“It was twenty years ago today….” Thus went the opening line of the Beatles song ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.’

Actually it was 60 years ago today, on June 15th 1963, that the Beatles made their one and only concert appearance in Salisbury to a sell out audience of 1,693.

The City Hall concert had been booked by the Beatles manager Brian Epstein and it was promoted by Jaybee Clubs for whom the Beatles had performed in 1962.

The Beatles 60th anniversary was not forgotten in Salisbury and last Friday a sold-out Arts Centre witnessed a diverse programme of events promoted by Wiltshire Creative and Salisbury History Festival. The programme included an exhibition of photographs taken by Peter Browne of Amesbury who in 1965, captured the ‘Fab Four’ during the filming of ‘Help’ on Salisbury Plain. The programme continued with the Salisbury Pluckers Ukulele Band, youngsters Jimmy Morgan and Lydia Brooks, Beatles tribute band ‘With the Beatles’ and an excellent presentation by Beatles historian, Jamie Hayes.

During his presentation Jamie informed us that: “Brian Epstein had agreed a fee of £300 for the show at Salisbury’s City Hall, but afterwards attempted to cancel the booking to enable The Beatles to appear on television instead.

Epstein’s offer of £200 to cancel the booking was promptly turned down by Jaybee’s Bill Reid who pointed out there was a signed contract - the

Beatles arrived by helicopter, having made the television appearance earlier in the day!”

This year is also the 60th anniversary of the City Hall which opened in 1963 as a multi-purpose civic hall, plus a memorial to the local men and women who had served, and to those who had lost their lives during World War II.

Over the years, the City Hall has hosted concerts by the most famous names in British music including The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and our own Dave Dee, Dosy, Beaky Mick and Tich.

Long may it continue….