1994 Messages

MESSAGE FROM PRODUCTION MANAGER

Middlesbrough produced its first Gang Show in 1950. In 1958 we moved to The Little Theatre and this is our 19th consecutive show at this venue. Looking back on past performances it is difficult to know how the standard can be improved each year but somehow the cast, and their supporters front and backstage manage it. I would like to express my thanks to the dedicated band of producers, accompanyists, costumers, choreographers, and back stage supporters who infuse the cast with enthusiasm and professionalism. Their many hours of unpaid dedicated effort shows tonight in this magnificent performance. They have been backed up by parents, leaders, helpers and the shows business team. I thank them, and you the audience, for being here tonight.

So sit back in your seats and enjoy yourselves as the Scouts and Guides of Middlesbrough try their hardest to entertain you tonight. It is their sincere hope that you will appreciate their humble efforts and that you will support their next show when it comes along.

They also hope that they may have won many new friends for Scouting.

Keith Nudd

DISTRICT COMMISSIONER’S LETTER

Once again it falls to us to welcome you to the Middlesbrough Gang Show. The show you are about to see is the product of many months of hard work by a large number of people, the production team, the cast and last but certainly not least the back stage crew who are the unsung hero’s of this production. We must thank the Cleveland Guides for all their help, it is good to see the Guiding and Scouting Movements working together so well.

This year is going to be a very busy one for Scouting in Cleveland. The International “Friendship” camp is to be held at Ripley Castle, when some 2000 Scouts and Guides from all over the world will partake of a host of activities set up by Cleveland County Leaders, a really formidable task. Let’s hope the weather smiles on us and allows the Boys and Girls to enjoy the camp to the full.

Doug Corbin is again organising a foray into darkest Africa with a group of Venture Scouts and Ranger Guides to carry out work to help those less fortunate than ourselves. This time it is to Middlesbroughs twin town of Masvingo in Zimbabwe, good luck to you all in this venture.

These are only two of the exciting activities that are being planned inside the County. These are extra to the “normal” Scout work that goes on week after week. We thank all the dedicated leaders who make this all possible. Despite all the marvellous work done by the Warranted Leadership, Scouting as we know it can only exist with the help and support of you, the people. Thank you all – now just sit back and enjoy “The Gang Show 1994”.

RAY BROADHEAD
East Middlesbrough District

PETER HEWLING
West Middlesbrough District

Chairmans Message

Welcome to the Middlesbrough Scouts Gang Show in the Little Theatre, on behalf of the East and West Middlesbrough Scout Districts.

In the past few years I have had the privilege of leading the Show’s Production Team, but now, as Chairman, I have a much wider view of the work involved in getting the “Show on the Road”. The Business Team and Executive Committee have such an important task in backing up the efforts of the “Gang”. What a wonderful spirit there is in producing a Gang Show.Irwin Greenwood, the President of the Show, suffered a stroke last Autumn. He is making good progress and we wish him a speedy recovery. Of course, many will remember Irwin as the Show’s Producer in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

Frank Sterrett, the Stage Manager, has intimated that this will be his last Show. We shall be sad to see him retire as he has done a wonderful job Back Stage for many years. Happy retirement Frank.Grateful thanks and best wishes then to the Cast, Production Team, Business Team, Sponsors, Supporters and everyone connected with the Show. I know the Show will be a resounding success, all thanks to your efforts.To you, the audience, thank you for being with us and I hope you enjoy watching the Show as much as the “Gang” enjoy performing it for you.

Frank G. Holliday

MESSAGE FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Dear Friends and Supporters of Scouting,

I hope that you enjoy this GANG SHOW as much as all the cast, production staff, back-stage people, programme sellers and others do. I know that the best part of the show is being one of the “Gang” during the rehearsals and run-up to the show. It’s like being part of one big “family”, and that too is what Scouting is all about.

We all work together to have fun, make friends, do exciting things, in the safety of the “family”. BUT – we need your help.

All our leaders are volunteers in uniform, of which we are rightly proud, but many of our helpers are parents and friends, all doing their little bit to help the “show” of Scouting to stay on the road.

After the show is over, and you admire the enthusiasm and dedication of the cast and production team, could you spare a few moments to think if YOU would like to help the Scouting Movement in some way? You could find yourself sharing in some of that fun, picking up some of that enthusiasm, and making lots of friends along the way.

