A regular venue for local bands The White Hart, Frimley held an annual Battle of the Bands through the late ’80s into the early ’90s.

Last Chance to Dance outside The White Hart, Frimley (l-r: Proctor, Dando, Reece, Thane, and Johnson). Picture courtesy of John Proctor.

But live music has been preset at The White Hart for at least three decades prior to the Battle of the bands competitions. In the early ’50, the High Curley Stompers moved out of The Victoria Hotel, Camberley to the pub, with sessions held in an upstairs room with the audience on hard wooden chairs and a raffle, often for an LP, at the back. Last Chance to Dance used the venue as the backdrop to their promo picture in ’83/’84 and Magic Moments at Twilight Time appeared at The White Hart on 26 July ’87. The ‘leader’ of Magic Moments at Twilight Time, Mick Magic was then one of the judges for the pub’s Battle of the Bands in 1990. Flowers of Sacrifice competed that year, and one of the other judges was purportedly a devout Christian, thought the band were Satanists and gave them zero points – they didn’t win.

On 14 April ’91, Electric Icecream Productions performed at the venue. The following year we find The River Thieves and Thieves of Dreams seized the opportunity to play The White Hart on 6 February ’92. The next month, on 28 March, it was Who Moved the Ground? who moved in. The 16 April saw a couple of sets by Kio, then on 20 June, Blue Velvet played. It wasn’t just the indie, rock, and blues bands of the day that cropped up at The White Hart, on 22 September ’92 the Cricketers Jazz Band bopped by and the next month, on 24 November, the Savoy Stompers skiffled.

The 1992 Battle of the Bands at The White Hart, Frimley. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter

The pub’s Battle of the Bands held in late ’92 featured twenty bands over 10 nights: Pomeroy battled Minister on 28 November, Study in Scarlet fought Nuff the next night, Sideways combatant was Serious Plankton on 3 December, Big Wednesday confronted Full Shred on 4 December, Who Moved the Ground? engaged Peachrazor on 5 December, Crazy Wings of Freedom clashed with Colour Stock on 6 December, Boogiemen challenged Trousershock BC on 17 December, One About the Sheep skirmished with Maxmillian on 18 December, Cross Reference crossed swords with Story of Man on 19 December, and the final opening round battle went down on 20 December between Watch the Turtle and Dead Calm. Who won each bout and went onto the next round and who eventually triumphed is currently lost to time…

21 February 1993: Sweet Hooligan played The White Hart. Picture courtesy of Tim Naylor.

On 19 February ’93, the pub hosted Inner X, followed on 21 February ’93 by Sweet Hooligan. The next month, on 13 March, there was three band special featuring Peachrazor, Jonah’s Pram and Red Ribbed Arousers. Peachrazer. who had gone on before Red Ribbed Arousers, according to Daren Thorpe were all rock ‘n roll and collected all the money. The Arousers did get their money after visiting Thorpe at home armed with the truth. The following year, Who Moved the Ground? released their 2nd single and included The White Hart in the promo tour itinerary. Skipper accompanied Who Moved the Ground? on 8 October ’94. In July ’95 Serious Plankton played their last ever gig at The White Hart, going on before Sons of Selina – who also reportedly left with all the money. We finally find Doctor Rocket visiting The White Hart on 16 December ’95.

As best we can tell the venue has not hosted any live music since 2017, when there was a band most Friday nights. Certainly, as we go to press, there are no bands listed on Greene King’s events page for the pub…

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Gallery:

White Hart, Frimley (date unknown). Source: Neil Parker via Camberley, Frimley & Bagshot & surrounding areas, Some Serious History
The White Hart, Frimley in 1971. Source: Steve McKeown via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia
Azizi at The White Hart, Frimley c’83
Azizi at The White Hart, Frimley c’83
Symons of MMATT at The White Hart, Frimley 26 July 1987. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic
Lancaster of MMATT at The White Hart, Frimley 26 July 1987. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic
Peachrazor at The White Hart, Frimley on 5 December 1992. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter
Adrian Creek’s column from the 11 March 1993 suggests attending the Peachrazor, Jonah’s Pram and Red Ribbed Arousers gig at The White Hart, Frimley. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter
Red Ribbed Arousers, Peachrazor and Jonah’s Pram played The White Hart, Frimley on 13 March 1993. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter
On 5 September 1994, Who Moved The Ground? released their 2nd single: “The Chase”/”What’s That”. This clipping, from an unknown mag, lists the promo tour dates. Source: Who Moved The Ground?
Sons Of Selina at The White Hart, Frimley in July 1995. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic
Doctor Rocket list their gigs in the December 1995 issue of the Basingstoke ragzine Donut Vol.8; including a gig at The White Hart, Frimley on 16th December 1995. Source: www.razrazzle.wordpress.com
Inter at the White Hart, Frimley in 1996, when they were 3-piece. Source: Inter
Inter at the White Hart, Frimley in 1996, when they were 3-piece. Source: Inter
Inter at the White Hart, Frimley in 1996, when they were 3-piece. Source: Inter