John and Yoko's first event received a generally sceptical response from the press. As Ray Coleman commented it ...fuelled the cynics' view that John had gone crazy... they planted two acorns at Coventry Cathedral as part of the National Sculpture Exhibition ...one facing east, the other facing west... The idea, which was John's, was to symbolise the meeting of John and Yoko as two different cultures, and the phrase 'Plant an acorn for peace', coined by John was to accompany the event...The planting of acorns...was of great significance to John, more so than to Yoko. It marked his concentration on art and his first conscious proclamation of peace....

According to the accompanying press cutting, John and Yoko planted the two acorns under a white wrought-iron garden seat which was insured by the couple at the time for £4,500. The sculpture, entitled Yoko by John - John by Yoko was described by the artists as ..this is what happens when two clouds meet. Mr. Anthony Fawcett, cited in Lennon's letter, and a member of the organising committee wrote in the catalogue ..The thoughts behind it are beautiful... The main Sculpture Exhibition was housed inside the cathedral ruins, however John and Yoko's piece was moved from its original position in front of the Chapel of Unity and placed in the cathedral garden as Canon Verney, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore decided that it wouldn't fit in with the rest of the exhibition which had been planned a long time in advance. Verney is quoted as saying of the sculpture I am very happy with it. It has two important things to say: firstly sit and think of an acorn growing into an oak, and secondly try not to take yourselves too seriously..