IT is all change at the top for one community group after the secretary and chairman step down after a combined 45 years of service.

At the recent annual general meeting of Launceston Stamp Club Evelyn Sandercock stood down from being secretary after some 35 years.

Viv Sandercock also stood down after being chairman for the past ten years.

Evelyn joined the club in 1979 together with present day members John and Vera Ellacott and Arthur Wills and apart from serving as secretary also served as chairman for three years.

After the annual general meeting the incoming chairman, Barry Mudie paid tribute to and thanked Evelyn for her long and loyal service to the club. He outlined how Evelyn had been awarded life membership of the club and had received awards of merit from the Cornwall Philatelic Federation and the Association of British Philatelic Societies. On behalf of the members he presented Evelyn and Viv with a cut glass vase and a voucher for use at a local hotel and conferred the title of ‘Honorary Life President of the Club’ on Evelyn and life membership on Viv. Evelyn was presented with a bouquet by Vera.

A celebration cake was produced by treasurer Des Kent with an image of a well known ‘double head’ stamp on the top but with Evelyn and Viv’s pictures substituted for the originals.

The afternoon was rounded off by Viv providing displays of flaws on the stamps of King George VI and Gold Tags used by the gold miners of Western Australia in sending their gold to the Perth Mint. Viv was thanked by the chairman for his interesting displays and presented with the club’s certificate of appreciation.

For further information on Launceston Stamp Club contact the secretary on 01566 78626.