Air Hostess was NOT a Beatles Fan

Coventry Air Hostess was NOT a Beatles fan

No writer listed

Coventry Evening Telegraph 

February 24, 1964


     The Coventry girl who was a hostess on board the Pan-American jet that brought the Beatles home from their U.S. tour on Saturday is not an ardent Beatles fan.

     As one who was in a position envied by thousands of teenage girls, 22-year-old Miss Christine Standbridge of 109 St. Austell Road, Wyken, felt almost guilty. "I have never bought any of their records, and I doubt if I ever would," she said.  "But I must say that in conversations I had with them, they were awfully sweet."

     Miss Standbridge was on reserve standby at the airport in New York when she learned that a sixth stewardess was required for a flight to London. "I volunteered because I wanted the work and thought that it might give me a chance to come home for a few hours," she explained.

     "It was not until later that I discovered that the Beatles were on that  particular flight." Miss Standbndge looked after the 70 economy class passengers. The Beatles were among the 12 first-class passengers. But she still saw a great deal of them. She spent most of the flight going backward and forwards from the two compartments, collecting autographs at the request of her passengers. 

 "By the time we reached London, I think that just about everybody had their autographs." she said. "While I was at it I got them to sign for myself." Miss Standbndge held up a copy of the American magazine Newsweek. The front cover of which was a picture of the Beatles. Written on the cover was - "To Christine. Love from the Beatles"— and after each of the signatures of John Lennon. Ringo Starr. Paul McCartney and George Harrison were four kisses. 

Fan or not, Miss Standbridge prizes her souvenir and explains: - "This Beatlemania is a bit infectious. you know."

 "The Beatles on the trip, she said, "Seemed tired after their hectic tour of America's East Coast and wanted to sleep."