9th World Scout Jamboree
Encyclopedia
The 9th World Scout Jamboree, also known as the Jubilee Jamboree, was held at Sutton Park
, Birmingham
, England
, for twelve days during August, 1957. The Jamboree marked dual milestones as it was both the 50th anniversary of the Scouting
movement since its inception at Brownsea Island
and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Scouting's founder Robert Baden-Powell
. Held concurrently with the World Jamboree was the 2nd World Scout Indaba
and the 6th World Rover Moot, as well as the third Girl Guide World Camp
.
Scouts were camping on other organised sites spread over a fifteen mile radius from Sutton Park
and attending the daily organised events at the main campsite, giving a total attendance of 50,000 Scouts in residence, with a further 7,000 being bussed in from locations all over England for day long visits that were spread over the 12 days of the Jamboree.
, Deputy Chief Scout, as the Camp Chief. He was assisted by Chief Executive Scout Commissioner Fred Hurll who was Deputy Camp Chief. The Jamboree's Executive Commissioner was K. H. Stevens the permanent commissioner at Gilwell Park
, Scouting's permanent campsite near London
, who oversaw the organisation of the many satellite camp sites.
, accompanied by the British
Prime Minister
, Harold MacMillan
. The Jamboree was closed on 12 August by the World Chief Guide, Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, who gave her speech alternately in both English and French. Lady Baden-Powell was accompanied by the Lord Mayor
of Birmingham
. The concurrent Jamboree-Indaba-Moot, known by most as JIM, was opened by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
.
During this Jubilee Jamboree, Scout leader
and radio ham Les Mitchell announced his idea of the Jamboree on the Air allowing Scouts worldwide who were unable to attend to experience the event over the radio and to hold annual radio "meets". The 1957 event was the first Jamboree that had been held in England to have its own commemorative postage stamps
produced by the General Post Office
.
In conjunction with the Jamboree the Scouting Association promoted a week long Gang Show
at the Hippodrome Theatre in central Birmingham between 5 August and 10 August, led by Ralph Reader
and featuring the full 150 strong cast from his London based Gang Show. Buses were provided each evening to bus up to 500 campers into the city centre for the show. Daily rail excursion charter trains were laid on to transport the international Scouts on sight-seeing trips to various British cities, including Nottingham
, Leicester
, Loughborough
, London
and Cardiff
.
The event is commemorated by a short stone pillar in the centre of Sutton Park that still stands near the site of Lady Baden-Powell's closing address.
The weather during the 12 days ranged from an oppressive summer heatwave to two days of torrential rain that turned many pathways into quagmires.
Sutton Park
Sutton Park, in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England, is one of the largest urban parks in Europe and the largest outside a capital city; it is larger than Richmond Park in London....
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, for twelve days during August, 1957. The Jamboree marked dual milestones as it was both the 50th anniversary of the Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
movement since its inception at Brownsea Island
Brownsea Island
Brownsea Island is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour in the county of Dorset, England. The island is owned by the National Trust. Much of the island is open to the public and includes areas of woodland and heath with a wide variety of wildlife, together with cliff top views across Poole...
and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Scouting's founder Robert Baden-Powell
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
. Held concurrently with the World Jamboree was the 2nd World Scout Indaba
World Scout Indaba
The World Scout Indaba was a gathering of Scout Leaders from around the world, a sort of World Jamboree for Scouters. Created at the 1949 12th World Scout Conference in Elvesaeter, Norway, the British Scout Association submitted that of the great number of Scouters working in a Pack, Troop or Crew,...
and the 6th World Rover Moot, as well as the third Girl Guide World Camp
World Camp (Guiding)
There have been several World Camps held by the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, first held in 1924. Organized by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, unlike World Scout Jamborees, World Camps are not named with an ordinal number, nor is there an attempt to hold them at regular...
.
