On 22 August 2026, David Roder, founder of the Rye Waterworks Micropub in Tower Street and Brewery on top of Rye Hill, offered the brewery to host the Backyard Festival in aid of The Sara Lee Trust charity.
The afternoon was organised by Steve Baker and Tony Tayler who assembled all the bands who were playing out in the garden and later inside the bar area. It was a fun afternoon of music, laughter and drinking beer (as well as wine and their own produced prosecco) and raised £1500 for the charity.
A couple who own the field next to the brewery made it possible for Sara Lee Trust to put stalls, a bar, seating and, best of all, allowed parking. The two food trucks in the brewery yard had yummy pizza and great coffee. They gave 10% of their profit to the charity and the bands played for free. David worked his magic, getting donations into his bucket, joking with the crowd and working behind the bar. Hopefully he had time to recover for the next day in the Waterworks. The atmosphere in both places is always upbeat and friendly, where you can make new friends or entertain old ones.
The Sara Lee Trust charity supports people who are affected with cancer and other life threatening illnesses, in Hastings and Rother. Their ethos is “making a difference”. The service is free of charge to patients, their families and carers. Referrals can be made through a healthcare professional. It is located in various locations and visits St Michael’s Hospice in St Leonards and the Hub on top of Rye Hill. They also can do home visits. They are financed by fundraising, voluntary donations, local charity shops and NHS clinical groups commission support.
It is worth keeping an eye on the Waterworks pub and the brewery as sometimes there are talks, but also mostly music and a lovely social atmosphere especially the Sunday cheese club starting at 1pm. Bring some cheese and David will provide pickles and biscuits.
Image Credits: Heidi Foster , Jeff Grice .