Jamboree

Activities

WESTBOURNE

A village history in West Sussex

SCOUTS

What was the origin of the Jamboree? Many people have asked this question.

The proposal to hold a great festival that would at the same time be a fitting celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of the Boy Scout Movement and a Peace Thanksgiving on the termination of the Great War was first mooted as far back as 1916 when the Chief Scout evolved the idea and submitted it to the Council at General Headquarters for consideration.

On July 26th, 1916, the first Committee Meeting was held at which it was decided, inter alia, "That an Imperial and International jamboree shall be held in 1918 provided the war is over in 1917." Although the pious hope expressed in the latter paragraph did not materialise, this did not deter an untiring band of workers from persevering in their self-imposed task.

One of the earliest things that had to be decided, of course, was where to hold the jamboree, and this in itself was no easy task. First, it was realised that the site would have to be a most commodious one if the vast assemblage anticipated was to see anything of the Show. Next, it had to be under cover in case of bad weather. Again, it must be accessible to the public and give a good view from all seats in perfect comfort-and few such buildings exist. Among the likely places considered were the Crystal Palace; the Agricultural Hall; White City Central Building, Westminster; the Albert Hall; the Duke of York's School and Chelsea Gardens, but all fell short in some degree of the standard set up by the Directors. Finally Olympia was decided upon and the building was ultimately secured upon most advantageous terms.

Such an undertaking had never before been attempted. No one knew how it would turn out. The original Programme, still extant and dated "1916," outlines a Wolf-Cub Chorus Of 2,000 voices with a jungle Dance and Games. For the Scouts there was a Bridge-building Competition, a Trek-cart Race, Fire Fighting, Dealing with Accidents, Massed Chorus Whistling, Camp Work, and Badge Work. The Sea Scouts were to show Work Aloft, Derrick Rigging and Hoisting Cargo, the Patrol Leaders to deal with Courts of Honour and Conferences, and the Rovers to give displays in connection with the Fire Brigade and accidents of various kinds.

Many having paid their one and threepence (which admitted to the building only) thought they were entitled to see the performances, and no amount of explaining could make some such as these see the impossibility of providing a seat for one and threepence to witness a £20,000 Show. One irate old lady having paid her admission fee thought at least she had purchased a seat in the Royal Box. She demanded to see someone in authority. "What I want to know is—who's in charge of this 'ere jumble Sale ? " " Jamboree " was, indeed, a difficult word for many.
Source: http://pinetreeweb.com/1920-wj1-tjb-01.htm

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FIRST WORLD JAMBOREE

WHAT IS A JAMBOREE?