Western Cape Jamborees: 1921 Report
Rosebank: Jamboree
Rosebank Showgrounds
Editor's Note: The Rosebank Showgrounds was once a parcel of land owned by Cecil John Rhodes and it was here that the Cape's annual agricultural show was held from 1894 to 1952. The land was then transferred to UCT and today the Baxter, College of Music and student residences are located on the site.
The Jamboree, oh the Jamboree! For weeks we were looking forward to it, getting ready for it, talking of very little else; now it is only a memory, but a very happy one. There is no doubt everyone concerned, from the Commissioner to the smallest Wolf Cub, and there were some very small ones there, is to be congratulated on one of the most successful functions in the annals of South African Scouting. Financially, and this was the primary consideration, the result was most satisfactory, over £300 being raised, this amount including contributions from the Worcester and the French Hoek Troops and the Wellington Pack, which were greatly appreciated.
The weather was all that could be desired. That eccentric old gentleman, the Clerk of the Weather, provided a perfect day, and I understand that steps are being taken to make him an honorary member of the Association. The attendance and interest taken by the general public was greater than at any other Scout Rally. And last, but not least the energy and ingenuity displayed by the Troops and Packs in the running of their Side Shows and Stunts was a revelation not only to the public, but to many who have been closely connected with the movement for years. Not very long ago, a certain Scoutmaster, and by no means an unsuccessful one, was heard to remark that in his opinion the Scout Movement was on the wane in South Africa! Surely after the Empire Day demonstration he cannot still be of the same opinion.
Empire Day
The Jamboree was held on the Rosebank Showground on Tuesday 24 May 1921 - Empire Day. The opening ceremony was performed at 10.30 am, by the Hon. J. W. Jagger, Minister of Railways and Harbours, who pointed out in his speech that the primary object of the effort was to raise money for the local Headquarter Funds and he earnestly appealed to the public to give freely.
The lower ground was devoted to standing exhibitions of Scoutcraft and Side Shows which were in full swing all day. On entering the gates one came upon the model camps. There were 8 of these, erected by different Troops, and there could be seen the various little refinements, stunts and gadgets by means of which Scouts make themselves comfortable in camp. Then there were Side Shows galore: Shooting gallery, aunt sally, box and ball, hit him on the boko, goal-kicking, art gallery, fortune telling, sand-tracking, feeling and smelling competitions, distance and height judging competitions - in fact, a veritable riot of fun and frolic reminding one of an English country fair. That redoubtable warrior, Corporal Tatterpole, V.K., M.U.G., A.S.S., etc., etc., very generously placed his famous and unique collection of war relics and souvenirs on exhibition. The gallant Corporal himself was on sentry outside the museum during the whole day and there is no denying the fact that his soldierly appearance and taking ways with the ladies were largely responsible for the keen interest taken in this exhibition by the fair sex.
At various parts of the ground two Scout brass bands belonging to 1st Observatory and Nazareth House Troops respectively discoursed sweet music, and their bandmasters are to be congratulated on the proficiency to which they have brought these young performers. As one sauntered round the ground he was occasionally pounced upon by the eager and ubiquitous Wolf Cub clamouring to clean his boots. Then there were exhibitions of hut-building, mattress making, camp furniture, woodwork, basket work, leather work, missioners' work, etc., etc. One Patrol of Rovers had erected and were working a fully equipped wireless station, and to the technical man visiting this station there was evidence of very careful and capable tuition. The ladies of the St. John's Ambulance Nursing Division had charge of a hospital tent, and attended to all minor casualties during the day.
Refreshments of excellent quality and moderate price were supplied by the ladies of the League of Remembrance and Help, who were kept very busy all day. In addition to this several Troops ran tuck shops and did a roaring trade, and one enterprising Troop staggered the crowd at lunch-time by producing sausage and mash excellently cooked and well served at six-pence per head. It is rumoured that they disposed of several hundred yards of sausage and several bushels of potatoes.
The afternoon programme was carried out on the upper ground, commencing at 2.30 pm. Unfortunately our good friends the Police were unable to carry out many of the items allotted to them owing to so many of their number being away at Queenstown on special duty. But, like the good sports they are, their tug-of-war team captained by Sub-Inspector Thackeray, kept their engagement, and their band, under the direction of bandmaster Dymond, rendered a first-class programme of music during the after¬noon.
The first tug-of-war team to oppose the Police was composed of eight splendid specimens of the genus Wolf Cub picked from the various Packs and captained by a stray Scoutmaster. The way these boys pulled was an eye-opener; the result was a foregone conclusion, and it was no disgrace to the Police to be beaten by such a hefty team.
The Cubs team being such "hot stuff" and the Police being still eager for the fray, it was decided to have pity on them and substitute a team of 12 Scouts captained by Mr. Wathes. This was a more evenly balanced match, the Police winning one pull and the Scouts the other two. But it was the generally expressed opinion that the Scouts would not have won but for the heavy strain the Police team had been subjected to in their pull against the Cubs. I did say they were good sports, didn't I?
The remainder of the programme consisted of the usual Scout display items, and it need hardly be said that they were carried through with that neatness and vim for which our boys are famous. Two novel items were the forming of a "fleur-de-lys" by all Scouts on parade and a "musical drive" by ten trek carts; both were well carried cut and much appreciated.
The programme was finished at about 5.30 pm, and after further visits to the Side Shows there was a general exodus of Troops, headed by flags and bands, and of visitors eager to catch the special trams provided at the end of a perfect day.
Good turn-out of Cubs
There was a splendid turn-out of Cubs on Empire Day. Unfortunately no parade state was taken so we do not know the actual numbers, but it looked a record attendance when they marched on to the oval and formed up for the Grand Howl.
During the morning the Cubs did their share well in running side-shows, cleaning boots and selling programmes. The Claremont Pack is to be most heartily congratulated on having earned the most money during the day at its side-shows and sweet stall.
The Cubs who did boot-cleaning added a guinea to the funds, and covered themselves with glory - and nugget!
The afternoon performance on the upper ground began at 2.30 pm with two Cub trek-cart displays, that of Gardens and 2nd Green and Sea Point (the latter having a brand-new trek-cart). These displays went off very well and were greatly applauded by the spectators. The Gardens team of Cubs were dressed up as pixies in brown and green, and looked very jolly in their costumes. Their display was taken charge of by Scout J. Rutherford (one of the 1920 London Jamboree Cubs), who gave his orders very smartly, and carried the team through in great style. The 2nd Green and Sea Point cart, being a little heavier one and no very quick work could be done with it, but the team dismantled and assembled very smartly by numbers.
Later on in the afternoon all the Packs lined up and marched on to the ground in two long lines, which curved off right and left, and marched into the maze formation and out again right round the oval, where they halted. From there they ran in for the Howl; but as no ring was marked out for this they were long in forming the circle. We cannot expect to produce a really effective Grand Howl without a certain amount of practice with all the Packs together. It had been hoped that an opportunity for practice would have occurred during the morning; but all seemed too busy.
The various games and displays inside the Circle were well carried out by different packs. Another time we hope to see every Pack taking its share in these.
Scout Heritage 2018