New Cover Service!

The Canvey Island Local Post is delighted to introduce its new Cover Service. Following a successful trial, this service is now being introduced for all collectors in the United Kingdom.

The service is aimed at collectors who wish to obtain cancelled CILP stamps, including First Day Issue events, on personally addressed covers previously sent to the CILP.

All fees charged for the service will be used to finance the Canvey Island Local Post, stamp production, its website and associated services, to ensure its viability for the future.

Visit our Cover Service page for details.

Postmaster

Stamp Schedule for 2025!

Canvey Island Local Post (CILP) is pleased to confirm its stamp schedule for 2025. This year has significant WWII anniversaries so our offering this year does lean towards that era and a monochrome photographic theme – but not entirely! As usual, illustrations will be published nearer their scheduled release dates to maintain surprise and excitement!

Music Series: Dr Feelgood (6 January 2025)

Already issued. This stamp applauds Dr. Feelgood, an English pub rock band formed in 1971 on Canvey Island. It is the first stamp in our new Music Series, featuring local and international musicians with links to Canvey Island and the surrounding area.

(CP069) Dr Feelgood

Aviators Series: No.3 - ‘Eagle’ Sqn RAF (21 March 2025)

The third stamp in the series, and the first to salute a group of aviators rather than an individual, it commemorates the American volunteers that served and flew in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during WWII in the famous ‘Eagle’ Squadrons.

In particular CILP honours the men of No. 121 Sqn. RAF who flew from airfields in Essex including RAF Rochford (now London-Southend Airport), around twelve miles from Canvey Island. A bonus for aviation fans is that the Supermarine Spitfire MKV features in the design!

VE Day (8 May 2025)

Celebrating the 80^th Anniversary of the guns falling silent in Western Europe in 1945, this issue is a colourful commemoration of the day. It features flag bunting of the major Allied nations and anniversary legend. A sobering reminder of what unified and determined allies can achieve together.

Heritage Series: Laundry Delivery (21 July 2025)

This issue has been planned for some time but was set aside due to other date critical commemorations. This issue is more special than most to me, as it features my maternal grandmother and great-grandfather delivering clean laundry on their horse-drawn cart c.1930.

 

VJ Day (15 August)

The second significant 80^th Anniversary of the year is Victory over Japan Day. The stamp features celebrating RAF personnel on the Cocos Islands on 14 August 1945, the day before the official declaration, with a USA made B-24 bomber in the background.

CILP 15^th Anniversary (10 November 2025)

To wrap-up the year CILP marks the fifteenth anniversary of its first stamp issue on 10 November 2010, with a multicoloured celebration of stamps on a stamp. Where has the time gone?

As usual all available CILP stamps can be obtained online from Alpha Thematics on ebid.net/uk.

 

Postmaster 

New Issue: Dr Feelgood 1971

Dr. Feelgood are an English pub rock band formed in 1971. Hailing from Canvey Island, Essex, they are best known for their original and distinctively British R&B sound that was centred on "Wilko" Johnson's choppy guitar style.

Dr. Feelgood 1971 (CP069)

Along with Johnson, the initial band line-up included singer Lee Brilleaux and the rhythm section of John B. Sparks, known as "Sparko", on bass guitar, and John Martin, known as "The Big Figure", on drums. Their most commercially productive years were the mid to late-1970s, with singles such as "She Does It Right", "Back in the Night", and "Milk and Alcohol".

This stamp has a print run of 140, and features a large mural by Liam Heatherson, painted on Canvey Island sea wall. It is the first stamp in a series featuring local and international musicians with links to Canvey Island and the surrounding area.

Dr. Feelgood stamp FDI Postcard (reverse)

A limited number of First Day Issue postcards have also been released.

CILP stamps are available from our agent, Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

New Issue: Hester's Mono-Rail 1902

CILP is pleased to announce the release on 18 November, 2024, of our latest stamp issue in our Local History series.

Property developer Frederick Hester established the first Mono-Rail in Essex, England, on Canvey Island in 1902. It was intended to transport prospective bungalow buyers, holiday makers and day trippers down from London, from the mainland railway station to the River Thames Estuary coast via his Winter Gardens and other business interests.

Hester's Mono-Rail 1902 (CP068)

However, lack of funds prevented electrification and expansion, and the service was brief, perhaps running for around two years. Our stamp features a period photograph of the horse-drawn Mono-Rail complete with visitors and local photogenic dog! This issue has a print run of 160 stamps.

CILP stamps are available from our agent, Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster