Each year we try to ensure that there is
something new for visitors to see at either Forthlin Road or Mendips.
Nine
is the magic number
For 2009, we are taking a look at how the number '9' seemed to feature at key points
in John Lennon's life. 60 years ago - on 9 October 1949 - John would have been in his ninth year. So
we have put together a list of some of the instances of the number '9' in John's life. For example,
there are 9 rooms at Mendips, John and Yoko Ono first met on 9 November 1966, and Brian Epstein first
saw the Beatles in the Cavern Club on 9 November 1961.
Meanwhile in Liverpool in 1949, Princess Elizabeth made her first visit to the city
to open the new Anglican Cathedral, whilst clothes rationing officially ended in Britain following WW2;
George Orwell's '1984' was published, and top hit records of that year included 'A - You're Adorable'
sung by Perry Como, 'Ghost Riders in the Sky' sung by Vaughan Monroe and 'You're Breaking My Heart'
by Buddy Clarke and the Inkspots! On the world stage the first VW Beetle arrived in the USA (only 2
were sold that year!), the Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb, and Bruce Springstein was born
on 23 September.
Simon adds:
'We hope visitors will find this interesting and that it will bring
back their own memories of of the immediate post-war period. Also if they have any instances of the
number nine featuring in their own lives and would like to share these, they can do so in our visitors'
book'
'As additional interest, we' ve also included copies of UK and foreign newspapers
from the date of John's birthday on 9 October 1949. and several photographs by Liverpool photographer
Edward Chambré Hardman, showing various aspects of the city around this time. They really help capture
the essence of post-war Liverpool'.
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Watch our video
'Mendips' and 20 Forthlin Road are open Weds - Sun. Admission is by pre-booked minibus
and guided tour only. Visit our Beatles page for more information.
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