A visit was paid by the President of the Kent Federation of Philatelic Societies, Grahame Boutle.

He gave gave two displays.

The first was of Churchill and the events surrounding his life from early childhood to his death, and of course included much on his Ministerial offices, his roles in the several wars, and his legacy of speeches, writings and paintings, etc.

Grahame supported his talk with stamps, covers, postcards and other material relating to the events and the world personalities with whom Churchill dealt.

The second half was a fascinating display of Mourning (black edged) covers, cards and other material dating from the 1830s to very recent.

This included much related to royalty, such as Queen Victoria, Kings Edward VII, Georges V and VI etc. Many envelopes and letters were from or to the nobility, military men, the cloth etc. or were written on crested paper from royal residences such as Windsor Castle, Balmoral, and Marlborough House, etc.

Grahame also included sections relating to Queen Astrid of Belgium, and President Roosevelt, as well as the Lost Territories of Germany after the First World War.

The President thanked Grahame for a fascinating evening and presented him with the Society certificate and a bottle of “white, fizzy, sweet and fruity” wine, which was felt to match his personality.

Our next meeting is an auction on the 25th November.

The Society meets in the Public Halls, Bromley Road, Beckenham, @ 7.30pm for 8.pm. New members and visitors are always welcome.

Contact David Rennie on 020 8778 7001 or Chris Sands on 020 8402 1263 for more details or visit our website www.beckenham.net/leisure.asp