30 EDITOR’S LETTER
As a child, I loved reading stories where winter seemed as compelling a character as any of the human or animal participants – the frozen landscape of Narnia; the eerie darkness of Moominland; the frosty woods of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase; and the icy realms of The Snow Queen. In adulthood, I began to dread the onset of lengthening nights, and those days of heavy skies and grey twilight. But I have come to realise, again, that midwinter may be as magical as it was in fairy tales (and indeed, that the ghostly fables told around a fireplace are another manifestation of the supernatural power of the darkest months of the year).
Fortunately, the team at Town & Country are as inspired by the glories of winter as they are by each and every season; hence the stories in this issue, beginning with Michelle Dockery as an enthralling Snow Queen, accompanied by her pack of Siberian Samoyeds, a white owl and a silvergrey steed named Caspian. We’ve also explored the enchanting Lismore Castle in Ireland, with its current chatelaine, Laura Burlington; and the atmospheric grounds of Cowdray Park, whose ruined battlements are the setting for a fashion shoot by Richard Phibbs. As always, Richard has proved himself to be a wonderfully gentle animal whisperer, with his soothing ability to bring out the best in horses, dogs and their human companions.
Elsewhere in the issue, we have a paean to pastry (as far as I’m concerned, Christmas Eve doesn’t begin until warm mince pies are served with lashings of cream, while nothing is more comforting than a piping-hot homemade chicken pie, after a long winter walk in the New Year); a parade of toy soldiers and miniature ballerinas; Lady Carnarvon’s recipe for festive champagne cocktails at Highclere Castle; and our sartorial guide to the season. As with all the most memorable Christmas stockings, there are many other surprises – including a treasure-trove of sparkling diamonds and rubies, a chic Siamese cat called Coco, and our favourite furry friend, Oscar the fox. (Needless to say, a fox is not just for Christmas; and Oscar already has a happy home.)
Finally, regular readers of Town & Country will know that my husband and I were bidding a fond farewell to Tillypronie, our much-loved home in the Highlands; but a new episode is dawning, as we move on to a rambling Georgian rectory in Norfolk. I’ve taken cuttings from my beloved plants in the Scottish garden, along with a cherished collection of geraniums, and they’re already nestled in a greenhouse, ready and waiting for the first days of spring... Don’t miss the chance to save 33 per cent on the cover price and receive a L’occitane Almond Milk Concentrate Body Cream worth £42 when you subscribe to Town & Country. See page 34 for details