Rob Frowen talks about the recent Programme Fair and how it all came about.
Sometime during the summer I thought that as the feel-good factor was now percolating through all things tangerine – at long last – I’d see if I could get a Programme Fair off the ground. I’d recently started working with the BFC Community Trust in mental health projects so I decided to broach the idea to them. So, cutting a long story short, a Fair duly got off the ground on Sunday 3rd November. It was held at the lavishly revamped Education & Community Centre (or, to be a little clearer for some, the site of the old club shop at the North end of the stadium).
A fantastic total of fifteen stallholders attended the Fair, each displaying a wide array of all things memorabilia-wise. One guy, who deserved a medal, travelled up country from Plymouth to sell his stuff! And my wife, who helped throughout the event, noted that in excess of a healthy one hundred customers came through the doors.
The memorabilia ranged from programmes to ticket stubs, pennants to enamel badges to hats, scarves and medals.. and far more. The most expensive item being offered? Well, that may well have been my 1922 FA Cup Final programme – featuring Huddersfield Town against that team from ‘just down the M55’. It was priced at £1,750 but, alas, it didn’t sell!
To boost the figure that we raised we organised a raffle and many attractive memorabilia prizes were up for grabs – all kindly donated. These included a nice example of the 1953 FA Cup Final programme and, in theory, one could win this iconic slice of ‘Pool history for just 20p!
The funds raised from the Fair are being utilised for the benefit of the Community Trust’s weekly Sporting Memories group. This group is aimed at all older sports fans. It has proved to be a real lifeline as many of those involved live in isolation and, in some cases, also with dementia. Additionally, we’ll also be using some cash to co-ordinate several days trips beginning with a day out to the National Football Museum in Manchester.
The day proved to be a great success with many collectors asking “when’s the next one?” which was pretty gratifying to hear. And, following a meeting with the Community Trust staff soon afterwards, plans are well underway for a Summer 2020 follow-up Fair – only hopefully bigger and better still. So watch this space!
Written by : Rob Frowen
More information on all our provision for Over 50’s can be found HERE