A ROW has exploded concerning the closure of a much-loved village club.

Farningham Village Club, which has been a meeting place and events venue for the past 100 years, shut in November as a result of financial problems.

Members say the money troubles were minor and could have been overcome.

In June 2011, the parish council website described the hall as having "been extensively refurbished over recent years, including a magnificent kitchen."

Now the large building in the High Street, estimated to be worth between £500,000 and £700,000, is up for sale, but some members feel that the closure has not been dealt with appropriately.

Ray Williams, ex-president, member and secretary at the club, feels the 100 members have not been properly informed.

He said: "We have been completely left in the dark, no correspondence has been published to the members to say it has officially closed, the locks were just changed so nobody could get in."

Mr Williams, 79, who lives in the village, also believes his fellow members were not properly advised when they voted for the closure in order to receive a share of the assets.

He said: "Once members had been persuaded to vote to close the club they were told if they did not accept an amendment they would not get a share of the assets."

Members feel as though they have been duped into closing the club.

Roger Knight, 65, of Crowhurst Road, Borough Green was a member and believes there was no real reason for the closure.

He said: "It is my belief that the minor cash flow issues that the club was experiencing could have been overcome."

Committee members, however, say they have dealt with everything by the book.

They issued a statement, saying: "The club had to close due to the fact that it was not taking enough money.

"We did everything humanly possible to keep the club open.

"The debts were mounting up and we had no other way forward.

"The club has been losing money for the last ten years, there are debts of £40,000.

"The committee feel some members do not appreciate the great efforts we have gone to over the past year, but now we want to reach a smooth conclusion.

"The committee has not closed the club, the members decide what action should be taken."

When asked why bookings at the club were cancelled, they answered: "You can't accept bookings when you know the club is closing down."

The committee told the Chronicle that once the building was sold, trustees would pay off the debts and the rest of the money be split between members who were signed up to the club at the time of closure in November 2011.