The Ursula Keyes Trust was delighted to support this year’s Chester Gang Show https://www.chestergangshow.net, helping to ensure that more than 120 young people from across Chester and the surrounding villages could take part in this long-standing community production.
The Chester Gang Show is a much-loved theatrical performance organised by members of Scouting from across the district, bringing together young people from areas including Chester, Christleton, Bickerton & Tattenhall, Farndon, Guilden Sutton, Malpas, and Tarvin. Participants range from Beavers aged 6–8 through to Explorers aged 14–18, creating a truly inclusive production involving children and young people from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities.
Entirely volunteer-led, the Gang Show provides young people with the opportunity to perform on stage, sing, dance, and develop confidence in front of an audience. While Scouting is widely recognised for outdoor adventure and practical skills, the Gang Show highlights another important aspect of the movement — encouraging creativity, teamwork, communication, and self-belief through the performing arts.
This year’s production featured new material and the largest cast in recent years, with more than 120 young people taking part. Organisers worked hard to keep costs under control despite rising production expenses, including technical equipment such as lighting and sound. Volunteers also demonstrated remarkable creativity behind the scenes, reusing and upcycling costumes to help make the show financially sustainable.
Support from the Ursula Keyes Trust helped the organisers continue delivering a high-quality production while keeping the event accessible and affordable for local families. The funding also helped ensure that young people could continue to benefit from a unique experience that many participants remember for years to come.
Taking part in productions such as the Chester Gang Show allows young people to build friendships, develop confidence, learn teamwork and leadership skills, and experience the excitement of performing before live audiences. For many involved, it becomes a defining and formative part of their Scouting journey.
The Ursula Keyes Trust is proud to have supported a project that continues to enrich the lives of so many young people across the Chester area while celebrating creativity, community spirit, and the dedication of local volunteers.