A PANTOMIME group is back from the ashes... Oh yes it is!

The Cliffites, of Birchencliffe, return with a production of Mother Goose on Tuesday, February 16, the first since their home burnt down in March 2007.

Birchencliffe Parish Hall, Briarlyn Road, was destroyed in an arson attack leaving numerous community groups homeless.

But its replacement, St Philip’s Community Centre, was opened on the site in November.

Now the Cliffites strike back with a version of Mother Goose adapted by director Steph Potts.

The panto, casts Stephen Morgan as Mother Goose and, bizarrely, his wife Donna as her son Billy.

Stephen’s son-in-law Jaimie Potts will play the evil squire and his wife Steph will play the Demon of Discontent.

Three of the cast were in the first Cliffites production of Robin and the Babes in 1985.

Ken Shaw, who has made the scenery for over 20 years, has rebuilt the set which was lost in the fire.

The new £600,000 St Philip’s Community Centre is almost the same size as the original, which was built in 1970, and includes a stage and hall area for 200 people, with meeting rooms and better access to the kitchen and toilets.

The centre, built by Huddersfield contractors J Radcliffe, is again home for community groups including Lindley Out of School Club, Marsh Ladies Choir, Rainbows, Brownies and the 31st Huddersfield Scouts.

The new hall also hosts classes in taekwondo and line dancing. Kiddie Cats Pre-school Playgroup also uses the centre.

Assistant director Donna Morgan said: “We were quite a well established group by amateur dramatic standards.

We were beginning to get quite a following and we lost the whole wardrobe and the props.

“That took some replacing because we had collected them over 20 years.

“We’re quite fortunate that local groups have lent us things.

“As an organisation we were determined not to be beaten.

“The new hall is really good with lights and a bigger stage.

“It’s hard to get going but to be up and running is quite exciting and we’ve got lots of new talented children with it.

“We’ve a good hall so hopefully we’ll have a good show to go with it.”

Mother Goose plays at Birchencliffe Community Centre until Saturday, February 20.

Tickets priced £3 to £6 are available by calling 01484 312544.