Today at Strawberry Field, we unveiled a rare, limited edition 12"  vinyl acetate of John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band's seminal hit record, 'Give Peace a Chance' and 'Remember Love', ahead of the 55th anniversary of the UK release on 4th July.

The Salvation Army was among 50 charities gifted the vinyl acetates from Yoko Ono and Sean Ono Lennon. Each organisation was given the record to use to raise funds ‘for peace and love’. The Salvation Army made the decision to display the record at Strawberry Field to help raise funds for our charitable work, due to our connection to John Lennon and ongoing significance as an international landmark of peace and love. 

Originally released on 4 July 1969, the double-sided 12” acetates were hand-cut on the lathe at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, synonymous with the legendary work of The Beatles. Produced and executive produced by Sean and Yoko Ono Lennon, each rare record is stickered, uniquely numbered, and features a machine-printed signature from Yoko herself, making them highly collectable.

The record can be seen on display in our visitor exhibition, where proceeds from ticket sales will help support Steps at Strawberry Field, a series of individually tailored programmes aimed at helping people with learning difficulties or other barriers to employment. Providing employment skills, work experience and volunteer placements, the scheme has helped hundreds of young people find fulfilling employment opportunities thanks to the personalised support provided. The limited edition acetate will then be sold at a future date to raise further funds to support The Salvation Army’s work at Strawberry Field.

To spread peace and goodwill - and with Sean and Yoko following its journey closely - the rare acetate joins many symbols of peace located within our, including the bandstand with its ‘Imagine’ mosaic floor,  Ukrainian Peace Monument and the piano on which John Lennon wrote ‘Imagine’.

Trainees and graduates from the Steps to Work programme joined Major Kathy Versfeld to unveil the vinyl acetate in our exhibition, where it is now on display for viewing by the general public.

Major Kathy Versfeld, mission director at Strawberry Field, said:

“It is an honour for us at The Salvation Army to receive and display this gift from Yoko and Sean at Strawberry Field. This recognition of The Salvation Army’s transformative work in communities across the country is truly humbling. Given Strawberry Field’s symbolic and historical connection with John Lennon and its ongoing significance as an international landmark of peace and love, it seems the perfect place for this unique piece of history to be - a place which meant so much to John Lennon. 

“We are excited to offer visitors the opportunity to see the record in our exhibition, where their entry fee will support our charitable work helping young people with learning difficulties and barriers to employment to find meaningful paid work. I pray that people who come to see it are inspired by its messages, and the sentiment of Yoko and Sean’s gesture, to join with us in this global movement of peace and love.”

Tickets to see the acetate in the exhibition can be booked here.