The Beatles: Eleanor Rigby's Liverpool grave restored
Aug 29 2009
by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Echo
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-entertainment/the-beatles/the-beatles-news/2009/08/29/the-beatles-eleanor-rigby-s-liverpool-grave-restored-100252-24558706/A CAMPAIGN to restore the graves of Eleanor Rigby and the uncle of John Lennon has triumphed.
Only last week the ECHO reported how the graves, in St Peter’s Church, Woolton – where John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney first met – had become dilapidated.
A local taxi service was appealing to help the church spruce them up.
And already thanks to donations from the public and the work of a local stonemason the job is complete.
Lee Dillon of And To Perfection Memorials carried out the work on the headstones of Eleanor Rigby – although Sir Paul McCartney denies the famous song is about this particular lady – and George Toogood Smith, husband of John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi, buried in another part of the cemetery.
Jay Johnson of Fabcabs from Liverpool Beatles Heritage tours, who spearheaded the campaign, said: “After the piece in the ECHO we were overwhelmed by the response and interest received both locally and internationally.
“Enough money has been received and pledged to complete the work and we think that it will continue to come in.
“Any excess funds will be donated to the church.”
Eleanor Rigby’s grave was not in as bad a state as George Smith’s – who Fabcabs say deserves recognition for his role raising John Lennon at his Mendips home.
His headstone has been completely restored.
Fabcabs had been hoping the job would be done in time for the big Beatles weekend.
Their taxi tours take visitors around more than 30 sites of importance to Fab Four fans, including the church.
Lennon and McCartney first met at a St Peter’s summer fete.
Liverpool FC manager Bob Paisley is also buried there.
