Issue # 148 Winter 2020

Issue # 148 Winter 2020 1 EDITIORIAL: by Eddie Mays November 2020 ho would have thought that at the start of the 21st century we would be walking W around with facemasks on and not being able to see our families. To paraphrase Jeff Wayne’s ‘War of the Worlds’. We might as well be living on Mars. However we are not and the business of the Society has to a large extent carried on. The winter issue of ‘Postmark’ is here, Kevin is successfully conducting postal auctions, the Packets, whilst in suspension as I write this during lockdown, are in circulation and through the marvels of modern technology we are able to hold regular video presentations (not the same as club meetings but the next best thing.). I am at present putting together a schedule of video evenings to take us through to April 2021 (See Page 11). If you would like to join us and are unsure of how to then please do contact me. It is simple, free and may help you keep in touch with others. n the following pages I hope you will find all the news, reports on speakers and several I very good articles, including Roger Harris’s article on the Southampton Post Office Band and Robin Pope’s Farthing piece. s a Society we are in a very fortunate position that, where other Societies are A struggling, we have enough members with enough technical knowhow and enthusiasm to keep the Society active but we do need help in a couple of roles; I have edited the last two editions of ‘Postmark’ but I really would like someone else to take over the position. I am happy to help with a smooth transition (see page 20). Patrick (Goethals) who has been our Librarian for the past several years is returning to his native France Belgium, as a direct result of BREXIT. He has done sterling work, particularly with the Portsmouth library and we are very grateful to him for all his efforts. nd finally to everyone reading this edition may I wish you a very happy Christmas and A may we all be able to spend it with our families and loved ones. Keep well and safe. My sincere thanks go to all the following members who have contributed to this issue, in alphabetical order (by surname): Patrick Austin, John Berridge, Mel Bradshaw, Kevin Chard, Ian Greig, Roger Harris, Peter Jones, Malcolm Montgomery, Robin Pope, Mike Torreggiani, Mike Vokes and the Video Presenters; Keith Burton, Malcolm Coe, Geoffrey Eibl-Kaye, Julian Jones and Peter Wingent. Edited by Eddie Mays. Reproduction of this magazine, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the Southampton & District Philatelic Society is expressly forbidden. © S & D. P. S. 2020 2 CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN: by Dr Mel Bradshaw October 2020 ith the continuing impact of Covid-19, this issue of Postmark is being printed and W distributed earlier than normal in an effort to keep members as fully informed as possible and to confirm how we plan to move forward over the coming months. The next auction is planned for February, replacing the usual January and March evening auctions. This will be a larger auction than the usual evening auctions and, as with recent auctions, it will be a postal auction, although Kevin will advise every one of any opportunities to view lots. The catalogue will be sent in a later mailing, which will include my regular Newsletter. It is also important to check our Website (www.southamptondps.org.uk) for up-to-date information if you are able. he impact of Covid-19 has meant we are living through strange, disturbing and uncertain T times. The membership of SDPS is wide, but unfortunately most of our membership is in a vulnerable category. It is for this reason that we have been very careful in judging when to restart face-to-face meetings. We had hoped to have a couple of trial meetings at Chandler’s Ford this autumn, but circumstances have changed and it is unlikely that any face-to-face meetings will take place until after March, 2021. The October auction, usually our ‘Saturday, Grand Auction at Peartree Church Hall’ became an enhanced Postal Auction. If circumstances change we will attempt to host two ‘Grand Auctions’ in 2021, but exactly when will be decided once we see how the pandemic develops over coming months. espite the limitations imposed by the virus, the Society continues to make every effort D to offer members value for their £10 subscription, and it is encouraging that the number of members who were previously actively involved in Society activities, such as by attending meetings, contributing to auctions as vendor or bidder or receiving the Society Packet, have maintained their involvement, albeit in a rather modified form. An innovation stimulated especially by our Secretary, Eddie Mays, has been the introduction of ‘Zoom’ displays. These have been a great success and have attracted members who do not normally get to face-to- face meetings, in addition to many ‘visitors’. The committee agreed to the purchase a full 12 month ‘Zoom licence’, which has enabled meetings to last longer than the previous limit of 40 minutes. My thanks to all those who have displayed, or offered to display in the future. Eddie is currently producing a programme of displays to cover the period to the end of March, and it is hoped that these will feature a number of guest presenters. If you wish to join a Zoom meeting please email sec.sdps@gmail.com to confirm your interest. s with all organisations at this time, it is essential that as large a group of members as A possible takes an active part in running the Society. Unfortunately we have lost or are about to lose some key people. If they cannot be replaced it is probable that we will have to curtail some activities or publications. The Society has or will soon have the following vacancies: Postmark Editor and Librarian. If any of you can give a hand in any of these areas please contact Eddie or me. 3 s we come to the end of the year, your officers will be producing reports for the Annual A General Meeting. We hope that by April a live face-to-face AGM will be possible. Whatever happens however, all members will receive a printed copy of all the reports due to be presented at the AGM. eanwhile, I hope you are all keeping safe and as active and busy as circumstances M allow. If anyone has any suggestions of how we can further involve members please let Eddie or me know. As this will be our last postal distribution this year, I and all the committee wish you a very happy Christmas and look forward to keeping in touch—and even seeing you— in the new year. AUCTION UPDATE: by Kevin Chard (Hon. Auctioneer) October 2020 ur October postal only Auction went well with total sales (including advanced sales) O exceeding £8k and nearing £9k. We sold 41% of the lots offered. Unsold lots have been offered for sale through the website and will hopefully build useful additional sales – I am writing this update just as this process has launched. he revenue from October is higher than for a traditional evening auction but so are the T costs and the preparation time involved is greater as well. The sales are far below what we would expect from a Grand Auction. As a consequence we have decided to proceed on the following basis for the extended lockdown period: There will be one postal only auction in February, notionally on the 16th to fit in with the evening programme should circumstances change dramatically. This will be organised in a similar fashion to October – there will be 600+ lots and viewing of lots will be available for those who can / want it. The concept of having a Grand Auction will be postponed until we are confident that the situation has returned to normal. he situation is very fluid at the moment but we will maintain at least three Auctions per T year throughout lockdown style restrictions. By the time you read this, the February Auction may well be full but please do not hesitate to contact me if you have lots to sell as the next Auction will not be far away. CAN YOU HELP? — WILL YOU HELP? EDITOR or LIBRARIAN 4 PACKET MANAGER’S REPORT: by Dr Mel Bradshaw November 2020 ince the Packet Circuits were restarted there has been very good involvement of S members. Very few members have taken their names off the circuits and some new names added. The guidance which was put in place when the circuits resumed, after the lifting of lockdown, remains and we will continue to review this guidance following any changes in government policy. ive boxes completed their circuits since the restart, with cheques paid and books F returned in either August or September. Three further boxes should be ready for payment in early November. A total of fifteen boxes are usually circulating around members. otal sales in boxes paid to date during 2020 amounted to £4310, and sales of boxes T currently circulating are about £3520. The restrictions caused by Covid 19 and the lack of face-to-face Society meetings have resulted in a few changes to the way we operate the circuits. Wherever possible 2 boxes are sent out together on a circuit, this minimises my and members travel, and limits the possibility of contact with individuals.

Load more