Former Presidents gathered together for a Society meeting in Autumn 1999
In response to an advert costing 9d, six collectors met in Ayr on the 13th October 1938 to form the Ayr and District Philatelic Society. The founder members were W. G. Dodd, R.I.Hislop, R.A. Jones, W Liddell, A Munro, and E.H. Shirran. By the end of the first year they had been joined by fourteen other collectors. Meetings became more sporadic during the war years, although new members were recruited. Monthly meetings began initially in Ayr, but in 1955 fortnightly meetings were instituted, with alternate ones in Kilmarnock. As reliance on public transport lessened, members were drawn from throughout Ayrshire, and in 1960 the name was changed to the Ayrshire Philatelic Society.
In 1967 weekly meetings were introduced. The syallabus followed a regular pattern - displays from members; visitors from other societies; Dealer's Nights; Auctions; Members Nights and so on. It was at this time the Society began its support of Hansel Village, with a regular charity night.
The public profile of the Society was raised when members organised an exhibition in the Carnegie Library Ayr, from the 22nd - 29th January 1966 to coincide with the issue of two stamps issued to mark the 170th anniversary of the death of Robert Burns. This proved to be a great success, as it attracted 1048 visitors during the 7 days. Seven years earlier, the Society was instrumental in persuading the Post Office to open Alloway Post Office specially on Sunday 25th January 1959 to postmark thousands of items commemorating the bicentenary of the birth of Burns. The establishment of a special postal counter in Ayr in 1981 was also largely the result of pressure mounted by the Society, though this is now closed.
It was a flourishing society which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1978 as hosts of the National Congress, held on the Bridge of Allan Campus of Stirling University. The Society had previously hosted congress in 1964, and were to do it again at the time of its 50th anniversary. This anniversary was celebrated with a dinner in the Halfway House Hotel, Symington, with the guest of honour founder member Robert Hislop. Ten years later, the 60th anniversary was marked by an exhibition and Open Day in the Carnegie Library in Ayr.
One of the foremost thematic collectors in the UK, and who also enjoys national and international success, is Mrs Margaret Morris, a Past President of the Society. Margaret was one of 20 past presidents who displayed to the Society in January 2000 as part of the Society's Millennium celebrations. A founder member, the late Edward Shirran, won international recognition for his collection of Bulgaria in Sofia in 1969.
The Society reverted to fortnightly meetings during the 1990's, and presently meets in the Loudoun Halls, Boat Vennel, in Ayr on alternate Tuesday evenings, commencing at 7.30pm
The Society is conscious of the need to promote and encourage the development of stamp collecting at a time when there are many other competing interests, for the young in particular. The Society has, since 1982 , organised a competition for secondary school children, named after a former member, Howard Tarbolton. Since 1964 Ayr has been the regular venue for the annual South West Congress which is usually held on the first Saturday in October. Societies from the West of Scotland provide displays and there are always a good number of dealers present. Exhibitions in local libraries are another method by which the profile of the Society is raised, and these are generally well received.
The current membership of the society is around 90, and a warm welcome awaits anyone, young or old, new to the hobby or the long established collector, who wishes to come along on a Tuesday evening. The membership subscription is £6 (juniors £1) - a bargain in today's terms! Tea and coffee is available during the interval of each meeting for a moderate fee.
For further information on how to become a member of the Society, please contact the Secretary, Ian Barker, 20 Glenbervie Wynd, Irvine, tel no 01294 276990.