Report on first CISS Regional Meeting in the Solent, 13th April 2023 by Alan Whittaker

Despite the national rail strike, 11 members and one guest were able to attend the inaugural south coast regional meeting held at Chandlers Ford, Hampshire. The meeting commenced with a 50+ lot room auction, followed by displays provided by seven members; Brian Austin, Mark Bailey, David Laurillard, Peter Mollett, Alan Whittaker and David Winnie. At the end of the day, all members thought that the day had been well worthwhile and would like to see it become an annual event.

Attendees at the Chandlers Ford Regional Meeting

NB: 2024 Chandlers Ford meeting arranged for 18th May Secretary





A BOY MESSENGER’S WAR – Memories of Guernsey and Herm 1938-45

Dear Member,

The book shown here consists of 100 pages and is available to purchase at £3.00 each plus postage and package. These are ex-Priaulx Library, Guernsey books surplus to requirements. I currently have 10 copies for sale. Original purchase price was £6.95. If you would like to purchase a copy please contact Richard Flemming, CISS Secretary, at secretary@ciss.uk. Payment via Bank Transfer, PayPal or cheque. Payment details will be sent with order.


Members’ Weekend Meeting 21st – 23rd April 2023 at the Peninsula Hotel, Guernsey by Richard Flemming, Secretary, C.I.S.S.

Forty-two members and guests attended the Members’ Weekend meeting. On arrival, members enjoyed tea, coffee and biscuits and were able to view the fine 80-sheet standing display of postcards showing Guernsey churches and hotels, including items of the late Victorian period, kindly provided by Jill Flemming.

Following the evening dinner, the traditional “Three sheets to tell a story” competition was held, which saw seven members entering displays. With Richard and Jill Flemming scrutinising the score sheets, they were pleased to announce that the winner was Roger Harris with his display titled “A photograph sent from England to Jersey in December 1940, when the only permitted means was by the 25-word Red Cross Message”, with Gerald Marriner as runner-up.

Saturday morning was taken up with the bourse, which saw some energetic dealing taking place with the dealers from the Channel Islands, and the viewing of the 700+ auction lots. Following coffee, it was down to the business of the room/postal auction which saw the lots cleared in just over two hours. Our grateful thanks to Nick Stuart, our auctioneer, Bryan Elliston, who kept the sales logged, and Richard Flemming and Mark Bailey, who acted as the runners, and to all those members who bid for the lots. Without your bidding there would be no auction.

Saturday afternoon saw two excellent invited displays, with Chairman, David Winnie, showing “Guernsey sub-Post Offices”, and Jon Aitchison showing “The Long Lost Bill Newport and Anders Backman Herm Collection”.

David Winnie
Jon Aitchison

The evening commenced with a drinks reception followed by the “banquet” attended by members, guests and two special guests from the Guernsey Philatelic Bureau, Bridget Yabsley (Head of Philatelic – Guernsey Post Ltd.) and Dawn Gallienne (Head of Corporate Engagement – Guernsey Post Ltd.), both very kindly bringing gifts from the Bureau.

From top centre going clockwise: David Winnie (Chairman C.I.S.S.), Dawn Gallienne, Ann Brehaut, Sue Winnie, Beryl Laurillard, David Laurillard (President C.I.S.S) and Bridget Yabsley

Displays on the Sunday morning session were provided by the following members: Mike Moody, Ron Brown, Trevor de Feu, Julian Bagwell, Nick Stuart, Richard Flemming, John Triggs, Gerald Marriner, Brian Sole, Roger Harris, David Laurillard and Bob Macdonald.

More details on the displays shown at the meeting will appear in the September issue of Les Iles Normandes, but some images of members presenting a display are shown below.

Trevor de Feu
Mike Moody
Ron Brown
Brian Sole
Gerald Marriner
Much deliberation over the displays

Joint CISS/RPSL Meetings in Guernsey 2023

John Triggs has informed me that the Joint CISS/RPSL bi-monthly meetings have now reverted back to the Peninsula Hotel.

Remaining meeting dates for 2023 are as follows: Friday, 21st July; Friday, 22nd September and Friday, 17th November.

All meetings are held in the St. Sampson suite and start at 7.00pm unit 9.00pm. All members welcome.



2023 Competition

Saturday 11 February 2023

Many thanks go to our judges, Graham Winters, FRPSL, and Dr Patrick Reid, FRPSL, for judging the competition entries and for providing thorough and useful feedback to individual competitors as well as general comments which will be useful to all collectors entering competitions.

Ten entries were received in five different classes.  Congratulations and thank you to all contributors. Everyone who attended the meeting enjoyed looking at all the informative displays.  The standard was very high.

All the entries as well as Palmares can be seen on this website by clicking on the COMPETITIONS drop-down menu.

Certificates were awarded by Society President David Laurillard to the participants present:

Hayden Moorcroft. Vermeil Medal Winner.
Bryan Elliston, Silver Medal Winner.
Richard Flemming, Silver-bronze and two Vermeil Medals Winner.
Nick Stuart. Winner of two Silver Medals.

Congratulations also to medal winners who could not attend in person:

John Goose, Wellington, New Zealand, Large Vermeil Medal Winner

Steve Power, Jersey, Gold Medal Winner

Doug McGill, California, Gold Medal Winner

Nick Martin

Competitions Secretary