Woodland Walk for George Harrison on late Beatle's birthday

A new woodland memorial in South Liverpool will celebrate the life of late Beatle George Harrison.

The 12-acre George Harrison Woodland Walk is being created on land opposite Allerton Towers, close to where the guitarist and singer-songwriter was born and brought up.

Today’s announcement comes on what would have been Harrison’s 77th birthday. The Beatle died in 2001 at the age of 58.

Harrison’s widow Olivia said today: “‘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’m really looking forward to watching it change and grow over the coming years.”

In 2008, a special exhibit was created in Harrison’s memory at the Chelsea Flower Show. From Life to Life, A Garden for George was designed by Olivia Harrison and Yvonne Innes, wife of the late Rutle Neil Innes who died suddenly earlier this year.

Above: The site of the new Woodland Walk in South Liverpool

Top: A Garden for George at Chelsea Flower Show in 2008

The new woodland walk, a joint initiative between Liverpool City Council and the Harrison estate, is due to be officially opened next spring.

It will be landscaped to make it accessible, and will combine garden and woodland with a number of art installations inspired by Harrison’s life and lyrics.

In the longer term the aim is for it to become a nature classroom where youngsters from across the region can spend time learning about nature and the environment.