Where did it all begin?

George and Kath Gunby began the event back in 1993, though Kath will no doubt say I have the date wrong! It was only planned to happen once but it's popularity decreed that it had to happen again, and then again, and again!!

So every November (and sometimes December!) the East Midlands Beatles Fair takes place in Nottingham. It is always on a Sunday but not always the same weekend, apologies to those who have turned up on the wrong day! - yes they have!!

It is now run by yours truly, and has been for the last six years. Apart from a few superficial changes the event is pretty much as George Gunby started it - much better though ha,ha.

Live music is one thing that sets this event apart from the others. Over the years we have had many great acts, The Fab4, Birthday, The Afterfabs, Sparky, Andy Birkett, The Beatless, 2 of The Quarrymen, The Beatles Experience, Mark James, the fantastic Macca look and sound-alike Lawrence Gilmour, what a day that was, he kept the audience spellbound with the story of how he had just been working with McCartney on a video. We have also had Rubber Soul, Mike and Gill the husband and wife duo who have appeared many times over the years and what a great sound they make. Dave Ravenscroft has joined in a few times with his guitar none better than when he played guitar to Blackbird whilst Lawrence Gilmour sang, super!! Though Dave no doubt still rates the day he joined Colin Hanton and Rod Davis of The Quarryman, to make yet another special Beatles Fair experience, as his best moment.

Guests are usually a little harder to get hold of, even when you think you have got them!!. Our most popular guest over the years has been the late Alistair Taylor, he was Brian Epstein's PA and was with him when they first saw the Beatles at The Cavern. Alistair worked with the Beatles right through to the end when he was General Manager of Apple. Other guests include Rod Davis of the Quarrymen, Harry Prytherch of the Remo Four, Julia Baird Lennon's half sister, Nigel Oliver office junior at Apple, and Alf Bicknell the Beatles driver.

Beatles Memorabilia is a big fascinating part of the Beatles Fair. Over the years values have shot up and it's much more difficult to get hold of original items. Usually at some point during the day someone will take you to one side and produce a handful of faded prints of themselves with one of the Beatles, or a signed LP, or even a cigarette packet signed by all 4 Beatles, fascinating to see. My favourite item was brought in by a lady called Margaret, a letter to her and her mum from John Lennon, handwritten and signed! I am still hoping the chap who rang me about 4 years ago asking if I was interested in some film of the Beatles in Nottingham will ring me back, yes, I am!!

It's great to have been a part of this event over the years but it does take a lot of organizing and financial worry. I am sure there are still lots of Beatle fans out there so come along and lets keep this event going, in fact lets make it even bigger!!