A George Harrison memorial woodland will open in Liverpool
Liverpool City Council has worked with the George Harrison Estate on the woodland.
Image: Michael Putland / Getty
Beatles icon George Harrison’s legacy is to be celebrated with a new memorial woodland in his home city of Liverpool. The announcement also marks his 77th birthday.
The project has been created through a collaboration between Liverpool City Council and the George Harrison Estate. It will see a new memorial woodland being created in honour Harrison, located in the suburb of Allerton – close to where Harrison grew up.
Upon completion in 2021, the memorial woodland will feature various art installations, all directly inspired by Harrison’s lyrics and life. Harrison, who died in 2001 at the age of 58, wrote songs such as Taxman, Within You Without You, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Here Comes the Sun and Something. His influence within the Beatles was felt as they explored both folk music and Indian classical music.
Olivia Harrison, George’s wife, said of the announcement: “George was an avid gardener who found solace and joy in being in the outdoors. I don’t think there is any better way to commemorate him in Liverpool than with a garden which can become a place of tranquillity and reflection for everyone. I am really looking forward to watching it change and grow over the coming years.”
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said: “It has been one of my ambitions as mayor to find an appropriate way for us as a city to celebrate one of our most-loved sons, so I am overjoyed that at last, we can announce the George Harrison Woodland Walk.
“The site is beautiful and the plans for the area in the coming months are really exciting. It feels right that at last, we have a permanent memorial to celebrate George’s life, loves and influence.”
The news follows last year’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of legendary Beatles album Abbey Road, which received a remastered version and extensive box-set rerelease for the occasion.
The Beatles’ company, Apple Corps, was also recently awarded $77 million after 77 retailers, all accused of selling faked Beatles merchandise, failed to show up in court.
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