Contact any uniformed member in the theatre – they will be only too pleased to help you.

To the “Gang”, Good Luck in the Show – enjoy yourselves with your big family, and help to keep the flag of Scouting “riding along on the crest of a wave”.

JUNE WHEELER

County Commissioner

FRIENDSHIP 94-RIPLEY CASTLE

Friday 29th July – Saturday 6th August 1994

Friendship 94 is an International Camp for Scouts and Guides from Cleveland, the United Kingdom and overseas. It will take place in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the North of England, in the grounds of Ripley Castle that dates back to 1450 and is still occupied by the same family from that date. Ripley Castle is about 15 minute drive from the spa town of Harrogate and has good access from the A1.

The first Friendship Camp was held in 1966 and this one, the eighth, will be the best yet. A full Scouting programme will be offered with activities within the castle grounds and also further afield. A wide choice of activities appropiate to the age range will be available.

The focal point of the camp will be the Friendship Square which will contain shops, coffee bar, displays, International Centre, telephones and activity areas. Each day a newspaper will be printed. All Scouts and Guides will camp in one of seven sub-camps staffed by experienced leaders.

The Cornwell Scout Badge”

“The Cornwell Scout Badge is awarded in respect of pre-eminently high character and devotion to duty, together with great courage and endurance.”

The first recipient of this badge was ARTHUR SHEPHERD a patrol leader with the 8th Middlesbrough (St.Pauls) Troop. In 1914 Arthur was on coast watch duty with his patrol at Whitby when the hospital ship ‘Rohilla’ hit rocks at Saltwick Nab, Whitby. The scouts turned out with the coastguards in the dark in the early hours of the morning. They worked hard with only short intervals of rest for the following three days and nights, wet through, with a gale blowing, trying to rescue drowning men and recovering bodies.

The most dangerous part of the work in which PL Shepherd took part was going with messages for the coastguard officer and bringing supplies of rockets from the coastguard station. In doing this he had to make his way along the face of the cliff by a very narrow and slippery ledge of rock which overhung the sea and was washed by the waves. He had to do this alone, with a gale blowing, and in the dark, when a false step, or slip, meant death. He did this trip several times.

Later when the German men-of-war bombarded Whitby the scouts had just got back to their quarters from coast watching when the shells landed. Instead of hiding in the cellar, they ran back to the coastguard station and offered their help. One scout was hit and lost a leg. Arthur Shepherd was one of these plucky lads ready to help.

Arthur was presented with the Cornwell Badge for his bravery by Baden-Powell, the Chief Scout, at a Rally in Middlesbrough Town Hall in 1916. The Local Association of Scouts presented him with a signed photograph of the Founder.

Arthur is now 94 years old and resident in a nursing home in Middlesbrough. He is visited daily by his niece and regularly by members of the District Fellowship.

Arthur is still a Scout at heart and is very interested in the Movement and what is happening.

Zimbabwe 1996

1996 will see the third Cleveland County Venture Scouts and Ranger Guide Expedition. As in previous years it will be in the form of a Community Development Project. The area chosen for 1996 is the Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. Masvingo is one of the towns twinned with Middlesbrough so it was an obvious choice.

The project will consist of the construction of a health clinic in the rural area of Gurajena and will be undertaken by a party of 40 to 50 Venture Scouts and Ranger Guides. During the coming two years the team will be busy learning the skills of brick laying and plastering as well as raising the £50,000 required for the project. We don’t promise an easy holiday but you will have the satisfaction of working with a happy team and experience the trip of a lifetime.

RAVEN GILL

CLEVELAND SCOUTS COUNTY CAMP SITE

A forty acre sheltered site set in natural rugged moorland country on the North Yorkshire Moors, with a stream running through it. The site is ideally situated for Troop or Patrol camping and as an expedition and hiking centre.

There are fourteen camp sites of various sizes all with fireplaces and easy access to piped drinking water. Most sites are ideally situated within easy access of toilet facilities. There is ample rough ground for wide games and a large playing area for ball games and sports.

The site has two training centres for indoor accommodation sleeping 32 and 36 people. There is a Warden on duty during School Holidays and every weekend that the site is open.