The Rolling Stones in Swarkestone

In the summer of 1968, Swarkestone locals were bemused and excited to discover the Rolling Stones in the local pub. The band had been driven up from London in limos to shoot the cover of their seventh album, Beggars Banquet. People who lived in the village at the time can tell stories of the event and of their excitement at meeting the members of the band. Pauline Sims remembers her husband Brian coming home from the pub on Sunday lunchtime and telling her that he’d just seen Mick Jagger and Brian Jones! She didn’t believe him at first but had to once she’d seen the limos and the photoshoot underway. They were able to take their own photos of the band and get autographs which Pauline still treasures today.

It’s all very different now of course, as the Pavilion has been completely renovated by the Landmark Trust and can be rented for holidays. They were used to promote Beggars Banquet, and also appeared on the back of the much later compilation album Hot Rocks. In 1968 the building had been allowed to fall to ruin – so much so that members of the band can be seen draped in the lintels and mullions where once there were windows. 

It’s all very different now of course, as the Pavilion has been completely renovated by the Landmark Trust and can be rented for holidays