To each of us there comes a time when we like to soliloquize, more often than not on past events, and in so doing it is natural that I should dwell on the gradual growth of our membership. Although it has meant that more and more of my leisure is taken up I feel that in the success so far achieved I have been well rewarded. A few days ago I received a charming letter from a member - who wishes to remain anonymous - enclosing £20 as a contribution towards the Circle's funds; I know all members will join with me in expressing our sincere thanks for his most generous gift. After due consideration it has been decided that the sum could best be applied in improving our Bulletin and a modest amount has been set aside to enable it to be printed entirely on art paper commencing with this issue. In the past there have been occasions when an article would have been improved by an illustration and, in future, blocks will be made when the expense is justified. I know all members will appreciate the valuable support given by our advertisers and it is with both pleasure and satisfaction that I quote from a letter from one of the first to give our Bulletin a trial as an advertising medium. He writes: 'Sales from this space compare very favourably indeed with any of the big magazines with many times the circulation.' By the time this issue reaches you preparations will be well advanced for the 39th Philatelic Congress at HARROGATE (14th to 17th May) and from the details given on p. 16 it will be seen that our Circle will be taking a very prominent part in the exhibition that forms part of the programme. All being well I shall be attending as usual and look forward with pleasant anticipation of meeting some of our members who reside in the North.
DEAR MEMBER,
Once again in recording an increase in membership to 181 we extend a warm welcome to the following gentlemen from overseas: I. MacLulich (Australia). G. W. S. Ritchie (Sudan), John H. Buckner and C. D. Paton (U.S.A.). We are also glad to include for the first time another county - Nottinghamshire - in our table of distribution.
Geographical distribution of membership.
LONDON (32)
PROVINCIAL (101 )
| Cheshire 1 | Herts 3 | Shropshire 2 |
| Cornwall 1 | Kent 6 | Somerset 1 |
| Derbyshire 4 | Lancashire 5 | Staffordshire 1 |
| Devon 4 | Lincolnshire 1 | Suffolk 2 |
| Dorset 1 | Middlesex 8 | Surrey 14 |
| Essex 4 | Norfolk 2 | Sussex 7 |
| Gloucestershire 5 | Northants 2 | Warwickshire 3 |
| Hampshire 6 | Northumberland 2 | Wiltshire 3 |
| Nottinghamshire 1 | Yorkshire 4 | |
| N. Ireland 1 | Scotland 8 | Wales 1 |
OVERSEAS (48)
| Australia 6 | B.W.I. 5 | Canada 7 | New Guinea 1 |
| South Africa 4 | Sudan 1 | U.S.A. 24 |
I am pleased to report that the first distribution of envelopes valued at £336-13-3 has been completed. Sales totalled £104-14-2 which I regard as most satisfactory. In general the quality of the material offered was very good although I consider that in a few instances, the prices asked were not sufficiently attractive. I regret to say there are still some contributors who do not leave a ½" margin on the left hand side of their pages and others who persist in using old mounts. It will be appreciated if particular attention is paid to these points as I can no longer undertake to re-mount sheets which means that any others I receive which are not in order will he returned. I shall he glad to receive more material for envelopes "A" (Bahamas & Bermuda) and "C" (British Guiana & British Honduras) as so far I have had very little to send to those members who collect these colonies.
NOTES AND QUERIES: It will be appreciated that our Bulletin constitutes the vital link between us and is mainly dependent upon a steady flow of contributions from members. These may either afford information or raise points upon which enlightenment is sought, and it will be helpful if S.G. numbers are quoted wherever possible. ALL contributions should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary.
ADVERTISERS: When communicating with any of our advertisers. Members are requested to make a point of mentioning our Bulletin.
BULLETINS : Copies of back issues are available as follows: - Nos. 4-7 (1/6.), 8-11 (l/3d.) each post free. Orders should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary accompanied by the appropriate remittance.
OPINIONS SERVICE: Facilities are available for opinions to be given on most stamps of the B.W.I. group. A fee of l/- per stamp is charged. Members wishing to take advantage of this service should send stamp(s) to the Hon. Secretary, enclosing the requisite fee and stamped addressed plain (or registered) envelope. Every endeavour will be made to return the stamps within seven days.