Can you tell us about your journey into the wellness and treatment field?

I began my career as a beauty therapist training at an international college in Surrey where I completed my cidesco qualification. Over the years I have had the privilege of working at some of the most prestigious and award winning salons and spas including Harrods and Michael Jon in London as well as internationally at a spa in Dubai and wellness spas in Ibiza. My journey has taken me to the renowned Bamford spa in the Cotswolds and award winning spa In Harmony, in Hampton Court Surrey.

What inspired you to become a practitioner in this area?

When I first entered the industry, it was the beauty side that drew me in – something that naturally appeals to a young girl. However, as the industry evolved , so did my passion. I began to appreciate the transformative power of wellness treatments. Not just for outward beauty, but for helping people feel restored , balanced and confident. That deeper connection is what continues to inspire me.

What kind of treatments do you specialise in, and how have they evolved over the years?

I specialise in both massage and facial treatments. Tailored to each clients needs. Overtime, my focus has shifted towards combining  relaxation and results driven techniques, blending traditional therapies with a modern day approach. This reflects the industries transition from beauty focused treatments to a holistic view of self care and well being.

What excites you most about bringing your treatments to Tillingham?

Having the opportunity to bring holistic therapies and wellness to Tillingham excited me greatly. Tillinghams natural surroundings create the perfect environment for connecting with the elements, and nature and wellness go hand in hand .  Whether its an escape from city life , or time out for yourself, Tillingham offers a tranquil retreat that perfectly compliments the balance and restoration my treatments provide.

How do you see your treatments complementing the Tillingham experience of relaxation and connection with nature?

My treatments align beautifully with Tillinghams ethos of relaxation and connection with nature. By addressing the stresses and strains of everyday life, my therapies help to destress the mind body and soul. Whether is a massage designed to release tension or a facial to nourish, refresh, rejuvenate, these treatments aim to bring balance, leaving guests feeling grounded and reconnected to themselves and the elements.

Can you describe the ambiance you aim to create during your in-room treatments?

I aim to create a space that is calming and deeply restorative- a sanctuary where guests feel completely at ease. From soothing aromas to gentle techniques used, every element of the experience is designed to harmonise the mind and body.  It’s all about creating balance and helping guests unwind allowing them to truly embrace the grounding and tranquil atmosphere that Tillingham embodies.

How do your treatments help guests disconnect from stress and reconnect with themselves?

My holistic treatments, combined with the tranquil  surroundings of Tillingham,  allow guests to switch off and truly be in the present. In this peaceful environment, away  from the stresses and strains of everyday life, guests can reconnect with their inner calm, leaving them refreshed and balanced in mind body and soul.

Are there specific techniques or rituals you’ll offer that are exclusive to the Reset Room package?

Yes , the bespoke Tillingham treatment is exclusive to this serene retreat.  This signature experience blends grounding techniques, gentle massage and deeply restorative- rituals  tailored to compliment the calming ambience of Tillingham. Every detail is designed to provide a unique sense of balance, helping guests feel nurtured and renewed .

Do you have a favourite treatment or ritual that you recommend for someone seeking total relaxation?

Being holistic myself I only offer treatments I enjoy giving and would personally enjoy myself.  Every treatment  I provide is designed with care and attention, so I would recommend any of them.  It just comes down to the clients personal preference on the day. Whether its a massage to ease tension , or a facial to rejuvenate, the goal is always total relaxation and balance.

How do you personally recharge and find balance in your own life?

Growing up on a farm with horses in Surrey, the country life feels like second nature to me . I recharge by embracing the outdoors whether is long walks along the beach or embracing the countryside with my dog. Well being and wellness is also very important to me, I also enjoy the occasional glass of red wine and channelling my creativity into personal projects, even if they are taking longer than expected!!

What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone new to wellness treatments?

Relax and be in the present moment. Wellness isn’t about perfection, it’s about taking time for yourself, letting go of stress and embracing the moment.

Are there any trends in wellness or self-care that you’re excited about bringing to Tillingham guests?

I’ve always been passionate about sculpting , lifting and remodelling facial massage techniques, which are a  core part of my treatment. Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to be introducing the buccal facial massage technique in 2025. A deeply restorative and innovative approach to facial wellness I’m sure guests will love.

What do you hope guests take away from their experience?

I hope guests will leave feeling completely relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated after their treatment. My aim is to create an experience so enjoyable that they feel inspired to return and share their experience with friends .

Martin – Sailors of Rye

Rye is renowned for its small independent shops, and Sailors is no exception! We had a wonderful chat with Martin about what it’s like to own a shop in Rye.

Could you share the story behind Sailors and what inspired you to open this space in Rye? 

