Stamp collectors make Swindon their home in annual extravaganza

Around 48 dealers set up stalls offering people the chance to part with their cash and add a few new treasures to their stamp collections.

Swinpex is the Society’s showcase event that attracts people from all over the world, from Scotland to China.

The Swinpex has been held at St Joseph’s for the past eight years with this year proving just as popular as previous ones.

David Gibbon, Chairman of Swinpex, said: “Our annual Swinpex is always a very popular event. We get buyers and dealers from all over the world who all say this is one of the best events of its kind.

“It’s great because it gives people somewhere to come to sit down with a coffee and have a chat and meet other collectors. Some collections are worth thousands of pounds and it’s a real honour to have them on display here.

Stephen Taylor, dealer in US stamps and postal history, said: “It’s a great venue, really well-lit and with nice people running it. It’s been a really big turnout this year and it’s a credit to the organisers.”

Stamp dealer Mark Grimsley said: “As always this is a well-organised and very well attended show. I have been coming here for many years will continue to come here in the future.”

There were many specialist dealers at the fair including Stanley Gibbons, the Falkland Islands Philatelic Study Group, the Guild of St Gabriel and the British Thematic Association.

Dealer David Robinson, who has received an MBE for services to nautical education and has been coming to the show for the past 19 years, said: “I go to stamp fairs all over the place and this is by far the best. It’s the biggest in the south of England. Members of the philatelic society have a right to be very proud of themselves.”

All the money Mr Robinson makes from selling his stamps goes to charities, including Water Aid, Home Farms Trust and the Mission to Seafarers. Since last June he has raised more than £4,000 for various causes.