A MYSTERY surrounding one of the Beatles' most famous songs has finally been solved.
Stan Williams, a contemporary of the Beatles, has been able to identify the "pretty nurse" the Fab Four sing about in Penny Lane.
The lyrics: "Behind the shelter in the middle of a roundabout/The pretty nurse is selling poppies from a tray/And tho' she feels as if she's in a play/ She is anyway," refer to Stan's childhood friend Beth Davidson.
Stan, who was born and raised in Liverpool and went to school with John Lennon, says: "I have a vivid memory of being on Penny Lane, for a haircut or something, and Lennon came up with his pals to talk to Beth and I.
"Beth was a nurse cadet and she would only have been about 12 or 13 at the time. We were all laughing and joking.
"She was carrying a tray, like they sold ice creams in old fashioned cinemas from, with poppies for Armistice Day.
"I remember the first time I heard Penny Lane. As soon as I heard the lyrics I thought 'Oh God, that's Beth'. I was, and am, absolutely certain it was her they were singing about."
Stan and Beth were childhood friends and stayed in touch even after Stan moved away to go to university.
Stan, who now lives in Scotland, is able to shed some light on the "play" the Beatles sung about.
Beth loved performing and her friend's father built a stage, complete with lights and seats, in the back yard where the girls would perform in front of an invited audience.
Stan said: "I think people will be interested. I love the Beatles and I think this will be important to any Beatles fan."
Beth went on to marry Lennon's best friend from childhood, Pete Shotton.
Sadly Beth died at the age of 35 leaving a son behind.
David Bedford, webmaster of the British Beatles Fan Club, said: "This bit of the song has never been commented on before. It must have been John Lennon's contribution towards Penny Lane. Beatles fans will be intrigued. Penny Lane is one of their most famous songs."
To find out more about Beth's story David will be leading a special tour to Penny Lane on Saturday.
Tickets cost £20 for a three-and-a-half hour tour which leaves the Moat House hotel at 3.30pm are available from Liverpool Beatles Tours on 0151-281 7738.
