25/11: Pin Meet 12

Thanks to everyone who came along to the Railway Tavern yesterday and made the latest pin meet a success. I think we had between 25 and 30 collectors there at the peak with a mix of old and new faces. The free Lloyds TSB pins were popular and we would like to thank Lloyds TSB for offering them to us.

Thanks too to Jan and the team at the pub for making us feel welcome as always and allowing us to use the room for free.

I think most people there made a few decent trades and felt that the journey was worthwhile.

Talk turned to the next meet and I think we can probably manage one next Spring and then one at the first anniversary of the Opening Ceremony on Saturday 27th July 2013.

Keep an eye on the blog for details of dates and times.

17/11: London 2012 Pins on M and M Direct Site

Earlier this month, a reader spotted a website selling London 2012 merchandise. Click here for the original post.

A few readers have emailed me to say that this website is now selling a few London 2012 pins too. Click here to view the 'gifts' section.

They seem to have a few venue logo pins, some venue pictograms and a couple of venue sports poses.

The irony is that the sitting volleyball pin was nowhere to be seen for the first few days of the Paralympics, then was one of the most desirable pins for a few days as people tried to find them once they were released. Now they are in the 'bargain bucket'.

If only the distribution and retail process had been a little more thought through, then the collectors would have got the pins they wanted without the frenzy and the silly prices on eBay and the retailers would not be forced to sell at knock down prices.

Perhaps this may be the website where we finally see the pins that could not be found during the Games?

15/11: Another Sponsor Freebie Pin - P&G

I'm pleased to say that another Olympic sponsor has offered us some free pins. Proctor and Gamble have offered a number of pins to readers of London Pins.

At the moment, I do not know what design or designs they may be. I will not receive them until early December, so to those of you coming to the meet next week, I'm afraid they will not be available.

I think I will get enough to send them out and also keep sufficient until the first meet next year, so no one should miss out.

So, those of you that have emailed me asking for the LTSB pins, please don't worry if you don't hear from me immediately after the pin meet later this month as I will wait until the P&G pins arrive before I get back to you all.

Thanks to P&G for supporting us like this and if any other sponsors would like to get in touch with any pin offers, we would be happy to hear from you.

13/11: Requests for LTSB Pins

I've had a number of emails from people asking me to send any spare Lloyds TSB freebie pins as they cannot make it to the meet. I appreciate that the website and blog are supported by many of you who cannot easily get to London for a meet, so I'd like to help where I can.

In order to distribute the pins from Lloyds TSB as far as possible, I'm happy to send out pins to those that ask.

Once the meet in November is over I'll send out the remaining pins to those of you that send me a stamped addressed envelope. One pair to each person that writes. PLEASE DON'T SEND AN ENVELOPE JUST YET!!

Drop me an email to info@londonpins.co.uk with your name. I'll keep the emails in the order that they arrive and then when I know how many pins I have left to offer, I'll email you back with my address so you can send an envelope.

Please remember that pins in an envelope can get damaged and I don't have the time to package the pins in bubble wrap. I therefore suggest you send a padded envelope with 'Large Letter' postage. The pins are individually wrapped in cellophane, so will not scratch against each other. I cannot be responsible for pins that get lost or damaged in the post or for insufficient postage. I will not be able to offer recorded delivery or obtain certificates of postage.

Hopefully this means that more collectors will be able to share in Lloyds TSB's generosity.

Watch this space - we MAY have another sponsor who can offer some pins too. More details to follow when I can confirm.

10/11: Pin Meet - 24th November - Free Pins

I'm very pleased to say that one of the most supportive London 2012 sponsors - Lloyds TSB has offered us some pins for the next meet on Saturday 24th November.

Everyone who can make it there will each receive both pins LLY0041 and 42. These were pins issued during the Olympic and Paralympic games. There's no need to sign up to get them, just ask on the day. Obviously the supply is not limitless, but there should be enough for everyone based on previous attendance.

Don't forget, we are at the Railway Tavern in Stratford, but with an earlier start time than usual. We begin at 12.30pm, so you may want to combine the meet with some lunch.

Hope to see lots of you there.

4/11: Not Pins, but London 2012 Merchandise

Thanks to a reader, here is a link to some end of line London 2012 clothing from a company called MandM Direct.

Some very good prices there if you're looking for some Olympic or Paralympic T-shirts.