(Image: Supplied)
Rachel Hill swapped running a chain of children’s nurseries for life as director of Bondville Model Village in Bridlington. As the proud owner, she says Bondville is ‘becoming better and better and is such a beautiful environment’
How do you spend your days?
As the owner of Bondville, Yorkshire’s only model village, no two days are ever the same. Some days I’ll be on site, restocking the gift shop with the lovely products we’ve carefully sourced. We also make our own hand-poured candles inspired by the model village, so I might be delivering fresh stock ready for visitors to enjoy, or getting content for our social media channels. On other days, I may be speaking at an event or appearing on a podcast, which is always great fun.
Away from work, I’m a busy mum, so my days often include the usual jobs at home and preparing an evening meal. It’s a varied life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Friday night – cocktails or chill?
Probably neither! In the good old days, it would definitely have been cocktails, but these days Friday nights are usually spent preparing for the weekend ahead.
That might mean getting our motorhome ready for a motocross race meeting for my son, Woody, planning content for Bondville’s social media channels, or helping my son, Tommy, get ready for a wheelchair rugby match or tournament.
Maybe one day in the future cocktails will feature again!
Saturday morning – parkrun or papers?
Saturday mornings are usually all about family. It’s always active and full-on, so while I might not be running in the park, I’m certainly on the move and rushing around after my boys.
If I do get the rare luxury of a weekend off, then I’d choose the papers. My perfect Saturday morning would be a slow start with a candle lit, the radio playing in the background, a coffee in hand, and a little time to catch up on some reading and jobs around the house. Those quiet moments are few and far between, which makes them all the more special.
Feeding time?
These days, I’m much more mindful about what I’m putting into my body. I try to eat well and make healthy choices where I can, although I’m a firm believer in balance rather than perfection.
We’re definitely a family that enjoys food, but I’ve come to realise just how important it is to fuel my body properly. Life is incredibly busy, whether that’s running Bondville, speaking at events, supporting my children or juggling family life, so eating well helps me keep up with everything that’s going on.
Retail therapy?
I often think back to when I was little and how much I loved shopping days with my mum. We’d spend Saturdays travelling to Leeds, wandering around the market and exploring the city centre shops. It was something we did together regularly and some of my happiest memories are from those days.
I do find it a little sad that so much shopping has moved online now. There’s something special about browsing, discovering things you weren’t looking for and spending time with the people you love.
When I do get the chance to shop, I still love going with my mum, and sister. Leeds remains one of my favourite places for a shopping trip, but I also love Harrogate and Beverley, both of which have a wonderful mix of independent shops and familiar favourites.
I love fashion and finding a few new pieces, although probably not as much as I did when I was younger. These days, I’m just as likely to be tempted by beautiful homeware as I am by clothes. Shopping is a rare treat now, but it’s one I still really enjoy.
Saturday night perfection?
These days, a perfect Saturday night is often spent in a field at a motocross meeting ‒ and I genuinely wouldn’t have it any other way.
Once the engines have fallen silent and everyone is safely off the track, there’s a lovely sense of calm that settles over the paddock. The boys disappear to spend time with their friends, while my husband, Mark, and I sit outside the motorhome, barbecue something tasty and enjoy a glass of wine together.
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Sunday relaxation?
Sundays are my reset day. They’re a chance to slow down, take stock and prepare for the week ahead. I’ll sit down with my diary, check what meetings, speaking engagements and appointments are coming up, and make a plan for the days ahead.
I also love cooking on a Sunday. There’s nothing better than making a roast and gathering everyone around the table to catch up on each other’s week.
The perfect Sunday is music playing in the background, good food cooking in the kitchen, family around the table and a chance to reset before another busy week begins. Those moments of togetherness are what I treasure most.
Hopes for the year ahead?
The last few years have been a real journey of rediscovery. After selling my chain of children’s nurseries, I had to work out who
I was beyond the business I had spent so many years building.
My hope for the year ahead is simply to continue doing the things that bring me genuine happiness. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised how important it is to embrace new experiences and not be afraid to try something different.
I’ve surprised myself by discovering new passions, from hand-pouring candles and running Bondville Model Village to public speaking and sharing more of my personal story. Each new opportunity has taught me something about myself.
If the next year brings more creativity, more meaningful connections and more chances to do work that I truly love, then I’ll consider it a very successful year indeed..