Imperial Scout Exhibition

The Imperial Scout Exhibition was the first International scout rally in Birmingham, a gathering of Boy Scouts held in July 1913, with an exhibition at Bingley Hall, opened by Princess Alexander of Teck, and events in Perry Hall Park (then in Staffordshire; part of Birmingham from 1928) attended by about 30,000 Scouts, in the presence of Prince Arthur of Connaught.[1][2] A review of Sea Scouts took place at Edgbaston Reservoir.

Imperial Scout Exhibition
Certificate signed by Baden-Powell
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Handsworth Park
InauguratedJuly 1913
Attendance30,000
Magazine clipping with photo. The caption reads "The Boy Scouts Charge Past Prince Arthur of Connaught Shouting their Patrol Calls - At Perry Hall Park, near Birmingham. Prince Arthur of Connaught attended a rally of 30,000 Boy Scouts from all parts of the Empire and from foreign countries. The above rather alarming performance was the "star turn" of the day "
Scouts at the 1913 rally, in Perry Hall Park

The 1st Shanghai Troop of Baden-Powell Scouts attended, taking six weeks to arrive from Shanghai. There were also troops from Australia, South Africa, Canada, Gibraltar, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Poland, Sweden, and Holland.[3]

Legacy

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Cover of "Boy Scouts and What They Do"

An illustrated book about the events, "Boy Scouts and What They Do", was published later the same year, with an introduction by the Chief Scout, Robert Baden-Powell.[4]

Handsworth Park has hosted a rally for many years when Scouts from a wide area congregated and paraded since the exhibition.[5][6][7]

References

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  1. ^ "Through the years by 'The Trek-Cart'". the 4th Derby (Derwent) Scout Group. 1949. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
  2. ^ "The Great Boy Scout Rally Near Birmingham". The Sphere. 12 July 1913. p. 33.
  3. ^ Anonymous; Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell (1913), Boy Scouts and What They Do, p. 36, Wikidata Q104549191 {{citation}}: |author1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Anonymous; Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell (1913), Boy Scouts and What They Do, Wikidata Q104549191 {{citation}}: |author1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Drinkwater, John (22 October 2001). "Memories of Handsworth Park". Birmingham Post. p. 10. Gale A79333883 – via Gale OneFile: News.
  6. ^ "Resource Details - Birmingham Images". www.search.birminghamimages.org.uk.
  7. ^ "Midlands News: 04.07.1960: Scouts rally at Handsworth Park". MACE Archive. 23 June 2017.