Gilwell Oak

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Gilwell Oak
Gilwell Oak (5948293396).jpg
Owner The Scout Association
Location Gilwell Park
CountryEngland
Coordinates 51°39′1″N0°0′8″E / 51.65028°N 0.00222°E / 51.65028; 0.00222 Coordinates: 51°39′1″N0°0′8″E / 51.65028°N 0.00222°E / 51.65028; 0.00222
FoundedUnknown
WikiProject Scouting fleur-de-lis dark.svg  Scouting portal

The Gilwell Oak is an oak tree on the grounds of The Scout Association's headquarters at Gilwell Park, Essex. It is reputed to have been used as a hiding place by Dick Turpin and since the 20th century has become closely associated with the Scout movement. The tree is situated close to the training ground for the association's first Scout leaders and provided material for the earliest Wood Badges. The oak inspired Scout movement founder Robert Baden-Powell to create "the moral of the acorn and the oak" an analogy for the growth of the Scout movement and the personal growth of its members. The Gilwell Oak was voted England's Tree of the Year by the public in 2017 and was subsequently selected by a panel of experts as the UK Tree of the Year. [1]

Contents

Description

Baden-Powell's sketch of his acorn and oak analogy, inspired by the Gilwell Oak BP oak moral.png
Baden-Powell's sketch of his acorn and oak analogy, inspired by the Gilwell Oak

The Gilwell Oak is a Common or English Oak (Quercus robur) of approximately 450–550 years of age. [1] It is in Gilwell Park, a former country estate in Epping Forest that was purchased by The Scout Association in 1919 for use as their headquarters. [2] The tree is reputed to have been used by the 18th-century highwayman Dick Turpin to ambush passing stagecoaches. [2]

Scouting

A modern Wood Badge Scout woodbadge beads.jpg
A modern Wood Badge

The oak is sited at the edge of Gilwell Park's training ground where the first Scout leader training was carried out. [3] The Wood Badge, the bead insignia that mark completion of Scout leader training, is closely linked to the Gilwell Oak. Although the original beads came from Africa, reputedly having belonged to Dinizulu, [4] the fallen branches of the Gilwell Oak were carved into early wood badges awarded to leaders trained at Gilwell. [5] Modern wood badges are made from alternative materials but special commemorative beads carved from the Gilwell Oak are sold by The Scout Association to certified leaders. [6]

Scouting's founder Robert Baden-Powell was inspired by the oak to write "the moral of the acorn and the oak" in around 1929 that held that "big things were possible from modest beginnings". [7] [3] [8] Baden-Powell said that the growth of the oak from humble acorn to mighty tree was analogous to the growth of Scouting from the 1907 Brownsea Island Scout camp to a worldwide organisation and the similar personal growth of a young person passing through the movement. [3]

Chief Scout of the Scout Association Bear Grylls said that "The Gilwell Oak has been the backdrop to hundreds of courses in which thousands of volunteer leaders have been inspired and motivated to change young people's lives. It's the unbending symbol of Scouting's desire to change the world for the better". [2] The Gilwell Oak is a landmark at Gilwell Park and is visited by hundreds of Scouts each year, some of whom take a leaf or an acorn from the tree as a souvenir of their visit. [3]

Tree of the Year 2017

The Gilwell Oak was nominated for English Tree of the Year 2017 and beat the nine other contenders, having polled 26% of the 7,000 public votes. [2] [5] It was subsequently chosen as UK Tree of Year from the winners of the four Home Nations by a panel of experts. [2] [5] The tree represented the UK at the European Tree of the Year Awards and came in fifth place with 12,955 votes. [2] [8] [9] In commemoration of the tree's win the Scout Association was presented with a model of the tree. [8]

Related Research Articles

Scouting World-wide movement for the education of youth

The Scout movement, also known as Scouting or the Scouts, is a voluntary non-political educational movement for young people. Although it requires an oath of allegiance to a nation's leaders and, in some countries, to a god, it otherwise allows membership without distinction of gender, race or origin in accordance with the principles of its founder, Lord Baden-Powell. The purpose of the Scout Movement is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. During the first half of the twentieth century, the movement grew to encompass three major age groups for boys: Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Rover Scout. In 1910, the Girl Guides was created, encompassing three major age groups for girls: Brownie Guide, Girl Guide and Girl Scout and Ranger Guide. It is one of several worldwide youth organizations.

Neckerchief

A neckerchief, sometimes called a necker, kerchief or scarf, is a type of neckwear associated with those working or living outdoors, including farm labourers, cowboys and sailors. It is most commonly still seen today in the Scouts, Girl Guides and other similar youth movements. A neckerchief consists of a triangular piece of cloth or a rectangular piece folded into a triangle. The long edge is rolled towards the point, leaving a portion unrolled. The neckerchief is then fastened around the neck with the ends either tied or clasped with a slide or woggle.

Baden-Powell Scouts Association Voluntary Scouting association for young people

The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (B-PSA) is a worldwide youth organisation originating in the United Kingdom, with friendly relationships with similar traditional scouting organisations in various countries. Baden-Powell Scouting focuses on the importance of tradition in the scout movement.

Wood Badge Scouting award

Wood Badge is a Scouting leadership programme and the related award for adult leaders in the programmes of Scout associations throughout the world. Wood Badge courses aim to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement. Courses generally have a combined classroom and practical outdoors-based phase followed by a Wood Badge ticket, also known as the project phase. By "working the ticket", participants put their newly gained experience into practice to attain ticket goals aiding the Scouting movement. The first Wood Badge training was organized by Francis "Skipper" Gidney and lectured at by Robert Baden-Powell and others at Gilwell Park in September 1919. Wood Badge training has since spread across the world with international variations.

