This month…
Many years ago, I worked at Country Living as a freelance contributor and I clearly remember the editor-in-chief, Susy Smith, sharing her vision for this magazine. She talked about the brand’s unique editorial mix of ‘soft furnishings and hard issues’ – delivering an intelligent read about the matters that affect our countryside alongside a dreamy escape from everyday life.
As I step in as Country Living’s new custodian, I have reflected on the enduring appeal of this philosophy. Over the past 35 years (the age of this magazine), we have lived through some incredible changes in society. The digital revolution has transformed how we absorb information and communicate; technology, among other trends, has reshaped the way we live in our homes. Yet through all this, the desire to connect with nature and ‘live the good life’ remains unchanged. In many ways, it has strengthened that conviction, as we recognise the need to ‘unplug’, slow down and re-evaluate what’s important in life – and never more so than in these uncertain times.
Embracing ‘country living’ is a mindset and where you live is irrelevant. My home is in rural Cambridgeshire, where I’m based with my family (and our new Labrador puppy, Bernie, shown left). Some of the CL team also reside in the countryside, others in London. Our respective rural and urban lifestyles differ, but our passions and interests are shared: loving the aesthetic of the rustic home; relishing the mindful benefits of gardening; savouring the changing seasons and beauty of the British Isles with its wildlife, rugged coastlines and market towns; supporting our small businesses and artisans. These are the things that unite us and connect us to you.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this talented team, who should take all the credit for my favourite reads in this issue: David Lindo’s take on the meditative power of birdwatching (p178); Sally Coulthard’s tips on how to build a hedgehog café (p23); and Julian Norton, Channel 5’s Yorkshire Vet (p34), who reminds me of reading James Herriot’s novels to my younger brother when I was a teenager and us both giggling hysterically at the hair-raising anecdotes! And, of course, I loved the round-up of dog-friendly places to stay in the UK (p92) – Bernie, we’ll be booking in soon!
Country Living has always been my go-to source of inspiration, entertainment and escapism: as we step forward into a world that feels increasingly turbulent, I very much hope that it will continue to be yours, too.