Fab Four's 'Holy Grail' performance takes centre stage

THE Liverpool's British Music Experience (BME) is set to screen astonishing missing believed wiped tapes from television performances from The Beatles and other legendary acts. On Saturday, 24 August 2019, the Cunard Building venue will showcase what has been hailed as the:- 'Holy Grail' of lost tapes which contains footage of the only ever live appearance of The Beatles on Top of the Pops on 6 June 1966. 

Harvey Goldsmith CBE, Chair of the BME Trustees, said:- "We are delighted to be working with Kaleidoscope and to be part of screening these exciting glimpses into our musical past. There is no better place to do it than in the heart of Liverpool at the BME surrounded by artefacts, stage outfits and memorabilia from 70 years of our shared popular music history."

The screening has been made possible thanks to a partnership with the Kaleidoscope Archive which specialises in recovering video and TV shows. Coinciding with International Beatles Week, this will be the first showing in the City for more than 50 years, after the footage was recently unearthed and restored. It was believed only an 11 second, silent clip existed which was discovered in April 2019, by a collector in Mexico. However, another collector and music enthusiast, David Chandler, contacted Kaleidoscope, and handed over a series of 8mm film reels.

Chris Perry, Chief Executive of Kaleidoscope, said:- "Kaleidoscope thought finding 11 seconds of Paperback Writer was incredible, but to then be donated 92 seconds and 9 minutes of other 1966 Top of the Pops footage; was phenomenal. Finding lost television is like forensic archaeology. You find the clues and follow the trail. Found in Austria, this missing videotape is pure Top of the Pops magic. However, Kaleidoscope didn't expect to uncover a 'lost' original cutting copy of the Beatles promotional film for Something, buried deep within it. Shown only once on Top of the Pops, this previously unknown promo edit is a truly remarkable treasure for Beatles fans everywhere. We are delighted to work in partnership with the BME to showcase the lost tapes. There's no point in finding the material unless people get the chance to see it again. We hope this is the first of many collaborations between us in the future."

The footage, which includes a 92 second performance by The Beatles playing Paperback Writer, lasts 9 minutes in total and also shows Dusty Springfield singing Goin' Back, Tom Jones singing Green, Green Grass of Home, The Hollies performing Bus Stop, and other performances by:- The Spencer Davis Group, Ike and Tina Turner, and Cliff Richard and the Shadows.

Kevin McManus, Liverpool's Head of UNESCO City of Music, said:- "The legacy of The Beatles should never be underestimated and the fact this showcase will take place during International Beatles Week is bound to make the sessions hugely popular. It's a real coup for BME and we'd like to thank Kaleidoscope and SMPRC for choosing Liverpool to host this must experience event for Beatles fans."

The BME will screen 2 sessions on 24 August 2019, which are included with a general admission ticket:-

► Session 1, from 11am to midday - This screening will feature a highlights package of material found by Kaleidoscope and will be followed by the Top of the Pops footage.

► Session 2, from 3pm to 4pm - This screening will show performances by acts such as Elton John, T-Rex, Pan's People and The Sweet and will once again culminate with the recently discovered footage.

Shirley and Melody McLean (of music company SMPRC) facilitated the Liverpool screenings after working closely with Kaleidoscope on their own theatrical archive which included Ken Dodd. 

Melody McLean from SMPRC, said:- "When Chris Perry told us about the lost tapes we immediately suggested that they be screened in Liverpool; back to where they once belonged! We are delighted that the BME will be playing host to the event. We are proud to be associated with this exciting discovery!"

For more information or to buy tickets, visit:- BritishMusicExperience.Com.

Former Prison Officer from Birkdale has been jailed for drugs offences

A former Prison Officer has been jailed for a total of 5 years, 4 months, on Tuesday, 6 August 2019, for drugs offences. The jailing of 31 year old, Phillip Meadows, followed a joint investigation between North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), and Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service. On 20 September 2018, Meadows, from Birkdale, was subjected to a routine staff search, at HMP Liverpool. Drugs dogs indicated on him, and a more thorough search followed. Staff from NWROCU's Prison Corruption Unit attended the prison, supported by uniformed staff from Merseyside  Police and his vehicle, parked in a staff car park, was searched. A total of 11 tobacco pouches were discovered and after the contents were forensically examined, they were found to contain heroin and cannabis, as well as tobacco. The estimated prison value of the drugs was ₤95,900. Meadows was subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs. He pleaded guilty in court and was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court. Detective Inspector Dawn Hampson, from NWROCU Prison Corruption unit said:- "This is yet another example of the fantastic collaborative work between NWROCU and the Prison service. The vast majority of prison staff do a fantastic job in often challenging circumstances, and it is those honest, hard working members of staff whose reputation people like Meadows risk damaging. I hope the jailing of Meadows sends a strong message to those prison staff who are considering taking contraband into prison, and assures the wider public that we will not tolerate this corruption. The public rightly expect that our prisons will be staffed by people who uphold the highest ethical and moral standards, and the rooting out of staff who fall short of that is a key priory for NWROCU. We have staff and officers dedicated to investigating prison staff suspected of being involved in the supply of drugs and contraband within prisons, and if they are convicted they will be looking at similar lengths of sentence. As a prison officer, Meadows would have known 1st hand the dangers drugs have in prisons, and that he would be putting his colleagues at risk of serious assault and prisoners at risk of possible death by supplying illicit drugs."

Next of kin appeal for John Feely

LIVERPOOL'S Coroner's Office is trying to trace the next of kin of John Feely, 70, who sadly died at his home address, in Nedens Grove, Lydiate, on Tuesday, 6 August 2019.  His death is not being treated at suspicious. If you knew John, his family or friends and could help locate them, please contact Coroner's Office on:- 0151 777 1921 or HM Coroner's Office on:- 0151 934 2746.