MY recent feature on Christmases past in Worcester during the Second World War evoked much nostalgia for Beryl Gough, who for many years, has been well-known locally as a dancer and choreographer.

Her eye was particularly caught by references to the Babes in the Wood pantomime performed at the Theatre Royal, Worcester, during the winter of 1940-41.

Beryl writes from her home in Bilford Avenue, Worcester: "Your article brought back many happy memories for me. I was the youngest dancer of a troupe of eight chosen from Gertrude Fisher's Starlight Dancing Academy to take part in Babes in the Wood at the Theatre Royal.

"It was such an exciting time, and to be performing with professionals for the first time was great. From my treasured autograph book I see that the main members of the cast were Phyllis Cardew (Robin Hood), Trixie Hepburn (Maid Marion), the Reid Twins (the Babes in the Wood), George Little (Dame), Jeanne Marius (Will Scarlet), Rosemary Davies (the Fairy Queen) and Frank Monkton (Simple Simon).

"I especially recall that one of the actors was leaving after the last performance to join the Army, and we children thought he was very brave.

"The Reid girls were identical twins and would often play practical jokes by switching costumes and also used to utter the odd swear word (whispered) when we little Robins had to cover them with branches as they lay supposedly sleeping in the woodland scene.

"The mother of the Fairy Queen travelled around with her daughter and told us we were the best behaved junior dancers she had worked with - so I think that went to our heads a bit."

Beryl also recalls the words of the audience participation song used during the panto - a long-forgotten wartime number entitled Everybody Keeps Pinchin' Me Butter.

"It was one of the happiest times I remember," says Beryl, "and from then on, until about three years ago, I was associated with pantomimes most Christmases, being first a dancer with the Charity Players and even getting to be a Principal Boy.

"I was also a choreographer, devising and arranging routines over the years for the little dancers performing with the Kays Theatre Group, and I was also with the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society for 34 years.

"I had such a happy time during that run of Babes in the Wood and I'm glad I have had the opportunity to pass on that happiness over to the years to lots of young dancers, their big smiles saying it all when I watched from the wings."

n The Worcester girls of the Starlight Dancing Academy who performed in Babes in the Wood at the Theatre Royal in 1940-41. Beryl Gough is kneeling in the centre while the others are, from the left, Hazel Milbourne, Greta Brett, Irene Gardner, Elsie Andrews, Hilda Pingriff, Audrey Bray and Dorothy Vobe.

n The same "juvenile dancers" in the Butterfly Scene from Babes in the Wood.

n THE pantomime tradition is still kept wonderfully alive in Worcester today by the Kays Theatre Group, which has now delighted audiences with 48 panto productions.

It's been my pleasure to enjoy the infectious fun of their last two productions including the 48th and latest Dick Turpin, which ends its two-week run at the Swan Theatre tonight.

The highpoints of this panto and last year's has been the sparkling comedy input of Cliff Heaton and Richard Hulbert and the truly professional quality dancing of the Harlequin and Junior dance troupes with choreographer Paula Dadge.