Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie - 2011 GUERNSEY

The first stamp (36p) refers to how the Literary Society began, when Dawsey Adams dispatches the pig that Amelia Maugery has hidden from the Germans and feasts on it with Amelia and her friends.

The second stamp (45p) shows a bookshelf containing some of the many titles enjoyed by the Literary Society. Through these books, the group is able to 'almost forget, now and then, the darkness outside' (letter from Amelia to Juliet).


The third stamp (48p) illustrates Juliet's arrival in Guernsey. In a letter to Dawsey, she asks him to give a message to Isola Pribby that she will wear a red cloak on the boat so that she will recognise her.

The scene of stamp number four (52p) is the view through Elizabeth McKenna's window. During Juliet's stay, she discovers that Elizabeth, the absent heart of the group, was a collector of things, which she displayed throughout her cottage. The poppy is a tribute to the lives lost in the War.

Stamp number five (58p) is the pivotal moment when Juliet admits her feelings for Dawsey. She describes the atmosphere on the cliffs, when she and Dawsey look out over a moonlit sea, the air loaded with anticipation, the spell broken by the arrival of the arrogant American Markham V. Reynolds.

The final stamp (65p) shows Isola's parrot, Zenobia, who helps detain Billee Bee when she tries to steal the collection of Oscar Wilde letters written to Isola's grandmother.

If you have read the book, I hope the illustrations ring true for you and if you have not, I hope they encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful read - part love story, part social history and part champion of the power of books, but more importantly of the power of friendships, to help you through the hardest of times

Sea Guernsey - 2011 GUERNSEY

For SEPAC 2011 we have, for the final time in the Sea Guernsey series, showcased some of the beautiful scenery which can be found on the island's rich and varied coastline; each depicting a real place which can be enjoyed by those living in, or visiting, Guernsey.
For many, St Peter Port is the most attractive destination in the Channel Islands, particularly when arriving by sea. Those fortunate enough to arrive on the island by yacht or power boat may use Victoria Marina (36p) which lies within the harbour at St Peter Port.
With the sky lit up beautifully, L'Ancresse Bay (45p) is one of the biggest - and some would say most stunning - bays on Guernsey. Located on the north of the island, the water is perfect for windsurfing, surfing, sailing, sea kayaking and even fishing.
Bearing the SEPAC inscription is the image of Bordeaux Harbour (52p), a small fishing port which is a popular haunt with fishermen and divers found in the north east of Guernsey.  In the foreground is the cobble-like slipway, which enables boats to move to and from the water.
Guernsey's south coast features many breathtaking bays, such as the one depicted on the 58p stamp, which has been captured at sunset.  One of the best known bays is Moulin Huet, a rugged, stunning bay which was a favourite of the French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Close to St Peter Port is the attractive Salerie Harbour (65p), which is named after the practice of salting fish and has retained much of its charm.  As the image depicts, framing the harbour is a number of Heritage listed period houses that typify the area.
Beautifully captured, Petit Port (70p) is certainly one of the most spectacular of the south coast beaches.  It enjoys plenty of sunshine and features deep, pure sand. Close to the Jerbourg Monument, Petit Port lies at the bottom of cliffs and can only be reached by a climb down of over 270 steps.

A Winter Wonderland - 2011 GUERNSEY

Christmas is a wonderful time of year with crisp cold air, evergreens turned pale with frost and familiar buildings transformed as they are dusted with snow. Many of us send Christmas cards to friends and family and of course children in particular delight in the tradition of giving and receiving gifts.
The theme for our Christmas 2011 stamp issue is 'Winter Wonderland' and earlier this year we ran a photographic competition. Open to both professionals and amateurs, entrants were invited to capture their favourite local winter wonderland scene for the opportunity to have their image depicted on the highly collectable Guernsey Christmas stamps.
The response was fantastic, with some truly spectacular images submitted. The winning shot came from Mr Nigel Byrom who wowed the judges with his stunning image of a snowy L'Ancresse Common (36p). The judges also selected six runners up whose photographs were used on the remaining stamps in this Winter Wonderland Christmas issue. 
Two churches feature in the set; the first is a shot by Jason Bishop of a snow covered St Peters Church (61p). The second is the Island's smallest parish church, which has been beautifully captured by John Shakerley and appears on our 31p stamp.
Our 47p stamp features the iconic Guernsey Cow grazing in a snow covered setting photographed by Sarah Plumley.
One of the most spectacular sights in the Channel Islands, La Coupée in Sark, is the image on our 52p stamp. Sue Daly's photograph features this unique rocky causeway covered in snow.
The panoramic west coast of Guernsey is pictured on our 65p stamp courtesy of the Eric Ferbrache, who has captured Cobo Bay delightfully as its usual clean soft white sand is covered with soft white snow! 
Finally a snowy rooftop view of St Peter Port beautifully shot by Karen Millard features on our 48p stamp.

