ABPS Executive Bulletin No 13 January 2009

COUNCIL & EXECUTIVE MEET AT YORK

The Council and the Executive Committee held meetings at York on 17th January to try to move discussions around the country. Regrettably, the Council meeting was poorly attended by Federation and Specialist Society ABPS representatives. The Chairman would be interested to know why?

Finances of ABPS are raising some concerns as a result of falling membership. There was a break even position in 2008 but Treasurer, Nigel Gooch, reported “the accounts are not a pretty sight”. The focus is currently on bringing more clubs and societies into the national association with many positive messages to encourage support.

ABPS News: The printing arrangements are currently under review to try to reduce printing and circulation costs. Some 2000 copies are distributed, four times each year.

Please remember to send in your reports to our Editor, Hugh Feldman prior to the copy deadlines – the next being 15th February. They should be sent by e-mail to hugh@feldman.f9.co.uk or typed in a clear format. He needs more photos too!

Website: A major review of the site is now taking place. It is felt that we are not doing justice to the profile and activity of ABPS. Colin Searle presented a paper to Council and explained “the whole ethos is for a new database-driven web site with a comprehensive, national calendar and links which will be professional produced and maintained”.

ONE FRAME COMPETITION AT SPRING STAMPEX

A new competition for collectors will be displayed from 25th to 28th February at Spring Stampex.

Already around 65 entries have been received.

ABPS AWARDS

Nominations are still invited for the 2009 Awards of Merit and for the Congress Medal, which should be sent to Susan Oliver by the closing date - March 1st 2009

MIDPEX 2009

The date for your diary is 11th July 2009 at the brand new Xcel Leisure Centre, Mitchell Avenue, Canley, COVENTRY, CV4 8DY, from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. The ABPS 2009 AGM, an ABPS Council Meeting, and the 2009 THEMATICA competitions will also be held alongside MIDPEX in the Xcel Centre.

THE CENTENARY CONGRESS

The 2009 Congress will be held at the Copthorne Hotel, Manchester from 16th to 19th July. Booking forms are now available from searlec@gmail.com . Further information can be found at www.pcgb.org.uk

Gerald Marriner, Chairman of the Congress Committee, reports that HM The Queen has graciously consented to be Patron of the Centenary Congress.

Congress will start at 2.30pm on the Thursday. It will be officially opened by The Mayor of Salford. The RDP Ceremony will be on Friday afternoon at Manchester Town Hall. The Lowry Museum and the Imperial War Museum are just some of the other attractions close at hand.

A new publication celebrating 100 Years of the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain is being prepared.

2010: July 22-25th at the Holiday Inn, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. The theme will be King George V.

2012: Plans are moving forward for Congress at Perth in October 2012. Their Committee desires to host the national competitions around the same time.

UPDATES OF PUBLICATIONS

The 2009 edition of Philatelic Lecturers and Displays will be distributed within the next few weeks. The ABPS Handbook and Directory will in future be issued as two separate volumes. The 2009 ABPS Directory, which will now become an annual publication, will be published by Summer and a new ABPS Handbook will follow a short time later.

SUPPORT ABPS PERSONALLY AS A FRIEND OR PATRON

Why not become a personal member of ABPS and support philately in the UK?

Why not do more to support ABPS and its efforts to promote philately by becoming a Friend (£20) or Patron (£50) personally? Please send your donation to Alan D Godfrey, ABPS Membership Secretary,

8 Gerard Road, ALCESTER, B49 6QG.

COMMUNICATIONS TO FEDERATIONS

Members of the Executive Committee are willing to attend Federation and other regional events by invitation to talk about the role of ABPS.

If you would like to know more about ABPS and its activities, please contact the PR Officer, John Davies on 01295 255831 or e-mail davies1890@btinternet.com

STAMP ACTIVE NETWORK

ABPS continues to support and promote youth philately through the Stamp Active Network. They are launching a new e-mail newsletter with activities for leaders of school and junior stamp clubs.

If you are a club leader and would like to register, please email stampactive@btinternet.com

WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS

New workshops for existing judges are being planned to update judges later this year. If Federations would like to have workshops on any subject, please contact John Sussex johndc.sussex@btinternet.com

Warwick 7th Feb Judging Seminar

NPS 24th Feb Hands-On Computing

Scotland 28th March Judging Seminar

Thatcham 28th March NPS Regional Meeting

NPS 20th Aug Using the NPS Library

Laemington 26th Sept NPS Regional Meeting

LONDON 2010

The London 2010 web site www.london2010.org.uk/ now contains the first bulletin and entry forms.

ABPS UK COLLECTORS CLUB

Exhibitors are now being invited to register for participation in FIP/FEPA events. 66 collectors have registered so far.

Please remember that information about the rules of exhibiting and judging can be found on the www.ukphilately.co.uk website.

USING E-BULLETIN INFORMATION

Please ensure this bulletin is seen by all your members. Any information contained in this e-bulletin can be reproduced in any society publications, but please acknowledge the source as the ABPS E-Bulletin. You are also welcome - and encouraged - to read any of the information to members at your meetings.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO GIVE YOUR COMMENTS, please contact those mentioned above, or the ABPS General Secretary Colin Searle at his new address which is: The Old Post Office, 1 Wellesbourne Road, Barford, WARWICK, CV35 8EL. Tel: 07879 665658. E-mail: searlec@gmail.com

The Association of British Philatelic Societies Limited. Company Number 3326534.

Registered in England. Registered Office: Greystones, Green Lane, Crowborough, TN6 2BX