The Jamboree Stone

With so many individual places of interest within Sutton Park, it can be hard for the Sutton resident, let alone visitor, to keep track of all the names and what they represent. The Jamboree Stone is one such marker of which you hear, the significance of which becomes lost through over-​use, or swallowed up by talk of different pools, entrances, or species.
The Jamboree Stone commemorates the 1957 World Jamboree — a gathering of scouts from groups across the world. Here were international boys in hundreds of tents under the night sky. It’s a charming image. But while it may have a slight historical appeal, or even prove a point of fascination to any scout within your family — that sense that they are part of a larger and planet-​wide collective — the monument, unto itself, is not particularly impressive. In sheer practical terms, it’s best used as an orientating reference point.
You find it by entering Sutton Park at Boldmere Gate, via Monmouth Drive. From there to reach the stone, it’s a walk, in a straight line, of around two miles. Psst, this is really the best means by which you stand a good chance of finding an ice cream van. The stone is a common parking point for the dispenser of Screwballs and 99s. It also marks a crossroads from where you can make your way to Wyndley or Town Gates. The area is pretty uncluttered here, so you also get a good impression of the size of the park, not to mention a few benches to help you take a breather.

Popular culture tells us that in 1957 most kids were just about getting into rock and roll. However, this monument in Sutton Park paints a slightly different picture of ‘50s youth.
This large and somewhat austere stone, situated in an equally austerely open part of the Park, commemorates an event in August 1957 when the 50^th year of the Scout movement was celebrated by 32,000 camping boys from over 87 countries. Clearly these kids were more into toggles than blue suede shoes. However, rebels without a cause or not, the Stone and its plaque doesn’t tell the full story. The beautiful nature and habitats on offer here in North Birmingham inevitably suffered damage from so many visitors. Conversely, this in fact ensured the Park’s long term future, prompting the resolve of local conservationists and pressure groups to enable the park to be enjoyed by locals for years to come.