When we moved to Rye ( 9 years ago ) We always wanted a shop but we were busy renovating the new house. After living in the town for awhile we felt we had a good idea of the type of shop the town would benefit from. We decided to open Sailors, selling unisex clothing and homeware in 2020. It was nice to something good happening after being in lockdown for months.

In your view, what makes Rye such a welcoming destination for businesses like ours? 

The town is always busy and there is always something exciting happening. Whether is be our famous Jazz Festival or our month long Arts Festival, the town is flourishing all year round.

What do you think makes Rye so unique for Christmas shopping and winter visits? 

Its our independent shops and business and the fact we are so welcoming. Plus the town is extremely photogenic, cute streets and chocolate box houses everywhere.

How do you feel Sailors adds to the shopping experience here in Rye, especially during the festive season? 

We open everyday day with of the week, whatever the month and we always have a shop full of gift starting from £4.

Could you tell us about any special items or unique finds at Sailors that would make perfect holiday gifts? 

We always have gorgeous British and Irish knitwear, scarves, gloves, beanies and of course socks. You can’t go wrong with socks for Christmas.

How has your partnership with Tillingham added to the Sailors experience and what impact has this had on the community? 

We love Tillingham, it has been a huge help to the local businesses, drawing in visitors. We are so proud and lucky to have Tillingham on our doorstep. Working with Tillingham is an utter joy. Our joint events are always free to all and this really helps bring the community together.

What draws you to collaborate with Tillingham, and why do you think it resonates with our community? 

Tillingham is a place we love, we all look forward to visiting. Working on events at Tillingham is something we love doing and look forward to more in the future.

What role does the Rye community play in shaping Sailors, and why is supporting local businesses here so meaningful to you? 

We get a lot of visitors to our town but the locals love our businesses too. We have so many locals popping in to do something shopping or even just the say hello. It is so important we keep this going and I am confident the locals know this and that is why they continue to support us and the other businesses.

What future plans or visions do you have for Sailors that excite you?

We have lots planned for 2025 most of which is top secret and of course more events with authors are already in the planning.

Link to Sailors Of Rye website

IG @antoniadeesonDJ

If you would like to party the night away: Book Here

INTERVIEW WITH ANTHONY BURRILL – RENOWNED GRAPHIC ARTIST AND PRINT MAKER

Anthony, your work is renowned for its direct, persuasive style. Can you tell us how you developed this approach, and how it influences the screen-printing workshop you’re leading at Tillingham?

I love working with analogue means such as screen-print and letterpress. I’ve always been drawn to tactile ways of working to produce my work. I went to art school in the eighties and trained in traditional techniques. Computers were still something out of science fiction in those days and all the cool kids (me included) thought they were for nerds. I’ve continued working with non-digital means ever since and it’s something that is integral to my work. I use a computer to help with my work now, but still retain a connection with those hand-made roots.

You’ve exhibited at prestigious venues like the Tate Modern and the V&A. How do you balance creating art for high-profile exhibitions with more hands-on, interactive workshops like this one?

My work has taken me around the world to some amazing places and I’ve had really fun experiences. I’ve led workshops in Brazil, Korea, Kenya and now it’s time to work slightly closer to home. My work is about connecting with people through creativity. By making work together and exploring screen-printing techniques we all go on a journey of discovery together. I get as much inspiration from leading workshops as everybody else, it’s great to be excited about making new work and finding out new things.

In this workshop, participants will be experimenting with six graphic elements and different paper types to create their own designs. What excites you most about seeing non-artists engage in this creative process?

I think it opens up everybody’s natural urge to create. By using simple elements as a starting pint the process will lead us along. It’s about getting involved and losing your inhibitions about making art. There are no right answers and it’s all about having fun, getting a bit messy and creating something that look great. You can always tell when someone has had fun making a piece of art, it comes through in the spontaneous look and feel of the finished piece.

The concept of ‘happy accidents’ seems to be an important part of this workshop. How does embracing trial and error factor into your own design work, and how might participants benefit from this approach?

I believe in trying things out to see if they work. I like to jump in and make work without any pre-conceived ideas and let the process develop. When you have a few elements to work with you become more experimental. Strangely having restrictions frees you up to play and experiment. It’s a good way of following your instincts rather than planning things out too much.

This workshop is a unique collaboration between you, Tillingham, and The Private Press. How did this partnership come about, and what are you hoping participants will take away from both the experience and their final prints?

Gary from The Private Press is an old friend. We’ve worked together on lots of different projects, most notably screen-printing at Glastonbury over the past few years. It’s always fun hanging out, he’s super enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable about screen-printing. I’m hoping participants will see the potential of screen-printing to be a creative and fun way of making artwork. It’s simple to set-up and once you’ve understood the basics something that can lead to amazing work.

Whats your proudest piece of work you have been asked to do?

