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Jam Roll ... A Gift to the Founder

Jam Roll and Eccles

WILL YOU HELP US PRESERVE B-P's CAR FOR SCOUTING?




Printed below is a brochure produced by B-P Jam Roll Ltd. Currently, a small but growing group of like-minded people, are attempting to preserve, for posterity, B-P's famous car given to him by the Scouts of the world. Scouting Milestones is proud to be part of this appeal. (see Blog for July 11th 2008.)





Background

Jam Roll DURING 1929, the Scout Movement celebrated its 21st birthday by holding a World Jamboree at Arrowe Park near Birkenhead England. To mark the occasion, Scouts from all over the world were invited to contribute one penny towards a suitable gift to the Founder and Chief Scout Lord Baden-Powell.

At the Jamboree, the President of the Boy Scouts of Denmark presented the Chief Scout with a Rolls Royce Motor car [nicknamed Jam Roll (JR), Jam after Jamboree and Roll after Rolls Royce], a caravan which B-P named 'Eccles', after the caravan maker and a portrait of B-P in oils by David Jagger. In thanking the Scouts for their gift, B-P confessed that in spite of his wife's delicate inquiries; the only thing he required was a new pair of braces. Unfortunately, it was too late for the braces to be included in the official presentation, but two days later, the omission was made good by the Irish Scouts. When the Chief donned the new braces, he gave an impromptu jig to show his delight.

The Car

Aunique feature of the car is the radiator mascot; the traditional Spirit of Ecstasy was replaced by the Scout fleur-de-lis with the motto Be Prepared. Both the car and caravan remained in the family until 1938, when Olave Lady Baden-Powell gave Eccles to Gilwell Park and in August 1945 she sold Jam Roll. Jam Roll has had a number of owners prior to its purchase in 1986 by the recent owners. Thanks to their support, Jam Roll and Eccles were displayed together for the first time in fifty years at Gilwell Park during the Centenary World Jamboree (2007). 'Eccles' has recently been refurbished and is still proudly displayed at Gilwell Park.


Jam Roll Radiator

The Purpose

WITH the assistance of a loan and some generous contributions received from a small group of supporters, the Company has now secured the purchase of Jam Roll. This brochure is to invite you to become a participant in this exciting project.



The Task

TO raise sufficient funds to repay a loan, provide for the future up-keep and display of JR at a suitable location. Your contribution will help achieve not only this objective but also with the acquisition of relevant memorabilia and artefacts related to Scouting, thus preserving a significant part of the history surrounding the Movement.





CONTRIBUTIONS

ALL contributions will be thankfully received and acknowledged. Your contribution is important because it will help B-P Jam Roll Limited achieve its objectives.

Background:

B-P Jam Roll Limited was established to support an ongoing program to help the community appreciate the history of Scouting. This purchase is of considerable significance towards the conservation of Scouting history, as it will help keep alive the legacy left to us by the Founder.

Charitable Status

B-P Jam Roll Limited has been granted charitable status by the UK Charity Commission. Registered Charity No: 1124591.


Frequently Asked Questions : FAQ's

  1. What is Jam Roll?

    Jam Roll is a 20 horse power Rolls-Royce, chassis number GVO-40, registration OU 2938. It was one of the last 20hp chassis to be made. The car was fitted with a custom made 'D' back limousine body that was made by Page and Hunt. It was one of a few bodies made by the coach builder for Rolls-Royce.

  2. What is the significance of Jam Roll & Eccles to Scouting?

    In 1929, Lady Baden-Powell was asked to ascertain from the Founder, what gift he would like to celebrate the twenty-first anniversary of Scouting. He replied, "A pair of braces". Scouts around the world were invited to donate a penny. Sufficient funds were raised to buy a custom built Rolls-Royce car (Jam Roll), a caravan (Eccles) and the sought after pair of braces. The car and caravan were then presented to B-P on 10th August 1929 at the Arrowe Park Jamboree. B-P named the car Jam Roll, to reflect both the Jamboree and Rolls-Royce, and the caravan he named Eccles, after its manufacturer.

    Jam Roll was subsequently sold into private hands following Olave Lady Baden-Powell's return to the UK after the second world war. She gave Eccles to the Boy Scout Association. The Scout Association still displays Eccles at Gilwell Park, its national headquarters and training centre.

  3. How is B-P Jam Roll Limited constituted?

    The Company is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales, registration number 6366472. The company has been granted charitable status in the UK, registration number 1124591.

