Commonly called The Pit, Knaphill’s Community Centre was often hired by bands to run gigs and the venue put on their own events too.

Glib Thicket were at the Community Centre, supporting Backstage Pass, on 23 March ’84, and the very next week, on 30 March, were back there again for a solo gig. Later in the year, on 28 July, The Pit hosted Carnival. By ’85, Carnival would be renamed Five O’Clock High and under this moniker they appeared at the venue regularly.

Five O’Clock High at The Pit, Knaphill

The Community Centre was also the location for Trinity Studios, which was booked by Heart Management for the all-girl band Touch to choreograph their own dance routines and rehearsals in ’94. It was late in ’94 that Touch were renamed the Spice Girls. A few years later Heart’s boy band 5ive practiced and demoed their work at Trinity Studios.

Members of the Spice Girls in rehearsal, reportedly photographed at Trinity Studios in The Pit, Knaphill

Revolver used Trinity Studios, within the Community Centre to recorded at least three original numbers in ’96/’97. The building is now known as Woking Youth Arts Centre (WYAC) and is home to the Knaphill Cabin Youth Club. WYAC has a recording studio, multimedia studio, drama studio and performance stage.

Gallery:

Carnival play The Pit (Community Centre, Knaphill) – Soundscene 26 July ’84
Soundscene – 21 March 1985
Five O’Clock High at The Pit, Knaphill. Picture courtesy of Michael Bailey
The Spice Girls purportedly shot at Trinity Studios, Knaphill.
Community Centre, Knaphill c’2017