Britannia Show - next show March 18
The Britannia Medal Fair has been in existence, in one form or another, for over 25 years and is now firmly established as a favourite on the "circuit". Unlike so many other fairs up and down the country every weekend Britannia is a purist medal show, you won't find any guns, ammunition, knives, helmets or uniforms on offer at Britannia - just medals, medals and more medals - maybe with a few books on medals thrown in too!
Held in the Carisbrooke Hall at the Victory Services Club (VSC), Seymour Street, London (just off Marble Arch) the fair was taken over by the MEDAL NEWS team in March 2009 after the previous organisers decided to call it a day. The inaugural show was a great success and it looks like Britannia is back with a vengeance. Currently there are plans for two shows a year - one in March and one in November - although that may change in the future - check back on this page for updates!
Many people have argued that in this day and age - with so much being traded on the internet - the Medal Fair is a relic of the past - why bother getting up early and making a tiring journey when you can collect from the comfort of your home? That may be true but for many there can be no substitute for getting out there and actually handling the medals before you buy them. There can be no substitute for examining the medals first hand, checking the naming, feeling their weight, just "knowing" that they are right. You can't get that feeling from a picture on a screen or a description in a catalogue, you only get it by being there with the medals - there really isn't a substitute for actually holding that little piece of history in your hands. Of course there's no real substitute for actually meeting, and talking to, fellow collectors either. Other media are great for keeping in touch but nothing beats that face to face time with people just as crazy about this hobby as you are!
The Britannia show is a fantastic place to come and meet some of those crazy people - with free parking in most of the side streets on a Sunday and easy access from Marble Arch tube it's not a chore to get to and the catering facilities are excellent (or there are pubs and restaurants close by where you can grab a bite to eat the cuisine at the VSC doesn't appeal!) Ex and current servicemen and women can also avail themselves of the Club's facilities at preferred rates if they so wish - so why not come down the night before? Apparently they have and fabulous breakfast on offer!
Britannia is the MEDAL NEWS show for MEDAL NEWS readers - together we can make it a great success - we hope to see you there - check our news page for dates and lists of dealers attending.
The provisional date for the next show is Sunday March 18 2012 starting at 9.30am and ending at 2.00pm- see you there
Medal News Headlines
- Missing Miniatures?Tues, 31 January 2012
Did you serve in Cyprus then go on to Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Yugoslavia? Did you get this impressive length of service rewarded with an LSGC? Do you live in the Carlisle area? If the answer is yes to all of these do you still have your medals? The miniatures at least? If you don't then it a
- A group reunitedMon, 30 January 2012
- Ignorance is bliss?
SITTING down one Sunday evening to watch BBC1’s new drama Sherlock (apologies to those outside the UK who may not know what I’m talking about—essentially it’s a modern day rewriting of the classic Sherlock Holmes and is really rather good), I was somewhat put out to fi - Desert HeroTues, 29 November 2011
A medal conundrum
EARLY in November it was announced that at long last the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal has been approved for British servicemen to wear—bringing them on equal terms with their Australian and New Zealand counterparts. This follows a long battle by, and on behalf of
- Services Rendered Volume V - Yeomanry and CavalryTues, 22 November 2011
The fifth voilume of this incredible series detailing the Silver War Badges of World War I is now available. This latest tome, priced at £20 again, covers all those badges awarded to members of the Cavalry and Yeomanry - it is available from our shop!
- A big thank youMon, 21 November 2011
To all those who made the last Britannia Medal fair of the Year on Sunday November 20 such a success - we had a fantastic turn out of both dealers and collectors and I think everyone enjoyed themselves! The next one is scheduled for March 18 2012 - watch this space....!!