9th World Scout Jamboree

The 9th World Scout Jamboree, also known as the Jubilee Jamboree, was held at 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.

All the events took place on adjacent sites within Sutton Park. As well as the 33,000 participants from 85 countries, an additional 17,000 British Scouts were camping on other organised sites spread over a fifteen mile radius of Sutton Coldfield 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 troops all over England for day long visits that were spread over the 12 days of the Jamboree.

The vast undertaking was under the leadership of Sir Robert Lockhart, 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. The Jamboree was formally declared opened on 1 August by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who wore his Ranger Scout uniform, 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. [ [http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/history/inter/jambo.htm#1957 Scoutbase 1957 Jamboree] ] 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". [ [http://www.qsl.net/ct1nmv/mensagem/g3bhk.html Les Mitchell] ] 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.

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

* [http://www.scouts.org.uk/aboutus/fs295306.pdf Reference to Indabas]
* [http://old.scout.org.tw/events/moot2004/history.htm History of World Scout Moots] on the Taiwan 2004 page

References

* "Scouting Round the World", John S. Wilson, first edition, Blandford Press 1959 p. 279