'My trip to Barnston Women's Institute where The Beatles played'
"She's here - get her a coffee... Cath, get the cake." Music to my ears, as welcoming as the bright flowers and bunting that greet visitors to this beautiful 100-year-old building on a sunny day.Back in 1962, four lads took to the very stage that I am now standing on.Pam shows me into the green room where The Beatles got changed before their gig.She explains that their manager Brian Epstein had wanted to smarten up the Fab Four's image."It was the first time The Beatles wore suits on stage."
About 20 women - some with paint brushes, some with needles, others weighed down by boules - are keen to say hello in a room filled with laughter."It's all about friendship," says Trish O'Malley, who has been coming here for about 12 years."It's something to do, but the friendship is the biggest thing."We talk, we laugh, we cry and we make it all better."Gerry Hitt, who moved to the area from Surrey three years ago, says the WI has been a lifeline."I felt lonely at first," she tells me. "It's hard to make friends face to face."But this has been lovely, especially the art."Pam is keen to tackle misconceptions about the organisation."There's a real stigma attached to the WI that it's just knitting and cake," she says."But we are so much more than that."We love the music, we love parties, we can't wait for our 100th anniversary party - it's going to be fantastic."
Beatles fans from all over the world still come to Barnston WI to see for themselves where the band played.Visitors are always very welcome, and they are keen to sign up new members.Thanks for the coffee, cakes and laughs!
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