As we approach 2000 members and our 8th birthday on 26th October, I thought maybe I should do a little blog about the Society and how it all started, only because I always feel that I must’ve told the story so many times that everyone surely knows its origins, but perhaps they don’t. I often feel the years fly by so 5, 10, 15, even 20 years ago doesn’t feel that long ago, but I was pondering the fact that I’d been running The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society for nearly 8 years, and probably mulling it over for 9, and that suddenly seemed like ages. Had we got anywhere with putting letter writing back on the map for everyone? Did the world still care for the non-digital world? Did Royal Mail see me as friend or foe? How many more years had I got left in me to keep promoting this amazing, wonderful, meaningful, unique, heart-warming, wholesome, life-altering, joy-bringing medium of communication? I don’t know, although I can’t see me ever wanting to stop unless the money runs out or the world implodes, whichever comes sooner (although hopefully neither).

But The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society. I am of course biased, but what an absolute joy it has been from the start. I’m all for keeping things real so of course with anything involving people there is always going to be some upset or strange behaviour, some fallings-out, rejection, or downright weirdness, but that tiny percentage will never over-shadow the loveliness that has been our Society of letter writers for nearly 8 years. The Society exists because of people joining who want to help preserve this incredible, intimate, rebellious, subversive (all in a good way) form of connecting. THLAS is a not-for-profit organisation, run on a shoestring in my spare time inbetween gardening (the day job), family life and general shenanigans, so people joining is the thing that, apart from the majority being for the pack itself, anything left helps go towards the website, the PO Box, Public Liability Insurance, going to events, stationery and stamps, as well as spurring me on to keep promoting letters. People often say “Why don’t you ask for donations?” which sometimes I consider, but it always feels a bit wrong to do that. Members are so sweet and kind and will often send stamps to help with the cause which is always very much appreciated.

And I always say THLAS is probably the least clubby club I know. It’s a light-hearted Society with an important cause – to try to keep letter writing and our postal services alive – but it truly is open to everyone, anywhere. Saying that, if you start behaving unacceptably I have had to revoke just the one membership and one person did resign because they sided with the unacceptable behaviour, but generally when it comes to the aims of the Society it doesn’t matter what your background is or your walk of life or world views (I can’t do background checks anyway) – it’s about being united in the fact that without letter writing the world would be a terrible digitalised one with no intimacy or intellect of a handwritten letter to a friend, loved one, stranger, politician, hero, family member, all of the above or whomever.

I’m so disappointed that the postal services of the world can’t quite grasp the concept that promoting letter writing will encourage letter writing. You only have to see BBC Radio Cornwall’s recent postcard call out, or our Big Summer Holiday Postcard Drop to know there is still a deep-down love and joy at sending something (in this case postcards) through the post. I have to be careful not to convince myself it’s some great conspiracy to make us all profiled and tracked, rather than just what’s in the profit box in the company’s accounts, but with a little promotion and marketing people wouldn’t automatically be horrified at the cost of a stamp. It would be a lifestyle choice like that of a coffee out or a new tune to download or a bestselling book or a fancy bar of chocolate or literally anything we’re persuaded to buy. The cost of a stamp would feel valued and worth it despite the astronomical price hikes and the ridiculous £3.40 for an overseas postcard. I still feel 87p (currently) for a letter anywhere in the UK is pretty good.

But anyway, the Society. It really just came about because of the need to channel lots of enthusiasm for the love of letter writing. Combined with a muddy windy walk on Peveril Downs and lots of fluffy clouds whizzing past I thought “Oh, there’s the Cloud Appreciation Society, isn’t there! We could have The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society!” and it went from there. A kind and patient friend helped me set up the website which I’m delighted has stood the test of time (well, 8 years so far). It’s very basic but it still works. It’s so lovely flicking back through the pages on the news and blog and gallery to see all the things we’ve got up to over the years. And the letters that arrive at THLAS HQ are always a beautiful confirmation as to how much letter writing still means to us, from members and non-members alike.

I should add for those wondering, we aren’t a penpal club because 1) I don’t have permission to give out addresses and 2) that was never the ethos. We’re more a movement to inspire and encourage the world to keep writing letters. There isn’t a newsletter mainly because I always find them a bit annoying popping up in my emails and any news people can find on the website here. It’s Life Membership so no annual subscriptions, and in truth even those who have died I still consider as members. The membership number will always belong to that person.

So really just a huge thank you for helping to keep this Society going by spreading the word, sending encouragement and definitely by joining. Without your continued belief and support I’m not sure it would’ve made it to 4 years, let alone 8. You’re the best.

Dinah

PS Honestly, no hard sell, but if you wanted more information about membership it can be found HERE. (Who will be Member No. 2000…)