Features Sneak Peek: July 23, 2022 Issue

Willie Shand is on the banks of the River Forth, in the July 23, 2022 issue of “The People’s Friend”.

From the Auld Brig of Stirling, Willie revels in more than 1,000 years of history.

The 15th-century bridge no longer carries vehicles; the cobbles are now polished only by the shoes of pedestrians. Its four stone arches reflect beautifully in the stillness of the river.

While in the area, we’ll visit the likes of Abbey Craig, on top of which is the National Wallace Monument, and Stirling Castle Palace. It’s a beautiful part of the world.

Band Of Brothers

Photograph by Garry Fraser.

Walking 96 miles is a tough ask, but to walk it over some of Scotland’s toughest terrain, you need some incentive. What could be a better spur than to walk the West Highland Way and raise funds for charity?

Garry Fraser’s brother passed away due to prostate cancer last September. When his closest friend Ian Crighton asked if Garry would take part in a memorial hike, Garry couldn’t say no.

In the magazine, read how Garry and his Band Of Brothers undertook a remarkable memorial hike for a good cause.

A Mystery Sculptor

Photograph by Alex Robson.

It was a gripping mystery that intrigued the residents of Scotland’s capital city. Who was the talented artist leaving beautiful sculptures across Edinburgh?

If it sounds like it could be a puzzle torn form the pages of a novel, then that’s not far from the truth – the creations were from an old book.

The artworks were so remarkable – and randomly left – that the sculptor was dubbed the “Bookish Banksy” after the street artist whose works have sold for millions.

Now, more than a decade on, the “novel” idea is helping transform lives.

The mystery sculptor’s novel creations are a great story in their own right. Marc Lambert tells Bill Gibb this intriguing tale.

Disasters Emergency Committee

Photograph by Peter Caton.

The horrors unfolding in Ukraine touched hearts across the world. The scale of the crisis and the level of suffering resulting from Russia’s invasion became evident through harrowing pictures on our TV screens and in our newspapers.

But witnessing the worst brought out the best, as it so often does, and the natural instinct of millions was to donate to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

In the first 24 hours of the appeal, £55 million had been raised, and within four days, the total had reached £100 million. It was an example of the remarkable efforts of the DEC, which next year will mark its 60th anniversary.

Bill Gibb finds out more about the incredible humanitarian work being done by the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Elsewhere in the July 23, 2022 issue, we have a collection of delicious salad recipes! Plus we have a craft project to make a stunning summer wrap.

We hope you enjoy it. Let us know what you think.