Overview
All the events took place on adjacent sites within Sutton Park located in Sutton Coldfield. As well as the 33,000 participants from 85 countries, an additional 17,000 BritishBritish people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
Scouts were camping on other organised sites spread over a fifteen mile radius from Sutton Park
Sutton Park
Sutton Park, in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England, is one of the largest urban parks in Europe and the largest outside a capital city; it is larger than Richmond Park in London....
and attending the daily organised events at the main campsite, giving a total attendance of 50,000 Scouts in residence, with a further 7,000 being bussed in from locations all over England for day long visits that were spread over the 12 days of the Jamboree.
Control and organisation
The vast undertaking was under the leadership of Sir Robert LockhartRob Lockhart
General Sir Robert McGregor MacDonald Lockhart KCB CIE MC was a British Indian Army general of World War II and an early Scouting notable.-Military career:...
, Deputy Chief Scout, as the Camp Chief. He was assisted by Chief Executive Scout Commissioner Fred Hurll who was Deputy Camp Chief. The Jamboree's Executive Commissioner was K. H. Stevens the permanent commissioner at Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park is a camp site and activity centre for Scouting groups, as well as a training and conference centre for Scout Leaders. The 44 hectare site is in Sewardstonebury, Epping Forest, close to Chingford, London....
, Scouting's permanent campsite near London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, who oversaw the organisation of the many satellite camp sites.
Addresses
The Jamboree was formally declared opened on 1 August by Prince Philip, Duke of EdinburghPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
, accompanied by the British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, Harold MacMillan
Harold Macmillan
Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC was Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 January 1957 to 18 October 1963....
. The Jamboree was closed on 12 August by the World Chief Guide, Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, who gave her speech alternately in both English and French. Lady Baden-Powell was accompanied by the Lord Mayor
Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor is the title of the Mayor of a major city, with special recognition.-Commonwealth of Nations:* In Australia it is a political position. Australian cities with Lord Mayors: Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Parramatta, Perth, Sydney, and Wollongong...
of Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
. The concurrent Jamboree-Indaba-Moot, known by most as JIM, was opened by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester was a soldier and member of the British Royal Family, the third son of George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary....
.
Events
Scout Leader
A Scout Leader or Scouter generally refers to the trained adult leader of a Scout unit. The terms used vary from country to country, over time, and with the type of unit.-Roles:...
and radio ham Les Mitchell announced his idea of the Jamboree on the Air allowing Scouts worldwide who were unable to attend to experience the event over the radio and to hold annual radio "meets". The 1957 event was the first Jamboree that had been held in England to have its own commemorative postage stamps
Postage stamps and postal history of Great Britain
Postage stamps and postal history of Great Britain surveys postal history from the United Kingdom and the postage stamps issued by that country and its various historical territories until the present day....
produced by the General Post Office
General Post Office
General Post Office is the name of the British postal system from 1660 until 1969.General Post Office may also refer to:* General Post Office, Perth* General Post Office, Sydney* General Post Office, Melbourne* General Post Office, Brisbane...
.
In conjunction with the Jamboree the Scouting Association promoted a week long Gang Show
Gang Show
A Gang Show is a theatrical performance with a cast of youth members of Scouts and sometimes Guides too, by invitation. Adult leaders and parents help out behind the scenes. The aim of the shows is to give young people in Scouting and Guiding the opportunity to develop performance skills and...
at the Hippodrome Theatre in central Birmingham between 5 August and 10 August, led by Ralph Reader
Ralph Reader
William Henry Ralph Reader CBE , known as Ralph Reader, was a British actor, theatrical producer and songwriter, best known for staging the original Gang Show, a variety entertainment presented by members of the Scouting Movement.Reader was born in Crewkerne, Somerset, England, the son of a...
and featuring the full 150 strong cast from his London based Gang Show. Buses were provided each evening to bus up to 500 campers into the city centre for the show. Daily rail excursion charter trains were laid on to transport the international Scouts on sight-seeing trips to various British cities, including Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
.
The event is commemorated by a short stone pillar in the centre of Sutton Park that still stands near the site of Lady Baden-Powell's closing address.
The weather during the 12 days ranged from an oppressive summer heatwave to two days of torrential rain that turned many pathways into quagmires.
External links
- Reference to Indabas
- History of World Scout Moots on the Taiwan 2004 page