Bidding war for Lennon’s “Sgt. Pepper” Gypsy caravan

After languishing in an Ascot garage for 40 years a gypsy caravan that once belonged to John Lennon is about to spark a bidding war from fans all over the world. Beatles lovers widely believe that the old time mobile home should be returned to Lennon’s first born son, Julian, as it was initially a birthday present commemorating his fourth year.

The ‘finder’ of the caravan, Allan Carr, wants the caravan to be put up for auction to raise money for the Ascot Lawyers’ Foundation Charity. Mr Carr is adamant that he will ‘raise a specific value so the charity can do as much good as possible’.

During the Band’s Sgt. Pepper years the caravan was called a Showman or Burton and according to the specific designs of John Lennon it was repainted to fall in with the theme. It was later rehoused at the 72 acre Tittenhurst Park, Sunninghill, where Lennon lived with then-wife Cynthia and Julian.

After moving to Ireland with his second wife Yoko Ono the caravan was left to rot.

Lennon was then murdered in New York in 1980 and band mate Ringo Starr took ownership in ’82.

Ringo had the caravan restored by John Pockett, a Cookham based vintage craftsman, and in 1983 was placed next to Starr’s swimming pool. After selling Tittenhurst Park he took it to Longcross, Surrey where it stayed until Alan was given it.

Mr Carr now wishes for a cultural or Liverpool based heritage foundation to purchase the caravan. With work about to commence on taking it out of dilapidation, the caravan is looking set to return to its former glory. The bill for the rebuild is in the region of £30,000.