CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE BEATLES ’ MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR FILM
60TH BIRTHDAY BOYS GO WITHOUT PRESENTS TO BOOST LOCAL CHARITY
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE BEATLES ’ MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR FILM
60TH BIRTHDAY BOYS GO WITHOUT PRESENTS TO BOOST LOCAL CHARITY
The Beatles Story is celebrating 50 years since the release of The Beatles ’ Magical Mystery Tour film with the launch of an exciting new exhibit !
Magical Mystery Tour was first aired on British television on Boxing Day ( December 26 ) 1967 , as a 52-minute-long , largely improvised , surreal comedy film featuring the Fab Four and other guests . Paul McCartney wanted to create a film based upon the group and their music , in which various ‘ ordinary ’ people were to travel on a coach and take a journey of spontaneous ‘ magical ’ adventures . The film was poorly received by critics and audiences at the time , but the soundtrack , which included six new Beatles songs , released in the UK as an EP on 8th December 1967 , was a huge success , held only off the top spot by the band ’ s own single , ‘ Hello , Goodbye ’. The EP format was not considered viable in the US , so instead Capitol Records created an album by placing the six songs from the EP on side one and adding the band ’ s 1967 singles onto the other . The soundtrack spent eight weeks at number one in the US album charts and was nominated album of the year in 1968 . 1967 had certainly been a year of great achievement for The Beatles , considered by many to be at their most creative with the release of Sgt . Pepper ’ s Lonely Hearts Club Band in February , but it was also a year of sadness for the Liverpool band . Brian Epstein , The Beatles ’ manager , passed away on 27th August 1967 at the age of 32 , which delayed filming for Magical Mystery Tour and threw the band into uncertain times . This exciting new exhibit is now open at The Beatles Story and features revealing information , facts and figures about the Magical Mystery Tour film and soundtrack . Visitors will also be able to view the film on loop in its entirety through the window of a replica tour bus . It becomes a permanent fixture within the attraction ’ s Main Exhibition located on the UNESCO World heritage site at the Albert Dock , Liverpool . The Magical Mystery Tour film and soundtrack are available to purchase in multiple formats from the Fab4 Store , the perfect way to celebrate the film ’ s 50th anniversary this Christmas ... “ It turned out to be a wacky , impromptu romp that puzzled a few people at the time but as the years have gone by it now stands as a fond reminder of that period in our lives ”. – Sir Paul McCartney , 2012 .
Two friends from Ellesmere Port celebrated their 60th birthdays at a joint party recently and asked guests to donate to local charity Stick ‘ n ’ Step instead of splashing out on presents .
Mick O ’ Donnell and Dave Shaw have known each other since primary school and have remained close ever since , playing football , socialising and even working together . They held their birthday party at Ellesmere Port Labour Club and raised £ 700 for Stick ‘ n ’ Step , which has supported Dave ’ s 11 year old grandson George for seven years . George , who was born with cerebral palsy , has been attending Stick ‘ n ’ Step ’ s centre in Wallasey since shortly before his third birthday . When he first visited he was unable to walk without a walking frame and could only stand independently for short periods of time . He can now walk , run and jump independently , loves playing football and does not use walking aids . Dave ’ s wife Jane said , “ Mick had the fantastic idea of asking for donations to Stick ‘ n ’ Step instead of gifts . Our grandson George has been attending conductive education sessions there for many years and the progress he has made is amazing . George gave a short speech about Stick ‘ n ’ Step at the party and there was hardly a dry eye in the room ! The guests were incredibly generous and we are so grateful to them for contributing to the charity that has done so much for George .”
Stick ‘ n ’ Step offers support services to children with cerebral palsy and their families . The charity provides the children with totally free of charge conductive education sessions , allowing them to gain the skills they need to live independent lives . The charity has been established with a centre in Wallasey since 2002 and has recently opened a second centre in Runcorn . Hettie Miles , Corporate and Community Fundraiser for Stick ‘ Step ’ said , “ Our fundraisers are always thinking of innovative and different ways to raise money for us . This was a lovely gesture by George ’ s friends and family and we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated .”
Anyone who is interested in helping Stick ‘ n ’ Step should call the Wallasey centre on 0151 638 0888 . For more information on the charity , please go to : www . sticknstep . org . wirrallife . com 9