They saw her standing there

Gillian Gill with Beatles photo from 1963 Astoria gig.

A FLASHBACK snap of The Beatles at the Oldham Astoria in 1963 brought back a host of memories for Gillian Gill.

The former Hathershaw Technology College pupil can be seen at the front of the crowd as her heroes belt out some of their greatest hits.

Gillian (62) has lived in Leicestershire since 1976, but was given the picture following a reunion of her old class mates earlier this month.

The grandmother-of-three said: “I can remember being in school that day, full of excitement but not being able to tell anyone why.

“As soon as school was over, I jumped on the bus and joined the queue at the Astoria.

“I sat on my bag and tried to do my homework but I kept my beret on as you got an instant detention for taking it off up town.

“My friend arrived soon after with a change of clothes for me and a sandwich and we managed to get a good spot right at the front.

“I don’t remember much about the concert but I do remember dancing at the back of the room.

“People were talking about the crush for days after but I don’t remember that part of it.”

Gillian was handed the photo by Nigel Marland and his friend Keith who organised the class of ’59 reunion. She added: “It proves that I once was young and capable of doing silly things!”