The Sunderland stamp collectors who had the national scene licked

John Robertson, assistant postmaster, hands over the Melville Memorial trophy for philately to David Underwood. Also pictured are runners up Garry Eaton, Sheila Basu, Andrew Johnson and Mark Stenton.

They had only been formed for a year but these Sunderland stamp enthusiasts were posting their intention to be the best.

The junior section of the Sunderland Philatelic Society scooped a top award in a national young stamp collectors competition in 1984.

David Underwood, 9, won his age group for his collection which guided judges around hs imaginary Underwood zoo. The Seaburn Dene Junior School pupil took up collecting when the junior section of the stamp club was formed in 1983.

His classmate Andrew Johnson, also aged 9, was awarded a certificate of participation for his collection of Danish stamps along with Monkwearmouth School pupil Mark Stenton, 13, whose topic was the World Cup up to 1984.

Philip Blakey, 19, from Fulwell, took bronze in the 18 to 21 age group and Sunderland’s youngest entry Sheila Basu, 8, gained a diploma of merit for work on a collection of Indian states and India stamps during the reign of Queen Victoria. A second diploma of merit went to Gary Eaton, 12, of Fulwell, who told the story of a journey from Manchester to Newcastle using stamps to depict different forms of transport through the ages.

They received their prizes at Sunderland post office from acting assistant postmaster John Robertson.