A Modern Master - Stewart Drew
Your cultural appreciation of Sussex starts right here, with Stewart Drew (which of course means strong steward). He has made quite an impression on me and I am proud now to be on his map. Stewart and I share an uncanny amount of passions - from Art and Nature to Stories and Food (not least for kids with allergies). We could have talked for hours about All Of The Things. But here's ONE HOUR of me interviewing one of the most important people on the "south bank" of England. HAT 1: CEO of the De La Warr Pavilion Imagine identifying a bit of a run-down building as being more than just a bit impressive on an architectural level, and turning it into a world-class icon of culture. Stewart wasn't the first to see the De La Warr Pavilion's potential... Indeed on on hearing of its opening, George Bernard Shaw (story-father of 'Enry 'Iggins) - said, Delighted to hear that Bexhill has emerged from barbarism at last, but I shall not give it a clean bill of civilisation until all my plays are performed there once a year at least. Perhaps not quite as diplomatic and inclusive a view of the relatively small seaside town as Stewart might apply, but still - a significant blessing from a pretty important cultural icon. HAT 2: Board Member of Sussex Modern The Sussex landscape with its rolling South Downs, its ancient Wealden woodlands and its stunning coastline has constantly drawn artists and, more recently, winemakers to live and work here. I first heard of Stewart, actually, when I picked up a brochure for Sussex Modern at Tillingham vineyard (along with several bottles of wine and some posh candles after our pizza). For years, along with his friend Nathaniel Hepburn, Chief Executive of Charleston (who was recently named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contribution to the South East of England), Stewart has been designing Sussex Modern. It's a movement of Art, Wine, Landscape and places to Stay on and around the south coast. It's website helps you to explore, participate and enjoy the stories that the area has to offer to both locals and visitors. From the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts and Glyndebourne to Farleys House & Gallery, everyone's included on the cultural trail. You can immerse yourself in the Life of an Artist and "learn about the history of Sussex wine, meet the winemakers and find out how you can visit Sussex’s award-winning vineyards throughout the year." And my favourite bit of all, Modern Sussex is an aggregator for some fabulous hotels, vineyard stays, B&Bs, gastro camping, glamping and luxury self-catering - from the THE PIG-in the South Downs (yes please!) and the Tack Barn - a beautiful and sustainable one-bedroom waterside cottage tucked away in a woodland near Lewes kitted out with contemporary crafts and art by local makers and artists - to self-catering accommodation in Sussex. All sounds most lovely, right? Who need travel overseas... HAT 3: Chair, 1066 Country Marketing 1066 Country’s official website for tourism and travel information", which really gets into the Story of Things: "Set deep in history, where the Sussex Weald meets the sea, lie the ancient settlements and rich landscapes of 1066 Country. Open skies and broad horizons inspire the imagination." HATS 4 & 5 Stewart is also the Chair of East Sussex and Brighton & Hove Music Hub (Create Music) and a Member of 'Team East Sussex' for the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, which is "Working Together for a Faster, Smarter and More Sustainable Economic Recovery". We didn't even get onto these amazing stewardships. Next time...
