On Friday 7 September 1962, just three days after recording their first single at the EMI studios in London, and two days after a session at the Cavern which would be recorded for use in a Granada Television film, the Beatles appeared at this small hall situated at 15 Thingwall Road, Irby, Heswall, on the Wirral.
This was the home of the Newton Dancing School, run by Mary Newton, who ran monthly dances here for her pupils, who were aged between 14 and 18.
Back in July a local group The Spades had recommended The Beatles to Mary Newton. On making enquiries as to their availability she managed to secure a booking and shortly afterwards received a typescript letter on NEMS ENTERPRISES LTD headed stationery, signed by the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein and dated 30th July, 1962, confirming "...a booking for THE BEATLES at the 'Village Hall' at Newton Dancing School, Irby on Friday September 7th...at a fee of £35 and that playing time will be one hour..."
Around 80 tickets were sold at a cost of seven shillings and sixpence (35p), which was not enough for the organisers to raise the £35 fee that Brian Epstein had negotiated. As a result the group was paid just £20 at the end of the night. A jumble sale was held on the bowling green opposite the village hall to raise the extra money, Epstein reportedly returning in his Rolls-Royce to collect it.
After their hour long performance the Beatles packed up and left but George Harrison accidentally left behind a cardboard suitcase containing guitar strings. The case was made of compressed cardboard with plastic trim, and had Harrison's initials on the sides and back. A small note on it inscribed with blue ballpoint pen said: "Mr George Harrison c/o Beatles Party".
The case was taken away by Dave Irlam, the drummer in The Spades.
Dave's father, Ernie Irlam, contacted Epstein, who told him that someone would arrange collection of the case, but nobody ever did and it was emptied then placed in an attic and forgotten. It remained there for 40 years before being rediscovered. In 2004 it was put up for auction and sold to an anonymous buyer for £5,500, having earlier failed to reach its £2,500 reserve at a Bonhams auction. It was put on display at the Merseybeat Museum in New Brighton, Wallasey.
The incident at Irby Village Hall later inspired a play, The George Harrison Suitcase, written by Wirral playwrights Bev Clark and Mike Lockley.