TWO SCHOOLGIRLS RECORD MESSAGE FOR THE BEATLES ... AND GET A REPLY FROM PAUL 50 YEARS LATER

A FAN tape made by two Beatles-mad schoolgirls has finally reached their heroes after half a century.

 
Astonishingly the long forgotten tape resurfaced at a car boot sale in Great Yarmouth
 

It was exactly 50 years ago when Barbara Bezant and Lyn Jeffries got together to record a message for the Fab Four. 
They stuck it in the post but didn't hear anything back - until now. 
The tape triggered a bizarre chain of events that has ended five decades later with a personal message from Paul McCartney and the pals being reunited on TV. 
Barbara, 67, of Bay Road, Dovercourt, in Essex said: "We were school friends in south London in the early Sixties. 
"It was 1963 and we were big Beatles fans so we made a reel-to-reel tape in our bedrooms with silly sound effects and funny voices which lasted about 15 minutes and posted it to them. 
"There were all sorts of funny stories and bits from the Goon Show. 
"They were doing Christmas shows at the Finsbury Park Astoria for about three weeks so we thought there was a chance they might get it. 
"We said we'd really like to go and see them but we didn't hear a thing - until now." 

 
Barbara Bezant recorded the message with her friend 50 years ago

Astonishingly the long forgotten tape resurfaced at a car boot sale in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. 
It had its original cover and was still addressed to the Beatles. 
The tape was sent to the BBC's One Show who tracked down Barbara and Lyn, who had lost touch decades ago. 
They were invited to the Beatles Museum in Liverpool for an emotional reunion in front of the cameras. 
Retired office worker Barbara said: "Gloria Hunniford introduced me and said here's someone you haven't seen for some time, and in walked my old friend from 50 years ago. 
"We had lost touch but I found out she lives not far away in Leigh so we are both Essex girls now. 
"The gentleman who found the tape was there too and they played a bit of it - it was a hoot." 
There was another surprise when they were handed a golden envelope with a message from Macca, who is on tour in the US. 
He wrote: "Hi Lyn and Barbara, thanks for your lovely tape. It finally got through - better late than never. Great to hear that you found each other again after all these years. Keep enjoying the music. Love Paul." 
Mum-of-two Barbara said: "It all seems a bit of a dream now but the great thing is I've been reunited with a school friend and our little tape didn't go unnoticed after all. "But my family will disown me when they hear the tape because it's rather embarrassing." 
The One Show featuring Barbara and Lyn will be screened on BBC1 on Wednesday, September 25 at 7pm.