British F1 World Champions - 2011 GUERNSEY

Founded in 1963 by New Zealander Bruce McLaren and originally known as Bruce McLaren Motor Racing limited, the Formula 1 team - titled currently as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes - is now competing in its 45^th Formula 1 season after making its debut at the Monaco Grand Prix during 1966.
Here we take a look at the career highlights to date of the 2008 and 2009 British Formula 1 World Champions, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, who are currently racing for the team:      
Lewis Hamilton was born in Stevenage, Kent on 7^th January 1985. After graduating from karting to single-seaters, Hamilton then rose through the ranks of Formula Renault, Formula Three Euroseries and the GP2 championship eventually earning his maiden Formula 1 test and a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes race seat for 2007.
His debut season was stunning and he appeared on the podium for his first nine races he ended 2^nd in the Drivers' Championship by a single point. In 2008, aged just 23, Hamilton became the youngest World Champion in Formula 1's history.
Jenson Button was born in Frome, Somerset on 19^th January 1980. One of his first major racing achievements was taking first place in the Karting British Super Prix aged just nine.  His journey to Formula 1 saw him compete in the British Formula Ford and British Formula Three Championships. 
Button made his Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2000, and went on to drive for Benetton, later renamed Renault, BAR subsequently renamed Honda and then following a management buyout : Brawn. 
After a number of difficult seasons, his talent and tenacity paid off as he won six of his first seven races during the 2009 season and ultimately became a World Champion.

Centenary of British Red Cross Uniforms - 2011 ALDERNEY

The British Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world's largest independent humanitarian network.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement began in 1863, inspired by a Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant. He had been appalled at the suffering of thousands of men who were left to die due to lack of care after the Battle of Solferino in 1859.

Dunant proposed the creation of national relief societies made up of volunteers who were trained in peacetime to provide neutral support in times of war. In response to his vision the founding charter of the Red Cross was drawn up in 1863.

Following the outbreak of war between France and Prussia in July 1870, Colonel Robert Loyd-Lindsay wrote to The Times newspaper calling for a National Society to be formed in Britain. On 4 August 1870, a resolution was passed that "a National Society be formed in this country for aiding sick and wounded soldiers in time of war and that the said Society be formed upon the Rules laid down by the Geneva Convention of 1864".

In 1905 the Society was reconstituted as the British Red Cross, which was granted its first Royal Charter in 1908 by HM King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

In May 1919 the League of Red Cross Societies (now the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) was established and extended the role of national Red Cross societies from its focus on wartime relief to incorporate "the improvement of health, the prevention of disease, and the mitigation of suffering throughout the world".

In the UK, the British Red Cross has provided emergency relief following events such as the Lockerbie air disaster (1988) and the devastating summer floods of 2007. Working as part of the Movement, it has provided relief to the victims of international conflicts and disasters, including the Haiti earthquake in 2010.

With special thanks to the British Red Cross Museum and Archives.

Queen Elizabeth 85th Birthday and Prince Philip's 90th - 2010 ALDERNEY

This year, in 2011, it is The Queen's 85^th birthday and the 90^th birthday of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Chosen for their natural qualities, our commemorative stamps celebrate the life of Her Majesty and Prince Philip; and here we look back at their early years and marriage.

Born in Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926, The Queen was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

The only son of Prince Andrew of Greece, The Duke of Edinburgh was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in Corfu on 10 June 1921.

The couple, who announced their engagement in 1947, had known each other for many years and were married in a low key ceremony at Westminster Abbey later that year on 20 November
.
The health of the Princess's father, King George VI, was deteriorating and in 1952 the Princess, accompanied by Prince Philip, took his place on a visit to Australia and New Zealand.  By now the couple already had two children - Prince Charles, who was born in 1948 and his sister, Princess Anne, born two years later.

Whilst staying in Kenya the Princess was informed of her father's death and her accession to the throne: she had left Britain as a Princess but was flying back as Queen.

After becoming Queen a third child, Prince Andrew, arrived in 1960 and the fourth, Prince Edward, in 1964.
The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year: her actual birthday on 21 April and her official birthday on either the first, second or third Saturday in June when the weather is likely to be better.


