WHEN new manager Jamie McDonald arrived at the Lymm Hotel one of the first things he found tucked away in a drawer was an envelope containing a unique collection of photographs of the Brazilian football team during their stay for the 1966 World Cup.
The pictures, which were copies, had been sent to the hotel nearly ten years ago by local collector Neil Perkins who had purchased them at auction.
Jamie, (pictured) who grew up locally, was already thinking about how best to show and share the pictures when he received a chance visit from neighbours Su and Alan Williams.
“I had heard about the exciting plans for a Heritage Centre so when I discovered that Alan and Su were part of that team it seemed like the perfect opportunity for the hotel to get more involved with the community,” said Jamie.
Alan added: “We quickly realised that next year will be the 50th anniversary of the visit and would be the perfect time for an event. I tried ringing the person who had sent the photos all those years ago and to my amazement got straight through. After apologizing for taking a decade to ring back I explained what we would like to do and Neil was immediately enthusiastic and supportive.”
As a next step Alan posted a few of the pictures on the Heritage Centre’s facebook page facebook.com/lymmheritage and was staggered as one post racked up nearly 6,000 hits. “We had a huge response with so many people wanting to share their memories of what was clearly a landmark event for the village.”
Plans are now in a place for a four day exhibition from Feb 21st-24th – provisionally titled Brazilymm ’66 that will include images and video from a range of sources. Reminiscences of local people will also be an important aspect of the show. The exhibition will also include displays of 1966 World Cup memorabilia from World Cup Willy souvenirs to official’s blazers – much of it drawn from the private collection of Neil Perkins -as well as pictures of the village itself as it looked at the time. It will open on Sunday 21st February with a ticketed event that will include a sixties style buffet and live music. Customers will even be able to buy a pint using a 1966 two-bob bit as part of their ticket. The hotel are also hoping to tempt a sporting hero along to open the event.
Manager Jamie summed it up by saying: “We are really pleased to be able to give our support to this great idea which we feel sure will help raise money for the new heritage centre as well as placing the hotel back at the heart of the community where it clearly was in 1966 and where it really belongs again today.”
Maybe you have a World Cup memory or picture to share; or perhaps would like to be involved and become part of the heritage centre team. If so then contact the centre via the website www.lymmhic.co.uk or call Alan on 01925 754080 who would also be interested to hear from anyone who can lend a display cabinet for the exhibition.
Top Photograph courtesy of Neil Perkins
The article above jogged the memory of local photographer Eddie Whitham who covered the team’s stay at the Lymm Hotel – which also hosted the Russian team, who Eddie says were not as co-operative as the Brazilians with the local media, although he did manage to catch a snap shot of legendary Russian goal keeper Lev Yashin boarding the team coach.
Other photos include one of BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme (they thinks it’s all over…it is now ….fame) interviewing a young Pele.
BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme (they thinks it’s all over…it is now ….fame) interviewing a young Pele PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
The Brazilian team pose for a team photo – Picture Eddie Whitham
Russian goal keeper Lev Yashin – PICTURES EDDIE WHITHAM
