My Henley Life: Sarah Miller, Henley Town Mayor

SARAH MILLER is the Mayor of Henley. She has lived in the town for most of her life, having moved here with her family when she was a baby. She worked for her father’s advertising and PR agency in Bell Street before moving to London and working for a PR agency. Years later, she returned to Henley and spent more than 20 years in publishing. She now works for the Royal Institute of British Architects and was elected to Henley Town Council in 2015.  She lives in Reading Road with her partner Carolyn Ahara and twin daughters, Vivien and Ruby, 11. Sarah says: “To me, being Mayor is about listening understanding and helping. I have met the most wonderful people, who do so much but choose to go under the radar. That’s very humbling.”

What brought you to Henley?

My parents moved here when I was a baby and I have stayed (on and off) because of the sense of community, which has meant more and more to me as I age gracefully, particularly now that I have a family.  

What would you change about Henley?

I’d install an underground car park, create more cycling lanes and put a stop to the ever-increasing care home developments in the town.

How do you spend your leisure time locally?

I’m trying to get to the gym, which I enjoy, and walking the dog. I also write songs. But, to be honest, I don't have a huge amount of spare time right now.  

What are your top three local haunts?

Coppa Club in Bell Street is good as it caters for kids and adults, which is a win-win for us. The Row Barge in West Street is a great little pub, oozing character and run by a strange man called Jolyon Miller. We are blessed to have the Regal cinema, which I go to when I can. 

Do you have a favourite song?

I love music but choosing one song is mighty hard. If I had to choose, it would be either Damn Your Eyes by Etta James, Wish you Were Here by Pink Floyd, The Saxophone Song by Kate Bush or Rock Lobster by The B52s. 

Which film or play has inspired or moved you?  

Desert Hearts (1985) moved me for many reasons but Bag It (2010) inspired me to be more plastic-conscious. We can all do something to reduce plastic contamination - I set up Refill Henley with Julia Carey in 2017 to help reduce single-use plastic. 

What do you treasure most about life in the UK?

Our freedom of speech, the opportunities afforded to us and the increasing profile of women in society.   

If you could live anywhere else, where would it be? 

I’m very happy where I am. I’m a water sign, so if I did move I would need to be near water, preferably the sea.

Who or what do you particularly admire?

I really admire John Green, who raises so much money for the Royal British Legion and is an absolute treasure, and Lynne Lambourne for her work over many years promoting recycling long before it became of a focus of the media.

I would like to give a special mention to Drifters, a small independent coffee shop in Duke Street. Bring your own mug; bring the dog - they are always thinking outside the box and make everybody very welcome. We are so lucky to have so many wonderful coffee shops in Henley.

What do wish you had known when you were younger?

Nerves are good - work with them.