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Student Life at Bangor University

Bangor and The Beatles

Image of Beatles plaque at BangorThe Beatles visited Bangor during 25- 27 August 1967, during the 'Summer of Love', at the invitation of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, leader of the Spiritual Regeneration Movement. The Spiritual Regeneration Movement was holding a Conference in the Hugh Owen Buildings of what was then the Normal College, now part of Bangor University.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was set to join the Conference which was already under way.

Already in the UK, he was addressing a public meeting in London on the preceding Thursday. Pattie Boyd, then married to George Harrison, was already a member of the Spiritual Regeneration Movement, which advocated Transcendental Meditation. She persuaded George and the other Beatles to attend the Meeting. There, the Maharishi invited them to join him in Bangor.

The story broke in London that the Beatles were on their way to Bangor. Beatles appearances had become so rare that, according to Hunter Davies in 'The Beatles, An Authorised Biography', Euston station was packed with sight-seers to see what the Daily Mirror called a 'Mystical Special'- otherwise known as the 3:15 stopping train to Bangor. Such was the crowd on the platform that Cynthia Lennon was mistaken for a fan by a policeman and was not able to get on the train!

Fortunately for the Normal College authorities, news that The Beatles were on their way was brought by Daily Post journalist Iorwerth Roberts; after which Bursar, Mr Gwyn Thomas was able to make a few preparations, such as hiring extra security and arranging accommodation for the guests: The Beatles were accommodated near the Maharishi in Dyfrdwy and the others of the party- which numbered around 60  and included Mick Jagger, Cilla Black and Jane Asher, in Alun, two of the buildings that form the complex.

The Beatles arrived on Friday evening intending to stay for a week. On Saturday, a public meeting was held in the John Phillips Hall. All was still relatively calm, with the media keeping a 'watching brief' until the sad news broke on Sunday that Brian Epstein, manager of the group, had been found dead. Once this occurred, there was obviously increased interest in The Beatles'' reaction to that news, and their visit was curtailed.

Many Beatles' historians and biographers have noted that this week-end spelt the beginning of the end for The Beatles, not only because of their growing interest in spiritual matters, but also due to the demise of their Manager, Brian Epstein.

In 2002, Bangor University placed a plaque in the Hugh Owen Hall to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the visit . The plaque has since been replaced following that transformation of the Buildings to create the Management Centre.

 

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