Society members were all heart

IAN BUNTING

Love was in the air at the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society as its members embraced the “Valentines” theme of the organisation’s latest gathering.

They proved romance was very much alive and well by showcasing stamps with hearts and flowers and greeting cards.

Mike Cleary kicked things off by telling some of the legends of St Valentine and presenting a selection of vintage Valentine cards from the 1920s to 1940s.

Raymond Baldock then showed beautifully embroidered cards sent to girlfriends, wives and mothers during World War I.

Sheila Sinclair displayed colourful stamps issued for various Valentine’s Days in America before Gary Cheyne’s selection of postcards with songs and poetry published for First World War soldiers to send to loved ones back home.

Ken Liddell’s postcards were more modern with his sample including “Be Mine”, “Meet me at the Restaurant” and “SWALK”, while others illustrated loving hearts.

Other members put forward postcards and covers published by Valentine’s of Dundee; Maureen Mathieson’s cards were of the 1938 Empire Exhibition held in Glasgow; and Derek Wiltshire took the audience on a trip around Britain with lovely views.

Ken Norris’ covers showed the opening of the Tay Road Bridge on August 18, 1966, and Terry Woods’ postcards showed a lot of love for the centre of Hamilton.

A few members chose to show cards relating to places they “loved”, like Alan Rushworth with the caravan he travelled around the Cowal peninsula in and Margaret Lyth’s Valentine’s postcards from Arran.

John Aitken “loved” local history and, starting from a picture of buildings in Motherwell from 1835, his display proved a fascinating insight into Lanarkshire’s past.

Terry Woods gave the vote of thanks and played up the “fantastic displays” that led to a very “interesting evening”.

The society will hold its next meeting this Friday, at 7.30pm in Hamilton’s Caledonian Bowling Club.

Robert Clark, of Stirling Philatelic Society, will be on hand to deliver a display entitled “Development of the airmail route between the UK and Australasia, 1921-1942”.

Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history or postcards is invited to come along and “join in the fun”, as well as becoming a member of the organisation.

To find out further information relating to the society, what it has to offer and its meetings, visit http://www. lanarkshireps.co.uk/