John, Yoko and a row over acorns of peace

It was supposed to be a poignant message of peace - John Lennon and Yoko Ono planting acorns in the grounds of Coventry Cathedral in 1968 for what they hoped would become a "living sculpture".

Instead, their visit caused a rumpus with cathedral authorities who ended up moving the installation - infuriating John - while the acorns were dug up and stolen.

The unusual story is being highlighted as part of Coventry's heritage week, shining a light on the city's part in the couple's anti-war campaign.

The planting was one of their first missions of peace, as well as an entry into the prestigious Exhibition of British Sculpture which was being held in the cathedral's ruins at the time.

John, Yoko and the acorns travelled to the city in his white Rolls Royce, famously equipped with a record player and telephone.

The nuts were buried beneath a circular white wrought iron seat on grass outside the Chapel of Unity.

It had all been meticulously planned, with the acorns planted in east and westerly positions, symbolising the meeting of the couple and the union of their two cultures, marking the start of the couple's campaign for peace.

They went on to send acorns to leaders across the world as part of their anti-war message.

But the result was anything but peaceful.

Pete Chambers, of Coventy Music Museum said members of the cathedral made the mistake of questioning Yoko on whether the project was even art.

"By all accounts this resulted in a lot of shouting," he said.

"Later John got his trusty chauffeur to come back to Coventry and take the bench away."

The acorns themselves were dug up and stolen by Beatles fans.

Earlier this year they went on display in Liverpool after a retired police officer discovered they had been in his possession.

Former Warwickshire Police traffic sergeant Mike Davies said he had discovered them in a box while tidying up ahead of his retirement.

The 88-year-old said they had been brought into Nuneaton police station by a man who had been caught drink-driving outside Bedworth.

He said the driver, who looked like a "typical lad about town", and his girlfriend were fans who had returned to the cathedral after the planting ceremony and stolen the acorns, coating them in clear nail varnish to preserve them.

Despite the less than peaceful outcome, Yoko never forgot the original meaning of their mission.

In 2005, Ono returned to the city to complete the work of art by planting Japanese oak trees close to a replica of the original bench.

At the time, she said: “I am pleased to dedicate the planting of these beautiful trees to the spirit of peace throughout the world.

"I am proud to carry on the work John and I did together to spread this highly important message."

The replica bench is now on show at Coventry Music Museum.

The event, including a talk by Mr Chambers, will travel the routes and after-lives of specific acorns linked to the cathedral, as part of Coventry's Heritage Week.

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