Rare John Lennon vinyl unveiled by charity
A rare vinyl by former Beatle John Lennon which was gifted to a charity by his widow and son has been unveiled in Liverpool.
The Salvation Army’s Strawberry Field will display the 12 inch vinyl acetate of John Lennon's GIve Peace a Chance and Remember Love, recorded with Yoko Ono, ahead of its 55th anniversary.
It is one of 50 limited edition records gifted to charities by Ono and Sean Ono Lennon to help raise funds for the Salvation Army's Step to Work programme.
Mission Director of Strawberry Field, Major Kathy Versfeld said to be chosen to display the rare record was a "singled out" was a "special blessing".
She told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It's a fabulous gift from Yoko and Sean.
"It's a real privilege for us here at Strawberry Fields as part of our work we do across the country, and this place that John seemingly loved to frequent, to be able to unveil it and to invite the general public to come and see it."
Originally released on 4 July 1969, the double-sided 12 inch acetates were hand-cut on the lathe at Abbey Road Studios, which is synonymous with The Beatles.
Each rare record is stickered, uniquely numbered, and features a machine-printed signature from Ono herself, making them highly collectable.
Proceeds from ticket sales will help support Steps at Strawberry Field, which helps people with learning difficulties or other barriers to employment.
Josh, who has been enrolled on the Steps to Work programme for the past six months, said: "I have been working in the shop, helping people find their way around, buying and selling multiple things to members of the public, with that my confidence has grown."
The Strawberry Field attraction tells the story of Lennon's childhood and also includes the piano on which Lennon composed and recorded Imagine.
Visitors can see archival footage and photographs and find out what happened behind the famous red gates and in the gardens where Lennon played and climbed trees as a child.
"Music is still so important, that we all join together in doing our bit in giving peace a chance and in celebrating love," added Ms Versfeld.
"I know many will be interested to come and see this but to also support us."
While STrawberry Fields has changed since John Lennon played there as a young boy, the gardens still "provide a place for sanctuary and peace", Ms Versfeld said.
She said: "We are meeting the needs of a new generation now.
"We have the garden, a serene sanctuary where people can reflect on their own lives and perhaps the life of John as a young lad."
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