It is a well known fact that there are many lone collectors who possess interesting and, no doubt, in some cases outstanding collections but for reasons it is difficult to understand refrain from joining a philatelic society. It may well be that they are getting on in years or are of a shy disposition. Be that as it may it means that we are denied the pleasure of seeing their stamps and, what is possibly more important still, profiting by their knowledge. If any member is acquainted with such a collector why not bring our Circle to his (or her) notice. When it is emphasised that he need not leave his armchair and that we shall be glad if he will only contribute something to our bulletin it may well result in his deciding to join us. Our autumn meeting, as you will have already noted, takes place on the 25th October and I would like to take this opportunity of emphasising that friends of members are very welcome so do not hesitate to bring them along if you feel they will be interested in our activities.
Dear Member,
By the time this bulletin reaches you we imagine you will have had your holiday and we hope that you were one of the few who succeeded in escaping some of the wretched weather that persisted for so long. Fortunately the weather does not play a major part in the pursuit of our hobby and with the coming of the dark evenings the time returns once more when attention can be given to your stamps. Notwithstanding the inevitable wastage through resignations, lapsed subscriptions etc. our total membership of 196 shows no change from a year ago. The following have enrolled since our last issue to whom we extend a warm welcome: R. H. Austin, R. W. Metcalfe. F. D. Opie and F. S. Schuler (Trinidad). It is with regret that we learn that the home of one of our members in U.S.A. - Gale J. Raymond - was broken into while he and his family were on vacation and a valuable postal history collection was stolen. Space does not permit us to give details of the many missing items but should you ever see any covers addressed to him, excepting any that you purchased from him personally, you are enjoined to advise our Hon. Secretary immediately.
Geographical distribution of membership.
LONDON (35)
PROVINCIAL (117 )
| Bedfordshire 2 | Essex 5 | Nottinghamshire 1 |
| Buckinghamshire 1 | Gloucestershire 4 | Shropshire 2 |
| Cambridgeshire 1 | Hampshire 3 | Somerset 2 |
| Cheshire 2 | Hertfordshire 4 | Staffordshire 1 |
| Cornwall 1 | Kent 5 | Surrey 16 |
| Derbyshire 5 | Lancashire 6 | Sussex 5 |
| Devon 6 | Middlesex 4 | Warwickshire 3 |
| Dorset 1 | Norfolk 2 | Wiltshire 3 |
| Durham 1 | Northants 1 | Yorkshire 17 |
| Northumberland 2 | ||
| N. Ireland 1 | Scotland 8 | Wales 2 |
OVERSEAS (44)
| Australia 4 | B.W.I. 5 | Canada 7 |
| Lebanon 1 | New Guinea 1 | South Africa 2 |
| Tasmania 1 | U.S.A. 23 |