People often asks me what I like most about my job. My response is always the same – that I love hearing from readers about how much the magazine means to them. I find it incredibly touching to learn how the stories and features we publish make such a difference to people’s lives.
A letter or an e-mail is lovely, but nothing beats hearing it face-to-face from a reader.
This week, I was privileged to meet 95-year-old Eileen Dooks. Astonishly, Eileen has been a “Friend” subscriber for more than 70 years!
Her lovely friend Deirdre asked if they could call in to the “Friend” office to meet us all, while Eileen was visiting Dundee. Naturally, we were delighted to oblige.
It was an honour to meet such a lovely lady. As you might expect, Eileen thoroughly enjoyed her tour of the office.
A Day Of Stories
More reader encounters followed, thanks to another of our 150th anniversary events. This time the destination was the fabulous Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh.
I was joined by Margaret and Iain from the “Friend” team, and David and Barry from our Archives Department. A wonderful afternoon of talks about the magazine was enjoyed by all!
There were lots of readers and contributors in the audience, and I loved chatting to them about the “Friend”.
Iain has posted some of his pictures from the day here. If you like the look of the exhibition, you have one last chance to see it before it closes on May 25.
Best of all, it’s free to attend!
Read more of my diaries here.
Angela Gilchrist I am the former Editor-in-Chief of “The People’s Friend” magazine. My passions include cats, Highland ponies, good books, vegetarian food and long walks in the Scottish countryside. My favourite place to get away from it all is the magical Isle of Skye.
