All your pals from Gang Shows all over the Country will be wishing that for you, just as I do, boys. If everyone of you go out on to that stage determined you will give of your very best, be your part large or small, then your audience will be right with you all the way and asking as they leave ‘When is the next show?’ With my warmest Good wishes I add the special Cheers of The London Gang Show boys.

So go to it Middlesbrough!

Yours sincerely,

RALPH READER.

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Ralph Reader CBE

Born in Crewkerne, Somerset, orphaned at nine, he became a Scout in 1914. At the age of 17 he went to New York where he worked as a clerk during the day and took dancing lessons in the evenings which led to jobs in touring musical shows and eventually to Broadway. An agent discovered his flair for dance production and got him a three – year contract as a juvenile lead and dance producer – at the age of 18. During the next six years he was connected with nearly thirty American shows.

In 1928 he came to London to produce West End musicals. He soon re-established his contacts with Scouting and became a Rover Scout and Scoutmaster in Holborn. A few district Scout shows led, in 1932, to the launching of the famous ” Gang Shows ” which went from success to success in the years prior to the outbreak of war. In these shows he was author, composer and producer. He also wrote and produced the famous pageant ” Boy Scout ” which was staged in 1936 and 1938. His great service to Scouting was recognised in 1938 when he was presented with the Silver Wolf. From 1939 until 1945 he ran the famous R.A.F. Gang Shows and during the course of his duties toured almost every theatre of operations.

After the war he got back into Scouting again and since 1947 has been responsible for more productions of ” Boy Scout ” at the Royal Albert Hall, record breaking ” Gang Show” seasons and three full-length plays, bringing his total to five. Ralph Reader is now a member of the Boy Scouts Association.

He received the appointment of Chief Scout’s Commissioner in October 1954. In 1958 he went to Chicago to stage the first American ” Gang Show ” and has subsequently gone there each year to stage their annual show.

We are proud to celebrate this 32nd year of Gang Shows and hope that this week at Middlesbrough The Gang will not only give our audience a first class show but will prove – as Ralph Reader would want – that we are first class Scouts. All the material for all our Gang Shows is supplied without charge by Ralph Reader and whilst you may applaud our efforts, your appreciation and our thanks are really due to the man who 32 years ago, by his enthusiasm and knowledge, made Gang Show an international entertainment.

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County Commisioner’s message

It does not seem two years since I was wishing success to your 1962 Gang Show, a wish that was amply fulfilled.

Now a newly organised and greater Middlesbrough is to stage its first Sub-County Gang Show, an event to which we can all look forward with confidence.

One of the things we must always remember in Scouting is that the Scouters are not there to run the boys, but rather to stand in the background and watch and guide.

With all your past experience of Gang Shows, I feel that this will give great opportunity to carry out such an important principle.

Good luck to you all.

MAURICE BURNETT, Lt.Col: D.S.O., D.L., J.P.

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Report on Scouting

Much has happened to scouting in Middlesbrough since our last Gang Show two years ago, not the least of which, was the retirement of our first Town Commissioner, Mr. John Galloway. This caused a terrific sense of loss. and had he not achieved one of his strongest ambitions, to organise the Local Association on a Divisional basis, then the blow would no doubt have been much more painful to us all. His personality and talent did a great deal to establish Gang Show in Middlesbrough. He produced the shows in 50, 51, 53 and 58 and set a standard of performance and spirit among the cast and helpers which has made our Gang Shows renowned; and congratulations have poured in from all who work in these shows from other Towns

Irwin Greenwood who took over for the 1960 show, and has continued since, is keeping up this fine tradition.

Coming back to these Divisions. What a wonderful thing it has been for our Scouting. More and more lay people have come into our circle to help out, and do jobs which we are sure has given them a sense of purpose and much happiness As there are six Divisions, and each requires a whole complement of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and lay executive members, then it can be appreciated how our scouting has been strengthened. We appreciate how they have come forward and trust that we prove worthy of their support.

Scouting is for boys. It is perhaps unfortunate that in these modern times a rather heavy bureaucratic body is needed to make the movement function at world, national, and local level, so let us not lose sight of the boys nor allow the “tail to wag the dog”. Berets have come in place of the traditional wide brimmed hat, Senior Scouts may wear long trousers, but the boy who wears them is unchanged in his desire for out-door adventure. We have moved with the times and changed and modified our training and activities, but we still aim at our goal of helping boys to become good and useful citizens, able to take their place in the community. Honesty, integrity resourcefulness and self reliance are the qualities we develop, along with loyalty, kindness and tolerance. Surely the test is not what the boy is whilst he is with us, but the man he is after being through our Cub Packs and Scout Troops.

All these lay people who are helping at Town and Divisional level can be assured that the parts they play are helping to achieve this end no matter how remote from the boys they may feel.

We are always looking for people who can help us as Badge Examiners. If you have the smallest piece of time to spare, with any sound knowledge of anything (we have a badge for it) and the spirit of the Gang is coming over the footlights to you then please get in touch with any of the District Commissioners. You will find them listed elsewhere in this programme. Perhaps there are those amongst you who have specialist knowledge or business contacts, which could help us with our Headquarters House in Woodlands Road, our permanent campsite at Ravengill, or our Diving Duck Holiday Centre, the latter both at Commondale. Then we could use any help you may volunteer.

We are not scrounging, but are offering you an opportunity to make a contribution to the boyhood of this town, which will have its reward in the future citizens of Middlesbrough.

T. E. AVERELL, Town Commissioner.