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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.

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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 ...

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Reformers tree / Reform tree

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

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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...

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The Royal Parks

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

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Roz Flint

Architect/designer/landscape designer.

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Harry Gray

Sculptor. Lives and works in Cambridge (2018).

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