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The Chief Guide, Liz Burnley, at Congleton’s “Our Gang”
During the rehearsals for “Our Gang”, Congleton Guide and Scout’s Gang Show, the producer, Neil Dutton, wondered if inviting the Chief Guide would be a good idea as it was our Centenary. A good idea indeed but would she be able to come, being such a busy lady?
After a request to headquarters and checking of diaries, she managed to fit the last Saturday evening’s performance into her busy schedule, having been to a special service in
Sitting with Sue and Teresa Skinner, Asst CC, Liz thoroughly enjoyed the show, enthusiastically clapping at all the right moments. She even managed to laugh at some of the corny jokes that are a traditional part of Gang Show sketches. But it was the singing numbers that really impressed her. The quality of the singing was very high and Ian Wareham, the show’s musical director had skilfully blended his young and more mature cast members to create a wonderful sound. The sight of the whole cast on stage for the finale to the first half singing ‘Who Will Buy’ from Oliver was really impressive, as were the fantastic costumes.
After the show, when the producer came on stage and said how pleased everyone was to have her watching, Liz didn’t hesitate to go up on stage and address the audience. She thanked all involved for a great show and all the leaders and supporters of guiding and scouting for all they do. She said “Our Gang” was an excellent example of guiding and scouting working together and talked about our Centenary and the Scouts’ Centenary a couple of years ago and that there are a million members in the UK between the two organisations. Taking a line from a song in the show she said she felt that now was the time for both guiding and scouting to go from strength to strength. As an encore to the show the traditional “Riding along on the crest of a wave” was sung with great gusto; the Chief Guide joining in enthusiastically!
As the audience left, the guests made their way backstage to talk to the cast. Here the Chief Guide was able to thank the cast and backstage crew again, saying they were all showing great examples of Guiding and Scouting in action. She asked the cast if they thought there would still be Guides and Scouts in another 100 years and the resounding answer was yes. Before she left the stage she was presented with an “Our Gang” necker, for performing on stage in true Gang Show fashion.
What a great night for guiding and scouting in Congleton and Cheshire Border and how lucky we are in our Chief Guide who is so wonderfully natural and eager to meet everyone she can.
