MEET the gang 'cos the boys are here - the boys to entertain you!

It could be the signature tune of the Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford Gang Show which has been running bi-annually for the last 40 years.

But a call is now going out to members of the very first Gang Show staged in the Town Hall in November 1959 from one of the stalwarts who helped get the show on the road.

Allbrook-born George Purkiss was property master for the 1959 production and the 77-year-old would now like to see if a reunion of the original cast is possible.

Mr Purkiss was Scoutmaster of the Allbrook and Otterbourne Scouts for four years and then served on the committee.

He said: "The first Gang Show in Eastleigh was staged to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Scouting movement and to me, it was the finest one we ever put on.

"I would like to know where all those lads are now. I know the whereabouts of a number but would like to get in contact with others who I have lost track of.

"It would be nice to have as many of the original cast meet up again for a reunion."

Mr Purkiss, who lived in Allbrook for 72 years before moving to West End five years ago, said he could remember making over 100 hats out of egg boxes for the first show plus dozens of walking sticks so the cast could do justice to the song Strolling.

The photograph shows the first cast pictured outside the Cranbury Road Church Hall - and Mr Purkiss would like to hear from as many of the faces as possible.

He can be contacted on 01703 471038.

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