Dingwall Primary School pupils sell out town hall venue where Beatles flopped
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A GROUP of Ross-shire primary school children today sold out a venue that The Beatles only managed to attract 19 people to.
The Fab Four were on the cusp of changing the world when they performed at Dingwall Town Hall back in January 1963.
By early 1964, they were international stars and had achieved unprecedented levels of critical and commercial success.
But at that exact moment in time, locals in Ross-shire's county town were far keener on checking out the double bill at the Strathpeffer Pavilion where The Chessmen and local favourites The Melotones performed to an audience closer to 1000.
That night has gone down in history and today one of those who chose The Beatles that night – local Dingwall and Seaforth councillor, Margaret Paterson – shared her memories with pupils and concertgoers.
It has been quite the flex for the veteran councillor – and the other 18 who took a chance of John, Paul, George and Ringo.
She recalls mingling with the band who went on to become the most popular musical act of all time.
SEE ALSO: Were you there the night Dingwall snubbed The Beatles?
Work begins to improve Dingwall Town Hall
And Dingwall Primary's kids paid homage to that legacy today by sharing their own versions of some of those classics – including a charming rendition of Here Comes the Sun in Gaelic.
The school's head teacher, Sara-Jane Macaskill, said: "The Primary 5 class chose the Town Hall as their area of research in Dingwall and learned about The Beatles playing there 60 years ago.
"They learned that only 19 people attended, so we came up with the idea of trying to sell out the town hall 60 years later with the pupils putting on a Beatles concert.
"We sold out of tickets and are having to put an extra performance on in the school next week!
Our Gaelic Choir have translated songs in Gaelic and are singing a capella – it's just beautiful and perhaps the first time that this has been done.
"I am immensely proud of how our community have come together to support the school's 'Our Dingwall' project. Our aim is to instill pride in belonging to Dingwall, which we hope our children will hold on to as adults."
The enduring love for the music of The Beatles was evident in the performance of the enthusiastic youngsters and the appreciation of their audience.
And does Dingwall now appreciate The Beatles? Of course it does... Take a look at the side of the town hall if you need convincing...
See next week's Ross-shire Journal for more pictures from the show.
