Strawberry fields are not forever

'Strawberry Fields forever' proves an illusion as Lennon's favourite childhood playground closes
By Ian Herbert, North of England Correspondent

13 January 2005

John Lennon's blissful summer days flogging lemonade bottles for a penny apiece at garden parties in its grounds inspired one of the Beatles' greatest tracks and has made it a shrine for millions.

But the children's home immortalised in "Strawberry Fields" has become commercially unviable and is to close, it was revealed yesterday.

The orphanage, which was founded in 1936, was something of a forbidden place for Lennon, whose guardian, Aunt Mimi, believed that the orphans would lead him astray.

But Lennon, who was given up by his mother after his father walked out on them, felt rather that the orphans were his kindred spirits. When arguments ensued on the matter at home he would retort to his aunt: "What are they going to do, hang me?"

Thus the song's immortal opening lyrics: "Let me take you down, 'cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields. Nothing is real and nothing to get hung about."