Wirral schoolgirl who got 22 hat from Taylor Swift says it’s spurred on her songwriting dream

Wirral schoolgirl Bea Glover-Hardman has been on ‘the biggest high’ after being given the iconic black 22 hat by her idol Taylor Swift at Thursday’s Anfield concert.

And the 12-year-old says it’s spurred on her ambitions to be a singer-songwriter just like Taylor one day. Bea, from Prenton, even joked to her mum: “When I’m famous, I’ll ask Taylor Swift if she remembers when she gave me her hat?”

Mum Hayley Glover, 48, says being given the hat was a dream come true for her daughter:

“When we first saw a lady walking towards us at the concert with two security staff, we didn’t know what was happening and Bea asked ‘are we being throwing out?’.

“We still didn’t know what was happening as we were asked to follow them and led through to the front of the stage, but it was amazing.

“Bea was so cool, dancing and singing – and Taylor gave her the hat.

“It meant everything to Bea and she just smiled throughout – I was the one who was sobbing! She has been on such a high since and hasn’t wanted to take the hat off … I think she’ll be buried in that that hat!”

Bea, who goes to Birkenhead Academy, didn’t even know she was going to Taylor Swift Eras concert until days before.

She’d been holding out for a competition to win tickets to the hottest tour, but when that didn’t come through, she thought her hopes were over.

But a last-minute buy by her dad saved the day and, without anyone able to foresee it, gave her the memory that will last a lifetime.

Hayley said:

“Her dad paid over the odds for the tickets and Bea was made up, Her dad and I split up in February so it’s been a difficult time for her. She’s been through a lot so for this to happen meant everything, and I was so happy for her.

“At first when we went in, we were in restricted seats and just couldn’t see anything, and a member of staff at Anfield kindly sorted it out so we were given seats in the Kop end, directly opposite the stage.

“Bea was singing and dancing her heart out – I was watching her more than I was Taylor. Bea is a massive fan and I think Cardigan was her favourite song, but I think for both of us now, it’s 22.”

During each of her concerts for her Eras Tour, Taylor Swift makes her way to the end of stage to give her black hat to a fan. She places it on the person’s head while she’s performing the song ‘22’, the music video for which the American singer wears the famous accessory.

“As we walked to the stage, Bea exchanged bracelets with other fans who were cheering her on, and she kept asking what was happening,” adds Hayley.

“When she got to the stage, Taylor leaned over and asked if she could hug her and gave her a huge hug. Bea gave Taylor a friendship bracelet which she thanked her for and said she loved.

“Then Taylor gave her the hat. Bea said ‘I love you’ and Taylor replied that she loved her back and thanked her for coming, and as she walked away she turned round and blew her a kiss.

“Bea is such a huge fan. She has posters all over her walls and manages to turn any conversation around to Taylor Swift. When we came home we had to re-enact the whole show – and of course loads of her friends have been round to see the hat!”

Hayley says Bea channels her heroine when she writes and sings her own songs, putting on shows for her mum with regular outfit changes just like Taylor Swift.

“She wants to be a singer-songwriter when she’s older, and this has made her even more determined than ever.”

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