25 years ago ORGANISERS of dances at Petersham Village Hall are becoming increasingly worried about young hooligans who gate-crash' their dances and attempt to spoil the dancing. There have been several incidents in the past when youths have been asked to leave. On Saturday, at a dance organised by Petersham Rover Scouts, about 30 youths in sham Edwardian clothes and thick crepe-soled shoes forced their way in without paying. Their stay, however, was short-lived, and they were soon ejected.

While a pretty 19-year-old Welsh girl was giving evidence at Marlborough Street court, a well-dressed woman in the dock, on a charge of attempting to procure her for an immoral purpose, was warned by the magistrate: "You are making grimaces. Don't stare at her the whole time she is giving evidence." The woman was on trial facing charges of attempting to procure the Welsh typist, and also attempting to procure an 18-year-old Irish girl. The accused pleaded not guilty.

50 years ago RICHMOND upon Thames Council's decision to open refuse dumps on some parks and open spaces has been criticised by people living in neighbouring areas. Liberal Cllr Sidney Nunn, of East Twickenham ward, complained that the dump at Moormead recreation ground, St Margarets, caught fire last Sunday, and suggested that it should not be in the centre of the ground. Vehicles had been crossing the ground to get to the dump, and measures should be taken to obviate smells and germs. Mrs Pamela Cuthbert, of Broughton Avenue, Ham, wrote to the council on behalf of Ham Riverside Residents' Association committee, protesting at the siting of the dump in Ham.

RESIDENTS living near the railway line in Barnes will be in for some late-night noise next week, when British Rail start work on the section of track that runs towards Putney. The work, which involves lifting and levelling ballast and realigning rails, is to be carried out on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

100 years ago THE election of county councillors for Surrey will take place on Wednesday, March 2. The last day for receiving nominations will be Tuesday. Under ordinary circumstances, the mayor would be the returning officer for the three divisions in the borough of Richmond, but as his worship is one of the retiring members and will doubtless be a candidate for re-election, it will be necessary to call a special meeting of the town council to appoint somebody to act in his place.

RICHMOND Theatre: The pantomime, Dick Whittington, will be presented for the last time tonight and, judging by the manner in which it has been received by the play-going public, it will be anything but surprising if there is a crowded house. Mr Justin Huntley McCarthy's If I were King' is to be produced at the theatre next week.