WHO remembers the dance halls and studios of Worcester?

Not so long ago, you could have your pick of them, and this week I was contacted by a lady who learnt to dance in the city.

Marjorie Amphlett was a girl during the Second World War and used to attend Stew’s Dance Academy at the back of Silver Street.

She described the studio as a long narrow room with mirrors all round, and a balcony where they would go for a sticky bun and a glass of squash during the interval.

It was run by Bill Stew and his wife, while their friend Ruby would sit at the door and take payment from the young dancers, around 6d a time.

It was here that Marjorie discovered a life-long love of dancing. Dance formed a part of her school life too; she attended Gorse Hill School and remembers being taught by a Welsh gentleman called Mr Ewers.

Marjorie said: “He taught what was then known as ‘old time dancing’ (sequence) and was really very strict!”

Read more: Worcester's lost pubs

Marjorie shared more fond memories of Malvern Winter Gardens, where Dennis Wheeler was the resident band leader, but she remembered visits from famous names such as Ken Macintosh and Victor Silvester.

Readers may recall Silvester’s Dance Hall above the Gaumont theatre in Foregate Street, a favourite for many.

Worcester News:

Another popular haunt was the Majestic, based in the Public Hall in Cornmarket.

Beyond dancing, Marjorie shared further fascinating memories of the places she knew growing up.

After the war, by then a young teenager, she recalled visiting the Oyster Bar, opposite the old Theatre Royal in Angel Street. 

This establishment was run by a Greek family and she remembers that during a visit here, was the first time she ever ate cake with a fork!

Another treat was to go to the Packhorse in St Nicholas Street where they served coffee in a glass instead of a cup.

The Co-op seemed to occupy most of the rest of St Nicholas Street at that time, having buildings on both sides of the road and along The Trinity where they even had a ballroom.

Worcester News:

And of course, further down was Gardner’s Bakery, “that served the most amazing dripping cakes!”

Worcester Life Stories is a collaborative project bringing local people together through shared stories of the City of Worcester. It is co-led by Dr Natasha Lord, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Sheena Payne-Lunn, Worcester City Council and funded thanks to National Lottery players.

For further information or to share your stories visit worcesterlifestories.org.uk, our Facebook page or Twitter @worlifestories. You can also email worcesterlifestories@gmail.com or call 01905 721133.

Many memories are also being shared on the We grew up in Worcester page on Facebook. Why not join the conversation?