IN BRIEF
LIVERPOOL CHARITY GOBSMACKED AT SURPRISE CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM YOKO ONO
LOVE IS IN THE AIR … IN KIRKBY !
Staff at The Brain Charity were bowled over after receiving an extremely rare and collectable limited edition vinyl acetate of John Lennon & Yoko Ono ’ s iconic single ‘ Happy Xmas ( War is Over )’ in the mail on December 2nd – completely out of the blue .
25 of the rare vinyl acetates – potentially worth thousands – have been gifted to UK charities working with music as a Christmas gift for them to raise funds .
The Brain Charity believe their ' Music Makes Us !' project for people living with dementia and strong connection with Liverpool , being headquartered in the city centre , must have caught Yoko and son Sean Ono Lennon ’ s eye .
There was a personal note accompanying the record from Sean , which read : “ Happy Xmas . This is one of only fifty Limited Edition acetates hand-cut at Abbey Road , it ’ s yours – to sell , auction , raise money to help your business or your favourite charity or to fund your Xmas party – to spread Xmas cheer . We ’ d love to see the journey these acetates take , and the goodwill that they spread .”
Nanette Mellor , CEO of The Brain Charity , said : “ We feel absolutely bowled over by this astonishingly generous surprise Christmas gift from Yoko and Sean . The recognition that they thought about us in Liverpool and at this time of year , when our clients really need us , was unbelievable . It ’ s such a lovely gesture to be recognised by a family who are globally iconic . We are all hugely moved . Any funds raised from the sale of this incredible item will be absolutely needed right now as our clients with neurological conditions do really struggle at this time of year .”
The one-sided 12 ” acetate has been hand-cut on the lathe at the legendary Abbey Road Studios . There are just 50 in total , with the 25 others to be sold at independent record stores across the UK .
Each edition is stickered and numbered out of 50 and includes a machine printed signature from Yoko , making them incredibly collectable . Originally released in December 1971 ‘ Happy Xmas ( War is Over )’ has evolved to become an iconic global Christmas classic and is now one of the most played and popular Christmas songs of all time .
On Valentine ’ s Day 2022 a special event is set to take place in St . Chad ’ s Church in Kirkby and people who were previously married in the church , are invited to be involved .
As part of Knowsley ’ s celebrations for its year as the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture , a mass wedding vow renewal ceremony will take place . The service , which will be conducted by Vicar Philippa Lea , will be particularly special as it will be held under Gaia – the 6-metre artwork of the earth that will be on display in the church .
On one of the most romantic days of the year , it promises to be a truly magical moment and part of a wider celebration of love at St . Chads on 14 February . During the day there will be musical performances of romantic operatic love songs , wedding cake and even an opportunity for a proposal or two – if anyone wants to pop the question !
Organisers are now looking for local people to come forward and apply to take part in this unique wedding vow renewal service .
Cllr Shelley Powell , Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Communities & Neighbourhoods said : “ Having Gaia in St . Chad ’ s is amazing , and we are really keen to ensure as many local people as possible get the chance to see it but also to be involved in some really special moments whilst it is here – this is definitely one of those moments . Gaia has travelled all over the world , but we think this will be the first time that a mass wedding vow renewal has taken place under it . It will be such a poignant and emotional experience and something really special for people to be part of .”
Philippa Lea , Vicar at St Chad ’ s said : “ This year we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of St . Chad ’ s Church and remembering that there has been a centre for Christian worship on the same site for many hundreds of years . Through this time there have been countless weddings celebrated here , including the ancestors of many living in Kirkby today . We ’ re incredibly proud of the role St . Chad ’ s has played in the lives of many generations and we ’ d love couples of all different ages to come together to celebrate their own marriages and all the marriages that have begun in this place over the centuries .”
If you were married in St . Chad ’ s Church and would like to be part of this event , then all you need to do is submit some basic information online at www . cultureknowsley . co . uk / an-out-of-this-world-experience / and share a photo of your big day . Alternatively , you can ring 0151 443 5353 to get an application form .
8 merseylife . com