Brief History of the Waterlow Study Circle

The Waterlow Study Circle ("WSC") was formed as a result of a meeting in London on 20th June, 1981, called by Ray Keach, and attended by 15 interested philatelists. These 15 became the Founder Members of the WSC. In addition, 3 Study Circles, Belgian Congo, Belgium and Rhodesian, supported the idea, and other Study Circles have subsequently joined.

The purpose of the WSC was to provide a forum for the study of the work of Waterlows and to enable an exchange of ideas on this subject to take place between different groups interested in Waterlows.

Perhaps the main reason why it was thought necessary to set up such a Study Circle was that the printers had ceased to exist as a separate company and most of the records had been lost during the last war.

Membership is open to individuals and Study Circles, and at June 1985 there were 45 members (including 8 Study Circles). The annual subscription was £6 (plus airmail supplement for overseas) until 1994/5 when it became £8 with £4 for airmail. The membership at 1993 was 51 (45 individuals, 6 Study Circles), and currently (September 1998) it is individuals and 6 Study Circles

Further details can be obtained from the Hon. Secretary :

The first Chairman of the WSC in 1981 was Ray Keach, with Colin Hoffman as Secretary/Treasurer and Editor; Colin Fraser took over as Secretary/Treasurer in 1982, and David Hubbard as Editor in 1983, a position he has now held for fifteen years.

Colin Fraser remained Secretary until June 1992 when he was posted to New York. In January 1993 Noel Lyons became Secretary for a short period and the post then became vacant until Derek Weston was elected in June1995. He only held office for a short period and the post was vacant again until Alan Green became Secretary-elect in January 1998 pending his election in May1998. During various periods when the WSC had no Secretary the Chairman Alec Turner provided the necessary cover and fulfilled both roles – and that of acting Treasurer – during his term of office as Chairman (1993 to-date).

The separate post of Treasurer was created in 1987 when John Peters was elected, a post he retained for ten years. In May 1997 Roger Lawson was elected Treasurer, but was posted overseas shortly after and had to relinquish the position which was filled by Alec Turner until May 1998 when Colin Hoffman became Treasurer.

The Chairmen of the WSC initially held office for two year periods; following Ray Keach (1981-83) Geoffrey Wood was Chairman for 1983-85, Colin Hoffman 1985-87, Stanley Cross Rudkin 1987-88, John Peters 1988-91, and Jack Ince 1991-93. Alec Turner became Chairman in January 1993 when Jack Ince went to live in Canada. In July 1992 Ray Keach had accepted the role of Vice Chairman pending Jack Ince’s move to Canada, so as to hold that office until the 1993 AGM. Ray has remained as Vice Chairman since July 1992. At the 14^th AGM in June 1995 it was agreed that the Chairman might serve for five years from date of election and subject to being re-elected annually.

Initially it was thought that the WSC might be only a "limited life study circle" and that after a few meetings, it would have been dissolved. Happily this has not proved to be the case, although in recent times the WSC has been somewhat less active than in earlier times.