It might sound more Country File than Top of the Pops. But not if the man in question is Sir Paul McCartney and the dog is his beloved Old English Sheepdog Martha who are the subject of a photograph generously donated to Winston Solicitors last week by Barry Henson.
The photograph, taken in the summer of 1968 by Henson, shows the classic bond between man and man’s best friend and was snapped when Sir Paul was in Saltaire, Bradford, recording ‘Thingumy’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’ with the Black Dyke Mills Band who were recording their first single under a new label.
Martha was Sir Paul’s pet and companion from 1966 and it is apparent that she was well loved by the star:
“She was a dear pet of mine. I remember John (Lennon) being amazed to see me being so loving to an animal.” He said, ‘I’ve never seen you like that before.’ I’ve since thought, you know, he wouldn’t have. It’s only when you’re cuddling around with a dog that you’re in that mode, and she was a very cuddly dog.” – Paul McCartney
Martha sadly passed away in 1981 but was survived by her pup Arrow, also a cherished pet of Sir Paul and also featured in photos of the rocker – most notably the cover of Paul is Live (1993).
This print is the newest of a selection photographs donated to Winston Solicitors by Barry Henson, in memory of his late wife Lys Chadwick who worked at the firm for a number of years. Barry also donated additional prints to St Gemma’s Hospice to assist with their fund raising efforts.
Photograph copyright Barry Henson
Sources
https://www.beatlesbible.com/1968/06/30/paul-mccartney-records-thingumybob-by-black-dyke-mills-band/
http://www.feelnumb.com/2010/01/10/the-story-about-paul-mccartneys-dog-martha/
Recording
