The Jolly Boys Outing

I grew up with Only Fools and Horses , every Christmas the highlight would be the special on TV showing del boy and rodney s latest antics.

So when I heard there was to be an exhibition down Margate featuring props and costumes from the show on just had to go ! Especially when it turned out that for the opening weekend Boycie and Marlene would be there to sign autographs and have pictures taken! Cushty…..

So off we traisped dahn Margit as the Londoners would say to Dreamland where the 1989 Christmas Special was filmed and the host of the exhibition.

As we preordered our tickets , it was only £4.95 per person and photos with Boycie and Marlene started from £10.00 with autographs free of charge.

Now, this is where the queues were – 2 hrs spent waiting but two hours well spent . John and Sue were absolutely lovely and so natural. Sue was dressed in Marlene s trademark leopard print even her knee high boots and John was suited and booted like Boycie as they sat in a replica of the trotters front room. It was an amazing experience.

The exhibition itself you could do in an easy half hour , it’s so compact. But that’s not to say it isn’t a treasure chest of goodies.

Costumes, props and del boys bedroom recreated complete with leopard print blanket, a packet of jaffa cakes and a copy of Modern Men sit atop the bed with its massive bright pink headboard with radio cassette players installed in the headboard.

Signs from the show, scripts, del s jewellery and triggers medal – in fact the only thing missing was the blow up dolls !

Each piece brought back memories of specific episodes and I couldn’t stop grinning as I moved from piece to piece.

In fact, I suddenly felt a bit sad as I thought of all the great characters no longer with us – Trigger, Mike and Denzil

That’s the thing with Only Fools , it’s like we ve known these people all our lives , we ve grown up with them and they are a part of our lives where we hold them in great esteem and affection. They’re practically a British institution as natural as a cup of tea in our culture.

So to be able to be so close to these items, to meet characters and chat, to recreate the infamous chandelier scene was an amazing experience.

The only dissapointment was that the van , although there, was surrounded by costumes therefore it was unable to see a clear view of it let alone get close enough to take a photo.

Last but not least , I’ve got to mention the gift shop – I love a gift shop- and this didn’t disapoint! An immense amount of leopard print assaults your senses as masks of Boycie gurn at you , the opportunity to buy dels filofax or flat cap awaits . Or how about a savings tin for this time next year we ll be millionaires?

Personally me and dad settled for fridge magnets – him Del , me Rodney and I had to get a specially designed Jolly Boys Outing plastic bag for 5p ( the only time I will enthusiastically pay for a plastic bag ) .

So there you have it, a fantastic day out and a wonderful exhibition of memorabilia from a much loved show.

If your are near the area , I’d definitely recommend paying a visit as the exhibition runs until the 3rd June.
So , what are you waiting for ?
You know it makes sense 😉