Kettering Stamp and Philatelic Society
Contact via email Tony Martin:- trytm@outlook.com
or promotions secretary Gordon Tregidgo :- Tel. 01536 746800
A friendly stamp club - attracting members not only from Kettering but also other towns and villages in Northamptonshire and south Leicestershire.
Constitutional Aim:- "To promote, encourage, develop and assist the combined pursuits of
stamp collecting and philately".
The Kettering Stamp & Philatelic Society (KSPS) was formed from the membership of the Kettering Branch of the Northamptonshire Philatelic Society. As the number of members of the Kettering Branch increased it became clear that an independent society under its own control would better fulfil their needs. Consequently during 1998, following consultations with members, arrangements were made by the existing committee to wind up the Kettering Branch at the end of 1998 and start off in 1999 as the KSPS. The running of the society to be by committee voted into office at each Annual General Meeting. At inception the membership was just over 100 (30 juniors and 70 adults/seniors). The adult membership numbers have fallen to around 60 but sadly the junior section had to close due to problems finding a juniors officer.
The venue for meeting has changed over time. Now, from October 2018 it is St. Andrew's Church Halls, Crown St. but St. Mary’s primary school, the Corn Market Hall and Millbrook Junior School have been used. Historically meetings have took place on the first Thursday of each month but this changed to Wednesdays with the venue change to St. Andrew's Church. The senior meeting starting at 7.30pm - this was preceded by that of the juniors running from 6.15 to 7.15.
The hall, reception area and canteen are all used by the society and mean that there is flexibility in the activities that can take place in one area without disturbing others elsewhere. This is important as the society meeting is to some members a social gathering. For others, some of whom may only regard themselves as stamp collectors, it is an opportunity to swap or obtain stamps. For those members who are more expert there is the opportunity to discuss with others the finer points of their collecting - Whatever the level of interest there is always someone willing to help or advice.
Although there is freedom to pursue ones interest as one wants the main theme of each meeting is organised. Some meetings follow the same format each year - Christmas, the A.G.M, and the society philatelic auction. Other formats are for members own nights (where members bring their own collections for display, hold workshops on philatelic topics or set up tables to trade their surplus stock). We have a bring and buy sale, quiz night, dealers nights (where invited dealers sell their wares), speakers nights and competitions - the final programme for the year being decided by the committee. Whatever the meeting visitors are always most welcome to see what goes on even if they can't always participate.
At meetings stamp catalogues, reference books and other philatelic equipment is available and members may take these for use at home between meetings.
The society runs a packet round for members to purchase stamps. Anyone, non-members included, may make up a booklet of priced stamps that is passed from member to member each purchasing whatever they require. The proceeds - less commission - are returned to the seller.
Finally, there are three other important events in the yearly programme. The first are the Stamp Fairs that take place in the spring and autumn and are held at the Ise Lodge community Centre. These are freely open to the public. They provides an opportunity for non-members to obtain philatelic material and meet society members and as such are a publicity event for the society as well as a way of raising funds. Secondly there is a members annual dinner, a social gathering held at a local venue chosen by the committee. Third is the coach trip organised to a philatelic event, which may be at Wembley, the NEC, the Business Design Centre or even a philatelic society venue, depending upon the attractiveness of event being held.
This is a brief outline of the society structure, which is not fixed, but changes to accommodate differing outlooks and requirements while following its published aim and constitution.
