Our Gang Shows

It is first relevant to outline how Gang Shows started. Then, as in everything else, Trinity Scout Troop “stamped” their unique and creative approach to involve all Trinity Scouts and Guides, parents, family and friends.

How did it all start?  In 1931, Ralph Reader, a Rover Scout trying to make his mark in theatre in the US and London, was asked to write a Scout-based variety show to raise money for a swimming pool.  Rehearsals began under Reader’s direction during 1932.

Initially the show did not have a title, but during a rehearsal break, Reader recalled, he asked a cast member if everyone was ready, to which the response was “Aye, aye Skip, the gang’s all here”. The show was not a sell-out, but enough was raised to fund the swimming pool and the show was well received.  Baden- Powell persuaded Reader to produce another show in 1933 entitled The Gang Comes Back and ran for a week.

Reader continued to write and produce the London Gang Show.  In 1934, the show became The Gang Show, and “Crest of a Wave” was performed for the first time, becoming over the years the anthem.  The rest is history, as Gang shows were now established.

For Trinity, the first pictorial evidence we have of one of our Gang Shows is from 1951 as shown below.

Over the years the Gang shows became more and more creative, playing to a full house over 3 consecutive nights during the 1960’s, 70’s and in to the early 80’s.  Everyone who took part remembers what they did and the hilarious antics of those around them. The organisation that went into having over 40 people taking part was highly professional and rehearsals legendary.

Here’s an article dated February 1960 from “The Renfrew Press”:

The actual shows were broken up into various sections: singing, dancing, comedy, short sketches or skits. There are some performances that go down in history including: the Trinity Tantalizers, two Renfrew Polis Men, Trinimijig (some readers will realise this was take on the old BBC programme Thingummyjig), the Beecham’s Pills song … to name but a few.

We were delighted to find that our archives also had a picture of Trinimijig in full sing …

The cast was made up from all sections from the Guides and Scouts.  The sections were supported by the parent groups, church choir, congregation, wives, girlfriends, and families, whose input was to support performing in the show itself or background activities such as costumes, scenery, lighting etc.

The shows started and ended with a song.  It was always a full programme and even during scenery changes entertainment provided. Who can forget the two Cubs singing “we’re two little boys who are doing our best to fill up a gap in the programme” or the Scout and Guide who came onto the stage, hand in hand and the scout recited the following:

Last night I held a lovely hand
It was so small and neat
I thought my heart would burst with joy
So wildly did it beat
No other hand unto my heart
Could greater pleasure bring
Than the one so dear I held last night
Four Aces and a King

The Scout then revealed the five playing cards to the audience from behind his back and the Guide feigned being upset.  Cue wild applause and laughing from the audience.

There are so many memories of the hours of practice and hard work that went into producing the Gang Shows, that we could fill many pages of this display. They were put together by superb teamwork and everybody involved have their own memories. Most of all the fun they had and joy of being part of a wonderful experience.

One of the well-remembered experiences, and still talked about today by former members, is the song ‘The Two Renfrew Polis’ (For any non-Scottish readers the Polis are the Police).  The song is to the tune of the Bold Gendarmes from the Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan.  Alex Harvie was the Group Scout Leader involved with others in the writing of the original Polis wording and we’re delighted that to celebrate our Centenary, his daughter Carole has written additional verses.  The full song is below:

Original words

We used to be two Renfrew policemen
We used to pound the borough beat
We had the requisite requirements
We had the largest flattest feet
And when we’re driving in our police van
And see our friends going into town
We’d run them in, we’d run them in
We’d run them in, we’d run them in
And now and then we’d run them down
We’d run them in, we’d run them in
We’d run them in, we’d run them in
And now and then we’d run them down

Our sergeant was a great big teuchter
He never did like us at all
He nearly swallowed his tin whistle
We broke his window with our ball
And now we’re doing traffic duty
Traffic jams are everywhere
The cars are here, the cars are there
The cars are here, the cars are there
There up the close and down the stair
The cars are here, the cars are there
The cars are here, the cars are there
There up the close and down the stair

So now we’ve joined the New York police
Our chief is now tellicojim
We’ve got some lollipops to play with
We really don’t think we’ll be thin
So if you see a baldy policeman
With lollipops and fearsome frown
We’ll draw them in, we’ll draw them in
We’ll draw them in, we’ll draw them in
It’s only us we’re back in town
We’ll draw them in, we’ll draw them in
We’ll draw them in, we’ll draw them in
It’s only us we’re back in town

Added for Centenary Year

Some extra verses now are needed
But other words I’ll substitute
In memory of Alex Harvie
Group leader of Trinity Scout group
He led us on some great adventures
To campsites near and jamborees
With pipe and drums, with pipe and drums
With pipe and drums, with pipe and drums
We’d entertain and hope to please
With pipe and drums, with pipe and drums
With pipe and drums, with pipe and drums
We’d entertain and hope to please

Now there are lots more memories cherished
Of gang shows and the like
Country dancing and scout galas
And celebrations of Burns Night
In everything there was music
Varied tunes sung, lots we know
A Banjo strums*, a banjo strums
A camp fire burns, a campfire burns
with our faces all aglow
A Banjo strums, a banjo strums
A camp fire burns, a campfire burns
The words by now we ought to know!

Now I’ll leave you with your memories
To cherish and hold dear
And the friendships made that continue
In this centenary year
Oh the world it is a changing
But we must not live in fear
Enjoy the thrills, enjoy the thrills
learn more new skills, learn more new skills
On life’s adventures as we go,
Enjoy the thrills, enjoy the thrills
Learn more new skills, learn more new skills
That’s the scouting legacy don’t you know!

*”A banjo strums” refers to Alex Harvie’s trusty banjo which he took to every camp for accompanying the singing at the campfire.  The family cares for the banjo today and gave us photographs for our memorabilia displays.