Dear Readers
Throughout almost 39 years as your Editor and Publisher, I’ve not often written about my personal life, but last September was a special highlight. Back in February 2024, I had an invitation to a wedding. Someone I’ve worked with on the magazine, every week of every month for 16 years, told me that he was to be married. I’ve known Nick and his partner Cora since August 2008, when Nick took over as our Graphic Designer. He asked if Neil and I would like to come to the wedding, but quickly added that it would be in Germany. It took me no time at all to accept. The dates were a long way ahead so we’d lots of time to plan, especially as both of us needed to keep the magazine on schedule.
The last time Neil and I had a proper holiday was in June 2017, when we headed back to America to stay with Susan Guagliumi and her husband. So we decided to combine the wedding with a holiday and made plans to go up into the Austrian Tyrol, to a health spa in the mountains. As excited as I was, I decided to keep things under wraps, except for telling one other person on the magazine. Not having been to a wedding for many years, I’d need something to wear. As our Fashion Editor at the time and one of my best friends, who better to help me find the perfect outfit than Sally-Ann? Around this time she became a little unwell, but we giggled with glee at the prospect of a shopping expedition. We decided we’d turn it into a Style File feature for the magazine, but little did we know that we’d never make that shopping trip. Her untimely death in June 2024 was a huge shock for us all.
As you’ll read on Page 10, the weather did its utmost to disrupt the day. However, there was never a chance Storm Boris would win and I didn’t let the side down. Yes, my new wedding outfit stayed in the suitcase and machine knitting won the day! At the last minute I’d packed a much-loved outfit Iris Bishop made for me a while ago and it kept me toasty warm from morning till night.
I know you’ll all join me in sending our warmest congratulations to Nick and Cora. May their next 20 years be filled with as much love and joy as their first. To be sure, as one year draws to an end and another begins, let’s all wish each other a happy and peaceful New Year, filled to the brim with good health and good fortune.
NEXT ISSUE February 2025
Subscription copies sent out Thursday 2nd January
On sale Thursday 9th January
Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy, or order a subscription NOW!