Exciting Grant Boost for new Strawberry Field Development


17th February, 2019

LIVERPOOL, FEBRUARY 17, 2019, Anniversary of the UK release of Beatles hit song ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ - A generous grant donation of £100,000 from philanthropic charity, The Wolfson Foundation has been greatly received by owners of the site, The Salvation Army.

Strawberry Field, the iconic location immortalised in The Beatles hit, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, is scheduled to open this summer after a major redevelopment of the grounds which will see the famous red gates opened to the public for the very first time.

The Salvation Army’s new vision for the Strawberry Field site will weave together, cultural, heritage and spiritual exploration in one bold imaginative plan.

John Lennon grew up a stone’s throw away in Woolton; he often jumped over the wall to play in the grounds of the former Salvation Army children’s home which was such an influence on the creative song writer. The Salvation Army’s inspirational vision for the site will include a centre for young people with learning disabilities; a new authentic exhibition on the place, the song and John Lennon’s early life around Strawberry Field and the development of a haven for spiritual exploration.

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive, The Wolfson Foundation said, 

“The Wolfson Foundation is delighted to be working with the Salvation Army. This is a wonderfully imaginative project that will tell the story of a site connected to the Salvation Army and immortalised by the Beatles. Crucially, it will provide opportunities for young people with special educational needs who – without this initiative – might be excluded from the world of employment entirely. We share the Salvation Army’s emphasis on opportunity and independence for these young people.”

Julius Wolff-Ingham, The Salvation Army’s Head of Marketing & Fundraising said,

“We are truly overwhelmed by this generous gift and would like to express our thanks to the Wolfson Foundation; donations such as this will enable our vision to become a reality. Many young lives in Liverpool will be changed by the work we will do on the site, today we have taken a step closer to opening the famous red gates for good.”

Strawberry Field will open to the public in the summer 2019, to keep up to date on developments or to purchase merchandise to support our fundraising, please visit www.strawberryfieldliverpool.com 

"It’s a wonderful idea that The Salvation Army is going to cultivate youngsters in the precious soil of Strawberry Field."

Julia Baird, Honorary President