George would have celebrated his 77th birthday this week and now Liverpool City Council and the George Harrison Estate have unveiled plans for the George Harrison Woodland Walk. Tony McDonough reports

A memorial woodland is to be opened in Liverpool in honour of Beatle George Harrison.

George, who died in 2001 aged 58, would have celebrated his 77th birthday this week and now Liverpool City Council and the George Harrison Estate have unveiled plans for the George Harrison Woodland Walk.

To be located in south Liverpool close to where George was born and grew up, the 12-acre Greenland site, opposite Allerton Towers, is currently a mixture of mature woodland and meadow.

When it officially opens in 2021, it will be landscaped in order to be accessible, combining garden and woodland with a number of artistic installations inspired by the life and lyrics of the much-loved Beatle. It is sure to be popular attraction for fans of the Fab Four from all over the world. Liverpool’s Beatle heritage industry is worth more than £90m a year.

The city council and the Harrison family want to encourage artists to design new artworks which will take pride of place in the garden. More information on submitting an expression of interest can be found by clicking here.

The longer term aim is for a ‘nature classroom’ to be opened on the site, allowing school children from across the region to spend time learning about nature and the environment. The site was acquired by the council in 2018 and work is set to begin in the coming months, with a formal opening in spring 2021.

Olivia Harrison, George’s wife, said: “‘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 am really looking forward to watching it change and grow over the coming years.”

Born in Wavertree, George was the youngest of four children he met Paul McCartney on the school bus and the two bonded over their love of music. George, Paul, and John Lennon would go on to form the Quarrymen, the forerunner to the Beatles.

Sometimes called ‘the quiet Beatle’, George was lead guitarist in the band and, while Paul and John were the principal songwriters, he also wrote songs for the group which would become classics, including While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Here Comes the Sun.