The Bletchley Park helps raise funds for African slavery memorial

To raise funds for a memorial garden and statue in Hyde Park London a first day cover will be released on 22nd March 2007. The special envelope will carry Royal Mail’s “Abolition of the Slave Trade 1807” stamps cancelled on their first day of issue with the Memorial 2007 logo. 200 years ago a Parliamentary Act was passed to end Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. The memorial will provide an oasis of remembrance to enslaved Africans and their descendants. The limited edition first day cover will raise funds towards the £1.25 million required for landscaping of the garden. Memorial 2007 Patrons include Sir Willard White and the Archbishop of York. The cover can be previewed online in the charity section at www.bletchleycovers.com

The black and red design by Paul Ayre dramatically sets off the stamp issue featuring people associated with the abolition of the African slave trade in the early 19th century. The broken chain motif of Memorial 2007 has been used to produce the postmark that will cancel the stamp issue. Chapman and Mitchell Covers of Bletchley Park Post Office who have produced several such fundraising covers are the publishers. Their base is at Bletchley Park whose code breakers contributed so much to the cause of freedom during World War Two.

Each cover will be an individually numbered limited edition and a 1000 copy issue is planned. Price is £12.50 ($25 US) plus £1.50 UK post and packing.

They can only be ordered direct from Bletchley Park Post Office, The Mansion, Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes, MK3 6EB, UK

or online at www.bletchleycovers.com

Information on the memorial can be found at www.memorial2007.org.uk

Media contact; Terry Mitchell. Tel

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