Stamp collecting is one of the world’s most popular and enduring hobbies, with more than 20 million collectors!! It is also the means by which BUGB raised over £3,100 in 2008, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Alan Cookson, stamp dealer and member of Southcourt Baptist Church.
Each year Alan receives up to 900 packages of collectible items from churches and individuals across the country keen to support Home Mission. Over the past two years the sale of stamps and other collectibles such as old medals, coins, and postcards, has generated over £6000.
Alan deals with everything from the normal, everyday domestic stamps to Victorian and foreign stamps which can be of considerable value. A few years ago Alan was sent a Penny Black which raised something in the region of £125 (for those who don’t know, the ‘Penny Black’ came into use on 6 May, 1840 and was the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, with the design featuring Queen Victoria). He was also sent a ‘Two Penny Blue’ which fetched £25.
On behalf of Home Mission, Alan continues to collect and sell the following:
If you and your church would like to support Home Mission in this way, please send your stamps and other collectibles directly to Alan Cookson, 41 Pemberton Close, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP21 7NY. Please do remember to put the correct postage on your packages!!
If it is easier to send items to Baptist House in Didcot, please mark them clearly with ‘BUGB Home Mission’ and they can be passed on to Alan by a member of staff. You may also wish to include a brief note or letter to Alan, as he enjoys entering into correspondence with those who share his interest in collections.
Thank you for your continued support of Home Mission.