were issued 2 depicting Queen Victoria 1d and 2d. Issues of stamps through the years were displayed, including, in 1878, a change of currency when Cents and Rupees were overprinted on the issues. Also stamps issued in 1898 celebrating Queen Victorias Diamond Jubilee. Some historic postcards presented beautiful views of the island.
Dr Ken Liddell, gave warm thanks for such a fantastic and entertaining evening presented by the four guests.
Our next meeting in the Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, is on Friday, 27th October, 2023, at 1:30pm when members look forward to a display entitled "Samoa; Kingdom, Colony to Independence again" presented by Mr. Alex Walker of Aberdeen Philatelic Society. Alex is, also, this years President of the Association of Scottish Philatelic Societies (ASPS).
Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history, postcards etc is very welcome to attend.