IT WAS a very young quartet of musicians who travelled down the A49 to the Forest of Dean on Friday August 31 1962.

Headed for Lydney Town Hall came John, Paul, George and the newly recruited Ringo: The Beatles were embarking on their first tour as a band with a recording contract – having been signed to Parlophone records by George Martin the previous May.

Much talked about, their performance at the Town Hall that night has firmly planted itself in the folklore of the Forest – though trying to find someone who was actually there can prove more difficult...

August 31 this year marks 50 years to the day since the Fab Four dragged their tiny amplifiers onto the Lydney stage, and the anniversary is to be commemorated by a special concert by top-tribute band The Counterfeit Beatles – as part of a campaign to re-launch the venue.

The newly-formed Lydney Town Hall Management Committee has taken over the running of the hall from the Town Council.

Chairman Colin Knight said: "Re-launching the hall as the centre of social life in Lydney is our goal and I really couldn't think of a better way to bring together the Hall's past with its future.

"The Management Committee has taken over the running of the hall with the aim of revitalising it and re-establishing it. We need to raise a significant amount of money to maintain the Hall for its owners – the people of Lydney – and fund-raising events like this are the ideal way."

The Counterfeit Beatles are rated as one of the top Beatles tribute acts, having headlined festivals throughout the world, they have even been booked by Liam Gallagher of Oasis to play at one of his A-list celebrity parties.