Collecting is changing, not dying
The current Surrey Federation has been going for over 60 years, but there were various organizations looking after the interests of philatelic societies in the county well before then.
So stamp collecting in here does not only have a long history it also has, despite what you may hear, a bright future. I have seen a piece saying youngsters are not interested in collecting any more, that it has got too expensive, and no one now has the time. You hear that a lot not, albeit the article I read it in was published in 1903. Somethings never do change.
Philately’s golden age always seems to have been in a bygone era. What gets missed is that the hobby has changed with the times, which is what must happen for it to stay alive.
The biggest change has obviously come with the internet. All major dealers are selling on-line, and you bid in their actions while sat at home, and someone must be buying all those stamps on Ebay, Catawiki and Delcampe. However, the biggest impact philately on-line has had is that information is freely available, and it is easy to meet fellow collectors.
Stamp collecting not only keeps the brain active but can be very social as well as creative. If you are not already a member, join your local stamp club. You can find a list of those in Surrey on this link:
All societies are friendly, informal groups with all levels of collectors. You will be made very welcome.
Above all, enjoy collecting!
Chris Forwood