I feel the time has come when I should bring to the notice of members a matter that has been troubling me for quite a while, and that is the extremely dilatory attention many give to the renewal of their subscriptions. Our 'shop window' which appears in every issue of our bulletin clearly states when the annual subscription is due and a separate reminder is included in the January issue. Notwithstanding this, however, no less than 85 individual reminders were sent out entailing quite unnecessary expense and the taking up of much of my leisure. To say that the matter was overlooked or forgotten I consider is no excuse, and as it is the Committee's decision not to carry any 'dead wood' the names of those whose subscriptions are not to hand within one month of their receiving this issue of the bulletin will be deleted from our register. It is appreciated that there may be some instances where members have disposed of their collections or turned their Attention to some other country, but that does not prevent them from showing the common courtesy of dropping a line to the effect that they do not wish to continue their membership. At the suggestion of the Committee a Bankers Order form will be distributed with the October issue of the bulletin and it is my earnest hope that many will avail themselves of this facility, and I would emphasise that Banks raise no objection to paying over small as well as large amounts. Elsewhere in this issue you will have read that our Circle's contribution to the exhibition staged at the 39th Philatelic Congress of Great Britain at Harrogate in May was much admired, and I take this opportunity of thanking those members who so kindly loaned selected pages from their collections. Unhappily, the attendance at our usual meeting was disappointing due without doubt, to the fact that it was timed to commence one hour later than usual. Nevertheless the few that did turn up were well rewarded by seeing some most interesting material and taking part in a number of informative discussions until quite a late hour. It is always my wish, when attending Congress, to meet members who up to that time I know only by name, and it was a great pleasure to make the acquaintance of Mr. F. Myers and Mr. W. K. Watson, both of whom expressed the hope that they will be in the position to travel south and attend our meeting next October.
DEAR MEMBER,
Notwithstanding the fact that a few members have not renewed their subscriptions others who have joined bring our total number up to 185. Once again we are happy to welcome the following new members from overseas: M. Marc Dhotel (France), Mr. A. C. Mullen (South Africa) and Mr. R. A. Mertens (Tasmania). We are also glad to include Oxfordshire for the first time in our table of distribution and Somerset appears once more.
It is with regret that we learn that our member - Mr W. Jones, President of the Woolwich & District Philatelic Society - has undergone a serious operation. Although he is making steady progress it is anticipated that he will be in hospital for some time. We know we are voicing the thoughts of all members in wishing him a complete recovery.
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Committee member - Mr. J. J. Turner - on his exhibit of St. Vincent being awarded the prize donated by Mr. W. E. Lea to the Herts Philatelic Society for a Competition held on 21st May,
Geographical distribution of membership.
LONDON (33)
PROVINCIAL (103 )
| Cheshire 1 | Kent 6 | Shropshire 2 |
| Cornwall 1 | Lancashire 5 | Somerset 1 |
| Derbyshire 4 | Lincolnshire 1 | Staffordshire 1 |
| Devon 4 | Middlesex 6 | Suffolk 2 |
| Dorset 1 | Norfolk 2 | Surrey 14 |
| Essex 5 | Northants 2 | Sussex 7 |
| Gloucestershire 5 | Northumberland 2 | Warwickshire 4 |
| Hampshire 6 | Nottinghamshire 1 | Wiltshire 3 |
| Herts 3 | Oxfordshire 1 | Yorkshire 4 |
| N. Ireland 1 | Scotland 8 | Wales 1 |
OVERSEAS (49)
| Australia 6 | B.W.I. 4 | Canada 7 | |
| France 1 | New Guinea 1 | South Africa 5 | |
| Sudan 1 | Tasmania 1 | U.S.A. 24 |
It is with regret that we record the sudden passing of our member, Mr. Harry Lewis, the well-known stamp dealer of New Bond Street, on April 12th last at the early age of forty. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his widow and family in their sad bereavement.
The various sections of the Sales Circuit have, on the whole, been well supported, but more material is needed to strengthen the C. and D. sections. The second Circuit started on its way in March with April and May seeing the continuation of the various sections. Members will, I am sure, readily appreciate that the sections cannot move with any great rapidity until sufficient material is received to make it worthwhile putting them into circulation. The group which receives by far the largest support in material is "F", which is always split into two Circuits. I have received requests from several new members for material in current Q.E.II, both stamps and cancellations and I hope that members will co-operate by sending me material of this reign covering all the B.W.I. colonies. I should like to express my appreciation to everyone contributing material, on the improved make-up of their sheets which assists my labours tremendously, but I must still make a plea for members to use good hinges as I have had to employ a lot of my time in remounting many stamps to obviate the possibility of them getting lost in transit. Now that the holiday season has commenced it is most important that members advise me without delay when they may be away from home.
ADVERTISERS: When communicating with any of our advertisers, Members are requested to make a point of mentioning our Bulletin.
BULLETINS: Copies of pack issues are available as follows:- 1955 Nos. 4-7 (1/6) and 1956 Nos. 8-10 (1/3). Orders should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary, accompanied by the appropriate remittance.
OPINIONS SERVICE: Facilities are available for opinions to be given on most stamps of the B.W.I. group. A fee of 1/- per stamp is charged. Members wishing to take advantage of this service should send the stamp(s) to the Hon. Secretary, enclosing the requisite fee and stamped addressed plain (or registered) envelope. Every endeavour will be made to return the stamp(s) within seven days.