Few people do more to champion Rye and the surrounding area than Sarah Broadbent. Best known as the co-owner of the award-winning Swallowtail Hill glamping retreat near Beckley, Sarah combines entrepreneurial flair with a deep commitment to the local community. As the recent vice-chair of the Rye and District Chamber of Commerce and current chair of 1066 Country, the destination marketing organisation for our region, she is a passionate advocate for local businesses, tourism and the unique character of this corner of East Sussex.
Our new series Three Degrees of Curiosity takes a different look at familiar faces in Rye. All the questions get three short answers.
Over to you Sarah!
What three things would people be surprised to learn about you?
- That I’m a beekeeper – I’ve kept bees for 20 years.
- I’m a Blue Peter badge holder – I was runner up 1979 competition to design a logo for NSPCC Year of the Child.
- I have a pen-pal in Australia who I’ve been writing to since I was 8 years old (dare I admit that’s 46 years ago!). We were matched simply by drawing names out of a bag one day in primary school. We grew up together through letters, long before the internet and email made keeping in touch easier. We’ve met several times in adulthood – when I travelled to Australia and when she visited the UK. An old-fashioned means of keeping in touch, but one that I’m proud of – when we first met in Australia the local paper covered our story and I still have the newspaper clipping somewhere.
What three moments of your life shaped you?I think every moment in life shapes a person in some way, so I couldn’t possibly narrow it down, so I’ve reinterpreted your question. Three people who have had a deep influence in shaping me: Mrs O’Brien my A level English teacher; Professor Gould – one of my tutors at University; Sandie – who was a first boss in a temporary admin role I held after graduating. Her first words to me were "You may have a degree, but that will be no good to me". Blunt as it was true, and made me realise early on that in the world of work, I had much to learn from those around me. I’m still in touch with her to this day.
What three things make Rye special?
Its history, landscape and people.
What three films have made a deep impression on you?
All three I first saw in my early teens, and they have stayed with me:
It’s a Wonderful Life – I rewatch it every Christmas, its message is timeless.
A Passage to India – led me to read widely and learn about the impact and consequences of colonialism, beyond the history we had been taught in school.
Children of a Lesser God – a powerful look at how society marginalises and ‘others’ those they don’t choose to understand.
What three words describe you?
Focused, fair, supportive.
What three things would you always pack when going on holiday?
Books, books, books – my greatest luxury on holiday is time to read.
What three things do you have on your bucket list?
- Visiting Prince Edward Island (Anne of Green Gables was my childhood heroine).
- Spending more time enjoying the landscape my husband and I have created at Swallowtail Hill rather than just working to ensure our guests are enjoying being here.
- Adopting more dogs.
What three things would you put in Room 101?
- Anyone who is unjustly rude or impatient with people who are in customer facing roles or service industries and trying do to their best – be they shop staff, hospitality staff, teachers, nurses, volunteer workers, and so on. And of course, the same goes in reverse – for unjustly rude staff!
- People who have their phones on speaker when in public places.
- People who throw their litter out of car windows.
What three things give you the most joy?
- People who holiday at Swallowtail Hill (my home and business) and leave with renewed enthusiasm and understanding of the importance of sustainability and biodiversity.
- Animals, particularly my donkeys, and dogs.
- Spending time in nature.
What three qualities do you value in a friend?Honesty, sincerity, authenticity.
If you had six months to promote this area what three things would you choose?
I’m a bit biased here because of course my volunteer role at 1066 country is all about promoting the whole area.
- I’d start by encouraging our locals and our business folk to be tourists for a day. They are the first line of advocates for the history of the town and its tourist attractions so having a first-hand knowledge of why Rye is special is fundamental to that. Anyone who hasn’t visited the Ypres Tower and museum, St Mary’s, Rye Heritage Centre, Lamb House, done a walk around town with Paul the town crier, or had a tour of the Mermaid Inn with Judith, should definitely do so!
- Other than our history, we have a story to tell about our food and drink – in particularly Rother River Wine, local seafood, meat, fruit, cheese – the list is long.
- Also, our cultural, artistic and literary connections are ones that I think we need to amplify in the age of AI where creativity and truth are threatened.
What three jobs would you love to try for a day just for fun?Stage manager, veterinary nurse, tour guide.
If your life was a soundtrack what three songs would be top of your list?
Almost impossible to narrow this down to three!
Johnny Nash – I Can See Clearly Now
Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi
Fleetwood Mac - Don’t Stop.