PETE Best was nowhere near Lydney Town Hall on that historic night in August, 1962. In fact those of us who were actually there never heard of him for a long period after that great night. Ringo Starr was very much there, drumming away behind John, Paul and George as they played some superb '12 Bar Blues' as well as their new record 'Love Me Do' which soon after reached the dizzy heights of the lower numbers of the Top Twenty.

What proof that it was Ringo?

Well I was there, along with the other Friday night afficianados of good Rock 'n Roll music. Not many of us I must reveal, because the Beatles were a new group on the scene, unlike some of the well-known names that were appearing at the Town Hall at that time and it was at the end of the summer holidays.

We were all gobsmacked at how much the Beatles were so different to what we were used to. They were a new broom and of course they soon swept away most of the old American stars and their British counterparts and started a new era of popular music. That musically talented and arbitor of good music, Pete 'Fiddy' Lane declared "These boys will go straight to the top" and how right he was.

During the interval the Beatles sat in the cafe on the side of the hall for a nice cup of tea and a fag and we crowded in near them.

Fiddy was there, of course, attempting to discuss their music with them and possibly offer some good advice. How far he got I can't remember, but they were friendly enough and spoke with Liverpuddlian accents that we were totally unfamiliar with in those days.

Everything about them was fresh. We also noted that George Harrison was sporting a lovely black eye. When pressed on how he got it, he just grinned.

The Fab Four stayed at the much lamented and missed Feathers Hotel that night and it was rumoured about the town in the next few days that the hotel chef took a shine to Ringo, who had to lock himself in his room to avoid him.

Happy days! Exciting times! Nostalgia's a wonderful thing. Thank you Lydney Town Hall, for bringing us the best in our youth. Long may you continue.

– John Belcher, Joyford.