Profile

Sally Saunders- Makings

Sally was born in Walthamstow, London at the beginning of the ‘60s. The youngest of three daughters, her father was a wholesaler dealing in car accessories. She did exceptionally well at school and was considering career possibilities when her father asked her to help him out on one of his market stalls. The prospect of earning some money was naturally attractive and at the same time she was assisting her father so she went to work on the market in the Dalston area and remained there for 10 years. For a long time, she regretted not having done further education but now realises that the experience has been of great value.

Steven Saunders was a chef at The White Hart at Great Yeldon when Sally met him and three weeks later they were negotiating the purchase of the Pink Geranium from Ellen Shepperson. Sally told me that the moment she went up the drive she knew that she had to have the PG, she just loved it. It was a huge step to take on a famous restaurant at the age of 26 but it was a strong partnership based on a mutual love of good food. With Steven’s expertise in the kitchen and Sally’s business sense they built on the fine reputation Ellen had established.

Initially they lived above the restaurant but after the birth of Serena in 1988 they moved to Millside cottage in Station Road and 2 ½ years later Stefanie was born. Stefanie was only 4 weeks old when a disastrous fire broke out at the PG – we remember it well, living next door as we do! All the customers took refuge in our sittingroom – what a night! However, with great grit and determination they dusted themselves down and three weeks later they opened a pop up restaurant at Millside. They were immensely touched by the support they got from local people who continued to dine with them in the cramped quarters of the cottage. Sally gave her kitchen over to the chefs and somehow they managed whilst the Pink Geranium was rebuilt. Those were the good times.

In 1996 Steven left her to live in London but when he spotted Sheene Mill on the market he approached Sally and suggested they got back together and buy the restaurant/ hotel in partnership. Making a new start, they moved to Bassingbourn, became the owners of Sheene Mill and put a manager in to run the PG. However, things did not work out between them and in 2004 Sally and Steven were divorced and Sally opened Esse Retail and Therapy. (pronounced, incidentally ‘S’ after the initials of their names!) Sheene Mill was still owned by Sally and Steven but was leased to tenants.

Stefanie, who had trained as a beauty therapist, joined her mother in Esse. Serena worked part time at Sheene Mill, then in hotel management at the University and finally went into recruitment but eventually she too came to work at Esse, taking over the Sunday slot and making it very profitable. Sally was becoming more and more unhappy about the way Sheene Mill was being run and eventually the tenants were removed. Serena needed an outlet for her entrepreneurial skills so it was decided that she should take over management of the restaurant. At that point Steven decided he wanted to leave the partnership and so Ollie bought him out.

I haven’t mentioned Ollie! In February 2006 Sally sent out her monthly newsletter listing Valentine’s Day events and suggested that singletons, such as herself, should get together at Esse for a party. A client who knew Ollie Makings decided to do a bit of matchmaking and forwarded the email to him – he came along to the party and Bingo! A blind date with a happy ending. Oliver has a printing business in Thetford specialising in music books and pharmaceutical printing – quite a niche market. It was he who was the driving force behind the impressive new house which greets you as you come into Melbourn on Station Road. He saw the potential of the site and the old Melbourn Laundry was demolished (no loss as it was always an ugly building with only one right angle!). Ollie oversaw every detail of the construction and it certainly is a beautiful house. The pair moved in on the morning of Christmas Day and entertained the family to lunch!

Sheene Mill is now a successful venue for fine dining, corporate events and celebrations – the mill pond makes it a spectacular location for a wedding and we have also been there for birthday parties and funeral wakes. One often sees a helicopter bringing guests in, Rod Stewart is a regular and many other well known faces can be seen in the diningroom.

Asked about hobbies, Sally immediately said gardening and her Jack Russell Stan, they also have a house in France which they visit frequently, but really her work is her hobby. She is passionate about health and nutrition, in fact she describes herself as a health freak. She is obsessed by the reasons people get unwell and overweight, blaming sugar, processed and white foods. ‘All white foods should be regarded as enemies’ she says, She has a large collection of books on the subject and has now started stocking wholefoods and supplements in the shop. We had a long chat about diets and she kindly gave me some Turmeric Tea bags to try for my arthritis.

This fascination with ‘Beauty from within’ is exemplified in the shop where besides beauty treatments, facials, manicures and pedicures there is a long list of therapies such as yoga, pilates, iambarre (ballet barre work) acupuncture and homeopathy carried out in two studios and several treatment rooms. There is also a tanning booth. Outside the shop there are always a couple of dressed mannequins standing under an exotic umbrella which make you want to go in and explore the wide range of clothing, scarves, shoes, costume jewellery and makeup. Customers/clients are always offered a cup of tea or coffee and as the premises are licensed when they do Hen Parties or group events they can sell glasses of fizz. Understandably, these events are very popular. Whilst having your treatment you can also order lunch to be brought over from Sheene Mill – the two businesses are interactive.

Sally says that Ollie is a hugely important part of the operation, overseeing every detail and constantly offering advice and support. It is a little empire on the edge of Melbourn – Serena and Jordan, partners in Sheene Mill, are getting married in August, Stefanie managing the shop and stepping in as a therapist when needed and Sally and Ollie pulling everything together. Sheene Mill and Esse are a huge asset to the village and it is lovely to see a family united in a successful business. Long may they continue to thrive. Mavis Howard have their origin. It was very interesting, but occasionally got just a little bit technical. Who, for example, knows what ‘hemicryptophyte’ and ‘calcareous’ mean? Well, I didn’t, until Google came to my rescue. Look them up for yourself, if you are interested.

We were then taken for a walk in Tony Dean’s magnificent wildflower meadow on the other side of Long Lane, and were rewarded with the sight of many interesting species one would never see in gardens, including bee orchids and pyramidal orchids. All worth getting our feet slightly wet for.

We donated £75 to the Herts. & Middlesex Wildlife Trust following the meeting ‘Men’s Breakfast’ Schedule @8.30 am on 3rd Saturday on the Month in Foxton Village Hall. We have some interesting speakers lined up.

Speaker List

»17th Sept – David Wherrell – on Royston & District Community

Transport » 15th Oct – Ziba Tabrizi - on Iranian Dance, Asian performing arts scene in London, View of gender inequality. » 19th Nov – Caroline Lloyd Evens. Personal & Business Coaching, CLE

Consulting & Training; 75 Years of Cambridge Citizens Advice Bureau & needed even more.

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