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The County badge shows a sheep being weighed and tree branches. These represent the importance of the wool trade and forestry in the development of the county. There are eight Scout districts: Cheltenham, Cotswold, Cotswold Vale, Gloucester, North Cotswold, The Royal Forest of Dean, Stroud & Tetbury, Tewkesbury. Tewkesbury District is in the north of the county and includes the towns of Bishops Cleeve and Winchcombe as well as Tewkesbury itself and the rural areas between. The District badge depicts a bishop's mitre and crook, a sword and a rose. The mitre and crook represent Tewkesbury Abbey (founded 1092) and Hailes Abbey, near Winchcombe (founded 1246). At the time of the Dissolution (1539), Tewkesbury Abbey was saved from demolition by the people of the town. They purchased it for £453 to use as the parish church. It is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture. Hailes Abbey was an important medieval pilgrimage site but faired less well during the Dissolution. It was stripped of its lead and other valuables and left as a ruin. What remains are preserved by the National Trust. The rose and sword represent the Battle of Tewkesbury, 4th May 1471. It was a turning point in the War of the Roses. In recent years, the battle has been re-enacted each summer and has become the largest medieval festival in Europe. |
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