Murray Fletcher, who died in Dunoon aged 60, was convener of the Glasgow Gang Show and a well-known scoutmaster for many years. His dedication and leadership were recognised when he was made Silver Wolf, the highest award in scouting.
A larger-than-life figure in Dunoon, where he ran the Argyll Hotel, he also organised the revival of the local 24th Argyll Scout Troop to which he dedicated all his spare time.
He was born in Glasgow and left school early to become an apprentice baker with City
Bakeries, progressing to buyer before joining Malcolm Campbell's, the fruiterer. He moved to Dunoon in 1969 when he took over the Argyll Hotel.
Throughout his life he was dedicated to the scout movement and the gang shows
gave him an outlet for his
great love of theatre, particu-larly musicals.
He joined Glasgow C Section as a boy, moved on to become assistant scout leader in C Troop, and became involved in almost all activities before breathing new life into the 24th Argyll Troop, with friends Phil Pittman and Gillies Millar.
Murray threw himself into organising scout camps and parents' nights, and almost single-handedly converted a parade room to a theatre. He also helped to prepare some of the most elaborate banquets ever eaten in a camp environment.
Scouting was a seven-days-a-week activity for him, and he spent his nights teaching boys skills for tests and badges. More time was spent in the troop store whipping rope and preparing tents for camp.
A man of vision, he ran a scout troop at East Park Home for infirm children in Maryhill Road, Glasgow, and took them to the carnival with C Troop.
Showing a flair for public relations, he put scouting in the
public eye during his many years with the Glasgow Gang Show. He joined the property department aged 12 and became property master before his abilities were recognised and he was made the youngest gang show convener in 1966.
Much of his work was behind the scenes. He organised the memorable show when horses and motorbikes took to the stage of the King's Theatre in Glasgow at the same time.
His interest in the theatre also flourished in Dunoon. He made sets for the Choral Club, stage-managed the church concert, and produced the Sunset Ceremony among many other activities. He also helped out in any practical capacity at Dunoon Old and St Cuthbert's Church.
He was quick to rope in any friends who had a particular skill. This proved invaluable in the case of Glenkin Farm, which was donated to youth movements and adopted by the scouts 25 years ago.
It has been repaired and renovated twice since and has accommodated groups from as far away as Denmark.
Recognition of his contribution to scouting came in 1977 when he retired as gang show convener and was awarded the Silver Acorn. This was followed by the Silver Wolf in 1994, the highest accolade in scouting, which was presented in the Queen's Hall in Dunoon and was one of his proudest moments.
Murray Fletcher is survived
by his wife, Morian, son, Graeme, daughter, Susan, and four grandchildren.
Campbell Thomas
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