IT was a first for the town, an open-air beat contest staged on the GER sports ground in March. The year was 1966 and groups were marked on three aspects – personality, musical ability and presentation, with a possible 100 marks for each. When all marks h

IT was a first for the town, an open-air beat contest staged on the GER sports ground in March.

The year was 1966 and groups were marked on three aspects - personality, musical ability and presentation, with a possible 100 marks for each.

When all marks had been totted up there was very little difference between the three top groups. A group from Newmarket, The Ketas, were the winners. Running a close second were The Nightshift from Peterborough, and third were The Corsairs from Ely.

As winners, The Ketas had the chance of a recording test from EMI, bookings at The Station Hotel, March, Marcam Cellar Club and the Gaiety, Ramsey.

Wilson Pickett's In the Midnight Hour was a very popular number and was performed by six of the nine groups. There was a noticeable absence of Beatles songs, the only one performed being Yellow Submarine.