ON THE eve of the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ one and only performance at Abergavenny Town Hall, one fan has shared her memories of that night.

Carol Paton, 67, was one of those lucky enough to see them play a 20-minute set on June 22, 1963, before they attended a civic reception by the then mayor of Abergavenny, Jack Thurston.

“I was 17 at the time and remember my mother going to the Abergavenny Thursdays’ football ground to see John Lennon arrive by helicopter,” recalled Mrs Paton, of Mardy.

“I was really excited to be going to the concert with my friends to see them, but Paul McCartney was my favourite. I had their records but never imagined I would see them or that they would come to Abergavenny.”

The Beatles, supported by local group The Fabulous Fortunes, took to the stage at 10.30pm and performed in front of 600 fans.

Grandmother-of-six Mrs Paton added: “In those days, they could take the seating away from the theatre floor and so we could stand at the front.

“There was a lot of screaming from the audience, but you could see and hear them playing. The atmosphere was electric. They weren’t really famous at the time, so we were lucky enough to see them at their only concert in Wales early in their career.”

Mrs Paton, who has performed on that same stage as a member of Abergavenny Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and also worked at the theatre box office until her retirement, said: “It was talked about in the town for a long time afterwards.

“It’s amazing to think it was 50 years ago and it’s wonderful that a Beatles weekend is being held.”

● As part of The Beatles weekend John Lennon’s original band, The Quarrymen, will perform at 7.30pm on June 21 at the Borough. On June 22, The Cavern Beatles will play all the hits at 7.30pm. Tickets from the box office or online at boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk

● Were you at that Beatles gig?

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