Good to meet the gang

THE third and final performance of this year s Letchworth and Baldock Gang Show took place at St Francis College Theatre on Saturday evening. Celebrating 100 years of Baden Powell s scouting for boys, a cast of over 90 from 26 packs captivated the audienc

THE third and final performance of this year's Letchworth and Baldock Gang Show took place at St Francis College Theatre on Saturday evening.

Celebrating 100 years of Baden Powell's scouting for boys, a cast of over 90 from 26 packs captivated the audience. How different from the first Gang Show of 1932 in London's Scarlet Theatre.

Today Rainbows and Beavers, Rangers and Fellowship, girls and boys encompassing the ages of five to 25-plus enjoy the companionship, training and fun it has to offer.

After a raucous opening we met 'The Doctor', time traveller extraordinaire who arrived by tardis to show the first group of scouts on Brownsea Island how scouting would progress over the years, a shock indeed, especially on hearing the cry "EXTERMINATE!" Who could that be?

There were lovely colourful sketches, great dancing, as in I Love To Boogie, recitations and songs, with an inspirational version of Amazing Grace. I must admit to laughing when the youngsters with their huge rucksacks toppled over under the weight. Can other parents recognise their children going off to camp?

Everyone should be proud of themselves and what they achieved. The many hours put in by Dave Strong and his crew produced a happy show.

Maureen Millard