Unique Mike McCartney photographs go on display at Strawberry Field, Liverpool

 

Strawberry Field Liverpool is excited to announce the opening of Mike McCartney’s photographic journey of the Strawberry Field redevelopment, ahead of his book launch later this year.  

 

Known professionally as Mike McGear, Mike is an outstanding performing artist and rock photographer who was a member of the groups The Scaffold and Grimms.   

 

Mike was persuaded by Lady Judy Martin to chronicle the redevelopment of Strawberry Field. This is his story: 

 

"I was asked by the Salvation Army...well mainly by Lady Judy Martin OBE actually (or Jude as I affectionately call her) to record the demolition of the old Strawberry Field homes and the rebuild of a brand new facility on the same site. At first I was reticent, as it was my brother's group that made the Strawberry Field song famous...not my Scaffold comedy group, but when I discovered the amazing work that the Sally Army (as I affectionately call them) quietly get on with, I agreed to undertake the 2 to 3 year task! The trouble was how do you make the bashing down of old houses and the building of a new bricks & mortar one interesting to the public?! Well...here's a start ! with this mini-exhibition of images to whet your appetite...hope you(s) enjoy! and hope u enjoy the Cafe, and the  Shop...AND the gorge gardens with the original Red Gates! ps if you see a lone Scouser roaming round the grounds in a mask...it's not the Lone Ranger, or Donald Trump...it's ME! Don't 4get to say hello!” said Mike *McGear McCartney BEM  

 

Kathleen Versfeld, Mission Director at Strawberry Field said:  

 

“We are blessed to have the support of such wonderful people as Lady Martin and Mike McCartney. I know our visitors will be delighted to see Mike’s photographs. We can’t wait for the full collection to be made available in his planned book.” 

 

A special exhibition featuring some of Mike’s photographs will go on display in the Strawberry Field centre, alongside the visitor exhibition. The exhibition covers the interwoven stories of the Salvation Army, the children’s home, John Lennon’s childhood and the writing of Strawberry Fields Forever. The addition of the Mike McCartney photographs will offer a unique opportunity to visitors, with a never before seen insight into the redevelopment of the current site. Mike’s book, filled with an inspiring collection of images, will go on sale later this year. 

 

As a special offer to celebrate the re-opening, Strawberry Field’s visitor experience is priced at £7.00 per person until the end of September and under 16’s accompanied by an adult go free. NHS workers and a guest can also visit free of charge. Visitors will be guided around the stunning interactive exhibition where “Nothing is Real” using interactive media guides. The tour continues into the magical gardens where John played as a child, allowing visitors the opportunity to explore, unwind and dream in the place, which inspired one of the 20th century’s greatest songwriters.  

 

All funds generated by the visitor experience go towards funding a Steps to Work programme for young people with learning difficulties and other barriers to employment. 

 

To ensure safety during this time of Covid-19, visits to Strawberry Field must be booked in advance on www.strawberryfieldliverpool.com

It's in the post! Issue 74 Arriving Soon!

The August 2020 BBFC Magazine Issue 74 is has been posted to subscribers.

We promise it will help to keep you entertained while you are stuck at home social distancing! If is crammed with good reading to keep you entertained.

Remember that membership in the British Beatles Fan Club makes a wonderful gift that keeps on giving all year long with four quarterly issues of the magazine included in membership. Click here for membership details.

Non-members can order a copy of the magazine from our website here.


                                                                      Issue 74 (August 2020) includes:

The Beatles A Day In The Life Tribute to Astrid Kirchherr Media Watch Beatles Not For Sale The Beatles Live at the BBC - a fan favourite The Beatles and their Apple Artists John Lennon and Bermuda Songs They Gave Away There Are Places I Remember Wonderwall music & movie Try Some, Buy Some-New Releases When was the last time you played that Fab Four on DVD Paperback Writer Ringo - Early 1970 Beatle Boots Offers and Discounts As I Write This Letter Great Photo of the Month

The Beatles in Bedfordshire

 Neil Turner wrote "I've been reading several Beatles bios and came across McCartney's visit to the village of Harrold in June 1968, where he debuts Hey Jude to a dentist and his family.

I made a short film which tells the story and retraces the journey to and through the village."

Arriving Soon - Issue 74

Coming soon - the August 2020 BBFC Magazine Issue 74 is at the printers and will be posted soon to subscribers.

