Hunts Post Letters to the Editor and your Community Reports

David Wilson was the guest speaker at the meeting of the society on April 25.

His subject was entitled 'quite a lot about not very much' - the not very much being the British 1/2d stamp.

He started off by showing us the 1870 issue with the various plate numbers. These  stamps were used for advertising and legal documents and examples of their use were shown.

He then showed the Cape of Good Hope 1881 issue which was overprinted British Bechuanaland; and the King Edward VII British issue overprinted Bechuanaland Protectorate.

An interesting item was the Queen Victoria British Jubilee issue which was under   printed Pears Soaps 

We were shown examples of the various watermarks of the Edward VII issue of 1902. 

These were followed by special postmarks for delivery on Christmas day and  Paqueboat cancellations from RMS Paraguaya .

The George V Photogravure issue had cylinder numbers and controls and various watermarks, and examples were displayed along with one that had the wrong watermark. 

Harrison printed the Edward  VII issue of 1911 and we were show various colour shades of the 1/2d.

Postcards were shown of the Greenock and Ardrishaig floating Post Office  and examples were shown of the special cancellations applied.

A 1934 airmail letter to Glasgow was stamped with 4 x 1/2d stamps.  May 10, 1929 saw the Postal Union Congress set released and we were shown the  I/2d value.

The German occupation of the Channel Islands in World War Two saw a set of stamps issued and blocks of the 1/2d issue were displayed.

The Germans also issued propaganda stamps of the George the VI 1942 definitive issue and we were shown examples of the 1/2d.   

Our next meeting is on May 9, when our speaker is Pauline Avery who will be displaying on the subject of 'penguins'.

We meet at the Hemingford Abbots Village Hall. Meetings starting at 7.15pm. New members always welcome. Contact David Birkert on: 01480 468037.

David Birket 

 

Meet and Greet with the U3A in St Neots

 

St Neots U3A has a new meet and greet session in the Moot Room at St Neots Priory Centre on the fourth Friday of every month, from 10.30am to 11.30am.

It’s where people who are interested in joining or new and existing members can come to learn about how to join our organisation and how to participate in the various groups that we run.

There will be committee members and group leaders there to answer any questions and explain what goes on in the groups.

The next meeting is on Friday, May 26. 

 

Trevor Parmenter

St Neots U3A
 

Are cyclists allowed to cycle on pavements?

 

There has been a lot of debate on whether cyclists are allowed to cycle on pavements and the answer is 'yes' as long as they do so 'considerately'.

In 2011, Minister of State for Transport, Robert Goodwill MP, restated the official line from the Department for Transport (DfT) that cyclists may ride on pavements – on condition they do so considerately.  

This guidance has also been endorsed by the Association of Chief Police Officers. 

The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so.  

Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, so sensitive and careful use of police discretion is required.  

The key message from the Hunts Walking & Cycling Group is that all road users should #ShareWithCare, this includes pedestrians, cyclists and car drivers. 

 

John Morris

Founder, Hunts Walking & Cycling Group - supporting active & sustainable travel in Huntingdonshire

Thanks to those who helped me after a fall

 

I would like to thank the three people who helped me after I had a fall and ended up in a ditch.

They called an ambulance and fetched my husband. I was very hypothermic and incoherent, and I believe, I could have died, and they saved my life.

I also want to thank the ambulance crew who stabilised me and started the warming process which was continued in A&E and afterwards in the Critical Assessment Unit.

They are all wonderful people, and I am most grateful.

Seonaid Dudley, Hertford.

 

Patriotism and Identity were subjects of meeting

 

The HALL discussion group debated patriotism and identity at their April meeting.

They began by looking at language as a major factor in influencing identity. The uniqueness of English’s dual origins was stressed, with the British Empire spreading the language round the world.

Dominant languages have often suppressed those of minorities. The most extreme examples have been the Holocaust and slavery, evidently, though history has many others.

Slavery has influenced attitudes in America, reflected in the polarised stances of Republicans and Democrats.

Another factor is religion, with its hierarchies educating populations, and ensuing divisions between Christianity, Islam and Judaism, and within especially the former two.

The effect of geography upon both identity and patriotism are crucial. It was noticed that defence against attack from outside also promotes a sense of nationalism, with attitudes persisting long after conflict.

Shared experiences can also promote a feeling of identity and patriotism. The British great exhibitions of 1851 and 1951 were mentioned, also the Millennium Dome.

Empire and warfare shared experiences abroad, enabling a cosmopolitan outlook to develop.

Nationalism can be simply popular feeling, but also mean an extreme form of patriotism. Identity cards were mentioned, with a view to local elections.

Inevitably, social divisions in Britain, exacerbated by the Brexit process since 2015, have heightened views on patriotism.

Those with a stronger geographical adherence have opposed those with a cosmopolitan outlook. This is complex, connected with education and inequality.

The view was expressed that ‘those who promoted Brexit won’t admit they were wrong’, but non-admission of error may be a trait of our common humanity!

Dan Beck

HALL

 

Spring and Summer concert in Buckden

 

The Aragon Singers of Buckden are performing a concert on Sunday, May 21 at 3pm at St Laurence's Church in Diddington.

 

The Aragon Singers of Buckden will perform later this month. (Image: Moria Shirra)

The concert is entitled 'Spring into Summer' and consists of a variety of traditional, popular and sacred music.

Admission will be on the door and will be £5 to include a cream tea. Children are free and all proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the church. 

The Aragon Singers of Buckden are a mixed choir of around 40 voices, formed in September 1986. The choir has a varied repertoire and raises money for local charities.

Mandy Williams