On her official birthday, Her Majesty is joined by other members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public to watch Trooping the Colour, which moves between Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Horseguards' Parade.

The Queen's actual birthday is usually a private affair, although the occasion is marked publicly by gun salutes in London at midday.

150th Anniversary of the Birth of JM Barrie - 2010 ALDERNEY

This year is the 150th anniversary of the birth of celebrated Scottish author JM Barrie who is best remembered for his creation Peter Pan, a mischievous boy who can fly and refuses to grow up.


The world remains captivated by Peter Pan and Barrie’s legacy lives on, having gifted the rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1929, which receives royalties from all productions and publications.


In August 2004, the Special Trustees of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity launched the search for the first ever sequel to Barrie’s timeless classic, Peter Pan and Wendy.  On 5 October 2006, Geraldine McCaughrean’s book Peter Pan in Scarlet was published.


Our six stamps depict some of the beautiful illustrations of David Wyatt which appear in the bestseller Peter Pan in Scarlet (Oxford University Press), from our 36p stamp which shows a group of children swarming above London’s skyline in true Peter Pan style, to Captain Hook’s ship (48p stamp) which is visited by Peter who can be seen at the top of the mast.

An Alderney Winter Wonderland - 2011 ALDERNEY

The Santa Special
It was Christmas Eve and Alderney had woken up to a magical stillness and hush. As the Islanders pulled open their curtains, a blank canvas awaited them to be filled with festive fun. Victoria Street was a scene from a Dickens' novel, its cobbles sugar-iced in snow and its street lamps casting pools of golden light against the colour-washed houses.
Down at the harbour, the still waters looked like a skating pond, snow formed into drifts beside the quays and the colours of the fishing boats faded away like old photographs.
On the horizon, dark clouds brooded, lead-grey and ominous. By nightfall, the stillness of the day had been replaced with gusting winds and lashing sleet. Doors were closed and fires banked up. Hot toddies were poured to smooth the last-minute wrapping of presents and stockings were fastened to mantlepieces by excited children.


As the weather worsened, the mournful sound of the foghorn at Mannez Lighthouse caught the wind and the tower's beam of light reached out to the turbulent sea.
Overhead, Father Christmas sailed above the weather in his sleigh and searched for the beautiful Island he knew lay beneath. A gap in the snow clouds opened and he gazed at Alderney as if looking upon the face of a well-loved friend.
As the sleigh descended onto the long stretch of Braye common, Father Christmas heard a loud crack on the starboard side and the vessel lurched to the right before coming to rest in a large snowdrift.

 "Ho! What's this, my lovelies?" he called to his reindeer. Stepping off the sleigh, Father Christmas could see the problem immediately: one of the runners had split in two. Weighed down with hundreds of presents there was no way he would be able to mend it on his own.

He looked around to see if help was at hand. Orange squares blinked out of the darkness and strings of festive lights adorned porches and garden fences but not a soul was about. The old man's spirits were beginning to fall when to the west he noticed a bright light drawing closer and into view chugged Elizabeth, the Island's pretty diesel engine, with the two London Underground carriages she pulled. They had finished their Christmas Eve train ride for local families and were heading back to the shelter of their shed at Mannez Quarry.

Father Christmas had an idea so he set to work. In no time at all, the sleigh was empty and the railway carriages had been transformed into vibrant grottos stacked high with presents and treats. He fastened his reindeer to the front of the little green engine and then up, up and away they flew! The strange craft soured into the night sky and as they rose above the pretty town of St Anne, the winds dropped and the sound of carols drifted up from the church at its centre, it's stained glass windows blazing with jewel-like hues.


"Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas Alderney!" cried Father Christmas. And the sleigh bells rang out.
On Christmas morning, their stockings unwrapped, the Island's children gathered for a snowball fight. They may have noticed the extra large snowdrift half way along the common, but it would be the New Year before the mysterious sleigh was revealed. Another Alderney Legend would be born.

Queen Margrethe II - 40th Jubilee - 2012 DENMARK

Her majesty Queen margrethe II of Denmark celebrates her 40th jubilee in 2012. To mark the occasion, post Danmark, post Greenland and posta Faroe islands are jointly issuing a stamp. Based on Mikael Melbye’s portrait of the Queen, it is engraved by martin mörck and produced in a combination of intaglio and offset.

Astronomy - 2012 DENMARK

1. The simplified armillary sphere from 1276, invented by the famous Chinese astronomer Guo Shoujing. 
2.  Tycho Brahe’s measuring instrument: Equatorial armillary sphere from 1585.