  4. What are the objectives of the Company?

    To advance the education of the public in the history of the Scout Movement through the acquisition, preservation, maintenance and display (either directly or in partnership with others) of memorabilia and other artefacts linked to the Scout Movement as the trustees deem fit.

    The first such item purchased is Jam Roll thanks to generous donations and a loan. It is intended to preserve, maintain and display the car.

  5. Who are the directors?

    The Hon. Michael Baden-Powell (a grandson of the Founder), Tony Harvey, Steve Hilditch and John Ineson.

  6. Where are the funds invested?

    Funds are currently banked in an interest earning current account. Surpluses will be placed in a high interest deposit account. The directors will continue to review investment policies from time to time.

  7. What will happen to excess funds? Funds raised beyond those required to purchase and preserve Jam Roll will be invested to provide an insurance and maintenance fund for Jam Roll and Eccles, and to acquire and preserve other items of significance to Scouting history.

  8. Who owns Jam Roll and where will it be housed?

    B-P Jam Roll Limited owns Jam Roll. The company will retain ownership and is free to loan the car to a suitable museum for display. The directors will house the car until completion of any necessary restoration work.

  9. Where will Jam Roll be displayed?

    The Company has informed the UK Scout Association of its purchase of Jam Roll. The Company's preferred option was for Jam Roll to be displayed with Eccles at Gilwell Park but this will not be possible due to limitations of space in the planned museum. Other suitable and reputable museums are being canvassed. The Company is currently in discussions with the "Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust" with the view to them displaying and storing the car until suitable accommodation can be arranged.

  10. Who will maintain it?

    The Company is taking advice from both the UK Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club and the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust and will use engineers approved by those bodies. The previous owner has agreed to act as technical advisor.

  11. Will it be driven, and who will be allowed to drive JR?

    In keeping with vehicle Museum practice, Jam Roll will be maintained in a road worthy condition, kept taxed and insured with payments made by the company. Only selected drivers, approved by the Company, will be allowed to drive Jam Roll. It is expected that Jam Roll will only be driven on special occasions such as, major Scouting and other relevant events as deemed appropriate by the Directors.

  12. Will donations qualify for UK tax relief under the Gift Aid Scheme?

    Yes. The Company has been granted charitable status, donations from UK tax payers will qualify for tax relief under the Gift Aid scheme. We will send a Gift Aid form to all donors. This process will increase the value of contributions by a further twenty-eight percent (28%).

    In relation to Tax relief outside the UK: - It is recommended, all overseas Donors should consult with either their financial advisors and or Scout Association's on this matter

  13. How will contributions be recognised?

    The Company has established a register of all contributions received.

    All contributors will receive a thank you and an acknowledgement.

    Contributions of £1,000 or more will entitle the donor to be a Patron, receive a signed letter and certificate by the Founders Grandson and unless otherwise requested, will have their name and Country of residence (but not the sum contributed) inscribed on a special Honour Board. It is anticipated that the Patron Honour Board will be displayed near Jam Roll.


A WISE PERSON ONCE SAID:

The way to the future is through the past.


On behalf of the Directors, thank you for your consideration and possible contribution towards helping to preserve Scouting Heritage.

If you have any further questions:

Please visit B-P Jam Roll Ltd website :

or contact either: Michael Baden-Powell

or, Tony Harvey


HOW TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

Regretably Scouting Milestones does not have secure site facilities and is not able to facilitate payment by credit card etc. Milestones is however proud to be one a donor and whole-heartedly endorses this appeal. If you have any problem whatsoever in making a donation, please contact me at Scouting Milestones but please do NOT send funds to me directly. Please make contact with the Directors listed above through their email addresses or visit the B-P Jam Roll Ltd website.

Jam Roll Mascot
The original mascot as supplied with the car, still present to this day.

Mission Statement

Scouting History is inspirational. Let's use to inspire!


The Scouting Milestones Mission Statement could have been written specifically to illustrate the recovery and preservation of 'Jam Roll' for Scouting in perpetuity! If we do not preserve this tangible memory of B-P, we break faith not only with past generations of Scouts across the world who freely gave of their pennies in 1929, but also generations of Scouts yet to come, who will not understand if this brave attempt on their behalf is allowed to be squandered because we did not ask.

Make it happen!


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which is v. 1.1 and was last updated July 20th, 2008.

This article, the text, the images (unless separately acknowledged) and the underlying coding are Copyright C R Walker©, 2008 and B-P Jam Roll Ltd.