91³Ô¹ÏÍø

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 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 ...

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Reformers tree / Reform tree

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

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

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...

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

The Royal Parks

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

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Roz Flint

Architect/designer/landscape designer.

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Harry Gray

Sculptor. Lives and works in Cambridge (2018).

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Nearby Memorials

Beresford Square

Beresford Square

SE18, Beresford Square

Inscriptions for Beresford Square and Woolwich Market are on opposite sides of the arch. 

1 subject commemorated
Liberty's - weather vane - Mayflower

Liberty's - weather vane - Mayflower

W1, Great Marlborough Street

Brought to our attention by Londonist, the weather vane atop Liberty's represents the Mayflower. Arthur Lasenby Liberty (1843 - 1917) op...

1 subject commemorated
The Ring pub

The Ring pub

SE1, Blackfriars Road, 72

The Surrey Chapel which became used as a boxing ring stood at this junction diagonally opposite this pub, on the site now occupied by TfL...

1 subject commemorated
Hazrat Wali

Hazrat Wali

TW2, Craneford Way

In memory of Hazrat Wali, citizen of the world, fatally stabbed here, October 2021. RIP Hazrat We all read these things in the news but...

1 subject commemorated
Tinworth pillar

Tinworth pillar

SE11, Kennington Park Road, Kennington Park

On a nearby information board: "Tinworth Fountain - This was once a large ornamental fountain that stood in a panelled garden close to to...

3 creators