Welcome to the ABPS – the Voice of British Philately
The Association of British Philatelic Societies (ABPS) is the national organisation catering for the needs of collectors through the Federations and Societies and those interested in philately. Membership of the Association falls into various categories being Federations, Specialist, National and Local Societies and Overseas Societies. A special category of Patrons and Friends has been created for those interested in the work of the Association and are valuable in assisting the Association to achieve its aims. These individuals receive the ABPS news and can attend the Annual General Meeting without voting rights.
The principal aims of the Association are:
- To represent the hobby both nationally and internationally.
- To encourage the growth of philately.
- To support events and, if required, offer support and advice to Federations/Society events.
- To provide workshops and seminars locally or nationally on various aspects of the hobby.
- To provide a website which serves a compendium of information useful to the Society Secretary and its members.
- To assist in the organisation of an annual congress which acts as a national focus for philately within the British Isles.
- To issue at least 4 times a year a journal, ABPS News, which publicises the work of affiliated Federations and Societies at a local and national level and reports on developments within philately.
- To work with the International bodies in the creation of regulation for competitive entries.
The Association can provide a worthwhile service to its membership if the majority of societies are able to support these aims and to offer support both financial and physical. To assist in this process members of the Executive Committee are pleased to attend Society and Federation events, by invitation, to explain the aims of the Association and where possible to give a display of their own material.
The Association is operated by volunteers and its financial stability is underwritten by its corporate structure. The Association has been formed into a company, limited by guarantee, the liability of each member being limited to £1.
The Company has a subsidiary, ABPS Exhibitions Ltd which undertakes exhibitions and similar functions.
You can support the work of ABPS and philately in the UK by becoming a Friend or Patron here.