BEATLE WIDOW TURNS DOWN MEMORIAL
George Harrison’s widow Olivia has asked Henley Town Council not to rename the Red Lion Lawn after him. In a letter to the council Mrs. Harrison said she appreciated the effort made to create a memorial for her late husband, but did not feel ready for one yet.
She wrote: “George’s favourite spots were away from the town centre and traffic and I hope one day a more appropriate, quiet place will present itself as a fitting memorial to a man who enjoyed nature and solitude.
“I want the council to know that I do appreciate all the effort and thought that it has given over the past four years to create a memorial for George.
“I wish you every success with the Riverside Heritage Project and the re-generation of the Red Lion Lawn area and I am sincerely touched by your wish to remember George in Henley. Perhaps one day.”
Members of the council’s river sub committee said they hoped a site might be found at some point in the future.
Cllr. Allan Follett, chairman of the sub committee, said: “It is a very nice letter and it is very clear that Mrs. Harrison would perhaps like to look at a quieter spot at some point in the future.”
Cllr. Terry Buckett said the council may need to look at changing the name of the lawn anyway, because people were often unaware it was a public place.
He said: “A lot of people think the lawn is affiliated with the Red Lion Hotel, and assume they can’t go on the lawn unless they are staying there.”
The committee agreed to look at renaming the lawn at a later date.
http://www.higgsgroup.co.uk/hot.com/main/news/news/story16.htm
