Well-known local musical entertainer, Mrs. Pauline Allen, has been hitting the high notes this week after being awarded the MBE for services to the community of Tenby. Mrs. Allen, of Clareston Court, received the accolade in the Queen's Birthday Honours List which was announced on Saturday. A trained teacher, Mrs. Allen has nurtured generations of the town's youth, both in her professional capacity and through her three decades of involvement with the town's Scouting and Guiding movement. Affectionatley known as 'Aunty Pauline', she was Akela to the town's Cub pack for 15 years, and even now, it is nothing to hear strapping builders in their 40s shouting 'Morning Akela' from the top of their scaffolding. She taught at Greenhill Grammar and Bush School for many years, initiating the Duke of Edinburgh Award for girls at Greenhill Grammar, taking expeditions to the Lake District in her so- called holiday time. She was also County Secretary of Pembrokeshire Guides for many years. But for over 30 years, the name of Pauline Allen has meant 'The Gang Show'. After he re-formed the Sea Scout movement in Tenby, it was her husband of 53 years, Bernard who encouraged her to produce the shows. Directing and producing the ever-popular annual 'Gang Shows' in the 1960s and 1970s, Mrs. Allen, who learnt the piano while growing up in Tenby, helped raise considerable funds for the movement. The popular shows, featuring a cast of 300 youngsters, proved a huge success and in total 10 were produced over an 11-year period. The shows were such a high standard that they even led to a television documentary, 'The Truly Amazing Phenomenon', which everyone in Tenby agrees Mrs. Allen certainly is. Last year, she came out of retirement, at the age of 76, and was the inspiration and guiding force behind, and producer/director of a '30 Years On' revival Gang Show which not only involved the new generation of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Cubs, but also raised over £5,000 towards equipping the new Scout and Guide Hall. After what she then claimed to be the 'final' Gang Show in 1975, Mrs. Allen, a founder member of Tenby Players, did not rest on her laurels. She was one of the founding members of local amateur musical company Stagestruck, and its offspring company, Junior Stagestruck. For 10 years, as both companies' musical director she harnessed local talent to help provide entertainment to locals and visitors alike, while also raising considerable funds for charity. When Stagestruck ended in 1998, Mrs. Allen continued to work with a small band of former Stagestruck members, forming Stage 2, a concert group she is still actively involved with. Together with entertainer, Laurie Dale, the pair are also still a popular attraction during the Arts Festival. Indeed, whenever, a local organisation has considered using musical entertainment to raise funds for charity, it is Mrs. Allen they turn to. The town's Round Table - which she has assisted for 40 years by providing entertainment at the Christmas dinner for the town's senior citizens - Ladies Circle, Rotary and Inner Wheel clubs have all staged shows utilising her considerable talents. Delighted to have been awarded the MBE, Mrs. Allen felt that it was not about service to the community, but all about 'having fun'. "The award is not just for me, but for all the children, helpers and organisations that I have been involved with over the years," she said. She added: "This is for everyone to share with me. I could not have produced and directed any of the shows without teamwork. I have had a lovely life and this has been a wonderful reward. I have had a jolly good time and have loved every minute of it." Indeed music has been in Mrs. Allen's blood since she was born. "My middle name is Melody because I was born on November 11, just as the band was making its way to the cenotaph for the Remembrance Service." Since the Queen's Birthday Honours List was announced on Saturday, Mrs. Allen has received countless 'phone calls, cards and letters. But among the first to congratulate her were her daughter Judy and son-in-law John, son Michael and daughter-in-law Pauline, and son David and daughter-in-law Sue, together with grandchildren, Rhian, Gareth and Nicholas. Mrs. Allen is now looking forward to visit Buckingham Palace when she will be presented with the accolade by Her Majesty The Queen.