Gilwell Park UK camp site and activity centre for Scouting and Guiding groups and other youth organizations

Gilwell Park is a camp site and activity centre for Scouting and Guiding groups, as well as schools and other youth organisations. The site also houses a training and conference centre, including the hosting of social events such as weddings and birthday parties. The 44 hectare (109 acre) site is in Sewardstonebury, Epping Forest, close to Chingford, London.

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Woggle

A woggle is a device to fasten the neckerchief, or scarf, worn as part of the Scout or Girl Guides uniform, originated by a Scout in the 1920s.

In the Scout Movement, a commissioner is the person whose role it is to oversee a Scout association's programs, usually within a particular geographic area. Normally, commissioners are volunteers. In some Scout associations, the term Executive Commissioner is used to refer to a paid staff member.

William Hillcourt Scouting leader

William Hillcourt, known within the Scouting movement as "Green Bar Bill", was an influential leader in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) organization from 1927 to 1992. Hillcourt was a prolific writer and teacher in the areas of woodcraft, troop and patrol structure, and training; his written works include three editions of the BSA's official Boy Scout Handbook, with over 12.6 million copies printed, other Scouting-related books and numerous magazine articles. Hillcourt developed and promoted the American adaptation of the Wood Badge adult Scout leader training program.

Scouting started in Victoria as early as 1907. In the early years of Scouting in Victoria, local Boy Scout patrols and troops formed independently.

Pathfinder Scouts Association

The Pathfinder & Rover Explorer Scouts' Association (P-RESA) is an independent Traditional Scouting Association in the United Kingdom, with International branches. The Association's training programme runs along the lines of Baden-Powell's original Scouting for Boys, upholding the traditions and practices set out by B-P, using the 1938 Boy Scouts' Association Policy Organisation & Rules (POR) as its basis.

1st World Scout Jamboree

The 1st World Scout Jamboree was held from 30 July 1920 to 8 August 1920 and was hosted by the United Kingdom at Kensington Olympia in London. 8,000 Scouts from 34 nations attended the event, which was hosted in a glass-roofed building covering an area of 6 acres (24,000 m2).

Sir Percy Winn Everett was an editor-in-chief for the publisher C. Arthur Pearson Limited and an active Scouter who became the Deputy Chief Scout of The Boy Scouts Association.

Francis "Skipper" Gidney (1890–1928) was an early leader of the Scouting movement in the United Kingdom. He was appointed the first Camp Chief of Gilwell Park in May 1919, and organized the first Wood Badge adult leader training course there in September 1919. He served in the Scouting organization until 1923, and was honoured by having the Gidney Cabin at Gilwell, a training centre, named for him.

Betty Clay

Betty St Clair Clay was the younger daughter of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting and Olave Baden-Powell. She was the sister of Peter Baden-Powell; the aunt of Robert Baden-Powell, 3rd Baron Baden-Powell, and Michael Baden-Powell, 4th Baron Baden-Powell; the niece of Agnes Baden-Powell, Baden Baden-Powell; niece and goddaughter of Warington Baden-Powell; and granddaughter of the Rev. Prof. Baden Powell.

Wood Badge (Boy Scouts of America) Highest level of Scouting training for adults in the US

Wood Badge in the United States is the highest level of adult Scout leader training available. It was first presented in England by the founder of Scouting, Baden Powell, and he introduced the program into the United States during a visit in 1936. The first course was held at the Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation, but Americans did not fully adopt Wood Badge until 1948. The National BSA Council staff provided direct leadership to the program through 1958, when the increased demand encouraged them to permit local councils to deliver the training.

Baden-Powell Award Highest award achievable to Rover (adult) Scouts

The Baden-Powell Award, also known as the B-P Award or Baden-Powell Scout Award (BPSA), is the highest award achievable to Rover (adult) Scouts.

Girl Guides Movement for girls and young women

Girl Guides is a movement found worldwide, which was originally and still largely designed for girls and women only. This organization was introduced in 1909, because girls demanded to take part in the then grassroots Boy Scout Movement.

B-Ps footprint

B-P's footprint is a casting, usually in bronze or brass, of the right foot of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout and Guide Movements, who is known as "B-P." The idea is that people may put their foot into this casting, so that they can say that they have "walked in the footsteps of B-P."

Statue of Robert Baden-Powell, London

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References

  1. 1 2 "The Gilwell Oak". European Tree of the Year. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Epping's Gilwell Oak wins Tree of the Year 2017". BBC News. 7 December 2017. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 Pantling, Caroline. "The Gilwell Oak : Scouting rediscovers its roots". Share Museums East. Heritage Service Manager at The Scout Association. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  4. ↑ "The Origins Of The Wood Badge" (PDF). scouts.org.uk. Archives Department, The Scout Association. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 "The UK's tree of the year has been revealed". Metro. 7 December 2017. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  6. ↑ "Gilwell Park Scouting Oak Wood Badge 2 Beads in Box". Scout Shops. The Scout Association. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  7. ↑ "The Gillwell Oak, Baden-Powell's favourite, is crowned tree of the year". The Times. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  8. 1 2 3 "Vote for the Gilwell Oak in the European Tree of the Year competition". Land Love Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  9. ↑ "European Tree of the Year 2018" . Retrieved 29 October 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
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