Everything's coming up strawberries

It started out as a Salvation Army orphanage in Woolton and became immortalised in one of the most memorable psychedelic singles of all time. Strawberry Fields Forever was released 40 years to the day this Saturday and, for the people down at the Albert Dock, that's reason enough to get the punnets out here there and everywhere.

Strawberry lovers and Beatles fans can expect a host of colourful and fun Strawberry themed activities, down at the dock, with The Beatles Story leading the way. Visitors will receive free strawberry stickers and badges plus a slice of strawberry birthday cake. There will even be the odd whiff of strawberry around the exhibition with special information about the anniversary next to the Strawberry Fields exhibit.

And the bars down there are getting in on the act too. The Pan American Club is providing chocolate dipped strawberries, plus a special offer on strawberry cocktails. Meanwhile Ha! Ha! Bar and Canteen will be selling strawberry margaritas at half price.

Babycream has gone one further, creating a special cocktail, ‘Strawberry Pennypolitan, and will donate £1 to the Salvation Army for every one of these sold from the 17 to the 24 February.

And as any good Beatles anorak will tell you, Strawberry Fields Forever was actually a double A-side with Penny Lane, so if you prefer to stay beneath the blue suburban skies of Mossley Hill, Alma De Santiago is also serving the cocktail which was dreamed up by cocktail wiz Robbie Williams (the other one) and contains strawberry flavoured vodka, Pimms, champagne and fruit juices. Customers will receive a free bowl of, er, strawberries, if they order more then one.

The single, which reached number two in the UK singles chart in February 1967, was inspired by John Lennon’s childhood visits to the Strawberry Field garden parties as a child.

Jerry Goldman, Beatles Story supremo, said, “We’re looking forward to celebrating one of the greatest singles ever with a day of fun-packed activities.”

Well, any excuse to get a top tune swirling around your head is all right by us too.