Flute from iconic Beatles track to be auctioned

The flute that features on the Beatles' iconic song The Fool On The Hill is to go under the hammer.

Owned by leading British flautist Jack Ellory until his death in 2009, the flute will be sold at auction at Gardiner Houlgate in Wiltshire on 12 June – and is expected to fetch up to £20,000.

Ellory was a prolific session musician who played on classical and pop music records as well as soundtracks for the Sean Connery-period James Bond films, Pink Panther films, and the musical Oliver!

His son Brian Ellory said he hoped the restored instrument, which was held together by elastic bands when he inherited it, goes to someone "who can make music with it" and "appreciates its incredible history".

In 1967, Beatles producer George Martin asked Ellory to play flute for The Fool on the Hill, which was recorded for their Magical Mystery Tour project and topped the UK chart.

The flute was also used in numerous adverts of the period including the Cadbury's "fruit and nutcase" campaign featuring the Nutcracker Suite, which was later voted as one of the greatest adverts of the century.

Brian Ellory said: "I wanted to learn to play it but soon found I had no talent.

"I'm the last member of our family to know the story of the flute and my father's career so it's best I sell it rather than my children when I'm gone," he said.

Jamie South, auctioneer from Gardiner Houlgate, said: "This is a remarkable instrument once owned by a remarkable musician.

"Jack Ellory's career ranged right across the mid-20th Century music world – from playing in orchestras conducted by Toscanini and Sir Thomas Beecham to recording some of the greatest musical moments in popular culture, including Sinatra and Bing Crosby."

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