Stamp of approval for talk

Lanarkshire Philatelic Society members were taken on a trip to Poland during the organisation’s latest meeting.

Frank Baran presented a display on the eastern European country and informed his captivated audience that he “had a personal interest in the country” as his late father had escaped from there to Britain in 1940.

An impressive collection of stamps, covers, postmarks and posters reflected the history of the nation, including stamps issued between 1918 and 1939, when the country was rebuilding after independence.

Frank also highlighted that, during the Second World War, stamps were issued in Britain for the Polish Government exiled in London.

The exciting evening concluded with stamps showing Wojtek the bear, who served as a corporal in the 22nd Artillery Supply Company after having been purchased by Polish II Corps soldiers.

He died in Edinburgh Zoo in December 1963 and his statue can be found in the city’s Princes Street Gardens.

Alan Wi s h a r t led members in giving warm thanks to Frank, who had “given a wonderful vision of the historical, social and cultural changes in Poland throughout the years”.

The next meeting of the society will be at 7.30pm this Friday in Caledonian Bowling Club, on Motherwell Road in Hamilton.

Visit www.lanarkshireps. co. uk/ to find out further details on the group.