MP Bob Seely has been made a patron of the Brighstone Reading Rooms & Social Club – a club built by his ancestors over 100 years ago.
The Reading Room was built in 1905 by Mr Seely’s great-great grandfather, Sir Charles Seely, to encourage literacy and was gifted to the community in 1928 by Sir Hugh Seely as a Reading and Coffee Room. It later became the base for the Brighstone Social Club, which provides facilities for snooker, petanque and social events.
Mr Seely accepted the role of patron at the club’s AGM on Friday 5 April.
He said: “It was a privilege to be asked to be patron of the Brighstone Reading Rooms and Social Club to help futureproof the club that my ancestors built over one hundred years ago.
“I am thrilled that people are still using it today and that membership figures are rising. The snooker and billiards tables are amongst the best on the Island and the drinks are good value too.”
The club has increased its membership from 90 to around 160 members over the past year.
Club Chairman, Graham Ockendon said: “I am delighted that Bob has agreed to be the patron of the Brighstone Reading Room and Social Club.
“It seems fitting that the patron should be a member of the Seely family since the club building was built at Sir Charles Seely's request over 100 years ago.
“Bob is already helping us to raise the profile of the club so that we can continue to grow our membership and carry out improvement works.”
Anyone wishing to join the club can download a membership form here: www.brighstonesocialclub.co.uk and email it to [email protected].
