The Group was founded in 1970 following a meeting of some 50 collectors gathered
together by Malcolm Barton, the current President. Membership grew rapidly, reaching
125 in 1972, 220 in 1976 and 470 in 2007.
The Group is truly international in its
membership structure. The object of the Group is to research
into all aspects of philately connected with the Falkland Islands
and their former Dependencies, leading to the publications of findings. Research
is carried out by individual members, collated through a nominated leader for
each subject.
On a rotated geographical basis, or by general consensus, a weekend meeting
takes place annually during which an Annual General Meeting is held. Meetings are also held on a regular basis and occasional meetings have been held in other countries, including USA, Australia, South Africa, Norway, Sweden and the Falkland Islands.
A quarterly
journal, the ‘Upland Goose’, is distributed to all members and to leading philatelic libraries. The publication has been awarded silver medals at international exhibitions. The ‘Sales and Wants’ of members are published with the journal without charge.
Two auctions of members’ material are held each year, one a postal auction and the other
live at the weekend gathering. Other material surplus to members’ requirements
is available through a popular circulating packet, limited because of insurance constraints to subscribers within the UK.
The group is in the forefront of specialist
philatelic societies and has belonged to the national Association of British
Philatelic societies since its inception and actively participates in its activities.
The Group is also an elected specialist society to the ABPS Council. To
commemorate its Silver Jubilee in 1995, the Group was honoured by the Royal Philatelic Society of London by an invitation
to display material of the Falkland Islands. The display of 52 frames took place
in January 1995 and was outstandingly successful. In August 1975 the Group provided
the display in Gibbons gallery, a then popular and regular event, and it was attended by a long-serving former Governor of
the Colony. A further display was given at Gibbons in June 1983 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the continued British Settlement of the Islands.
Membership
records are held on computer and unless you express a contrary wish your name and address will be included. The records are used for the preparation of labels for the dispatch of mail to members and for preparation
of the annual list of members, which is distributed each year. The records are
not available to non-members.