People's Friend Annual 2023

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Village newcomer Alice hopes to make new friends by sharing her “Damsons In Distress!”. By Jane Bettany, with artwork from Andre Leonard. For now, at least, the war was over, life could return to normal – and the “Friend” and its readers could look forward to the future. Supplements such as “Aunt Kate’s Jumper Book” and “Aunt Kate’s Cookery Book” were included free with “The People’s Friend”. The Sixties and Seventies were defining years for Britain, transforming the country into a place of freedom and hope, and the “Friend” was there every step of the way.

And sometimes – like this week – I’ll post a general round-up of the latest news from the Fiction Desk. The Fiction Team Dundee became known as the “City of the 3 Js”– jute, jam and journalism, reflecting the importance of these three very different industries to the prosperity of the city. Stories for the annual are bought and illustrated all the way through the year, and I’m already starting to plan for our Annual 2026. The millennium marked a fresh optimism as the world celebrated. Looking to the future, the “Friend” embraced the digital world while holding strong to traditional values.We also take a look “Through The Manse Window”, with thoughts and reflections from cherished contributors. Next Year’s Annuals A four-legged friend helps heal a family rift in “Lead The Way”, by Jane Ayres. Illustration from Tracy Fennell. The People’s Friend Annual 2024 is available now, and the stories for PFA 2025 are with our Production Team. If you’re new to the blog, I post here on Thursdays, with advice for writers hoping to submit fiction for publication in “The People’s Friend”.

We’re “Out On The Moors” in our next story, and according to legend, the former inhabitants of one house are reputed never to have left…by Shona Partridge, with artwork from Sailesh Thakrar.Jenny receives an invite to her sister’s 30 th, but after an incident in their past, can she “Forgive And Forget”? By Barbara Dynes, with artwork from Ruth Blair. and in “Everything Changes”, by Alyson Hilbourne, a WW2 bombing raid leads to an extended family. Artwork, Ged Fay. Cara is cat-sitting for her lovely gran. What could go wrong?! “A Major Problem”, by Eirin Thompson, is illustrated by Mandy Murray. If you’re an author yet to be published in the “Friend”, please send your story to [email protected]

During the Eighties and Nineties, young women looked to strong female role models to guide their ambitions. The “Friend” was there to encourage readers in every sphere. and a young lass is encouraged by her English teacher to enter a writing competition, in Sharon Haston’s “The Write Stuff”. Artwork, Ruth Blair. Our annuals for 2025 are already with our Production Team, and we’ve now starting to gather stories and poems for our 2026 annuals.

11. The People’s Friend – The Magic of Christmas 2022

Riley has four sisters and has been bridesmaid every time, in “Four Weddings And A Cake”, by Eirin Thompson. Artwork, Martin Baines. You can enjoy little nuggets of information about all destinations throughout the UK, accompanied by lovely J.Campbell Kerr illustrations. Recognised as the longest-running women’s weekly magazine, you’ll be surprised at the momentous events and anniversaries that have taken place around the world since “The Friend” was first launched. Since 1869, the magazine has witnessed social upheaval and amazing inventions, seen monarchs come and go, men set foot on the moon and women gain the vote – but it has never lost its instinct for what its readers want from their magazine. When an English couple take in a student for six months, they soon realise he’s become part of the family. “The Empty Chair”, by Glenda Young, is illustrated by Sarah Holliday.

Two friends enter the Best Garden competition every year, but is one of them destined never to have “Green Fingers”? By Christine Bryant; artwork Ruth Blair. In the short years of Edward VII’s reign great things would happen, and great events unfold. In 1908 the “Friend” marvelled at man’s conquest of the skies by men such as the Wright brothers and Bleriot.

1. “The People’s Friend” Annual 2023

From the start, the “Friend” was intended for the whole family. The Children’s Corner was a regular feature of the “Friend” for over a century, with stories, puzzles and general knowledge for the little ones. We follow the year in nature, learning fascinating facts about our beloved British wildlife along the way. History repeated itself with the outbreak of World War II in 1939, and once again the “Friend” would do its utmost to bring cheer and comfort to its readers. The magazine encouraged help with their Love Darg appeal.