"Strawberry Fields" orphanage to Close

[underpants]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/britain_strawberry_fields

LONDON - Strawberry Fields is not forever, after all.

John Lennon wrote the song's dreamy lyrics about a time in his childhood when he lived near the Strawberry Fields orphanage. It has been suggested that Lennon felt a kinship with the orphans after he was abandoned by his father and his mother, Julia, sent him to live with his Aunt Mimi, who raised him.

The Salvation Army, which now runs Strawberry Fields, said the current preference for placing children with foster families has reduced the need for orphanages. Only three youngsters remain at the home in Liverpool's Woolton district.

Drew said no decision has yet been made on the fate of the building or its famous gates, which have become a landmark for Beatles fans paying homage to Lennon.


Lennon left money to the home in his will and in 1984 his widow, Yoko Ono (news), donated more than $70,000 to keep the facility open.

[Xithras]

1. Good, I think Lennon would have wanted it to close

Orphanages are an unfortunate part of history, where unwanted children were warehoused until they essentially aged out of the system and were shoved out onto the street, uneducated, penniless, and without hope for any real future.

While it's interesting to note that such an immortalized orphanage is closing its doors, it's good to realize that it's closing its doors because the number of unwanted children in Britain has dropped substantially over the past half century, primarily due to increased contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancy and the move to foster care to place children in real homes.

Beatles fans may mourn the loss of the site, but it's closing is representative of the improved quality of life that modern orphans enjoy. It's a GOOD THING that these types of facilities are no longer needed.

[underpants]

2. Very well said

:thumbsup:

[Pithlet]

3. I agree.

Maybe they can preserve one of the gates to make it a memorial for Lenon fans. But, an orphanage closing down because there is no need is indeed a wonderful thing.

[Xithras]

5. My opinion: Build a park on the site.

Leave the gates there, turn the old Victorian into a museum or public hall of some kind, and turn the extensive grounds into a park. If it was the children playing at Strawberry Fields that inspired Lennon, then the greatest tribute we could give him would be to ensure that children ALWAYS have a place to play at Strawberry Fields.

[underpants]

7. I was thinking the same type thing

obviously I am not too aware of where it is or what the property is worth but that sounds like a good idea for it.

[Xithras]

8. Here's an old shot of it

Taken through the gates from the street.


You can see that there's a fairly large lot there, with a beautiful old Victorian building set in the center. The lot could easily be turned into a park, and that building would make a beautiful museum, community hall, or rental facility if it were renovated properly. I just don't want to see the property bulldozed for condo's.

[johnnie]

4. Very well put

They can use the building for something else, but to see no need for an orphanage is always good news.

[TlalocW]

6. Seconded

eom

TlalocW