Community Spirit
It was Nate’s job to restore the failing pub – but it wasn’t going to be an easy task!
You know we’re back in the town centre, but look at the glorious flower border in the ancient burial ground outside our front door. It’s a haven for bees, butterflies – and lunch stops! Anyone been out for a nice lunch today?
You know The People’s Friend is a bit like the TARDIS. It’s bigger on the inside and we pack it full of fab… https://t.co/QRFpbaZ90Q
Remembering Diana – 20 Years On
Born on the 1st of July, 1961, Lady Diana Spencer became one of the world’s most famous and admired women…
Fiction Sneak Peek: July 22, 2017 issue
We begin with “Life Swap”, which is tagged on the cover as a role-reversal comedy. Marjorie and Brenda’s husbands thinking…
Holiday Hounds
When I am reading the pages of “The People’s Friend”, I always find a wee smile crossing my face when…
Story Starter: Plates With Words
The photo shows plates, that much is clear. But so what? Well, these are the plates we found when we…
To Berwick-upon-Tweed
It’s surprising how much you can manage to squeeze into a day with an early start. I’d left home the…
Layered Berry Breakfast Pots
Fresh berries and oats make a deliciously healthy breakfast.
The Fireside Book 2018 Is Here
This week one of our new annuals for 2018 arrived, and it’s one of our personal favourites – The Fireside…
Fiction Sneak Peek: July 15, 2017 issue
Wendy Clarke opens this week’s issue with her story “One Of Many”. Ryan goes to visit a schoolteacher he’s never…
Fiction Ed’s Book Review
It sounds idyllic….Leah’s been invited to join her sister on summer holiday in a gite in France. Except that Michele’s…
Reach For The Stars
A few of us in the office are interested in astronomy, and it was in July, 1969, that US astronaut…
Story Starter: Snake In The Grass
Can you see it? The snake in the grass? It stopped me in my tracks when I was out for…
Sticky Chocolate and Redcurrant Slice
Easy and delicious, this dessert is perfect for chocolate fans.
Glen Fender and Glen Tilt
When I worked in an office, nothing annoyed me more on a nice sunny day than when my colleagues would…
A copy of Sarah Morgan’s new novel “Holiday In The Hamptons”
“Holiday In The Hamptons” is international best-selling author Sarah Morgan’s new novel, a wonderfully romantic and multi-generational story –…
Teenage Crush
A couple of weeks ago I took part in our annual graduation ceremonies at the university, as I like to…
Juniper Magazine
Our friends over at the new Juniper magazine gave us a bottle of One Gin to celebrate the launch of…
Fiction Sneak Peek: July 8, 2017 Issue
I’ll start with a traditional illustration for a traditional style of story. Because, after all, in a magazine that’s almost…
Cake Time
As many of you already know, we are very fond of tea and cake in the “Friend” office so our…
Story Starter: Brollies
Those of you who follow us on Facebook will have seen a brollies picture like this already this week, but I think it has…
To Ormiston Hill
Sometimes you don’t need to climb very high to find a good viewpoint and the top of Ormiston Hill above…
Edinburgh Woollen Mill Country Casuals Outfit
Win a stylish new outfit from Country Casuals at The Edinburgh Woollen Mill With the warmer months upon us, we’ve…
1 of 5 copies of Pam Weaver’s “Always In My Heart”
Our June 24 issue featured Pam Weaver’s new book “Always In My Heart”, an absorbing story of twins Shirley and…
Clotted Cream Filled Lemon Cake
Lemon curd and clotted cream make this a truly luxurious bake.
Summer In The Garden
July, one of the hottest months of the year, is almost upon us and, while the Great British summer is…
Fiction Sneak Peek: July 1, 2017 Issue
Our illustrator Sarah created this brilliant illustration to capture the arty theme of Margaret Skipworth’s story “Back In Montmartre”. It’s…
People Power
Cotswold is a busy RDA centre with 15 horses, and it takes over 100 volunteers, each giving up a few…
Story Starter: Cactus In Flower
Hello! Some of you will know I’ve been on holiday. I don’t publicise it here – no point in advertising…
Callander Crags
I must have been a bit fitter the last time I tackled the Callander Crags. Either that or the hill…
Halloumi Salad with Herby Yogurt Dressing
Warm halloumi makes this fresh-tasting salad so satisfying.
A Celebration of the Traditional Counties of England
Are you a proud Yorkshire Tyke, or a Lincolnshire Yellowbelly? A Kentish Man, or a Man of Kent – and…
A Royal Visit
Cotswold RDA is located in the beautiful surroundings of Cheltenham Racecourse. The riding school has a well-equipped indoor arena, an…
Has Toffee got the makings of an RDA pony?
LAST month we met Toffee, the latest arrival at Cotswold Riding for the Disabled group. Like all RDA ponies, those…
Meet Toffee
Here’s Toffee, the latest arrival at Cotswold RDA. He is extremely cute at only 11.2 hh. He is strawberry roan…
Helping Hands at RDA
RDA couldn’t achieve what it does without the volunteers who give their time to help out. There are around 19,000…
An introduction to the RDA
THROUGHOUT this year, we will be finding out all about the work of Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), a…
Fiction Sneak Peek: June 24, 2017 issue
Jean Cullop opens this week’s reading with her typically thoughtful story “In The Heat Of The Moment”. Holly’s mum reckons…
Creating Poetry With Rhythm And Rhyme
Poetry is greatly enjoyed by our readers, and as Poetry Editor I’m always on the lookout for appealing new poems….
Fiction Ed’s Book Review
A man stands at the edge of a train platform. The train approaches. The last thing he knows is the…
The Silent Fountain
When Lucy finds herself going through a painful break-up and without a job, the offer of a post helping out…
Story Starter: Clean Hankie
It’s something our mums always asked when we were off to school: “Have you got a clean hankie?” Clean laundry that you’ve…
