Other

Reformers Tree

Erection date: 2000

Inscription

{Carved in a spiral in the outer sandstone ring:}
This mosaic has been designed to commemorate the 'Reformers Tree', a venerable tree which was burnt down during the reform league riots in 1866.  The remaining stump became a noticeboard for the political demonstration and a gathering point for reform league meetings.  A new oak tree was planted by the then Prime Minister James Callaghan on 7 November 1977 on the spot where 'Reformers Tree' was thought to have stood.

This mosaic is at a meeting of 9 footpaths and 7 outlying mosaics, in the same style as the central feature, point the way to: Hyde Park Corner the Bandstand, Knightsbridge toilets 100m refreshments 400m, The Serpentine, Kensington Gardens the Old Police House, Lancaster Gate, Paddington and Speakers Corner Marble Arch.

Site: Reformers Tree (1 memorial)

W2, Hyde Park

The text on the memorial raises more questions than it answers.  Firstly it does not say that this is (believed to be) the site of the original tree, in fact it excludes that possibility by saying that a new oak tree was planted on that spot in 1977.  However there is no one tree nearby that stands out as obviously being that new tree.  We question other points in the memorial text on our Reformers Tree page.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Reformers Tree

Subjects commemorated i

Reform League

A group who campaigned for adult male suffrage, at the time limited to adult ...

Read More

Reformers tree / Reform tree

The text on the memorial says that the original tree was burnt by the people ...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Reformers Tree

Created by i

Audrey and James Callaghan

James was Labour Prime Minister 1976-9, Audrey his wife, also in politics but...

Read More

The Royal Parks

Manages 8 major Royal Parks covering 5,000 acres:  Bushy Park (with the Longf...

Read More

Roz Flint

Architect/designer/landscape designer.

Read More

Harry Gray

Sculptor. Lives and works in Cambridge (2018).

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Horseferry Playground renovation

Horseferry Playground renovation

SW1, Millbank, Victoria Tower Gardens

The inscription text comes from a modern, long and thin, serpentine section of paving in the playground, close to the screen wall.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
New Gravel Pit Chapel - plaque

New Gravel Pit Chapel - plaque

E9, Mead Place

In our photo the plaque is lost behind the bramble branches to the right of the right-most panel. We have captured 2 of the c.5 sculpted ...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators
Virtues - Humour

Virtues - Humour

WC2, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery - Staircase Hall - North Vestibule

Lady Diana Cooper as Britannia sits on a lion which clutches a Union Jack shield. She holds the book 'Who's Who' and is awarding a laurel...

2 subjects commemorated
How memorial gateway

How memorial gateway

E3, St Leonard's Street

This gate leads into a much overgrown graveyard which contains a modern information board: "St Leonard’s Priory was founded in the 11th ...

1 subject commemorated, 9 creators
Bench - United Wards Club

Bench - United Wards Club

EC2, Guildhall Yard

Our picture shows the north-east corner of the Yard. The cyclist is in front of the two benches. The plaque is carved on the panel on the...

1 subject commemorated

Previously viewed