I’ve had an idea for World Postcard Day but it’s going to need your help! So, this morning my 100 World Postcard Day postcards arrived and they suddenly looked quite a lot and I wondered “How on earth am I going to write all these, let alone afford to send them!?” but it suddenly dawned on me what I could do, and I wondered if other letter/postcard writers and Society members might like to do the same…
- Find the name of the town or city you are twinned with. If there are several, pick one of your choice.
- Look up (Google) the address of the Town Hall for that place.
- Gather together a bundle of postcards you don’t mind giving away.
- Take a trip to town and pop round the local shops (I’m thinking independent shops might be more up for it) and explain that on 1st October it’s World Postcard Day and you’d like to send some postcards to the Twin Town/City you are twinned with, just to take part in the day and because it might be fun. Say you will be back in a day or so to collect them – the shopkeepers only need to write a little hello and wish their Twin City well. If they want to include their shop address for promotion, that is up to them. Just one or all the staff can sign it – they can decide. Of course point them in the direction of The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society if they aren’t sure what it’s all about.
- Let them know when you’ll be back to collect them.
- Once collected do take a photo to share (email a photo to thlas@outlook.com or via social media @letterappsoc), then put them all in one envelope and send them on to the Town Hall you chose. You will need to pay the postage, but please know it is for the very worthy cause of friendship and connection between different countries.
I love the idea of shops in Swanage making a little postcard link with our twin town of Rüdesheim am Rhein in Germany. I hope they do too! (I’ll of course let you know how I get on)
Dinah
I have just returned from a holiday in Shetland, which was wonderful. While away I found plenty of postcards to buy and send. In all I sent 16 cards (12 to the UK and 4 overseas), spending over £28 on cards and postage stamps. This is becoming a very expensive hobby! And the postage rates are increasing in October 2024.
I also collect postcards, old and modern, and have them classified in albums and boxes. I bought a pile of cards from Shetland to add to my collection.
The answer is that, although I applaud the idea, I cannot afford to send more cards to celebrate World Postcard Day.
Yes, you’re right, it’s becoming very expensive for people. If only Royal Mail had continued to promote letters over the last 30 years I think a lot of people would see them as important as reading books. Anyway, if you wanted to send some postcards for free this World Postcard Day you can write to Royal Mail at their FREEPOST address and let them know how sad you are about it all. There’s more information via this link… Dinah https://thehandwrittenletterappreciationsociety.org/send-a-letter-to-royal-mail-for-free
Belle idée
Very happy to start post crossing again after a long gap.
Very happy to start all over again the wonderful event called Post Crossing…
Hello Lovely Letter Writers! I am a post card, card, and letter writer and mail art maker. Who is twinned with Portland, Oregon? Where do I find people in that town who would enjoy a hand written post card? How fun, thank you for this wonderful chance to connect in friendship and communication. Karen Anderson
Hi Karen, I’m not sure but I found this page from a quick Google search. https://www.portland.gov/ogr/international-relations-program#toc-portland-s-sister-cities-friendship-city They might be able to help more with who to write to. Hope that helps, Dinah