Borough Hall was built for approx. £1000 and opened on 27 February 1861 as the Godalming Public Hall. It was the venue for bi-monthly meetings of the County Court.

The King’s Biscuit Boys Jug Band on stage at the Godalming Borough Hall. Picture courtesy of Brian Page

By ’65 it was being used as a venue for live bands. Around this time the King’s Biscuit Boys Jug Band played at the venue. On 9 May ’67 a charity blues concert was held at the hall and headlined by the Graham Bond Organisation, with the Georgia Skin Men, Whisker Davies Blues Stormers, Alfie Lucas & Jim Cook, Tony ‘Duster’ Bennett and The Combined Forces in support. On the night, on the occurrence of consuming some Polish pure spirit, Ian “Mayo” May, the vocalist with The Combined Forces ‘stepped’ off the stage but got up and carried on. On being asked ‘how?’, May smiled and simply stated “I was pissed”.

7 August 1976: Poster for the very first GBH Ceilidhs organized by StagFolk with The Albion Dance Band. Source: Lawrence Heath via Godalming Town Past & Present

From ’76 the GBH Ceilidhs (barn dances) organized by Stag Folk Club started being held, featuring live bands – such as with The Albion Dance Band who appeared on 7 August ’76 – and singers. The Godalming Blues Club also took up residency at the hall. Keilyn Entertainments presented Rodeo on 23 June ’79 and had Reading based Jackel in support.

Charity gig on 24 February 1984 covered in local paper, featured Zugang, Calibre and Cow. Picture courtesy of Kevin Phillips

On 12 November 1881, Godalming was the first place to have both private and public electrical supply. As part of the centennial celebrations, Just So Stories performed at the Borough Hall in November ’81. On 24 February ’84 there was another charity gig, this time in aid of the Red Cross, that featured Zugang, Kalibre and Cow. The Ha Ha Men along with Yellow Darkness, Bushpigs, Octopussy and M.O.E. entered the venue on 14 July 1990 for The Myriad Syndrone II.

14 July 1990: Yellow Darkness played The Myriad Syndrome II. Picture courtesy of Marcus Cowley.

Godalming’s Borough Hall is being used for the arts: theatre, comedy, pantomime, dance and live music to this day.

Gallery:

The Whisker Davies Blues Stormers in 1966, reportedly in the stage at Borough Hall, Godalming. Picture courtesy of Jim Cook’s Memoir, Mostly Music & Me
9 May 1967: charity gig at Godalming Borough Hall. Picture courtesy of Jim Cook’s Memoir, Mostly Music & Me
9 May 1967: charity gig at Godalming Borough Hall. advert from Melody Maker. Picture courtesy of Jim Cook’s Memoir, Mostly Music & Me
9 May 1967: Flyer for the charity blues concert. Picture courtesy of Ben Darnton.
9 May 1967: Article on charity gig at Godalming Borough Hall. Picture courtesy of Jim Cook’s Memoir, Mostly Music & Me

9 May 1967: Ticket for charity gig at Godalming Borough Hall, featuring the Graham Bond Organisation, Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
23 June 1979: Rodeo, supported by Jackal, played the Borough Hall, Godalming.
28 June 19??: Johnny Mars Blues Band, with guitarist Ray Fenwick, supported by Mandrake played Borough Hall, Godalming. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel