Campaign to Save Philately
The Campaign to Save Philately
There's no doubt about it. Our hobby is in decline. Few new young people are picking it up. As older collectors pass away too few newcomers are coming in to take their place. Our hobby can be measured by the empty chairs at society meetings, the flipside of which is a growing mountain of stamps that few, if anyone wants to buy. Apparently, it's all doom and gloom. But is it?
Our Philatelic Commander-in-Chief, Jamie Smith, delivers the Plan to the Team.
A new initiative led by the South African Philately Club's co-founder Jamie Smith is fighting back against the assumption that no-one is interested in stamp collecting any more. As a chaplain to the lonely Jamie has met many senior citizens and military veterans who collected stamps as children. Many would want to pick up the hobby again if encouraged. For some time now Jamie has been working on a project to put stamp collecting back into the homes of Veterans and senior citizens in his local Stockport area.
Jamie Smith, President of the Poynton Philatelic Society supported by his partner Nomvula Maseko.
Jamie is using all the weight he has at his disposal as the President of the Poynton Philatelic Society, a member of the Stockport & East Cheshire Philatelic Society, the Hazel Grove Armed Forces & Emergency Services and the RBL (Royal British Legion) to garner support. His project has now progressed to the point where his team can provide free stamp starter packs, local and worldwide philatelic zoom meetings, digital philatelic newsletters, a website and, where the individual is able to attend, local philatelic meetings.
According to Jamie, "It became obvious to me that there were Veterans and others at home and in care homes just sitting there with nothing to do, ie. no tomorrow. At a Veterans meeting I threw philately into the bag and there was great interest, not only from the Veterans and the RBL but also from the MOD (Ministry of Defence), SSAFA (the Armed Forces charity), Pure Innovations (a charity supporting people to live more independent, fulfilled lives), Sheds and a few others including local councilors".
Encouraged by the positive response, Jamie took the initiative to get something started in Stockport. He approached local businesses and institutions seeking assistance. He was not to be deterred or disappointed. Some generously offered to provide free laptops and mobile phones to those who qualified. Slow moving Town and County Councils were asked to become involved by providing assistance for teaching and helping with digital IT for those who require it. This home-grown initiative is now the forerunner of a national outreach campaign that will start in January 2027. The ABPS (Association of British Philatelic Associations) will be promoting it to its members.
David Sheldrake, Chairman Poynton PPS, with new member Chloe.
This initiative would be nothing without free stamps. Jamie has had a very positive and encouraging response to his request for philatelic donations. "Various dealers have offered free boxes of stamps/postal history. These will be made up as starter packs for interested newcomers." The response was so overwhelming that David Sheldrake, the Chairman of the Poynton PS, has requested that no further contriibutions be made in the short term. Please contact David if you want to donate stamps. "There is also an interest from another organization to get videos and zoom meetings shown in old folk’s homes. We also have boxes of stamps/postal history that we circulate. There are also over 200 philatelic videos (including military) available for home viewing".
"At the moment I am working in the South Manchester area and through Simon Collyer in the Birmingham area. My intention as we go along is to tie all this up nationally via ‘Stamping with Adel’, (Adel Bulpitt's eNewsletter), our zoom meetings (which are international), and her editorship of ABPS. Add to this radio and TV and you can start to see where this can lead. But it doesn’t end there. If we get the veterans (and others) involved, they will have to be taught IT and be looked after. This will involve their families and in some cases a lift scheme to clubs. All of them will be potential local philatelic club members. I will also be working on a national scheme with libraries to organise a philatelic book bank that interested parties can draw from."
Good Luck, Jamie!
Jamie is a remarkable man who has lived a life full of vitality in which he has done many amazing things, like hire aeroplanes for his catering jamborees and 'shoot' almost all the Birds of South Africa. !:>) The SAPC wishes Jamie and his collegaues the Best of British Good Luck in this worthy endeavour. You can do it. Nomvula, keep on keeping him so sharp. You are doing a great job!!
I am proud to be a part of this initiative and am currently working hard on sorting out the stamp material that Steve so generously gave us recently for this project. I will put up a couple of photos. The cartons that are the ideal size have arrived so we are now in a position to start making up the starter packs.
Jamie mentioned that at Poynton Philatelic Society we recently enrolled a young lady as a new member. It is worth mentioning that she has recently graduated as an MA in history. I mention it so that you can see the connection. Stamp Collecting and History are a perfect match.
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Thanks David, but you can go overboard! I will point out that I havn't shot a bird since I was a child! My shooting since has always been with the camera! And then from birds up to Elephants!