Why Beatles never got gig in Nottingham pub

I SAW Paul Mccartney appearing on TV this weekend, reminding me of the time during the 60s when the manager/agent of the Beatles came to town.

He turned up at the March Hare pub, situated as it was then on Carlton Road in Nottingham.

The tenant, George Dove, having served in the local regiment, the Sherwood Foresters, fighting as he had in North Africa and Italy, having been born and bred in Arnold and having been educated at the Robert Mellors senior boys’ school, used his people skills within the licensed trade, initially working at Holes brewery resident in Newark, soon to be transferred to Nottingham and the March Hare.

His tenure there was very successful, building up the pub to one of the most “go to” venues of the week.

The Fab Four’s agent heard of this and wanted his group to appear at the pub. Whatever amount of money was mentioned, he indicated the Fab Four would fill the pub. George immediately responded; that he could fill the pub any night, with much the less cost.

So it was that the Beatles never appeared at the March Hare.

George, meanwhile, continued to fill his pub, where I had the privilege of interviewing him in 1998. A filmed recording, in what I can only describe, as the most relaxed, entertaining, humour-driven insert of snapshots that only George could have projected.

Raising a glass of the pub’s best beer can only remind me of a “friend and stalwart” shaped by his upbringing, and life’s numerous experiences.

Councillor John M Parr

Plains Ward Gedling Borough Council