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Spolight on Shirley Burns
Winner of Creative Hero - the Pride of Bracknell Awards
 Shirley Burns, 73 years' young, of Roman Wood, Hanworth, has just been presented with the Creative Hero Pride of Bracknell Award for having been involved with producing the South East Berks Gang Show for 39 years.
Shirley arrived in Bracknell New Town from Chiswick in October 1959 without even seeing the house in Rapley Green off Manson Drive, Easthampstead, beforehand. She worked for fourteen years at Racal. When made redundant by Racal, she worked at Tesco’s for ten years as the Staff Receptionist before retiring.
She was also a professional singer in the theatre. She still performs with Enterprise II entertaining in Residential Homes, Hospitals, clubs etc. Enterprise II is a voluntary organisation raising funds for local charities.
Twenty-five years ago she moved to Roman Wood, Hanworth, which backs onto Caesar's Camp. This suited the family because they are great walkers.
She was married at twenty, had a daughter and two sons and she now has twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Shirley started as a helper at Guides for 3 years to prevent the unit closing. She then became a member of the Executive Committee for 1st Easthampstead Scouts. It was during this time that she was asked to join the Gang Show and to enable her to do this she became an Assistant Cub Leader at 9th Bracknell. In 1990, after 17 years at 9th Bracknell, she and her daughter started the 2nd Crowthorne Hawks Cub Pack and they are still running it today!
Shirley has produced the Gang Show for 29 years and during this time it has evolved into an extremely professional production and is usually sold out.
Approximately 350 people are involved in the production including around 100 on stage. Of these performers, about 90 are young people from local Scout and Guide, Cub and Brownie groups and the rest are Leaders in these movements. It is great to see these youngsters working so hard on stage.
Although rehearsals only run for 6 months, from September through to Show Week in February, the actual production is a year round role. Once one show has finished planning starts for the next.
The Gang Show provides young people with the chance of performing on stage to a public audience which greatly increases their confidence which will enhance the rest of their lives. Its amazing to see a child grow from shy and rather timid to one full of enthusiasm and confidence, making many friends on the way.
Over the 6 months rehearsals the Gang gels together as one big family where everyone is there to help and support everyone else no matter what age or role in the show.
As well as the benefits to the people involved, the Gang Show also raises money for local children’s charities each year and has to date raised £19,563.
The Scouting Association has shown its appreciation of the hard work and time that Shirley constantly gives by awarding her two of its top medals. She received the Medal of Merit November 1st 1989 and the Silver Acorn May 23rd 2007 – Scouting’s centenary year.
The next Gang Show (15th - 20th Feb 2010 at South Hill Park) will be special as it will include celebrations of 100 Years of Guiding!
Click here for An Interview with the Society's Chairman, Rev Michael Bentley, on BBC Radio Berkshire.
Spotlight on 'Bracknell in Bloom'
'Bracknell in Bloom' won the highest accolade in the Thames Valley and Chilterns Section with a Silver Gilt Award - only 4 marks from gaining a Gold! Well done to all involved!
'Bracknell Flowers' was launched in 2002 and since then has gone from strength to strength. Bracknell Council together with the Town Council and Bracknell Regeneration Partnership enter the Royal Horticultural Society's annual 'Best in Britain' Competition.
We enter the 'Thames and Chiltern in Bloom' region every year, and in 2004 we were put forward to the 'Britain in Bloom' National Final.
The delightful flowers are entirely supported by the generous sponsorship of local industry and businesses.
The Aims of The Bracknell Forest Society:
- To celebrate all aspects of Bracknell Forest and to promote a positive interest in the locality
- To improve the image of Bracknell Forest and instil civic pride
- To act as a consultant regarding future planning and independently support its development
- To ensure information regarding history and events is easily accessible to all
- To be an umbrella for all the organisations in Bracknell Forest especially those without a website
There are over 750 towns with civic societies.
Griff Rhys Jones, writer, actor, and comedian, is the new President of the Civic Trust which campaigns for better places in the built and green environment.
Griff Rhys Jones said: "All over Britain people who love and care about their towns and cities work to take responsibility for something that affects us all - our urban landscape. I salute them, respect them and am delighted to be made their President and to support the work of the Civic Trust."
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