The ‘YOU&ME’ mural in Leeds. It’s a large scale public artwork in the historic centre of the city. I studied in Leeds so it’s got a place in my heart. The artwork is about community and human connection. It’s become a landmark in Leeds and that’s something I’m very happy about.

Why did you choose to partner with Tillingham for this workshop

I’m a local and have been visiting Tillingham for a long time. The culture at Tillingham is creative in so many ways; great wine, amazing food and beautiful natural setting, all the good stuff! It’s an inspirational place and combining it with art and creativity is going to be magical.

BOOK IN for an Experimental screen-print workshop with Anthony Burrill HERE

Well, at uni I actually studied Spanish and English. After that I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do, But I knew I wanted to do something creative and practical. I did a corporate job for a little while, but that still didn’t feel right and I felt I had a lot of energy to give and wanted to be on my feet day to day. What I realised is that I wanted to do something that was still related to culture, and I felt food was the perfect way to express creativity but also bringing in some of the other stuff I learnt in my studies. I then started looking into restaurants that inspired me, and that’s how i ended up finding Tillingham

Can you tell us about a pastry creation that you’re most proud of and what makes it special to you?

At Tillingham I have really enjoyed making choux buns, which we often have on the menu. I went to France this summer with some friends. We went to some classic french patisseries and they looked amazing, and tasted really nice. It can be quite challenging working with choux, as it can go wrong quite easily. So I enjoy the challenge. Its easy to play around with ingredients when working with choux, and we try to focus on incorporating seasonal ingredients, so at the moment we have been using grilled nectarines, as they’re in season. 

How do you stay inspired to keep creating new and innovative pastries? 

I think I have lots of sources of inspiration. Definitely, when I first came to Tillingham, I gained masses of inspiration from the garden and talking to Becca (Head Gardener at Tilingham). Walking around outside in nature and being out of the kitchen can be very helpful. At Tillingham we like to make sure that the food represents the surroundings, so the garden and the aesthetics help with colour pairings and what looks beautiful together. 

What’s it like working in the Tillingham kitchen? 

It’s a very collaborative experience. I mainly work closely with Adam Swain (Head Chef) and Micky (Sous Chef). It’s really nice working with Adam, as he’s very happy to work with new ideas, and if I really want to try making macaroons, then he gives  me the time and space to experiment and play. Tom, our Exec Chef & GM  has come with some recipes that he’s had for years and I’ve worked on them, which have been really interesting.

What advice would you give to other young women who are aspiring to become pastry chefs?

Just do it! Don’t think about it too much, there’s probably a restaurant that sparks your interest, just write a letter and get in touch, people will notice passion and interest. 

Why do you like working here?

There’s  loads of different aspects that I love, I love that you feel right in the middle of a very British landscape, surrounded by beauty and the gardens, the farm. The people that work here are so motivated to make Tillingham, Tillingham, I think it’s a lovely place to work when everyone is on the same page, with the same goals.

How often do you think about the wine when making desserts?

That’s actually something I’ve started to think about a lot more since working here, as Tillingham started as a vineyard. It’s made me very interested in wine. Even yesterday, Olivia our Sommelier, took the chefs into a separate room and we tried the wines and she showed us her pairings with each dish, which is so important. I think it’s important to understand both sides of the business, from wine to what’s on the plate. It definitely made me think of the food in a new perspective, as it paired so perfectly with the dish we have made. I am so excited to learn more, with V, and learn more about natural wines. Before I worked here, I always thought I knew what I like… for example  a red Rioja from spain, but now i have tried natural wine, my eyes have been opened, it’s so exciting to work in a place that allow new and innovative ideas, whether that’s in the kitchen or with natural wine. 

What does a general day look like for you?

My day usually starts by reading a prep list. This lays out what needs to be made for the day ahead, so I’ll use this as a guide to plan a rough schedule that will get me ready for service. I always try and make sure that I’m giving myself enough time to make each recipe thoughtfully, whilst getting through it all. I’ll also spend a lot of my time cleaning between each recipe and making things. I actually don’t mind this part, as I struggle to work in unorganised spaces. But generally a typical day is quite varied, as you switch from making things in the morning, to service in the afternoon. This means having to switch from different mindsets too, which is another part of working in a kitchen that I really enjoy as it helps me to stay engaged.

Finally, what makes Tillingham, Tillingham?

I think what makes Tillingham Tillingham is the space it occupies in Peasmarsh. It’s in a really unique location which would be difficult to replicate anywhere else in the world. Being surrounded by a very untouched British landscape and vineyards creates a really special feel, and I think that’s what draws in both staff and customers. The decor, music, and carefully curated flower displays by Karen also play a huge part in this. So you feel a really strong sense of place at Tillingham. 

Book A Dinner at Tillingham and sample some of Maisy’s culinary delights here