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.
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