The “Friend” Is Like A Steady Ship . . .

It’s hard to believe that two years ago we were caught up in our wonderful 150^th celebrations.

We’d been planning them and getting excited for well over a year.

We spoke a lot about the “Friend’s” resilience and steadiness at the time . . . little did we know there would be quite a battle to face just over a year later.

When we were working on our 150^th Collector’s Edition, one of the tasks I had, along with Alan, was to create the timelines to show the major events that had happened throughout our 150 years.

As you can imagine there were rather a lot of world changing events.

Wars, inventions and things that will never be forgotten. I remember thinking to myself, “Wow, the world is a much quieter place now.”

I also remember constantly thinking about the “Friend” staff members over those years.

This was especially important as we sat in our gorgeous state-of-the-art building, with the best technology and working practices.

What would they have made of Pay Day Drinks, our brilliant gym and all the other perks we have?

Fast forward just a couple of years and things are very different.

Within a few days our lives were turned upside down. Surely we’d only be working from home for a few weeks?

There’s no way we can keep putting the weekly, Specials, Pocket Novels, annual and all the other “Friend” publications out while we’re not in the office?

Well, we have.

We’re so lucky to live in an age that sees us able to be apart, yet work as a team, have round the clock support and an overwhelming sense of loyalty to the world’s oldest and best women’s weekly magazine.

The “Friend” is like a steady ship in stormy seas and we proud to be her crew.

We’ve not come to end of this particular journey yet, but I hope we’re all doing her, and her previous crews, proud.

Here’s to the next 152 years!

For more from the “Friend” team, click here to read our blog.