Mersey Beat - Hambleton Hall, Huyton

Hambleton Hall

 

It was in January 1961 that a new beat venue, Hambleton Hall, opened in Huyton. Rented from the council's Parks and Gardens committee it was anything but recreational. It was a shabby municipal building which later became a probation office, situated on St David's Road in Page Moss, Huyton. As with Wilson Hall in Garston, this venue was set in a rough area and quite often the scene of fighting between rival gangs who would first of all gather in the infamous Eagle & Child public house nearby. Incidentally George and Paul were themselves once beaten up at Hambleton Hall. Sometimes Bob Wooler would advertise the venue in the Echo and occasionally would be the M.C. and it was here that he announced that 'The Beatles' had made a record in Hamburg.

Payment Receipt from Vic Anton signed by John Lennon

 

In December,1961, 'The Beatles' appeared here after returning to Liverpool from their first live performance in southern England. Sam Leach had organised this at the Palais Ballroom in Aldershot, Hampshire. Unfortunately, not appreciating that his newspaper advertisement promoting the event had to be paid for in advance, the local paper did not run it and only 18 people turned up. Being angry the lads got drunk and ended up arriving back in Liverpool the following midday. They arrived so late for their appearance that night they only had time to play for 15 minutes with the promoters, having to pay them their full £15 very unhappy.
'The Beatles' final performance here was on the 13th January 1962 and their only appearance at the venue in that year. By this time Brian Epstein had started looking after the group and had decided that this wasn't the type of venue he wanted them to be playing.

The bookings were generally made by Wally Hill and 20 year old Vic Anton ( a used car salesman by day ), who were the promoters at the hall in the east of Liverpool.
Prior to the booking in 1962, 'The Beatles' played at Hambleton Hall on 16 other occasions in 1961; January 25th; February 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd; March 8th and 20th; August 20th; September 3rd and 17th; October 15th and 29th; November 26th and December 10th.

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2017/07/mersey-beat-orrel-park-ballroom.html