DIVING enthusiast Arthur Johnson beat The Beatles to the idea of a "Yellow Submarine".
The sub, made in Arthur's garden in Lister Street, Grimsby,
for £50, appeared at the world premier of The Beatles movie at The
London Pavilion, London, in July, 1968.
Today Arthur, his wife Paula and family have been invited
to Penny Lane in Liverpool to unveil a plaque to honour his iconic
submarine.
It was called "Resurgam" which was the motto for Arthur's old school in Harold Street,Grimsby.
Arthur was an avid sub aqua enthusiast and worked as a welder on rigs in the North Sea.
After reading Patrick Coustau's novel "Silent World" as a youngster he always dreamed of making his own submarine.
He also built a one-man sub for Colonel Gaddafi.
The yellow submarine took two years to make in the garden of the family's home in Lister Street.
It was completed in May 1968 several months before The
Beatles launched their movie and the hit song "Yellow Submarine" which
began: "In the town where I was born".
Arthur and his family were hoping that Sir Paul McCartney would attend today's unveiling.
They also hope more people will pledge donations to support
the activities fund at Cranwell Court, Grimsby where Arthur goes for
his care for Alzheimer's disease.
Arthur, 75, said: "I feel proud of myself that it is going to be looked after in Penny Lane."
The submarine was painted bright yellow so it could be seen under water.
It became an attraction at Cleethorpes bathing pool, and was also "test driven" at Scartho Baths.
Thousands turned out to see it when it was on show at The Lakeside Lido at North Somercotes.
The submarine was also employed by a firm at New Holland ponds to check underwater.
Arthur had originally installed a viewing box on the hatch with four windows. But that was later replaced by a perspex dome.
After completing the 1,000lb sub, Mr Johnson soon found himself in the limelight.
Charles Burman, the head of United Artists had seen
national newspaper articles which featured the mini sub. He invited
Arthur and Paula to take the sub to the world premiere of the Beatles
film Yellow Submarine in Piccadilly in 1968.
Thousands burst into spontaneous singing of the movie anthem when it arrived.
Paula said: "It was bedlam. There was a big cheer when we arrived with the submarine. Everyone thought The Beatles were in it.
"There were all the celebrities of the time, Mary Hopkin,
Long John Baldry, DJ Tony Blackburn, Paul and Barry Ryan, Patty Boyd and
my favourite PJ Proby. The Rolling Stones were there and The Beatles.
We were stood with The Beatles at the time. But I did not think much of
them and I thought the film was rubbish. The only person I wanted to
meet was PJ Proby."
The submarine was photographed alongside "The Blue Meanies" who were the "baddies" in the cartoon.
She told how they were invited to The Royal Lancaster Hotel launch of a new disco.
It was on all night as the Beatles opened the Yellow Submarine Discotheque in an after-show party.
The movie, which featured cartoon characters based on "The
Fab Four" received rave reviews, but was not a massive box office hit.
Arthur and Paula were hoping it would lead to more movie appearances around the world, but they were not invited.
The submarine was used on family outings and was often seen as a landmark in their garden.
The couple can also recall other memorable times such as
when Mrs Johnson almost lost the car as she attempted to back the
submarine into Doigs old slipway on Grimsby Fish Dock.
Resurgam was sold at Christies to an insurance firm in 1983
for £1,500. It was situated at Liverpool's Albert Dock for a number of
years and was later acquired by the Penny Lane Development Trust.
They were contacted by Jacky Aisthorpe, the activities
co-ordinator at Cranwell Court who listened to Arthur's story and his
memories of his world premier with The Beatles.
She has seen Arthur's other artistic sculptures including an eagle in flight and an owl with a mouse.
Jacky said: "Reminiscing is a very important way to connect and engage with a person with dementia.
"Since gaining experience I have developed my own programme
for people with dementia making activities 'person centred' and not
just reminiscing but reliving, which helps recapture the memories of the
past and sensory stimulation helps recall peoples' yesterdays."
She added: "I have worked with Arthur many times
reminiscing, taking him to The Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, The
Grimsby Docks and for fish and chips on Cleethorpes sea front.
"We have had many conversations about his yellow submarine so I thought it would be a good idea to find out more about it."
Arthur's famous submarine is viewed by hundreds of people
each week. The Mayor of Liverpool will be unveiling the plaque with
Arthur.
His eldest daughter Tracy Toombs, 50, will join her
parents, along with their sons Christian and Simon Johnson and Arthur
and Paula's grandchildren Curtis and Callum Dobbs,
Arthur's long time friend Cyril Axelson will also attend the ceremony.
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