Diamond Jubilee

The original Rugby Philatelic Society comprised seven members who met fourteen times in 1908 before disbanding due to lack of money. The society re-formed in 1953 on the initiative of Mr C. Worrall who published a letter in the local paper asking collectors to contact him. Receiving half a dozen replies, he organised a meeting in the Percival Guildhouse on 7th July, 1953. Ten collectors attended, including - incredibly - a Mr Foddy who had been one of the original 1908 membership! A member of Leicester P.S. attended to give advice on setting up and running a society and it was decided to hold regular meetings on Monday evenings in the Rugby Public Library. The first took place on 12th October, 1953.

So began Rugby and District Philatelic Society which still meets - after several moves - in the Percival Guildhouse. During sixty years, we have had displays on every conceivable philatelic topic and have hosted the Midland Federation Convention in April, 1972 and November, 1993, held several exhibitions at Rugby Library and organised Stamp Fairs in the town.

Membership peaked at 54 in the 1976-1977 season (and we also had a junior section at the time ) but like many societies we have seen a decline in numbers in recent years. However, though only a dozen strong at present, we have four members who display regularly to other societies in the Midland Federation (and sometimes further afield).

Our Programme Secretary, Clive Williams, is also Curator of the Rugby Collection, an extensive archive of local postal history and postmarks built up over the years with a subsidiary Thematic collection relating to the game of Rugby. Clive is organising a special day-time meeting ( our first ever ) on Monday, 9th September to celebrate our Diamond Jubilee - this will be held at the Percival Guildhouse, Rugby, CV21 3BY from 1 pm to 3 pm with displays by members and refreshments provided. We hope as many past and present members as possible will attend - in fact all collectors will be very welcome.

Please contact Mike Whittaker, our society secretary on 01788 817892 for directions or email on manningham8@mypostoffice.co.uk.