Memorabilia Madness

The NEC in Birmingham plays host to a collector's fair... and Craig Charles.

9 March, 2001

On Saturday and Sunday, March 17th and 18th, the Memorabilia event descended upon the hapless Birmingham population for a pop culture collector's fair - and who better to feature on the guest list than popular cult Craig Charles.

The event featured all manner of names from TV, films and comics. Sixth Dr Who Colin Baker and Farscape star Virginia Hey (respectively without their extra-loud coat or blue skin) both put in popular appearances, as did one-time lust objects Ingrid 'Hammer Horror' Pitt and Caroline 'The Spy Who Loved Me' Munroe. (Please note that these are not the actors' real middle names.)

Repo Man director Alex Cox also arrived to press the flesh, while Star Wars veteran Jeremy Bullock - who played Boba Fett - was accompanied by an entire garrison of Stormtroopers. And if that weren't enough, Are You Being Served and Last of the Summer Wine actor Frank Thornton lent a touch of class to the proceedings.

Craig was signing autographs for thousands of eager fans in collaboration with the Stamp Centre, who most recently released the Red Dwarf First Day Covers. The Stamp Centre's Steven Scott was thrilled by the turnout:

'Craig was signing limited edition prints and meeting and greeting the fans. He was signing pretty much non-stop on Saturday and Sunday.' The prints were taken from various series, showing - amongst others - Lister in Canary garb, playing the guitar, aiming a crossbow and recovering from space mumps. ('I call it "Hair Wash Time Again".')

'We also had the new Red Dwarf poster there. Craig went down exceptionally well. Everyone, without exception, enjoyed meeting him and left with a big grin of their face. He is Mr Larger Than Life... or Better Than Life.'

Future editions of Memorabilia are currently planned in Glasgow (August 25/26) and Esher (October 13/14). For up to date details of the confirmed guests as and when they are announced, you can visit www.memorabilia.co.uk.