The Brewery Yard Club, formerly the Rye British Legion Club in Landgate has finally been sold for £270,000 to Jennifer Mace, who has recently acquired the adjacent Eagle Cottages for residential redevelopment.
The property was first put on the market about two years ago at a price of £495,000, but negotiations with a potential purchaser fell through because of difficulties in obtaining planning permission.
According to Col. Anthony Kimber, RBL Rye branch president. it was built in the 1920s by public subscription to benefit ex-servicemen, including those who had returned from World War 1. Ownership of the clubhouse became vested in new trustees, following its disaffiliation from the Royal British Legion (RBL) in 2006.
In a recent letter to Brewery Yard Club members, trustees Roger Blackman and Nicholas Fielder advise that “no monies will be paid out to members or charities” until all legal fees and other costs have been paid.
It is understood that a number of artefacts belonging to the RBL Rye branch have been saved and will be handed back. Neale East, Rye branch chairman said: "The RBL Rye branch continues its work of supporting the ex-servicemen and women of Rye."
Photo: Kenneth Bird
