Scan East Midlands and East Anglian Philatelic Federation

 

  

 

 

Leighton Buzzard Philatelic Society

 

Society History

 

 

 

                  In October 1973, Brian Stratford, who was at that time the landlord of the Golden Ball public house in Church Square Leighton Buzzard,

                  placed an article in the Leighton Buzzard Observer (L.B.O.) newspaper, about his collection of Penny Blacks. He ended the item with a

                  plea that he would like to meet fellow philatelists with a view to forming a local society.

                  In November 1973 the L.B.O. carried a small item stating that “Leighton Buzzard” is to have its own Philatelic Society, as a result of the

                  publicity given in the article of the previous month, there was to be a meeting at the Golden Bell on 5th 1973 at 8.00pm.

                  As a result of that notice fourteen people turned up at the Golden Bell for the meeting. Of those listed in the signing in book four are still

                  members namely, in order of signing the book; Allan Crozier, John F. Reid and Roy Palmer. 

                  As a result of the meeting it was agreed that a Philatelic Society should be formed in the town and the committee were as follows;

                  Chairman  Brian Stratford

                  Secretary   Brian Riach

                  Treasurer   Brian Stratford

                  Committee L. Lack, D, Wetherall, B. Bonnington  

                   It was decided that meetings would be held on the first Wednesday of each month with the exception of July and August

                   (as they have been ever since) Subscriptions were £1.00 per adult member and 25p for juniors.

                   The first official meeting of the Society took place in January 1974 at the Conservative Club in the High Street and Roy Palmer gave a

                   seasonal display of Christmas Issues. For the remainder of the season meetings were held at the Swan Hotel in the High Street and were

                   as follows; February 74 Great Britian by Mr Stratford, March Six of the Best, April Auction, May Visit by the Luton P.S. when a talk and

                   display on “Scouting” was given by Mr Tom Holton, who was later to become an active member of our Society.

                   At the AGM in June the committee were re-elected except that Mr Bonnington departed and was replaced by John Reid and

                   Mr Jakeman, and although not mentioned in the minutes it appears that Mr Terence Palmer took over as acting Secretary and

                   Mr Roy Palmer as acting Treasurer at some time before the 1975 AGM.

                   In September 1974 the Society had moved to a new venue in the coffee lounge in the High Street and met there until June 1980.

                   At the 1975 AGM Mr B. Stratford was re-elected Chairman, Mr T. Palmer Secretary, and Roy Palmer as Treasurer.

                  The Committee comprised Mr D. Wetherall, Rev Leonard Lack and Mr John Reid.

                   At the 1976 AGM it was reported that 25% of the members were Juniors.

                   Since 1980 the Society has met regularly at the Vandyke Community College.

                   The Society took part in the 700th Anniversary of All Saints Church, staging a stamp exhibition and sponsoring a commemorative cover.

                   £293 was donated towards the renovation of the tower clock face.

                   The Society celebrated it’s 25th anniversary at the New Year social in 1998. Members of four other local Society’s were invited and

                   David Boyd of Phillips Auctions was invited to give a talk on his experiences in the profession.

                   During the evening Leonard Lack was presented with a certifcate granting him life membership to the Society.

                   Of the founding members John Reid is President. Except for a period when he moved to Wiltshire, Leonard Lack has been either

                   Chairman; or Member of the Committee since it’s inception, but at his own request he reluctantly relinguished all duties at the

                   1998 AGM.   

                   Sadly Leonard passed away on 4th November 2001.

                   In 2009, the Society were joint hosts with Milton Keynes P.S. of the EM&EA Philatelic Convention at Milton Keynes.       

 

                   Leighton Buzzard P.S. joined the Federation in 1981.         

 

                  

      Secretary Mr J.W. Spencer  01525-370745

                           Email  jowbespencer@hotmail.com

                           Society web page www.lbstamps.com/

 

 

Meeting Address

 

St. Banabas Church Hall Waterloo Road,

Linslade,

Leighton Buzzard.

Bedfordshire

LU7-2NR

 

3rd Wednesday (Sept-June) @ 7.30pm for 8.00pm.

 

 

Programme 2012

 

 

 

18th January Cruising the Bristol Channel by John Spencer & Bourse

 

15th February Annual Club Competitions & Bourse

 

21st March Society No Reserve Auction & Members’ Auction

 

18th April Wembley Part 2 by Don Knight & Bourse

 

1st May Visit to Northampton P.S.

 

16TH May Letter boxes and Postmarks by Cyril Parsons & Bourse

 

23rd May Interclub Quiz (Bedford)

 

20th June Visit by High Wycombe P.S. & Bourse

 

18th July A.G.M. with Cheese and Wine, Displays & Bourse

                                                                                          

 

 

 

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