From 7.30pm to 11pm on Friday July 7, St Peter’s Church Hall will echo once again to Merseybeat as we host a party that celebrates the importance and magic of community, as well as the 60th anniversary of the day that John met Paul!
And YOU are invited!
Join the people of Woolton village as we gather to celebrate the legacy of that famous meeting and its importance to us today. We’ll travel back to the 1950s and early 1960s as we dance to two sets of fabulous live music from The Shakers — Liverpool’s premier beat merchants and Cavern Club resident Merseybeat band!
Tickets for our Community Celebration cost £15 and can be bought from the Beatles Shop, 31 Mathew Street (cash sales only) or by contacting us at beatlesatstpeters@gmail.com
Places are strictly limited, though! So get your tickets soon to ensure that you don’t miss out on this chance to dance to the fabulous music of the late 1950s and early 1960s, and relive those special days that witnessed the birth of the Beatles and the glorious heyday of Merseybeat!
A free buffet will be provided but please note that no drinks are included. Soft drinks will be available to buy on the night, but, due to licensing restrictions, alcohol cannot be sold. You are welcome to bring your own drinks of any kind, though!
We hope you can join us as we gather to celebrate 60 years of local community in St Peter’s Church Hall! Get your tickets now!
Exciting news from Richie the Ranger! Woolton Picture House was, of course, a favourite place of John’s in his youth and is much-loved by local residents today. Richie’s films/talks are always hugely popular and this promises to be a very special performance on a very special day!
“I will be staging a screening of the Beatles first film ” A Hard Days Night” on Wed 5th July at 12.00 noon.
This fabulous film will be screened at Liverpool’s oldest cinema, The Woolton Picture House, where one can relax in comfort and revel in the nostalgia of this fantastic musical journey.
Released on 6th July 1964, this is still regarded as one of the top 100 best british films ever released and truly captures the magic and talent of the early days of the group.
Experience the Beatles on the big screen, performing hits such as
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the Mersey Harmony Singers will be joining the celebrations and performing in St Peter’s Church Hall on Friday July 7 at 2pm!
Mersey Harmony are an all- female a capella chorus who sing in barbershop close four part harmony. They were formed in 1976 and attract singers of all ages and from all walks of life, but who share a common love of singing. They were founding members of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers, and have been competing nationally and internationally for the past 40 years.
We are both excited and privileged that they will be performing in the Church Hall as part of our celebration of the day that John met Paul and the importance of community. Entry to the concert is FREE, so please join us for what promises to be a very special afternoon of music from a local community group!
In the meantime, check out this fabulous youtube link of the Mersey Harmony ladies singing at the LABBS Convention last year!
For more information on Mersey Harmony, visit the website by clicking HERE, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter
Ellie Wilde contemplating John’s connection with St Peter’s Church
It is a little known fact that John Lennon once tried his hand at bell-ringing at St Peter’s Church in his youth. The current Tower Captain at St Peter’s, Nick Willasey, told us that: “John Lennon did attend a couple of bell-ringing practices around 1957 – but didn’t take it up, as the then Tower Captain suggested that bell-ringing may not be for him, as John was not keen on doing what he was instructed to do!” Nick went on to add that “John would have been taught on Bell Number 3.”
The exciting news for visitors to the Church during the anniversary is that the Bell Tower will be open for tours during the celebrations, and visitors will be invited to have a go at bell-ringing themselves on the historic Bell Number 3!
Full details for the Bell Tower tours have yet to be confirmed, but we are delighted to announce that it will be open to visitors on Wednesday July 5 and Thursday July 6 for three one-hour slots:
1000-1100
1200-1300
1400-1500
Once up the tower there will be flyers about the history of the tower and bells and recruitment, and an opportunity to hear about bells and bellringing with some ringers as well, of course, as the opportunity to ring Bell Number 3!
There are occasions when the words “thank you” will never be enough to express the full extent of a person’s gratitude. Today, for all of us at St Peter’s Church, is one of those days, as we attempt to express our thanks to the Hard Day’s Night Hotel.
As we were planning the events for Sunday July 9, we realised that there might be a slight problem for those people who wished to attend the whole day. With the Church service beginning at 10.30am, and the party not finishing until at least 4pm, we knew that everyone would be faced with the choice of either going hungry or missing out on some of the fun while they went in search of their Sunday dinner! However, the only way that the Church could provide refreshments would also involve charging an entry fee — and that’s the last thing that we want to do!
