OPAL

The Oriental Philatelic Association of London was founded in 1949. Its remit is very broad both geographically and historically as it covers all philatelic aspects of post within the former Ottoman Empire and all its myriad successor states. Nevertheless many members specialise in one small area. Over one third of our membership of over 200 lives abroad, with a particular large number in the USA .

OPAL publishes two or three magazines per year along with a couple of newsletters. Both publications are also used to answer members' queries. If our extensive library can't help with queries, then our membership invariably contains someone who can help, however specialised or esoteric. There is a packet within the UK and a postal auction is held two or three times per year. There are informal meetings in London , usually twice a year at the Philatex Fairs, supplemented by less frequent weekend gatherings at various places including occasional overseas meetings.

UK membership costs presently £13 per annum. Further details can be found on and contacts can be made via OPAL's website, www.mclstamps.co.uk/opal/opalhome.html . OPAL's secretary is Philip Longbottom, telephone: 01625439997; email: prlongbottom@aol.com.

The OPAL meeting at The Stamp Fair at the Solihull Convention Centre will be informal with attendees invited to bring along some material to show other attendees. Non-members are most welcome to come along and see what the Association has to offer.

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BTA

Thematic Workshop 24 th April 2010

Arden School , Station Road , Knowle, Solihull B03 0PT.

The BTA is running a Thematic Workshop at the Midland Philatelic Federation's Spring Convention at the above venue on the morning of Saturday 24 th April 2010 . The workshop will include advice on starting and building a thematic collection and examples of the full range of thematic material available. The Workshop is free and open to the public as well as BTA members.

Members are encouraged to attend this event which will concentrate on the fun side of thematic collecting especially emphasising the “please yourself” approach and will not cover the more formal side of thematic exhibiting.

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The Canadian Philatelic Society of Great Britain

Our roots go back to the 1930's when a small band of Scottish enthusiasts formed the Scottish Canadian Study Circle . After the Second World War in 1946 the Circle re-launched itself under the present name. The aims of the Society include the promotion and study of all aspects of British North American philately. Membership is worldwide and there is, naturally, a strong representation in Canada and the USA . Whilst we encourage the more serious side of BNA philately, our annual convention (a four-day event) provides not only a philatelic programme, but also a social programme. Practicality dictates that our Society's officers are drawn from its UK members.

The society publishes a quarterly journal. Maple Leaves, which is free to members. This journal has serious articles as well as fun articles on any aspect of BNA philately. An Annual Auction is normally held at the Convention with regularly 1000 lots on offer. The Library has numerous books and studies for the benefit of UK members.

A Local Group has been meeting regularly at the Spring and Autumn conventions of the Midland Philatelic Federation. These local meetings are opportunities to show off recent acquisitions, to bring along items which need identifying or explaining but most importantly to provide an opportunity to regularly meet like-minded collectors of Canadian material. These meetings are organised by Dr Ken Flint (contact on 024 7650 4459 or k.p.flint@warwick.ac.uk for more details).

If you are interested in joining then contact the membership secretary: John Wright, 12 Milchester House, Staveley Road , Meads, Eastbourne , East Sussex BN20 7JX or look at the website for the society http://www.canadianpsgb.org.uk/index.asp .

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THE GREAT BRITAIN PHILATELIC SOCIETY

Formed in 1955 with an initial membership of 28, the Society now has over 750 members worldwide with interests ranging over all British philatelic fields.

The Society publication, The GB Journal, contains mainly original, wide ranging articles and is produced six times a year together with a Newsletter which carries Society news, wants and queries..  Consultants are available to answer questions on many subjects and the website www.gbps.org.uk with a members forum is proving popular. 

A library is maintained and books by members are published. Meetings are held regularly in London and occasionally in the provinces. President Allan Jones, FRPSL, is presenting a display KGV Civilian Postal Rates and Services at Midlands Philatelic Federation Spring Convention at Solihull this year.

Full details of the Society are available from the Membership Secretary at petertannerHS13@talktalk.net .

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