January is a time of new beginnings...

…and it seems fitting, therefore, that after 24 years as editor-in-chief of Country Living, as a new decade begins, I am passing on the baton to the next guardian of this wonderful magazine. When I was a child, growing up in Belfast, I decided, at the age of 12, that my dream job would be to work for a glossy magazine. I feel so fortunate to have realised that dream and to have been at Country Living for almost a quarter of a century. I have loved every minute of it. In the ensuing years, I have, like all of us, seen many changes, both personal and in the world around me. I like to think that throughout all the ups and downs, Country Living has remained a constant, bringing you its unique mix of everything from soft furnishings to farming, and celebrating all that is wonderful about the countryside and the natural world. We have brought you the creative and the quirky, the inspiring and the challenging. We have introduced you to new ideas, reminded you of old traditions and forged a path for the future where Country Living will always play its part for anyone whose heart is in the country. As for me, this is not adieu, but rather au revoir, for I shall still be writing for the magazine – a regular column, beginning next month and chronicling the new exciting chapter in my life… In the meantime, our wonderful art team have put together a collage of past memories to accompany this, my last First Words. New readers can laugh at my changing hairstyle, while those more long- standing may remember many of the images, especially those featuring my twin daughters. As many of you still ask me how they are and what they are up to, I thought you would like to see for yourself. Hattie (above left) is studying graphic design in Falmouth, and Connie, English and philosophy at Leeds. Both finish university next year and aim to follow their father and I into the creative industry. They are beautiful and talented and part of the next generation that will shape and form the world to come. I am immensely proud of them both. So, then, I take my leave by thanking all of you for loving

Country Living as much as I do – long may it continue.

Look out for Susy’s new column in the February issue of Country Living.