The Art Gallery (2004)
Roy Fisher
Roy was the second producer of "Scoutabout", as Chester Gang Show was originally known, having taken over from Leslie Brooks in 1958, after a break due to alterations at the Royalty Theatre (City Road, Chester). He became a legend in his own lifetime, known to generations of youngsters as science teacher at Chester College School and then Kingsway High School. Notwithstanding all the pressures as a schoolmaster, Roy carried his job outside to become a hobby, initially as the Group Scout Leader at the 8th Chester Scout Group, then concurrently as Gang Show Producer for a total of 32 years. (This is a record that he shared with Ralph Reader.) Without his stoical dedication and perseverance, it is doubtful whether we could have maintained our annual output for as long as we have. Roy was a holder of the Medal of Merit for services to Scouting; he was cheerful, gregarious and a product of the pioneering days of the movement. To coin a phrase, they don't make them like him any more.
Billy Brickland
Billy Brickland was born and raised in Chester. He became well known on the local dance band circuit before and during the Second World War and his prowess on the piano was second to none. It was said that he was offered jobs playing in the entertainment World of London in the 1920s/30s but he preferred to operate in and around Chester. His and the band's association with "Scoutabout" started with the second show in the Cathedral Refectory in February 1954, the first having been accompanied by Richard Jones and Robert Lewis on two pianos. His abilities as a musician were often put to the test as he managed to change key or transpose music by ear as the inexperienced on stage wandered in and out of tune. His smiling face was always there in the pit as we moved on to the Royalty, to the ABC and finally the Gateway Theatre. In 1965 he even became MD of Coventry Gang Show, plus others in the Midlands, staying with Roy Fisher during his annual stint in Chester. Bill was a character and certainly lived life in the fast lane, staying with "Scoutabout" until forced to retire due to ill health in 1979. He was awarded the Medal of Merit for his 25 years of support, help and service.
Bill Cooper
"Bill" as he was known throughout the District first became involved with Scouting in 1950 as an instructor with the 32nd Chester Scout Group. In 1954, he became our District Secretary and then in 1969 the District Commissioner for the next six years. His involvement with "Scoutabout" started in 1954 and by 1956 he had graduated via House Manager to Business & Booking Secretary, finally adding the responsibility of Show Treasurer; commitments he reluctantly relinquished due to ill health in 1993. Ever dapper, during the week of the show Bill would be in attendance, hair immaculately Brylcreemed and always adorned in dress suit and black tie. He even found time to appear in the show! For his services to Scouting, Bill was awarded the Medal of Merit in 1965 and the Silver Acorn in 1979.
Keith Musselle
Keith was born in Rhyl and then moved to Hawarden, joining the local church Scout Group when he was twelve. His work eventually brought him to Chester and in 1971 he became a leader with the 1st Saughall Scout Group, then an ADC in 1984 and he finally became District Commissioner in 1988, serving until 1996. Keith, who by now had been drawn into "Scoutabout" as Gang organiser, took over from Roy Fisher as Executive Producer in 1980 and was assisted by Derek Jackson and Eric Wilson. He was also adept at performing on stage and starred as our original compere in Michael Bentine's "French for Beginners" which is receiving a second airing this year. He remained in Scouting until his death in 1998, working mostly on the Cheshire Hike and was awarded the long service decoration and bar, the Medal of Merit (1988) and the Silver Acorn (1996).
Derek Jackson
Derek was born in Bromborough on the Wirral and joined the Scouting Movement as a 'Wolf Cub' in the 5th Bebington Group and eventually became Scout Leader of the 13th. Bebington (St. Barnabas') Group. He became ADC (LT) in the District and was soon involved as a Leader Trainer with the County Training Team. He also helped with the Leader Training Course at Gilwell Park where he gained a love of Camp Fires and travelled quite widely as a 'Guest Camp Fire Leader'. Whilst studying at Chester College he was SL of the 40th Chester and on moving to Chester he was 'volunteered' to help at the 25th Chester (Oldfield) Group and eventually became District Commissioner. When Roy Fisher retired, Derek joined forces with Keith Musselle and Eric Wilson to co-produce Scoutabout and took responsibility for the musical side of the shows from 1979 - 1986. In 1985 he was awarded the Silver Acorn for services to the Scouting Movement.
