This gift of room decor for Conference Room 8 is in the main concourse of the General Assembly Building. It is panelled in solid English oak that has been waxed and polished. The room, table and chairs were designed by British architect and painter Charles Terry Pledge (1882 – 1961). 

Oak has long held significance in the United Kingdom, following the old saying “England was built on Oak.”  More recently, an image of an oak tree was used on the back of the one-pound coin. The walls of the room use horizontal oak panels alternating with square-fielded panels bearing 84 different motifs of British flora and fauna. The featured carved panels are by artists John Skeaping and Guy Ngan. The panelling was made by Green & Vardy.  

The original gift included a green Wilton carpet woven by Hugh Mackay and Company. The green of the carpet paired with the oak reliefs of of British flora and fauna allows this room to appear forest-like in its design. 

The Conference Room’s first day of use was November 26, 1952, with Secretary-General Trygve Lie and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN, Sir Gladwyn Jebb, present. It continues to hold significant meetings today.