We promise once it reaches you, it will help to keep you entertained while you are stuck at home social distancing! If is crammed with good reading to keep you entertained.

Remember that membership in the British Beatles Fan Club makes a wonderful gift that keeps on giving all year long with four quarterly issues of the magazine included in membership. Click here for membership details.

Non-members can order a copy of the magazine from our website here.


                                                                      Issue 74 (August 2020) includes:

The Beatles A Day In The Life Tribute to Astrid Kirchherr Media Watch Beatles Not For Sale The Beatles Live at the BBC - a fan favourite The Beatles and their Apple Artists John Lennon and Bermuda Songs They Gave Away There Are Places I Remember Wonderwall music & movie Try Some, Buy Some-New Releases When was the last time you played that Fab Four on DVD Paperback Writer Ringo - Early 1970 Beatle Boots Offers and Discounts As I Write This Letter Great Photo of the Month

DISCOVERY UK IS LOOKING FOR BEATLES COLLECTORS

Are you a Beatles memorabilia collector? Was John one of your favourites?  Discovery UK is creating an exciting new series about collecting and sharing memories, and want to hear your stories. We'd love to hear from men... but also, are there any women collectors out there?  If this sounds like you, please don't hesitate to get in touch to find out more.

Contact: Caroline - carolinebacle@gmail.com

Opportunity for Artists and Animators

Call out to artists and animators to submit works for Here There & Everywhere, The Beatles fan film

As some of you may know there has been a huge social project going on over the past 4 years culminating in a documentary called Here There & Everywhere, which is the ultimate love letter from Beatles fans to the band. Directed by Simon Weitzman and edited by fellow fan, Andy Lee, the Fan Film project will finally be released in 2021.

However, this is a call to arms from the makers of the film to all artists and animators in The Beatles fan family. They want you to get in touch with them to submit your artwork of the FAB4, both as a band and individually throughout their careers to be included in the film. All used submissions will be credited.

They are also looking for animator fans who want to showcase their work and submit anything from 5 to 15 seconds of animation, again to be credited and used in the final film. With individual artworks they need to be submitted at high resolution via www.wetransfer.com to simon@badhalo.com and Simon will acknowledge receipt. The production will be working with The British Beatles Fan Club to work with artists on specific briefs via updates. Submissions can start now and will be accepted until the end of November 2020.

Fans can learn more about the film at https://www.facebook.com/HTAEBEATLESFANFILM and through regular updates here, so keep a look out.

Your Own Personal Beatles - New Podcast

Let us introduce to you…

A brand new podcast about THE BEATLES hosted by veteran podcaster JACK PELLING and musician and comedian, ROBIN ALLENDER.

YOUR OWN PERSONAL BEATLES explores our personal relationship with the greatest band of all time. How were they so good? Why are they still so important half a century on? And did they even really exist?

In the first series, Jack and Robin will talk to guests including comedian, ELIS JAMES, one of the UK’s most successful song writers and producers GUY CHAMBERS, epidemiologist and author of Say Why to Drugs, DR SUZI GAGE, Liam Gallagher’s keyboard player, CHRISTIAN MADDEN, and Welsh multi-instrumentalist and former member of Simple Minds, CATHERINE ANNE DAVIES aka THE ANCHORESS.

JACK PELLING works in television and has produced a number of podcasts over the last 10 years, including the film show CELLULOID HEROES. He has reviewed films on BBC RADIO LONDON and has been Beatles-obsessed for over three decades.

ROBIN ALLENDER is a musician and comedian. He has collaborated with numerous artists and has also released music under his own name. He has toured with YANN TIERSON and played with bands including GRAVENHURST, FELIX and THE REVIVAL HOUR, and as a stand-up comedian, recently supported JOHN ROBINS on tour, including a date at the Hammersmith Apollo.

YOUR OWN PERSONAL BEATLES is available on all podcasting platforms soon, with new episodes released every week. They are also on social media @PersonalBeatles on Twitter and Instagram.

YOUR OWN PERSONAL BEATLES is a Homespun Sounds production and is produced by Jack Pelling with artwork by Morgan Ritchie.

“People get fiercely protective about their personal Beatles. How can we keep hearing our own secrets in these songs? How can they be the world’s most passionately beloved band, yet still weirdly underrated? And how is there so much life in the music? Oh, unTimely life. ”

Rob Sheffield