Eric Wilson
Eric joined The Gang in 1957 as one of the backstage crew and before long was on stage as one of the all- singing all-dancing cast. Gradually his skill as a dancer came to the fore and he was persuaded to become an Assistant Producer and Choreographer (a job he enjoyed), until his untimely death in 1997.
Eric's sense of fun and humour was always very much in evidence; his ideas and contributions to the more light-hearted items played an important part in the success of the show over many years. He was awarded the Medal of Merit for services to Scouting in December 1988.
Matthew Davis
"Fifty years don't seem a long time when you're having fun". Yes that's one of the songs that Ralph Reader wrote for Gang Shows to use worldwide. Congratulations Chester on reaching your 50th anniversary. I joined the show back in 1989 not knowing what I was letting myself in for, eventually finding myself dressed as a Policeman, a Magician, a Tramp and even in my Birthday Suit (well almost!!). Finally, in 1996 I took over the 'Hot Seat' as Producer, I must have been mad! But with the support of so many people, I'm glad that I have been able to help make the show a success and have been around to watch it grow from strength to strength. Well done Chester! Here's to the next 50 years!
Richard Clarke
It all went wrong when I joined the Cubs back in '73. Initial plans for a life of debauchery went up in (wood)smoke as I discovered the simple pleasures of backwoods cooking, camping and the outdoor life. Despite years of desperate adventures on camp, among mountains and on the high seas, the anticipation of Opening Night still produces fear and excitement in equal measure - not even running a Scout Troop or (latterly) a Venture Scout Unit can compare with Gang Show!
Colin Parfitt
Colin was born and bred in the Wrexham area, where still at school, he obtained his first music diploma. He has worked professionally with Lenny Henry and David Copperfield, and, as a free-lance pianist, has more recently performed for Martine McCutcheon, Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Norman Wisdom. He is Head of Music at Blacon High School, Chester, from where he draws most of his musicians for the show, though most people think he should stick to music. His achievements in music education were recognised in April 2000, when he was invited to a reception with the Queen, at Buckingham Palace. He has been MD of the show for 24 years.
Eric Plenderleath
Eric, a Geordie by birth, was in the Newcastle Gang Show as far back as 1947. He came to Chester in 1969 and restarted Scouting in Tarvin. He was District Commissioner from 1975 - 1981 and from 1982 - 1999 he played an active part in the production of Chester's Gang Show in various roles such as Gang Co-ordinator, Assistant Producer and Business Committee Chairman - appearing from time to time on stage!
Since his "retirement" in 1999, he has continued his interest, acting as a "sounding board" for the much overworked Chairman! Having performed on stage as Mayor of Chester in 1988, it was a great honour for us to welcome him to the show in 2000 as the actual Lord Mayor of Chester on Civic Night.
Geoff Morris
Geoff joined the Scouts when he was about 12, but he really made his name as a stalwart of the old Chester District Rover Crew. He appeared in various shows at the Royalty Theatre over 40 years ago and then at the ABC. He aspired to his present role as our Stage Director in 1973 (at this theatre) via his early backstage experience and then as a projectionist working for Charlie Jones at the ABC (originally "The Regal"). He has worked with many other local amateur societies in his time, gaining the reputation as the most professional amateur Stage Director in the business.
Gerald Roose
I joined the 8th Chester Scout Group in 1948 and became a member of the Gang in the first show at the Cathedral Refectory in 1953. As a Senior Scout and then as a Leader for about 20 years at the 8th with Roy Fisher, there was really no credible outcome other than 50 years involvement with the stage, either on it or behind the scenes producing "noises off" in various local theatres.
Having retired and become Business Committee Chairman, I am now fully occupied in persuading the good burghers of Chester to part with cash to help make it all happen. It just goes to show that once inside the Scout Movement, whatever you are interested in or excel at (within reason!), there is scope to allow your aspirations (or even eccentricities) to develop and flourish. Not only that, but there is most probably a badge to be won for doing it. You don't get service like that everywhere.