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Strawberry Field shortlisted for new RICS Social Impact Awards

THE Salvation Army's redevelopment of the iconic Strawberry Field site in Woolton, Liverpool has been shortlisted in 2 categories in the inaugural Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Social Impact Awards. The landmark scheme, on the site made famous by the Beatles in the 1960's, was designed by Hoskins Architects, managed by property and construction consultancy Gleeds, and delivered by contractor Robertson. It will now compete for the top spot in both the education and leisure categories, at the North West Regional Finals, to be held on 24 April 2020.

Newly developed for 2020, the RICS Social Impact Awards seek to recognise the built environment's positive and transformational contribution to society. Prior to announcing the finalists, a team of judges assessed the human, social and environmental impact of hundreds of schemes across a total of 9 sectors, as well as the innovation and collaboration that went into bringing those projects to fruition. Strawberry Field is 1 of just 35 schemes to be shortlisted.

Formerly a children's home run by The Salvation Army, the transformed site opened its renowned red gates to the public in September 2019 having undergone a complete redevelopment. The disused 1970's buildings were cleared to make way for a new:- 'pavilion in the park,' which now features an immersive exhibition, café overlooking and opening out onto extensive gardens, and a training centre for young people with learning disabilities.

For the 1st time, visitors can explore the site and contemplative spaces within the gardens and enjoy the state of the art exhibition space which tells the story behind the 1967 global pop hit 'Strawberry Fields Forever,' as well as paying homage to John Lennon's early life. Meanwhile, the training and workforce placement hub is giving local young people with learning difficulties the opportunity to acquire vital employment skills in industries such as catering, retail and horticulture through the charity's Steps to Workforce programme.

Commenting on the RICS' announcement Marc Chapman, director at Gleeds responsible for the scheme, said:- "Everyone involved with this project was acutely aware of the significance of the Strawberry Field site for the people of Liverpool so we are thrilled to have been part of the talented team that delivered what is proving to be a truly fantastic facility. Both the training centre and visitor spaces are real assets to the local community and we hope to see it achieve the recognition it deserves when the winners are announced later this year."

Chris Coleman Smith, Director of Hoskins Architects added:- "We're delighted Strawberry Field has been shortlisted in both the leisure and education categories of the RICS Social Impact Awards. It has been a privilege to workforce in collaboration with the Salvation Army and the wider team on this innovative project which has transformed a disused site into a major visitor destination and an educational hub for young adults with learning disabilities, creating opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential. Open to the public for the 1st time, visitors from all over the world and members of the local community alike can explore the place which famously inspired John Lennon, and enjoy a unique cultural, heritage and spiritual experience"

Dirk Pittaway, Managing Director of Robertson North West, said:- "This world famous site has been given a new lease of life and will enrich the lives of so many young people in the local area. Robertson has been proud to workforce with the Salvation Army on a project that will have such a positive impact on the community. The fantastic new hub will provide training, skills and valuable workforce experience for young adults that will enrich their lives. Our team are tremendously honoured to have been involved in this project and to be nominated for 2 RICS Social Impact Awards highlights the tremendous hard workforce that the entire team has put in."

Olympic cyclist moves into The Sailings, Southport

AN Olympic cyclist and his wife, an accomplished ballroom dancer, have moved into a new luxury retirement living development in Southport. John and Jean Geddes met at a cycling dance in 1959, 3 years after John had brought home a bronze medal for Team GB at the Summer Olympics. Jean, a member of the Billy Martin dance team, forgave John his '2 left feet' and the couple married in 1962. Having lived in their family home for 46 years, they recently decided to move to The Sailings, on Alexandra Road in Southport.

John Geddes, said:- "We were living in a massive 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom house and it was just getting too much for Jean. I couldn't do much and she was doing all the workforce. It's better for both of us here. I can go cycling. Jean can walk to the shops, use her bike and go for a ride if she wants to, go to Knit and Natter every fortnight, and there are plenty of people here who she can talk to. We've made friends already and I can tell they're going to be like a 2nd family. We should have moved years ago."

John Geddes represented Great Britain in the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. He won a bronze medal in the Men's Team Pursuit cycling event with teammates Tom Simpson, Donald Burgess and Mike Gambrill.

John recalls:- "I only started cycling when I was 15 and a½. I met a chap who put me into a club and when I was a junior, riding on the Bootle track in Merseyside, Eddie Soens came up to me and said 'how would you like to go to the Olympics?' and it started from there. When I was 19 I got picked for the Olympics and I rode there when I was 20."

In 1957 he went into the army for 2 years' national service and in 1958 he represented England in the Empire Games (now the Commonwealth Games).

John commented that:- "When we met, Jean was dancing, and I was cycling in England. In 1959 I went to France to be a professional and was there until September. It wasn't like it is these days. I went out there with ₤100 and I came home still with ₤100 and I'd lived for 8 months, so they covered my living costs."

Jean added:- "They didn't get many handouts. When he started cycling I think he got free meat from the butchers in 1956."

John responded:- "My bike parts were from Harry Quinn. He was a big bicycle dealer in Liverpool and he provided all the bikes. Eventually in the year that I was finishing cycling, I went to ride for Harry Quinn."

John, 83, and Jean, 78, are looking forward to getting back on their bikes soon. Jean said:- "When the weather gets better we'll go out on our bikes together. In the meantime I go swimming and go to Chi Ball; it's T'ai Chi with a bit of Pilates and a bit of Yoga; and we're going to get a pilates class here at The Sailings soon too."