Strawberry Field celebrates 50th Anniversary of 'Imagine'

JOHN Lennon's 'Imagine' piano is played by a student from Paul McCartney's LIPA alongside the Liverpool Signing Choir and Julia Baird. 2021 marks 50 years since the writing, recording and release of John Lennon's 'Imagine,' perhaps the greatest peace anthem of the 20th Century. Strawberry Field, the latest addition to Beatles tourism and now open to the public, have commenced celebrations by inviting a student from Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts to play the very piano on which John Lennon composed and recorded 'Imagine.' The Liverpool Signing Choir, joined by Julia Baird, John Lennon's sister and Major Kathy Versfeld, Mission Director of Strawberry Field accompanied the piano, signing the words to the inspirational song.

'Imagine' recording began, at John Lennon's home studio, at Tittenhurst Park, in Berkshire, on 27 May 1971. Archive film footage from 1971 shows a relaxed John at the piano composing:- 'Imagine' before he turns to his keyboard player to remark:- "That's the 1 I like best." The world famous piano was toured by George Michael as a symbol of peace in the early 2000s and hasn't been played in a performance since 2007. It is now on loan to the Strawberry Field exhibition, courtesy of the estate of the late George Michael.

Major Kathy Versfeld, Mission Director of Strawberry Field says:- "In October 2020 as we welcomed the piano into its new home here, we saw the impact that this fabulous piano had, not just on visitors to our exhibition, but even further afield, across the entire city of Liverpool. At a time when there was so much fear and uncertainty around Covid19, it was a beacon of hope, light at a dark time. As the country emerges from another lockdown, I hope people will be inspired by this performance to re-imagine a better world in the here and now, where we are not divided by what we believe, or how we look, or where we live. 1 people, 1 planet, all of God's creatures working together out of mutual respect and compassion. We live in hope!"

Joe Worthington, a student from Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) was invited to play the piano for this momentous occasion. He says:- "Being a student in Liverpool and at LIPA, The Beatles, their music, influence and legacy is ingrained in me. Playing Imagine, such an anthem of peace, on the piano that John Lennon wrote and recorded it on was brilliant. When I was asked to do it, I did a double take, I couldn't process it. Still can't! To sit where he once sat is quite emotional. It feels like I'm touching a piece of history, it's like I'm a part of it."

Alongside Joe, The Liverpool Signing Choir were asked to sign the lyrics to the song. A unique, City wide and inclusively diverse choir, based in Liverpool, they have performed at events across Europe, notably, performing John Lennon's 'Imagine' at the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Catherine Hegarty, leader of:- 'The Liverpool Signing Choir' says:- "The Liverpool Signing Choir were honoured to be asked to take part in the 50th Anniversary of Imagine. Strawberry Field is working hard to open people's eyes, share understanding and break down barriers."

John Lennon's sister Julia Baird, who is Honorary President of Strawberry Field, was present with the choir and signed alongside them. She says:- "It was an honour and a privilege to sign this wonderful peace anthem with the Liverpool Signing Choir. We were accompanied by a LIPA musician, on John's iconic Imagine piano, inside the Exhibition at Strawberry Field. A five star treat all round."

The piano was delivered to Strawberry Field, on 9 October 2020, to mark what would have been John Lennon's 80th Birthday. It was always George's intention that the iconic musical instrument should be enjoyed by the people of John's home City. "It's not the type of thing that should be in storage somewhere or being protected, it should be seen by people," said George to journalists at time of purchase. The upright Steinway piano, purchased by the singer-songwriter in 2000, is now 1 of the most valuable musical instruments in rock 'n' roll history.

The 'Imagine' piano is on display now in the Strawberry Field exhibition and you can book your tickets on their website:- StrawberryFieldLiverpool.com.

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

MERSEY Care NHS Foundation Trust (MCFT) is delighted to have completed the acquisition of North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NWBH) and will now provide an enlarged range of mental health and community health services across Merseyside, Cheshire and the North West Region. As of 1 June 2021, staff and services will become part of Mersey Care after approval for the transaction was given by regulators NHS England and NHS Improvement and the Executive Boards of both Trusts. Services including specialist inpatient and community services that support mental health, learning disabilities and children's and young people's mental health services (CAHMS) will transfer across to Mersey Care. Other services moving over, alongside just over 3,000 members of staff from NWBH, range from physical health to perinatal services and services for older people.

"The 2 Trusts have been working together since 2019 to share resources and jointly provide the best quality healthcare across the footprint of both Trusts. Following detailed internal discussions, it was decided to bring our services together into a larger Mersey Care, which we believe will be better for patients, service users, carers and staff across a larger footprint. The big benefit for the 2 organisations coming together is that it presents opportunities to make sure high quality, integrated physical and mental health services are provided across a much larger geographical footprint. That will strengthen our commitment to improve the health of the communities we serve, meet the growing demand for out of hospital services and increasingly provide care closer to home. It's important patients understand there'll be no change in their services, just a change in who manages them, and we want to work with them by asking their views so we can improve how they access those services in the future." said Joe Rafferty CBE, Mersey Care's Chief Executive.

Mental health services in Wigan, Bolton and Greater Manchester, previously provided by NWBH, were transferred to Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust on 1 April 2021. Services currently delivered to people living within:- Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Warrington will transfer to Mersey Care.

Tappers Gin collaborate with Simon Rimmer to launch Tickled Pink Gin in Booths Supermarkets

THE Merseyside based Gin Brand, Tappers are partnering with celebrity chef and Sunday Brunch presenter, Simon Rimmer to launch Tickled Pink, a traditional compounded gin prepared with all natural ingredients including:- Tappers signature botanicals with rose and hibiscus providing a delicate flavour in a subtle pink liquid. Simon Rimmer is delighted with the result:-"Since joining the Tappers family in 2020 we've worked hard to create a pink gin that we all love. Inspired by our mutual passions for incredible ingredients and flavours, Tickled Pink Gin is made with Provence Red rose petals and hibiscus flowers. An all natural rose hue reflects the traditional method of cold compounding, lending a delicately sweet and floral flavour."

Since 2016, The Tappers Gin family run distillery has been Reviving the Art of gin at their seaside home on the Wirral Peninsula. Independent through and through, Tappers are dedicated to handcrafting distinctly complex gins that stay true to that delicate art. Founder Steve Tapril thoroughly enjoyed creating this pink edition, with Simon:- "It was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Simon to produce this fantastic addition to the Tappers range. Simon shares our love for great ingredients and great flavour and so of course it's only natural that Tickled Pink has both!"

Launching in May, Tickled Pink Gin by Simon Rimmer will be available at:- TappersGin.Com and Booths Supermarkets. All Tappers Gin products are registered with The Vegan Society.