This is the quarterly journal that binds the Society’s members together. Recipient of prestigious awards for both content and presentation, it provides a forum for discussion, as well as containing substantial articles by the top people in their fields.

‘Maple Leaves’ is free to members who can thereby build a valuable study resource. Hard copy back numbers can also be purchased, when available, from the Society Handbooks Manager.

Starting in the autumn of 2010 we are planning to upload to the Maple Leaves Archive on this site all back copies of ‘Maple Leaves’ from Volume 1, No 1 issued in 1946 to Volume 28 which ended in 2004.

A cumulative index which covers all issues of Maple Leaves from 1946 to the end of 2006 can be purchased from our Handbooks Manager.

A four day event that combines serious philately with the social side of our hobby. Members are encouraged to bring their partners for either the whole period or just a part. The chosen venues rotate around the country to give everyone a chance to sample a casual visit.

The Convention philatelic programme includes a number of displays, including a members 16 sheet display open to all attendees. There is also an auction on the Saturday of Convention and the Society AGM takes place during the programme. Convention includes a one frame competition open to all members whether they are in attendance or not. Details of this and the rules under which it is conducted may be found in the Members Handbook. The programme normally includes one or more trips out to local places of interest and also includes a full partner programme for those not interested in matters philatelic. The programme also allows for plenty of social activity and, of course, the opportunity to meet fellow members.

The 2011 Convention will be held from 28th September to 1st October at the Hotel Ambassadeur on the Channel Island of Jersey. This location offers some excellent opportunities for an extended stay to visit the many attractions the Channel Islands have to offer. Further details of the event can be obtained from Malcolm Newton on +44 1534 746482 or by email at malcolm@lehoumet.com or by visiting the 2011 Convention page.

The 2012 Convention will be held in late September in Stirling, Scotland.

Photos from past Conventions can be found in the Convention Archive.

This is another time-honoured method of acquiring and disposing of material. The Society offers a packet circuit for stamps and ‘Covermart’ for covers. These circuits are, of necessity, confined to UK members, but overseas members can and do contribute material for sale. All members can participate in the Covermart.

Please contact the following for further information:

(Stamps) Hugh Johnson, Tel: 01474 350226, Email:

(Covermart) Richard Hirst, Ty-ffald, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire, SA19 8AD
Tel. 01550-777856, Email:

The Society maintains an extensive and valuable library of published books and files of magazine articles for the benefit of UK members.

Full details can be obtained from

Mike Slamo, Tel: 01273 732956.

The current rules and notes for using the Library can be found here, Rules and Notes

The current Library Listing is here, Library Listing

Normally, two auctions are held each year. Only Society members are permitted to bid in these auctions but anyone can offer material for sale. The auctions exclusively feature stamps, postal history and related ephemera (such as maps, literature and postcards etc) from Canada, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Vancouver Island and St. Pierre et Miquelon.

The main auction is traditionally held on the Saturday afternoon of Convention and over a thousand lots may be on offer. It is an ideal way of disposing of unwanted material and/or adding to the collection. Catalogues are published well in advance and postal bidding and e mail bidding facilities are available. This auction has become so popular that a second postal auction is now held approximately six months apart from the Convention sales.

If you are interested in selling material in one of our auctions, details and vendors terms and conditions can be found at our Auction Vendors page. Our auctioneer will also be pleased to offer advice to potential vendors.

Buyers terms and conditions can be found at our Auction Bidders page. Note that there is  no buyers premium.

Our next auction will be a postal sale during the fourth quarter of 2010. The catalogue for any Current Sale and scans of some of the lots are posted on this site some 6 weeks before the sale closing date and will be circulated to members with the issue of Maple Leaves preceding the sale.

Catalogues for recent sales back to 2006, stored as downloadable PDF files, can be found in our Auction Archive.

Auction Manager: Colin Lewis, Tel: 01792 206518, Email: colin.d.lewis@btinternet.com

Members are also able to purchase from a wide range of BNA handbooks.
Details from:

Derrick Scoot, Tel: 01462 622449

A handbook containing a list of members and their collecting interests is issued free to members on joining and is updated periodically. The handbook also incorporates the Society’s rules.

The Society has a number of local groups within the UK which meet on a fairly informal basis to further the knowledge and enjoyment of BNA philately. Meetings normally involve short displays of material by the members attending and all members are welcome to attend any meetings. Currently, groups are active in the following regions:-

London:-    the London Group normally meets on the third Monday of each month from October through May. Meetings are held in a members’ house in Bishop’s Stortford. Contact person is David Armitage  FRPSL, 31 Barley Mills, Thorley Park, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts, CM23 4DS

Scotland and the North of England:-    the Scotland and North of England Group normally meets twice a year at the Buccleuch Arms Hotel in Moffat in April and again in October/November. Contact person is John Hillson FCPS, Westerlea, 5 Annanhill, Annan, Dumfriesshire, DG12 6TN

Midlands:-  the Midlands Group normally meets at MIDPEX and on one other occasion in the year. Contact person is Ken Flint  73 Montalt Road, Cheylesmore, Coventry, CV3 2LT

South West and Wales:-   the South West And Wales Group normally meets within the Annual Convention of the Bristol and District Philatelic Societies which takes place at Portishead in August. Contact person is John Croker   35 Hilldale Road, Backwell, Bristol, BS48 3JZ

Elsewhere local groups meet on a more informal basis.

Full contact details for all of the above mentioned can be found in the Members Handbook.

Specialist articles on many aspects of BNA Philately are to be found in Maple Leaves and some are also stored on our Articles page.