The Regional Definitives!

It's a bright day here and no snow yet.  I am confined indoors due to a heavy cold, a present from Mrs WRB!  So I have delved into philately again, this time Northern Ireland regional definitive stamps.  Who would have thought definitive stamps could be so interesting I hear you say.  

They were first introduced to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Island in 1956.  The then Postmaster General for the UK wrote to Lord Brookborough, Northern Ireland's prime minister, informing him of the intention to introduce regional stamps, of course a cabinet committee was formed and following approval of HMQ and Parliament they were introduced.

Great discussion centred around the symbols to be used and finally they agreed on the Red Hand of Ulster, the six pointed stars with Crown, the flax plant and the typical Ulster field gate with Ulster pillars.  So there you have it.