Aspects of Czechoslovakia by Yvonne Wheatley

 MEETING 24th JUNE 2026

Entertainment

Yvonne Wheatley, visiting speaker, on a brief history of Czechoslovakia as it existed between 1918 and 1993.

 

Starting in 1918/19 with the demise of the Austro Hubgarian Empire, leading to the creation of the new independent state of Czechoslovakia, being created by an amalgamation of Bohenia, Moravia and Slovakia under President Masaryk.

Various neighbouring countries objected to losses and gains from the newly drawn borders; Especially Poland losing the industrial areas leading to a plebiscite in East Silecia: Stamps overprinted in latin FO

This first Czechoslovak Republic effectively coming to an end in 1938 when the Sudatenland was annexed to Germany under the Munich Agreement, Poland and Hungary making their own unopposed land grabs, eventually leading to a full German occupation in 1939

1939-1945 The whole Area is regarded as being part of Germany using local Hitler German stamps and German overprints on local stamps.

Special stamps are produced for use by the Jewish inmates of the Ghettos and Concentration camps – allowed one stamp per year to ask for food parcels that were confiscated by the Germans.

Assassination of Local German Commander Heydrich leads to reprisals and the destruction of the town of Lidice – stamps produced to commemorate this.

Liberation came in 1945 by the Russians and Americans. Hitler stamps used with facial obliterations – every town and post office using a different method of obliteration equals many thousands of collectable sets!!

Liberation is followed by the creation of a Communist state of Czechoslovakia lasting until Glasnost in 1990. Notably with Dubcek and the Prague Spring up-rising and the later Velvet Divorce in 1993. Czechoslovakia peacefully breaks up into its independent soveregin parts – Czech Republic and Slovakia.

 

The President presented Mark with a Certificate of our appreciation and Eddie Grindrod gave a brief oration and vote of thanks.

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Meeting started at 1930hrs. The President welcomed all members. 10 members and 2 apologies

The minutes from the last meeting 27th May 2026 were read and accepted. No matters arising

The President gave fair dates for Bilsborrow 4th July  and Barton 25th July.

AOB

No Other Business, other than the Secretary announcing that he would be missing the next meeting to attend his own wedding!

The meeting concluded at 2055 hrs.

 

   

  

   

 

   

  

    

   

  

   

   

External Intervention in the Russian Civil War by Mark Everris

MEETING 27th MAY 2026

Entertainment

Mark Everris, Visiting speaker, displayed and spoke about “External Intervention in the Russian Civil War”.

Initiated by Tsar Nicholas II abdicating and the October Revolution in October 1917, Other world powers sought to protect their interests in Russia by supporting the White Russian Pro-Tsar Monarchists.

In the North West of Russia this meant Britain, the Empire and her allies including The US of IA, sending troops to Murmansk and Archangel. Following the 1918 Armistice these troops were replaced with A volunteer relief force. Mark Displayed many military covers all with suitable Censor marks – Postal administration offices amusingly named Polar Bears (Hence PB1 was Murmansk, PB2 Archangel etc).

In the East Britain had massive stockpiles of military equipment that needed protecting, hence troops, as in the North West, plus a huge contingent of Japanese soldiers arrived in Vladivostock. Interestingly the only conflict to ever record a cavalry unit capturing a Battleship!!

Mark had plenty of Japanese covers and a superb group of 10 postcards with wrapper as given to Japanese Officers at the time, all with full translations.

Overall an Excellent ‘Contextual’ display including some extremely rare and very valuable material. Mark displayed a truly catholic knowledge of the subject matter both from a philatelic and historical view point.

The President presented Mark with a Certificate of our appreciation and Tim Gaunt gave a brief oration and vote of thanks.

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Meeting started at 1930hrs. The President welcomed all members. 8 members and 2 apologies

The minutes from the last meeting 29th April 2026 were read and accepted. No matters arising

The President gave fair dates for Bilsborrow 6th June  and Bolton Society Auction 17th June

AOB

No Other Business

The meeting concluded at 2110 hrs.

 

  

    

   

  

   

  

  

                                                   

                                                          

 

Iraq Stamps & Postal History 1914-1960 by Eddie Grindrod

MEETING 29th APRIL 2026

Entertainment

Our own Eddie Grindrod gave a display of his collection of Iraqi stamps and postal history. First half being the History of the Iraqi postal service including Overprinted early GB stamps, India Expeditionary Force issues, Ottoman stamps overprinted leading to their own General issues and the end of the British Mandate in 1932 – leading to an internal power struggle as to who should govern/rule the country – King Ghazi and King Faisal I issues and WWII, talk finishing at 1947.

Second half continued the Iraq postal story with Aid for Palestine issues, King Faisal II issues and his execution  in a coup d’etat in 1958 by General Qasim, after which all previous issues appeared overprinted with ‘Iraqi Republic’. Eddie concluded at 1960. A very knowledgeable display with a lot of very good material.

John Sanderson gave a vote of thanks.

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Meeting started at 1930hrs. The President welcomed all members. 8 members and 2 apologies

The minutes from the last meeting 25th March  2026 were read and accepted. Steve Rumley volunteered to become the new Programme Secretary. No other matters arising.

The President gave fair dates for Bilsborrow 2nd May and Barton 16th May

 

AOB

A minutes silence was held in respect of the recent and very sad  passing of Roger Buckley. Details of Funeral and wake not yet known. Condolence card has been sent.

 

Competition winners were presented with their Certificates  and Trophy Shields’

Channel Island and IOM bundles of presentation packs and FDCs had been donated by Haworth Brotherton Solicitors of Cleveleys; And Peter Plant (methodist church hall administartor)had asked us to sell his childhood albums on his behalf. To which end a small auction was held with very slow bidding, that did raise £16 for club funds, unsold lots to be put on Ebay or taken to a stamp fair.

The meeting concluded at 2100 hrs.

Competition Displays March 25, 2026

 Exciting evening for everybody and beautiful displays all around.