In conversation with – Sarah Beeny

In this issue we catch up with renowned property expert, businesswoman, TV presenter, unofficial tour manager and writer Sarah Beeny. Alongside her busy work schedule, Sarah has been very public about the health challenges she has faced in recent years. We chat with her about all things hen and working her way towards a simple life.

Hi Sarah! This is the second time you’ve featured in C & E magazine and naturally, we’re all keen to know, how many feathered friends have you got now, if any?

We have 6 hens at the moment; they are lovely! They enjoy the odd treat from us and we get 6 eggs every single day in return.

You kindly agreed to host a rehoming for us last year at your home in Somerset – what prompted you to offer up your land to do this?

I realised the charity didn’t have a rehoming centre in my local area. The BHWT is such a lovely charity that carries out important work, so I thought perhaps if there was an accessible rehoming centre, it may prompt people to give [hens] a try.

Rehoming days can naturally be quite busy and full on with up to 500 hens winging their way to new homes. Your boys made particularly good hen catchers! How did you find the experience?

The day was busy! However, the rehomings are well organised and once you get a system running, it’s pretty smooth sailing. There were loads of amazing people who came to collect hens, it was a pleasure to meet them.

We know your family will have been instrumental in helping you through your breast cancer treatment last year, but do you also find comfort in your furry and feathered friends?

All living things give you comfort I think when times are a bit grey - there is something about the magnificence of mother nature and all her creations which make you calm and realise that everything is always OK in the end.

Your life seems unbelievably busy, what with house renovations, being somewhat of a tour manager for the Entitled Sons and writing books – how do you manage to get any downtime and what do you do if that does ever happen?!

I don’t get much down time but I potter out and chat to the chickens every morning and love a bit of gardening. I have lots of plans for a simple life - it just hasn’t quite happened yet!

Finally, in moving from Yorkshire to Somerset – do you feel at least you’re getting closer to a slice of that simple life?

It is a bit simpler as we are all here and so there is less dashing about all over the countryside - though now the boys band The Entitled Sons has taken off we are around the country with me as a groupie.