The Lennon Suite, Hard Day’s Night Hotel
Well, thanks to the wonderful people at the Hard Day’s Night hotel, our dilemma may have been at least partially resolved! Through the exceedingly generous support of the hotel, we will be able to offer snacks to all our visitors that day completely free of charge!
We, at St Peter’s Church are so very grateful for this wonderful gesture of support, and not only because it makes it possible for us to continue to welcome visitors to share in the celebrations without having to charge an entrance fee. It also represents and reflects the hotel’s belief in the importance of St Peter’s Church in the history and the legacy of the Beatles, and that means the world to us.
thank you from all at st peter’s to the hard day’s night hotel!
“With a little help from our friends … ” Thank you, Hard Day’s Night Hotel!
With a theme of ‘past, present and future’ for the final day of our anniversary celebrations, as well as our emphasis on the importance of community, there can be no-one better to take us back into the past and to the day that it all began than the Woolton-based group, Rob Clarke and the Wooltones!
Forgoing their trademark ‘60s psych Mersey style pop, Rob and the band will don checked shirts to play a full one-hour skiffle set that will feature many of the songs John and The Quarrymen played back in 1957. In doing so, they will truly take us back to that moment with another local lad and his mates played skiffle here at St Peter’s Church before heading out to change the world!
Rob and the Wooltones will feature in the grande finale of the anniversary celebrations, taking place in St Peter’s Church Hall from approximately 1pm to 4pm (a more detailed schedule will be available nearer the time, so watch this space). Admission is free and refreshments will provided, so please join us for what promises to be an unforgettable and fabulous event!
We were absolutely delighted when Rob and the band, the appropriately named Wooltones, agreed to take part of the anniversary celebrations, and we cannot thank them enough. As well as playing down the Cavern for the past three years as part of the IPO Festival, Rob also recorded in Nashville with Neil Young producer Elliot Mazer last year and his music features regularly here on the BBC and on USA radio.
Rob and the Wooltones have attracted attention worldwide and their current Album ‘Are You Wooltoned?’ was New Jersey label Kool Kat Musik’s 2016 best seller and featured in various 2016 best release lists all over the planet including Goldmine Magazine.
To understand why we’re so delighted with this news, check out the video of their recent track, “Brown Paper Bag,” and some of their many great reviews!
‘Rob Clarke And The Wooltones are from Woolton (Get It?), a suburb of Liverpool. Pure Merseybeat… It’s brilliant to note that the spirit of Scouse Pop isn’t dead and this compilation is certainly one of the better releases that I’ve heard this year’ – I Don’t Hear a Single Blog
‘A moment of pop majesty that has all the feel of the golden age of Liverpool’s dominance over the pop world but firmly sits in its 21st Century renaissance’ – Liverpool Sound and Vision
‘Rob Clarke and the Wooltones are the real deal, or as close as you possibly can get to it at this point’ – Audio Ammunition
For more on the band, including how Rob first met and was impressed by the Wooltones after both acts were on the same bill for a successful concert to help save the landmark local cinema when Rob played a folk song he had written specifically, called ‘Save Woolton Cinema’, check out the band’s website!
We are delighted that the Cavern Club will be working in partnership with St Peter’s Church and Bishop Martin School to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the day that John met Paul on July 6, 1957, at our Church fete. The involvement of the Cavern in our anniversary celebrations on July 6 2017 reflects the importance of St Peter’s Church in the history and heritage of the Beatles, and we are thrilled that they are able to share our special day.
In addition to all the fabulous events included in the Cavern announcement, the Church Hall will be open on July 6 from 10am to 3pm, with free admission, live music and refreshments.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
Announcement from Cavern City Tours/the Cavern Club
On 6 July 1957, 60 years ago this summer, John Lennon and his band The Quarrymen followed a marching band through the streets of Woolton to play at the annual St. Peter’s Garden Fete. That afternoon he met Paul McCartney and together they went on to change the face of music forever. This year, on 6 July 2017, 60 years to the day, we will be celebrating the anniversary of The Quarrymen’s performance at the Fete, and the day John met Paul. We will step back in time to replicate the Fete and the Grand Dance at the Church Hall. This will be a community collaboration with the Church and Bishop Martin School where the original Fete took place. All the elements of a typically English garden fete will be celebrated, including the children’s fancy dress party, the Crowning of the Rose Queen and the procession of The Quarrymen on a flat back lorry through the village. Amongst the many attractions will be games, cake sales, refreshments, and much more and, of course, dancing to the music of The Quarrymen and other artists.
