Central Youth Club Waller Street

Hi
I was a full time youth worker from 1966-1968 with Luton County Borough and worked at Central youth club in Waller Street where I also had a flat (above the shop !) I was told, that at the time I was the second youngest (aged 20) full time youth worker employed by a Local Authority, the other being a fellow trainee John Gibbon (he being the youngest by a short head)

I remember the old baths opposite and used them myself.
There were regular dance nights on a Friday and I remember "The Barron Knights" playing there. During my time I was involved with many international youth groups than would visit Luton and stayed at the Brache Centre off Sandown Rd near the Vauxhall car factory.

I came to Luton in 1956 as a "British" refugee from Egypt during the Suez crisis. I wrote to your local paper and complained I was having difficulty making new friends in Luton as a newcomer. A reporter duly contacted me and recommended I join the Central Youth Club, which I did and it turned out to be a major turning point in my life, because not only did I meet a lot of people there, but also, despite my non-musical background, I was given a guitar for my 16th birthday and before I knew it I had sufficiently mastered a few chords on the instrument so greatly was I motivated by my infatuation rock'n'roll. Amazingly soon I formed a band which I called the Mystery Men and we cut our teeth at that club. Later I was signed up by a professional group called The Clearways and we appeared several times on Opportunity Knocks and even cut a record with EMI. So I owe much to the reporter who helped me that day and the experiences gained at that memorable club. I had a black beard then, and since leaving England, in 1975 I think it was, I've lived first in Australia, then in New Zealand, and now once again back in Australia. Despite my very foreign background, I attended Luton Grammar School and have become a dramatist and internationally published writer of stories and plays for children. Does anyone remember me or either of the two bands I named? Actually, anyone from Luton or environs is welcome to contact me.