BEATLES' TRIBUTE TO 'FATHER MCKENZIE'

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 8th Jun 2000.

FOLLOWING last week's Guardian report on Northwich Memorial Hall's 40th birthday celebrations, tributes have poured in for one man who was at the heart of everything good during the early days.

Tommy McKenzie was the hall's first compere and was responsible for bringing many of the top acts to perform at the venue.

He lived in Rudheath, but originally came from Liverpool where he befriended The Beatles.

Such was the bond between them, that the most famous band in music history called Tommy 'father'.

The more avid Beatles fans will spot how much Tommy meant to the band. He was Father McKenzie in the song Eleanor Rigby.

And it was this close friendship that enabled Tommy to get The Beatles to play at the Memorial Hall.

"Tommy was a belting bloke and did loads for Northwich," remembers Tommy's friend, 70-year-old Arthur Chesworth, from Lostock.

"He got a job with me at Octel and soon became the most popular person with everyone.

"He arranged children's parties, dances and flower shows making life enjoyable for everyone. He was responsible for The Beatles, The Kinks and Ken Dodd coming to the town.

"He had that way about him that everyone liked - there was never a dull moment when he was around.

"He died a few years ago, but everyone who knew him remembers him."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.

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