Tristan da Cunha Post Office News

Latest Stamp Issue
A special Souvenir Sheet celebrating the London 2010 Stamp Exhibition and featuring George V (the Philatelist King) as 2010 is the 100th Anniversary of his Accession to the throne, was issued on on 8th May 2010. See the 2010 Stamp Page for further details.

There was a strong Tristan da Cunha Association representation at the Exhibition, held in conjunction with the St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Philatelic Society. We aim to publish a separate report and pictures of this event on the website and / or the August Tristan da Cunha Newsletter.

New Postcards Available
A new set of 8 post cards is available from the Post Office. See our Post Office Sundries page for details.

Withdrawing Stamps from sale
In line with a strict policy to protect philatelists, the Tristan da Cunha Post Office gives notice that stocks of the following stamps will no longer be available (and will subsequently be securely destroyed) ~
From June 2010
Island Series Part 7 Maps issued in January 2007
Local Vehicles issued in April 2007
Royal Diamond Wedding issued in June 2007
From October 2010
Great Shearwater issued in July 2007
Centenary of Scouting issued in July 2007
Diana Princess of Wales issued in November 2007
Bird Definitives (as they will be replaced by a new set) issued in June 2005
So get your orders in quickly to secure any of these issues at the face value price only offered by direct sales from the Tristan da Cunha Post Office.

	New era for Tristan Post Office as Corinthian II Passengers use new Post Office and Tourism Centre on 12th March 2010 Right Top > Centre Staff Left to Right ~ Lillie Swain (PO), Donna Green (Assistant Tourism Coordinator), Iris Green(Head PO), Natasha Glass (PO) and Tourism Coordinator Dawn Repetto Top Left and below : Corinthian II passengers viewing displays and making purchases at the new Post Office counter



		Photos above from David Morley and below from Sue Scott

Battle of Britain Stamps Issued
The second 2010 stamp collection was issued on 18th March 2010 and is now available
- see our 2010 Stamps Page for images and full details. A list of future 2010 issues is also featured on this page.

The new Post Office and Tourism Centre was completed by 8th December 2009 as staff began to move stock and equipment ready for opening in 2010

	Pictures from Iris Green show: Above; Apple Team Contractors; Lillie, Iris, Dawn and Natasha outside the new centre. Below: Two views inside the impressive new facility.

November 2009
The last stamp issue of 2009 - Mail to Tristan da Cunha - is available for order from 23rd November. Check out the stamps, which feature mail arriving and being distributed on Tristan da Cunha on our 2009 Stamps Page.

New
Post Office
Building
Progress

Images from David Morley
left, taken on 1st November
and from Iris Green
right & below in the last two days of October show the remarkable progress achieved by the Apple Group.

Work starts on new Post Office Building

Photograph taken by David Morley on 15th October 2009 shows work being carried out
by the Apple Team led by Merwe da Jagert. The new Post Office development will also include a Museum, Gift Shop and Cafe.

Mail Buoy released from MV Helga

MV Helga released a mail buoy on Wednesday 14th October 2009.
The buoy was collected by Colin Hagan and Adrian Swain in the Sandy
Point Express and then delivered to the Post Office.

The Captain Arjen Fransen said "This is for us a one in a lifetime
chance to send mail via the most remote Post Office in the world!"

Photos from Iris Green show :

Above ~ MV Helga

Left ~
Colin Hagan entering the Post Office
gate with the buoy

Right ~ Colin and Adrian
presenting the mail buoy to Iris Green with Lillie and Natasha looking on from behind the counter.

September 2009
The first of a series of Tristan Traditions stamps were issued on 28th September and feature stunning pictures of Sheep Shearing, Ratting Day, Longboats and Old Year's Night ~ see the 2009 Stamps Page for full details and images

August 2009
The latest stamp issue features six stamps depicting aspects of Tristan da Cunha's potato growing industry, providing the islands' staple food crop. See the 2009 Stamps Page for full details and images.

July 2009 - Tristan stamps are out of this world!
The Space Travel / 40th Anniversary of Moon Landing stamps issued 20th July 2009 are now available - see 2009 Stamps for images and full details.
The Stamp Archive Page has also been updated to include all the 2006 Tristan interest stamps which are no longer available for sale. Remaining stocks were destroyed on 31st May 2009 in line with the strict philately policy.
The only pre 2007 issue still available is the 2005 Bird Definitives which remain the residual definitive series used for everyday mail from the island - see 2005 Stamps.

April 2009
Iris Green reports that The Centenary of Naval Aviation stamps were issued on 17th April - see 2009 Stamps for details
Customers are advised that all the remaining stocks of 2006 stamp issues will be destroyed this year in line with philately policy. These include all the special 500th Anniversary stamps which together form a unique historical record of the island. So secure your order now - for details of forthcoming deadlines see the 2006 Stamps page.

March 2009
Iris Green reports a very busy month, with the cruise ship season in full swing and the Seafaring and Exploration stamps issued on 9th March - see 2009 Stamp Issues for details.
Kirsty Green has moved jobs to become a clerk at the new Conservation Department,and Iris thanks her for her hard work.
There is a special offer on post cards - with the Bird Stamp Postcard set reduced from £4.20 to only £1.20 - see the Sundries Page and Order Form for details.



	First traditional red Post Box installed A second hand post box donated to Tristan from central London was installed on 8th September 2008 and now has pride of place in the front garden of the island's Post Office Photographs from Iris Green show the installation and below right Commander Wood from HMS Liverpool posting the first letter on 9th September. The box has been popular as a good photo. opportunity for visitors from the SA Agulhas who arrived on Friday 12th September, but the box will soon have a coat of appropriate red paint to spruce it up.

	A Tristan Post Office Tour
	Left: The Tristan Post Office is situated in one of the village's Colt Bungalows with a view out to sea from its site 500 metres above the harbour. Right: Lillie and Kirsty waiting to serve

	Kirsty and Natasha (left) and Natasha (right) serving customers from MV Endeavour in March 2008

	Right : RFA Lyme Bay crew pleased with their Post Office visit Right : Displays of stamps, cards and handicrafts (We expect to offer a separate sales section for handicrafts soon)

	Customers from the cruise ship MV National Geographic Endeavour shopping at the Post Office on Easter Sunday - 23rd March 2008

Introducing Iris Green : Head of the Tristan da Cunha Post Office

Education:
After leaving St. Mary’s School on Tristan, attended Denstone College UK 1989–1990 studying economics and geography A Level
Tristan Employment :
1991-1993 Post & Telecommunications Department, with responsibility for dealing with Philatelic Account Holders and across the counter stamp sales
1993-2007 Finance Department included responsibility for checking local stamp sales and sales made by Crown Agents, St. Helena and Ascension on our behalf. Visit to St. Helena to assist with the Audit of Tristan da Cunha accounts
Also, having completed modules 1-6 of the European Computer Driving Licence course, teaching part-time as Test Centre Manager, to adults & children at St. Mary’s School in recent years.
Here to serve you :
Iris is now back in the Post Office, being appointed as Head of Department in 2007, where she hopes to provide a good & efficient service to all our clients and future customers.Iris' Post Office team have been busy making sure existing customers have an efficient service and are now ready to take orders from all over the world.