How EasyFrame built an enduring relationship with 'Only Fools and Horses' fans
By Paul Dunwell, writing for EasyFrame
© Copyright EasyFrame 2019
What this article is about
The Zanna brothers are pretty astute businessmen. Nobody would have blamed Nick if, wearing his commercial head, he had made a beeline for a fan club serving the nation's obsession with a legendary British comedy. Surely the 'Only Fools and Horses' fan club would have signed memorabilia and merchandise galore to frame? Yet the relationship between the Zanna brothers and their Trotter counterparts is almost accidental. It has more to do with an understandable obsession than with profit, and it is worth recounting.
How it all started
Nick has been an 'Only Fools and Horses' fan for a quarter of a century. Back in 1994 he wrote to the BBC to cadge some autographs. In those days Auntie was quick to oblige, and the obsession was fuelled. In 1996 he used Yahoo (yes, it had already been invented) to find a fan club run by Perry Aghajanoff, who has spent decades cultivating great relationships with the cast.
Nick dragged his brother Rob in, and the two turned up on set to watch an episode being filmed. That led to a growing friendship with Perry, the big cheese of the 'Only Fools and Horses' appreciation society, and from 2009 with Craig Wood, the other mover and shaker, a full-time logistician with another business to run. Craig is credited with much of the success of an annual event that has gone from strength to strength, and has done a lot to refine it over the last couple of years. This year's convention, always held in October after 9 months of organising, sold out in minutes. See https://www.ofah.net/blog/only-fools-convention-2019/ for details of the one you've probably just (damn, damn, damn) missed.
How the conventions evolved
This year's convention was in Sharnbrook, near Bedford. Over the years it has been a moveable feast that has landed in Southend, Basingstoke, Bristol, Margate and elsewhere.
Twenty-five years ago the conventions ran for one gruelling 12-hour day in big sports venues, with 2,000 tickets. The crowds needed a police presence, hundreds of seats for those resting from the autograph queues, mass catering and all the liabilities of a large gathering, and there was hardly any profit in it. After the 2016 event at the Kia Oval, Surrey County Cricket Club's ground, Perry and Craig cannily made the events more compact and exclusive, and so more manageable.
They feel the experience is now better than ever. The atmosphere is family-oriented, with lots of youngsters attending with parents who once came as kids themselves. As fans, the organisers value that.
Patronage and Del Boy's blessing
David Jason and his colleagues were understandably wary of the fan base at first. In all probability the actors didn't fully recognise what a classic they, and the genius of the writer John Sullivan, had created. As time went by they good-humouredly lent their support. This year John Challis (Boycie) and Sue Holderness (Marlene) turned up to sign hundreds of items with a smile, and Jason regularly signs items for Perry.
Not all the cast will ever be at the conventions. Fortunately there are some great lookalikes, and many fans love to pose for photographs with them.
How Nick and EasyFrame got involved in the framing
Nick has been involved commercially since 1998, and that too was almost accidental. The two had known each other for years before Perry asked what he did for a living. When Nick admitted to his expertise, Perry pointed out that his skills and resources might be a blessing, given the vast number of items convention-goers needed framing.
There must have been thousands since. They have ranged from Del Boy's 'titfer' (his hat, which needed a very deep frame) to the mobile phone he was using when he got its aerial up his nose. There have been shirts galore, countless scripts, and even scale models of Denzil's lorry, driven in the series by the actor Paul Barber. Anything can be framed, and box frames present no problems. With the growing value of such memorabilia in mind, EasyFrame can use materials that are effectively fireproof and make theft difficult.
The future, and a surprise planned for Leap Day 2020
Craig and Nick are cagey about next year's convention, but they anticipate a huge treat for fans in the meantime.
There is likely to be a special one-off event at which one of the principal actors will, for the first time, meet members and sign memorabilia. It is pencilled in for February 29th 2020. The location is not yet confirmed, and Craig and Nick will share full details as soon as it's all signed off.
If you want to join in with that event or the annual convention, set your alarms for the release of next year's tickets.
Conclusion
EasyFrame has, really by accident, become the preferred supplier for one of television's most bankable assets. Its resources make it a natural choice for other fan clubs that would like to offer their members affordable, high-quality frames.
This year the hosts were the Ciampi family (Ciro Ciampi is Nick and Rob's cousin), who own the opulent Sharnbrook Hotel. Any club looking for a great location for its own conventions could do worse than have a chat with Nick.
To contact Nick about 'Only Fools and Horses', framing, or how he or EasyFrame could support another fan club, email nick.zanna@googlemail.com. To contact Craig Wood, email craigwood@onlyfools.net.
And if you are framing anything precious, whether a memento of a great comedy or something entirely different, it's always worth going straight to a professional framer like EasyFrame for advice. EasyFrame is on 01234 856 501 and sales@EasyFrame.co.uk.