EDITOR’S LETTER
Welcome to our March issue. First, I would like to reassure you that no BBC presenters were harmed in the making of this month’s magazine cover. The striking image of Chris Packham was shot by photographer Dan Burn-Forti in woodland near Chris’s home in Hampshire, then 3D illustrator Lisa Sheehan ingeniously added the flames, smoke and soot to represent the threat from global warming – a subject never far from Chris’s mind. Last year was the hottest since records began in 1850, with wildfires in Canada destroying an area twice the size of Portugal. It’s mind-boggling, but Chris reminds us that everyone has the power to join the battle and do something, however small (p22).
Writer Sue Ryan exhibited her own quiet power in recovering from a stroke. While lying in her hospital bed she’d dreamed of taking her daughter to see India, where Sue spent her childhood. As soon as she was well enough, off they went, and how fitting that we feature their trip (p94) in the month of Mothering Sunday. I know from friends what a bittersweet day this can be, and I feel very fortunate indeed to be planning a celebration with my mum. She is 91 and doesn’t suffer fools gladly – though happily she usually makes an exception for me.
March is also the month of Easter this year, and I cannot believe it’s almost here. I’m not sure I’ve fully recovered from Christmas. Looking over Mary Berry’s tasty recipes (p50) helped focus the mind, although it’s my husband who very much wears the pinny in our house. I will do my bit by decorating the table – see page 47 for some simple but very effective ideas. Of course, Easter also means chocolate, and I was fascinated to read about the orig
