review 2006





		Nottingham Beatle Fair Sunday 11 November 2007 Take a look at the day on video right here Video taken by me Take a look at photos of the day here Photos kindly lent by Jean & Barbara and Nicky - thanks very much Sunday saw history made when The Beatle Fair took place for the first time away from it's long time home of The Comfort Hotel. The Novotel at Long Eaton was the new venue. Would this modern hotel really work as a venue for The Beatle Fair? ..........YES, YES, YES!!!!!! The venue was great, even from the early planning stages back in March 2006 it was obvious the staff and management at Novotel took a personal interest in what I was doing. On the day they did a great job, nothing was too much trouble for them, thanks again. The fair opened at 10.30am with an immediate rush of Beatle Fans which was a welcome sight considering the changes. Let's face it I could have ended up with just me, the traders and the band! But no, the support was great, faces old and new. Phil Matthews was keeping everyone informed of events in his own style, the dealers seemed to be happy and my pile of admission tickets was fast going down. 11.30am PHIL AND DAVE hit the stage with a twenty minute spot all about the Beatles, now if this description of events sounds sketchy that's because I was busy selling tickets and have no idea what they did!! But I'm sure it was great. At 12.00 BEATLES EXPERIENCE gave us a specially constructed half hour of the Beatles 'Cavern Days' music. Dressed in leather from head to toe (I'm not going any further than that) they certainly looked the part and as ever they made a terrific sound, and of course they really enjoy it too!! Following on PHIL AND DAVE took to the stage again, (how brave!) and gave us a great five minutes of entertaining chat - pity they were on for twenty minutes!!! Then it was just after 1.00pm and time for those old stalwarts RUBBER SOUL. Mike and Gill were joined by Mike on drums and gave us there great versions of some classic Beatles hits. As ever Gill was very nervous but as ever she gave a great performance, though she still doesn't look much like McCartney to me?!! 2.00pm saw another favourite MARK JAMES giving us a half hour of Beatles classics done in his own wonderful style. As well as playing for free Mark does lots of promotion for the fair too, thanks a million Mark! All was going great at front of house, in fact around this time I actually sold out of tickets!! Or rather my new sidekick, Lyuda, did. Must thank Lyuda for doing a great job on the door allowing me to get some photos of the acts. Which brings me to a confession!! Did you know you can use a Canon D350 without a memory card? It takes shots just like normal but doesn't store them! - no I didn't know that either, but I do now!! so thats why I have had to beg for photos for this years review - oops! well at least the video was OK. So with over 150 people through the doors, all happy people!! it was time for the Raffle. As ever the BOOTLEG BEATLES had donated a pair of tickets for our good cause and George and Kath Gunby had donated lots of prizes. Thanks to a generous donation from BEATLES EXPERIENCE and a little profit from the day we raised £200 for MacMillan Cancer Carers. Thanks to you all. Here is the letter of thanks from MacMillan Then came 3.00pm and time for BEATLES EXPERIENCE to play their main set. Their wonderful stage set really made the day. A recreation of the Cavern stage, really set off the room brilliantly. They gave us an hour of great Beatles music, these guys really enjoy what they do and they do it great. I think they ran to FOUR encores, the room was packed, all seats taken and people having to crowd in and stand round the edge of the room. What a difference this move has made, lots of new faces too and I am overjoyed that the day had been a huge success, the best for years. All that was left was for me and Phil to do all the thankyou's and give out a few gifts to all the acts and everyone who had done so much to make the day such a great success All the best, see you next year, Chris Raisin 2007 THANKS TO; (Sorry if I miss anyone) Thanks to all the acts - Beatles Experience, Mark James, Gill Mike and Mike, and Dave Ravenscroft of course. Thanks to Phil Matthews and his yellow jacket Thanks to the Beatles Experience sound guys, great job - and the guy on keybords too! Thanks to George and Kath Gunby for doing the Macmillan Cancer Relief Prize Draw Thanks for charity donations: Beatles Experience, Bootleg Beatles and George & Kath Gunby. Thanks to the Novotel, Armand and all the staff Thanks to Mark James for publicity work Thanks to Nina Douglas for publicity work (still managed to make it despite her cold) Thanks to the Traders many who helped with publicity On a more personal note Thanks to Lyuda, for putting up with my rants and raves (its not easy organising this thing!) and for all the support and help she gave me. Thanks to George and Kath Gunby - for everything Thanks to Phil Mathews and Laura - for MC'ing and helping Thanks to Dave Ravenscroft - for joining in and helping out Thanks to Steve and Rob, publicity Thanks to Martin (business partner) for allowing me to use panels and make prints. Thanks to Winston O'Boogie - thoroughly nice chap!! Thanks to Nina - for being there Thanks to all who supported the charity Thanks to all who came along and supported the Beatle Fair And of course thanks to The Beatles!!.