10 years into the future, the 1967 Summer of Love, another marching band was born. 2017 also celebrates the 50th anniversary of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It’s safe to say that The Beatles may not have happened if it had not been for the 6 July 1957 – the Day John Met Paul.
Please bring your friends along and help us celebrate this historic day, and dress in 1950s style if you want to, be as authentic as you dare! Entry to the event will be by purchase of a programme on the day. You can just walk up and pay; no ticketing in advance is required. Tickets for the Grand Dance in the evening will go on sale, online, sometime in early June, so watch this space. It will be a fabulous day for everyone with Satisfaction is guaranteed!!!
For further information contact jean@thecavernliverpool.com
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the final event in our anniversary celebrations, on Sunday July 9, will feature a special appearance by the BabyFaced Beatles!
c. Liverpool Echo
The boys recently brought the house down when they appeared at the League of Welldoers’ variety benefit concert in the Philharmonic Hall, and we were so excited when they agreed to be part of our anniversary celebrations.
These boys — Louis, 11, Jay, 12, Killian, 11 and Harry, 11 – and others like them are the real legacy of the momentous events that took place at St Peter’s Church on July 6, 1957. The future of live Beatles music rests on their young shoulders, and there can be no better way of ending our celebration of the moment when it all began, in the place where it all began, than with a performance from the boys who represent the future.
The boys are also the epitome of the theme of our celebrations – the importance of community.
c. Liverpool Echo
It was a community event at our Church that led to a moment of magic; one that is still inspiring youngsters like the BabyFaced Beatles today – bringing out the best in the boys as well as bringing pleasure to so many people whenever and wherever they play. That is our true legacy, and one that we are both privileged and humbled to celebrate this year.
So please join us from 1pm on Sunday July 9 as we finish our celebrations of the day that John met Paul at St Peter’s Church with a special performance from the BabyFaced Beatles!
(Watch this space for more details of other events that will form part of the final day of our celebrations of the day that John met Paul.)
We are delighted to be part of this year’s International Beatle Week, and we can’t wait to welcome all Beatleweek visitors to St Peter’s Church on Saturday August 26! The main event that afternoon will be held on the field that is now part of Bishop Martin School playing field from 12 noon and is available to anyone who has purchased one of the Beatle Week packages.
Full details of how to buy a package, as well as this and all Beatle Week events can be found on the official IBW website — https://www.internationalbeatleweek.com/
Cavern City Tours has announced that this year will be the last International Beatle Week on such a scale and it seems fitting that one of the events is being held at the place where it all began! Click here for details of “John and Paul: It was Fete” at St Peter’s Church.
In addition to the official IBW event at Bishop Martin School, the Church Hall will be open throughout Beatle Week, including Saturday August 26 (10am – 6pm), with free admission to everyone!
We look forward to once again welcoming the world to St Peter’s Church during International Beatle Week 2017!
It is our great pleasure and privilege to announce that Beatle Week favourites, THE PRELLIES, will be performing at St Peter’s Church Hall on Saturday July 8 as part of our anniversary celebrations!
c. The Prellies
Entry is FREE, so make sure you join us for what promises to be a major highlight of our anniversary celebrations!
Fans of the Prellies will be familiar with the band’s great sense of humour as well as their musical talent and so we’re going to leave it to the Prellies to make the full announcement in their own inimitable style!
c. Alix Brown
“Formed in 2002, the Prellies have bemused and confused Beatle Week audiences ever since with their combination of rock and roll from the late ’50s and early ’60s, terrible personal hygiene and dreadful sense of humour.
In 2012 Prellies fans feared that the band had pawned their guitars and drum sticks, had a nice soapy bath and waved goodbye to Liverpool for the last time. But the temptation to play at the Church Hall, where John and Paul first met and went on to inspire so many musicians, was too great! Says Trev, “I wasn’t born at the time John met Paul, or even just after he met him, but if I had been, I would almost definitely have been there. I wouldn’t have missed summat that important.”
c. Alix Brown
And so on Saturday July 8, from 1.30pm, Trev Prellie, Gaz Evans, Julian Heath and Steve Panter (a Beatleweek legend and Chris Prellie approved drummer) will come together again to amaze and amuse us all! They’ve polished their sparkly Danelectros and changed into their best clean underpants (except for Trev, who has just turned his inside out).
During the half time interval, while the other Prellies enjoy their Terry’s chocolate orange segments and Um Bongo, Trevor will be performing his self penned one man musical play, ‘The day when John met Paul’.”
Announcement from Cavern City Tours/the Cavern Club
St Peter's Church, Woolton: History and Heritage 