Somerset and Dorset Postal History Group
WE ARE ALWAYS PLEASED TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS & VISITORS TO OUR GROUP & MEETINGS.
We meet twice a year at Hornsbury Mill, Chard, TA20 3AQ in March and October, where we are entertained by guest speakers and members’ displays of Somerset & Dorset postal history as well as on broader aspects of postal history.
It is with great sadness that we have to report that Mike Welch has passed away following a fall at home in early October. He was the author of the "Postmarks of Somerset" and "The Freeling Reports" as well as numerous articles in the Journal on the Somerset Penny Posts and other subjects. The books and articles were the result of meticulous research, involving many trips to the Post Office Archives in London. He was also a central figure in his local Bridgwater & District Philatelic Society. He will be sorely missed.
The S&DPHG meetings for 2022 have been arranged for Sunday 20th March and Sunday 23rd October 2022. The agenda for our March meeting will be John Cowlin showing us Military & Political Satirical postcards from pre-Boer War through to and after WWI, and Nick Bridgwater showing a selection of Commercial Bristol material.
Our Autumn meeting for 2021 went ahead on Sunday 17th October 2021 with some 12 attendees, and after a minutes silence for Mike Welch (see above), consisted of David Eastman showing us a 'Selection of Somerset and Dorset material' and Bill Pipe with part of a new display of 'Railway Letter Stamps', followed by our usual displays from members. The Autumn 2021 Journal was distributed to the attendees and was posted out on 1st November to those members who could not attend (please advise if you have not received your copy). See here for a report of the meeting. An online copy of the Autumn 2021 Journal is available here, password protected in the usual manner.
The Spring 2021 Journal was posted out at the end of February, and an online copy is available here, password protected in the usual manner. Any member wanting to know the password should email here. Our meeting previously planned for Sunday 21st March 2021 was not feasible due to the lockdown.
Our Autumn 2020 meeting due to be on Sunday 18th October 2020, was CANCELLED due to then current Coronavirus guidance. In the meantime copies of the Autumn 2020 Journal were posted out, and an online copy is available on the Downloads page.
Our Spring 2020 meeting was held on Sunday 1st March, when Nick Bridgwater showed "Bristol Back-of-the-Book" with examples of Bristol postage due marks followed by examples of the various charge and instructional marks in use at Bristol. After lunch this was followed by our usual displays from members. The meeting confirmed Allen Cotton as Treasurer, and he gave a brief overview of the accounts which were a small amount in the black for 2019. The Treasurer would be grateful for the annual subscription of £10, due from those members who could not attend the meeting. An online copy of the Spring 2020 Journal is available here, password protected in the usual manner. See here for a report of the meeting.
Our Autumn 2019 meeting was held on Sunday 20th October, when Graham Mark showed 'South West England Prisoners of War' and John Russell displayed 'Scottish Islands' . There was also a brief AGM (less than 10 minutes !) where the accounts were seen to be in good order and the current Officers were re-elected. This was followed by our usual displays from members. An online copy of the Autumn 2019 Journal is available here, password protected in the usual manner. See here for a report of the meeting.
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