From the District Commissioner (1973)
'Scoutabout 1973' is a very auspicious occasion for two particular reasons. Firstly, because our 'Gang Show' comes of age on achieving 21 years of very successful productions, and secondly, because the Show and Chester Scout Association are being honoured by the attendance of the Chief Scout, Sir William Gladstone and Lady Gladstone at the Wednesday evening performance. I am sure our many patrons and friends will pardon our very obvious pride and delight in these two facts.
As District Commissioner, I extend on behalf of the Chester and District Scout Association the most cordial welcome to Sir William and Lady Gladstone and assure them that the Gang will do their best to give them both a most enjoyable evening. This welcome is none the less also warmly extended to our other 3,000 patrons this week.
The 'babe of Scoutabout' first saw the footlights at the Refectory in 1953 when the 8th Chester (Northgate Congregational) and 13th Chester (College School) Groups combined forces for a money-raising charity show. The same Groups repeated it the following year and in the third year they enlisted the 1st Upton Group to augment their forces.
The 'Scoutabout' child was now growing so rapidly that the idea was conceived that it could become a full District show, and of launching it onto the professional stage at the Royalty Theatre. There it remained for some years until alterations to the Theatre compelled a move to the A.B.C. Cinema. Following the opening of the Gateway Theatre yet another transfer of venue was made, where we have remained happily for the past few years.
I am sure the pioneers of 1953, of whom our producer, Mr. Roy Fisher was one, could not have envisaged the continuing success of 'Scoutabout' and certainly would not have dared to hope to entertain the Chief Scout at one of its performances.
The Gang Show must of course only be one of the many and varied Scouting activities undertaken annually at District level - it takes its equal place alongside Cooking/Camping Competitions, Totem Pole Competitions, Scout Adventurer Competitions, Swimming Galas, Football Leagues and Knock-out events, Inter-Troop Quiz, etc. It is rightly considered to be a means of giving to the boys participating a different experience, thereby inculcating confidence and helping them develop into more complete people.
'Scoutabout' has provided great fun and entertainment for over 80,000 people while some 2,000 leaders and boys have over the years sung, danced and burlesqued their costumed, made-up way before the footlights after taking part in many months of exhausting rehearsals.
The loyal support we have continued to receive from many parties, large and small, and from individuals drawn from a wide area of North West England and North Wales has been a source of encouragement to the producers, back-stage team and the Gang. It has been the only reward they have sought, and they are deeply grateful to you all for your loyalty.
Perhaps the success of 'Scoutabout' has been derived from the naturalness of the performers. The producers do not profess to put on a professional show, but they do aim, with a real measure of success, to achieve a spontaneous, happy, balanced and colourful amalgam of music and mirth. The enthusiasm of a receptive audience is vital to the achievement of that goal.
Another source of pride is that we have throughout those 21 years received the support of all the successive Mayors of Chester, and for many years of the Chairmen of the Chester and Tarvin Rural District Councils. The attendance of our Civic leaders each year has been a pleasure and satisfaction to us, as indeed it is again this year, for it has proved to us that they recognise that the Scouting movement has a vital place in the work being done for the youth of our District.
'Friendship' is the theme of this years 'Scoutabout.' This is indeed appropriate because 'Scoutabout' has made many friends for Scouting; it has fostered and cemented existing friendships among members of the Gang and among the many backstage helpers. But also because friendship is fundamental to the concept of Scouting. May 'Scoutabout' and Scouting long continue to thrive on and to irradiate friendship and happiness.
W. S. COOPER
(District Commissioner)
