A WESTON author has published a new book all about The Beatles.

The author, Simon Hurford, said: "Way back in March 2021 I had an article published in the Mercury asking Beatle fans to contact me and tell me their stories about the group's visit to Weston-super-Mare in 1963.

"I was planning to write a book about The Beatles concerts in the West Country. Public response was terrific, and I would like to thank you all.

"After numerous delays partly caused by Covid, the book has finally been printed and is available from me.

"It is called There's A Place after a song included on the Beatles debut album Please Please Me. The book is full of detail and has chapters on John, Paul, George and Ringo plus their manager Brian Epstein.

Weston Mercury: There's A Place by Simon Hurford.There's A Place by Simon Hurford. (Image: Simon Hurford)

"Brian did the things the Beatles couldn't do, or did not want to do, and his support was vital to their growing success. Other chapters cover their early concerts in Liverpool and Hamburg which led to them attempting to expand their fan base to the West Country.

"Between 1962 and 1965, the group played two low key concerts in Stroud, one of which Paul McCartney called the worst Beatles gig ever. They appeared once only in Bath and Salisbury, and were on stage in Bristol on three separate dates, playing two shows each time.

"The star billing was the whole week they spent beside the sea at Weston, when they could relax and enjoy themselves without having to travel to the next venue. The group filming Help on Salisbury Plain, while fans caused chaos around them, is another highlight.

"There was no lack of incident at these gigs, and some amazing stories from readers (over 100) together with about 90 photos including newspaper cuttings, set lists, flyers, rare photos, adverts and posters, and much contemporary comment from the journalists of the day, who hated pop music.

"I also asked readers what they thought The Beatles legacy might be. One chapter is devoted to opinions on this. Will their music continue to sell sixty years on from their heyday, do they still matter in 2023, or are they strictly of their time?

"If you would like to buy a copy of There's A Place, please email me at sphurford@yahoo.co.uk, and I will send you the details. The book is priced at £22."