The Youth Centre on Leapale Lane, Guildford replaced a row of houses in ’65. The smaller Youth Center Annex was round the corner, in what used to be the old Territorial Army building, which eventually became the Bellerby Theatre.

The very first dance was held at the venue on 16 October ’65 and featured the Primevals. In late ’69 the Guildford Arts Lab booked the venue for a series of gigs.

Youth Centre, Guildford in. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

The annex was to become the Arts Lab semi-permanent home where they often billed events as at the Wowie! Zowie! Fun Palace. On 22 November ’69, Heron headlined the opening night of Arts Lab’s events at the annex with Clive Young and Graham Clarke in support. The next week, electric folk band Trees performed, and the organisers were approached by the band’s roadies to see if they would book their band – the Arts Lab said no to the roadies, who were in Hawkwind Zoo. The last live act of ’69 was Dave Ambrose, supported by local group Jumble on 20 December.

Bridget St. John opened ’70 with a show on 17 January at the annex. The Arts Lab’s house band, Poppa Ben Hook first Arts Lab gig was in the annex on 21 February ’70, supported by Bernie Roy. Briget St. John returned to the annex on 5 September ’70, followed by Formerly Fat Harry (with ex-Country Joe’s Bruce Barthol), Poppa Ben Hook, and Frendz, on 19 September. Folk duo, Young Stranger performed there on 26 September and the next month, on 23 October, Tir Na Nog took to the stage at the Youth Centre with Poppa Ben Hook and Band of Hope and Glory in support. The Lab closed out ’70 with another gig at the Youth Centre Gym headlined by Wishbone Ash on 19 December, with support by Band of Hope and Glory, and Chrysanthemum.

Greenstone rehearsing on the 1st floor of the Youth Centre Annes in the early ’70s. Source: Adrian Haiselden via Guildford Town Past & Present

In the late 60s / early 70s several bands used space in the annex to rehearse, including Greenstone, and Running Dry (with Sev Lewkowicz and Richard Ashworth). On 20 July ’80, Consenting Adults supported Disruptive Patterns at the Youth Centre.

The venue also hosted folk concerts, and a number of jazz gigs here held at what was then the Bellerby Theatre in the mid ’80s. The Bellerby hosted Earthforce‘s final gig in November ’78; with the addition of members of the Oa Band, and supported by John Lathey.

Torn down in 2014, Waitrose now sits on the site.

Gallery:

The What’s On page from Whole News No.16 5th September 1970. This lists: Bridget St. John, Radha Krishna Chanters, Formerly Fat Harry, Poppa Ben Hook, Young Stranger, and Hawkwind playing the Youth Centre Annex, Guildford in September / October 1970.
Bellerby Theatre in the 1980’s photographed by Tony Ford. This used to be the smaller Youth Center Annex. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
Youth Centre, Guildford exterior in January 1967. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
22 November 1969: Poster desigfnand drawn by Fred Pipes for the Heron headlined event at Youth Centre, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
21 February 1970: Short piece from Whole News No.8 promoting Poppa Ben Hooks, supported by Bernie Roy, at the Youth Centre Annex, Guildford.