Whilst the official opening of this event was scheduled at 4pm on the Friday, those members of the Society who had arrived early were able to participate in two events, ably organised by John Triggs, On Friday morning, 12 members and guests visited Guernsey Post headquarters at Envoy House for a tour of their updated facilities to include the Philatelic Bureau. At 1.30pm, there was a meeting of the Royal Philatelic Society London hosted by John at which 15 members and guests were entertained by displays, specifically of non – Channel Island material. The quality of material shown was extremely high and everyone was “royally” entertained.
The official opening of the CISS Anniversary weekend commenced for the 43 members and guests in the Grande Havre Suite at the Peninsula Hotel, Guernsey with an informal tea and coffee “Welcome” by the Chairman, David Winnie. A most interesting standing display of postcards was also provided by John Triggs titled “Candie House – Priaulx Library estate history – Postcards of Priaulx Library, Candie grounds and garden”. The evening’s splendid hot buffet was followed by the new “Single Sheet to tell a Story” competition which saw seven members provide a wide range of material. Following the voting, scrutinised by our Chairman, he was “overjoyed” to announce that Jill Flemming, with her display titled ‘The Monnai Church’ was the winner, with Richard Flemming a close second, something Jill will remind him for the rest of his life!
Saturday morning commenced with the viewing of the 596 auction lots and dealers’ bourse, with the dealers seeing some brisk business. At 11.00am prompt the main auction commenced, with Nick Stuart acting as Auctioneer, Bryan Elliston recording the bids and Jill Flemming and John Triggs acting as ‘runners’. Of note were the prices realised for some of the Allix postcards, with many far exceeding their reserve.
The afternoon was taken up with two invited major members’ displays, commencing with Gerald Marriner showing “The Channel Islands Internee Mail Service”, followed by John Triggs displaying “Guernsey Parish Sub-Post offices”. These were particularly well received.
The evening celebrations began with a pre-dinner drinks reception provided by the Society with special guests, Bridget Yabsley and Lorraine Ecuyer from the Guernsey Post in attendance. This was followed by a most excellent four-course Anniversary dinner. David Winnie then addressed the members and guests by detailing the history of the Society over the last 75 years and what steps were being taken to retain and recruit new members to ensure future of the Society going forward. The final “surprise” was a magnificent CISS 75th Anniversary cake which was ceremonially cut by Beryl Laurillard, wife of CISS President David Laurillard.
Despite the late-night finish, 12 members, who were presenting, were up bright and early on Sunday morning to provide a wide range of Channel Islands material for the “Members’ Displays” session. These were most enjoyable and much appreciated by the audience of members and guests. The presentations were provided by:
John Triggs – Guernsey Sub-Post Offices
David Winnie – New acquisitions
Richard Flemming – German Occupation of Alderney 1940 – 1945
Gerald Marriner – An Unusual Red Cross Message Form
Robert Corden – New acquisitions
Brian Austin – Liberation
Julian Bagwell – Guernsey Ship Letter Handstamps
Peter Williams – Two items relating to his childhood in the Channel Islands
Roger Harris – Channel Islands Airmails
John Stranger – 100th Anniversary of Flown Cover
The 75th Anniversary Weekend meeting ended at 1.00pm, with Chairman, David Winnie, thanking all those members and guests who attended for making the Weekend such a memorable occasion.
Jill Flemming receiving certificate and Easter egg prize from David Winnie, Chairman
John Triggs (left) and Gerald Marriner, who provided the two main presentations on Saturday afternoon.
Thirty-seven members and guests attended the CISS’s 75th Anniversary drinks reception at the Peninsula
The 75th Anniversary cake prior to cutting by Beryl
Beryl Laurillard cutting the cake with guests, Bridget Yabsley (right) and Lorraine Ecuyer (centre), President, David Laurillard, and Chairman, David Winnie, looking on,
