In conjunction with the hobby of helping other collectors, and collecting stamps him self, in his spare time he runs a stamp dealing business CDD Stamps, Sydney, Australia and he also writes an interesting personal blog.

Just in case you have not visited his blog, http://blog.michael.dodd.com/blog here is the link. His musings go back a long way, as far back as 2005, so if you get the chance and have an hour to spare, click on the link above and read what he has to offer.You will not be disappointed as his knowledge of philately is vast and varied , his blog is some times serious, some times humorous but always very interesting.

Back in October 2006 he wrote about a subject regarding a former post office here in the UK that has been converted into a public house. The name of this Pub believe it or not is "The Arnold Machin"

As this year (June 2007) is the 40th Anniversary of the Machin stamp and the late Arnold, who was was the designer will no doubt be in the philatelic news quite a lot over the coming months. Not to mention his image, ( rather than that of his plaster cast) his photo will be introduced on millions of special first class stamps.

Will all these Royal Mail customers who stick Arnolds picture on a letter even know who he is I wander? Will they even see one of the special issue stamps? I doubt it as they are only on sale as generic sheets, miniature sheets or prestige booklets, which are as we all know are designed and produced for collectors only.

Although I have stated I would have preferred Machin definitive stamps myself on the generic sheets, it is a bit of a shame really, not much of a tribute to the man who’s work is pictured on 180 billion stamps designed and printed with his name. As my personal tribute to Arnold Machin O.B.E - R. A. - 1911 to 1999. I have resurrected Michael’s blog article to a degree, I know he will not mind. The pub owned by the J D Wetherspoons chain, near Stoke on Trent is a fitting tribute to Machin who was once based in the Potteries where the he worked for Wedgwood, which is as you know the famous china and pottery company.

Perhaps they are are giving away free stamps, or better still free beer :-) It might just be worth while paying a short visit just to take a few photos of the decor if they are. I have been informed by a reliable source that it has not changed much from when it was A Post Office.

The old post box ( left of the picture) is now used as a letter box for deliveries of mail rather than that of out going. There is a plaque of some description to the right of the door. The rest of the outside looks a bit spent and grubby, more like a old local police station to my mind, but saying this I am informed the inside is not so bad.

They have disposed of the queue rail, also the clerks and replaced them with a line of customers wanting a tipple from a bar person instead of a postal order or a book of stamps.