My Henley Life: Harriet Reed-Ryan
Harriet Reed-Ryan, 36, is the events and programme director for Henley Literary Festival and runs an events consultancy where she works with organisations such as Human Rights Watch. She lives in Peppard with her husband, David, and their children Naomi, nine, Mabel, seven and Rafe, two. Harriet went to St Mary’s School, then Cranford House and Shiplake College for the sixth form. She studied sociology at Bath University. After university Harriet worked in PR and then hotel events, where she met her husband. She became European events manager for Human Rights Watch, and worked alongside her mother, Sue Ryan, when she founded the Henley Literary Festival. Harriet joined the literary festival full time in 2009.
What brought you to Henley, why do you stay?
I was born and bred from around here, I did head to London briefly, but my job (and brilliant family) bought me back here and I have now set up my family home here.
I was born and bred from around here, I did head to London briefly, but my job (and brilliant family) bought me back here and I have now set up my family home here.
What would you change about Henley?
Parking -- is that the obvious answer? Also, I would love a sushi bar/restaurant. Oh, and a 700-seater event space.
How do you spend your leisure time locally?
Going for river or countryside walks as a family, meeting friends for coffee or drinks (time of day dependant) and I can often be found chasing after my children at the brilliant River & Rowing Museum -- a true gem for young families in Henley.
Going for river or countryside walks as a family, meeting friends for coffee or drinks (time of day dependant) and I can often be found chasing after my children at the brilliant River & Rowing Museum -- a true gem for young families in Henley.
Where are your top three local haunts?
Blue Tin Farm in Ipsden is the perfect place for a coffee and a walk (and a lot of animal and tractor spotting with son) with the most amazing views. The Unicorn in Peppard -- such a brilliant local pub with a lovely atmosphere (and a delicious roast). Bell Bookshop and Busby and Fox -- we're so lucky to have such lovely independent shops on our doorstep and they can definitely distract me when I take a lunchbreak.
Which song would you pass down to your children? Forever Young by Bob Dylan or Hakuna Matata (from the Lion King). They are both self explanatory, but are basically about viewing the world like children.
Which book, film or play inspires you?
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly - covers both the book and the film. It is such a beautifully written story and shows the true determination of Jean Dominique --Bauby. Also I remember going to the Orange Tree Theatre a lot in Richmond, when we were growing up – it was this tiny little theatre where people ran on and off the stage – I remember it as a really joyous experience. I recently saw Peter and Aliceby John Logan with Dame Judi Dench – it was just brilliant.
What do you treasure most about life in the UK?
The weather; the changing seasons make the landscape change consistently and it is so beautiful all year round.
But if you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?
I'd love to do the polar opposite of life now and move to somewhere like New York and be fully immersed in a city. I would bring my children up with all that culture, you would have to work much harder at it, but I think it would be good for them.
Is there anyone or anything in the area that you admire, would recommend or deserves a special mention?
My book club that meets at various drinking establishments in Henley has been so important to me. It is a group of brilliant women and once a month we meet and talk about books (a little) and all other aspects of life (a lot) and I think the importance of friendship and women supporting women makes a real impact on my life.
If you could turn back time, what would you do differently? I would have had more faith in myself when I first became a mum and would have trusted my instincts more (I learned this by the third).
Which things do you wish you had known when you were younger? That it turns out your mother is usually right.
The 2020 Henley Literary Festival runs from September 26 to October 4 but there will several pop up literary events in the meantime www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk
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