Another week, another media appearance, and possibly the scariest one yet!
Monday January 14 saw me heading back to the BBC Radio Scotland studio in Dundee, this time to be interviewed live on Woman’s Hour by the marvellous Jane Garvey. Knowing the whole team were listening in back at the office did nothing to calm my nerves! Luckily all seemed to go well, and I even managed to read a quote about an 1869 reader asking for advice about a “depilatory” without tripping over my words.
The phone was ringing again when I got back to my desk, with a request to appear on that afternoon’s phone-in show on BBC Radio Sheffield. Their topic for discussion was friendship, and of course they thought the “Friend” was a perfect fit. With only five minutes to prep before another live interview, the pressure was on, but presenter Rony Robinson was lovely and immediately put me at my ease.
Hand of Friendship 2019
Tuesday saw me getting back to the day job briefly, when marketing manager Kirsty and I had a very rewarding telephone meeting with the charity that will be our new partner for the Hand of Friendship 2019. More about that in the months to come.
Another interview was planned for Wednesday, this time with Dundee Audio News, a fantastic organisation that provides recorded news and other stories for the blind and visually impaired. Producer Graeme Tarbet has interviewed many famous people in his time, and I was honoured to be asked to sign his autograph book alongside some real star names.
A Lovely Lunch
By the time Friday came round, I was tired (not least of the sound of my own voice!), but so happy with all the media attention that had been given to the “Friend”. It had been hard work, but worth every second. We’ve had so many congratulations and good wishes from members of the public, readers, ex staff members and former contributors – it’s been just lovely.
I rounded the week off with a great lunch at a local Italian restaurant with Kirsty and Georgia from the marketing team, who’d worked so tirelessly on all the plans for the 150th celebration. It was so nice just to sit back and relax for an hour!
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.
