As well as the live music, events at the fete, tours, and the opportunity to stand where the Beatles began, visitors to the anniversary events will have the chance to meet people who have a personal connection with the Beatles, or with the events of July 6, 1957, and are happy to share their stories!

Members of John Lennon’s family will be attending the events on July 6, as will the famous 1960s’ photographer, Bill Zygmant, and all of the Quarrymen.  Some of the Quarrymen will be at St Peter’s for events from Friday to Sunday, and Richard Langham, the Abbey Road studio engineer who worked on Please Please Me, has promised to be around as much as he can.  Bill Zygmant is planning a return visit on Sunday too!

We’re still lucky enough to have people who attended the fete in 1957 as part of the St Peter’s Church family, and some of them will be around to share their stories with visitors too!  Pam and Alison were part of the retinue for the Rose Queen, while Jennie attended the fete and dance and has some interesting memories of John to share!  David, who auditioned for the Cathedral Choir at the same time as Paul (but David passed the audition!) also hopes to be in the hall from time to time to chat to visitors and share his memories!

We’ve also been contacted by other celebs who are hoping to turn up at some point during the anniversary celebrations.  So come along from July 5 – 9!  You never know who you might meet!

In 2015, the all-girl Japanese tribute band, The Blue Margarets visited St Peter’s Church Hall and treated us to a couple of songs.  It was a really special moment, and something that we will never forget!  Then, in April this year, Rika from the Blue Margarets wrote to us, saying this:

“I’m not good at English at all, so if they’re strange sentences, I’m sorry.  Singing at the church hall is my lifetime memories.  And I’d like to ask you today.  A friend of mine is a quilt master who loves the Beatles  She is making a lot of big quilt works with the motif of the Beatles.  She wants to display the quilt work at Liverpool’s “International Beatleweek”.  It is her big big dream!  Could you showcase quilt works at St Peter Church at this year’s “International Beatleweek”?  It is a request from my heart.”

Rika went on to say that her friend “loves the Beatles very much.  Her work is full of love for the Beatles and there is no doubt that it hits the hearts of the viewers.  There are requests from overseas as well as all over Japan, and it is exhibited in Korea and the USA.  But her dream is Liverpool!”

One of the most wonderful things about welcoming visitors to St Peter’s Church Hall is seeing the pleasure on their faces, and hearing them say that being in the place where it all began has made their dreams come true.  So how could we say no to Rika’s request?!  Well, we couldn’t!

This quilt is dedicated to all the “guitar kids” – and John and Paul were only kids when they met on July 6, 1957! It will be SUCH a privilege to have this on display in the Church Hall on the 60th anniversary of that very special day!

And so, from July 5 to 9, and again in August for International Beatleweek, St Peter’s will join with Japan as we share our love for the Beatles through these wonderful quilts.

Oh, and what makes this even more perfect?  The wonderfully, talented lady who poured her heart into this amazing quilts is called Yoko …

Pictures of Yoko’s work can be seen on her facebook group by clicking HERE but believe us when we say that the photos do not do them justice!  So please come along to St Peter’s Church Hall between July 5 – 9, and share in Yoko’s dream!

The Blue Margarets at St Peter’s Church Hall, August 2015

In honour of Paul’s 75th birthday, St Peter’s Church Hall will be open for visitors on Saturday June 17 from 10.30am to 3.30pm (FREE entrance!)

Enjoy the atmosphere of this historic place which is (with two minor exceptions) exactly the same as when Paul arrived to meet John on July 6, 1957 and ‘auditioned’ to join the Quarrymen, and stand on the spot where the Beatles truly began.

We will have special items of Church memorabilia on display, including of the robes worn by the Rose Queens for the Church fetes in the 1950s and 1960s.  Len Garry will be in the Hall from about 11am, with copies of his book and CDs for sale, and Colin Hanton is hoping to pop in too!

Previous visitors who have shared this special place include Joey Molland, Denny Seiwell and Bob Gruen! We hope that YOUR name will soon be in our Visitor’s Book too!

Other events celebrating paul’s birthday on June 18

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Penny Lane Development Trust are hosting a very special day of celebrations, starting at 12 noon on Sunday June 18, celebrating both Paul’s birthday and Father’s Day!  With The Quarrymen making a guest appearance and Cream Teas on offer, a splendid time is guaranteed for all!  Please go along and support this very worthy cause that does fabulous work for the local community!

Top Liverpool Beatle guide, Jackie Spencer, will be leading a special tour for Paul’s birthday.  There are only a few places remaining on what promises to be a very special day — Jackie always manages something special or unique for her tour guests!  For more details on Paul McCartney Day with Jackie, click HERE!

To finish the day’s celebrations, why not pop down to the Cavern Club where the Cavern’s very own resident ‘Paul McCartney’, the fabulous Tony Coburn, will be headlining PURE McCARTNEY!  Tickets, are available from the Cavern Club by clicking HERE and cost £15

#CelebrateCommunity  #StPeters60