Rare Beatles photos on display in Poole

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Rare Beatles photos on display in Poole
Published February 13, 2012

Poole, England -- An exhibition of rare previously unpublished photographs of The Beatles in Bournemouth and Poole are on display on the top floor foyer at Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts, now through March 10th.

The exhibition features photographs, posters and stories from author Nick Churchill's recent publication Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Beatles & Bournemouth, the definitive account of the connections between the greatest rock 'n' roll group that ever was and a small town on the south coast of England. Did you know that the band played more shows at Bournemouth Gaumont than any other UK theatre outside London?

With stunning images of The Beatles taken in and around Bournemouth, photos licensed from Beatles Monthly and never-before-seen images of John Lennon's aunt Mimi at home in Sandbanks, the story is told using first-hand accounts from the people who were there, the fans, reporters, photographers, venue staff and musicians.

The exhibition features more than 40 photographs taken of the Fab Four when they appeared in Bournemouth in the 1960s, including Robert Freeman's iconic half-shadow photo that adorned the With The Beatles album sleeve which was taken in the restaurant at the Palace Court Hotel in Westover Road (now a Premier Inn) during the Beatles' week-long summer residency at the Gaumont in August 1963.
Other exhibition highlights include posters from Beatles shows at the Bournemouth Gaumont and Winter Gardens, plus a remarkable colour photograph of John Lennon by the Sandbanks Ferry in Poole with his Aunt Mimi and four-year-old son Julian.
Lighthouse are also hosting a Beatles Film Special on February 28th, with a screening of Richard Lester's classic A Hard Day's Night, which perfectly captures The Beatles in all their irreverent glory on the road to mega-stardom, while giving a real sense of Sixties London.
Nick Churchill comments, "Interest in The Beatles is as strong as ever and this part of the world played a significant part in their incredible story. The reaction to the book and these remarkable images has been astonishing and I'm really excited to see these photographs showcased in one of the south's premier arts venues."
Nick would love to hear new stories from anyone who saw The Beatles in Bournemouth and especially from people who met them.
"The links between this area and The Beatles are made even stronger by people's memories of seeing the Fab Four or meeting them," he says. "I'm sure there are lots more stories to be told by hotel and venue staff, fans or even passers-by who may have encountered John Lennon on a trip to Sandbanks to visit his Aunt Mimi."
Paul Tucker, Communications Officer for Lighthouse added, "Lighthouse is thrilled to have such an extraordinary exhibition in the building and it's incredible to see photographs of members of such an iconic group in such recognisable local locations like Sandbanks and Westover Road. The top floor foyer is an ideal space to display exhibitions and we are using it regularly now, with particular focus on work either by local artists or that has an interesting local connection."
Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Beatles & Bournemouth is published by Natula Publications, and will be available from Lighthouse ticket office shop or  www.beatlesandbournemouth.com.

The Beatles at the Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, November 1963 
Images © D.Robinson