Reader's Digest / YOUR LEISURE TIME / Magazine zone

The end of Reader's Digest in the UK?

Williwaw61 — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:13:40 GMT

I heard it first on Radio 2, then read all about it online; the UK unit of Reader's Digest is in receivership. [i]So sad.[/i] Yet another formerly great company brought down by their inability to change, and the greed of the company that owned them. It's such a shame that all those people will now lose their jobs (unless a new owner can be quickly found).

Good luck to all the RD employees. Hopefully someone will buy you, and give you the tools and will-power to change and become a relevant, vibrant company once again.

Changes to the Magazine?

Mr Maximillion Conrad — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:35:53 GMT

Our beloved little magazine has been through a lot of changes over the past year. In my opinion, some good, others not.

So, what do you think? What would you keep, or not?

I Remember: A place for readers to post their memories

Cromwell — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:25:57 GMT

Reader's Digest has had an overwhelming response to Rosie Mortimer's article in our May issue, recounting her memories of her late father John. Abigail Barnes, a contributor to "Readers' Letters", said that it inspired her to make her own list of memories of her father, which she found to be a very theraputic exercise.

We would love to hear from more of our readers on this subject. Please post your own memories of childhood, family or friends below. We look forward to reading them, and they may even make an appearance in a future issue.

Tamasin's and Jenny's Good Things

Cromwell — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:32:49 GMT

Each month, former schoolfriends Tamasin Day-Lewis and Jenny Wilhide share their intimate online correspondence, with the pact of seeing the best in their lives even when they're sorely tested.

If any good or interesting things have happened to you, please share them below.

Alexander McCall Smith on relatives at Christmas

Cromwell — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:06:50 GMT

This month, Alexander McCall Smith tackles the thorny subject of relatives at Christmas and how to deal with them. Have you ever had problems with relatives during the festive season? Or do you relish the opportunity to catch up with family? Please share your thoughts below.

BA chief executive Willie Walsh

Cromwell — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:03:22 GMT

This month, RD editor-in-chief Sarah Sands interviews BA chief executive Willie Walsh about his career, his ambitions and the problems he has faced. Let us know your thoughts about the interview below.

Christmas Memories

Cromwell — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:57:51 GMT

This month, author and broadcaster Andrew Collins wistfully recalls his childhood Christmases in Northamptonshire. But what do you most remember about Christmas? Spending time with family? Buying or receiving presents? Decorating the Christmas tree? Share your thoughts below.

Chris Addison on the Credit Crunch

Cromwell — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:54:09 GMT

In November's Reader's Digest, comedian Chris Addison turns a darkly humorous eye to the credit crunch, suggesting various ways in which we might tighten our belts.

But what do you think of his suggestions? And do you have any of your own?

Please post your contributions below.

Julie Burchill on the Salvation Army

Cromwell — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:49:32 GMT

In our October issue, the outspoken columnist Julie Burchill talks about her encounter with the Salvation Army and her own conversion to Christianity. But do you agree with her views? Please post any comments below.

Memories

Johnnie — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:28:06 GMT

I remember during the war, the Bofers gun encampment in the fields behind our house, with their Bom,bom,bom,bom,bom. We even made our cowboy guns make that noise.

I remember having scarlet fever and peeling the skin from my feet. I don’t remember being ill… but being able to do that at the age of five!

I remember running to the top of the hill above the house, to lie down on my back with my hands over my ears, and to watch the new Vulcan bomber just clear the hill.

I remember the Christmas I peeked into my pillow case during the night and saw I had been given a pop-gun. Joy unbounded!

I remember my cousin and I digging into a can of condensed milk with two spoons. Was there ever a picnic like that one?

I remember my dog Trixie suckling a piglet, discarded by its mother, along with her own brood of eight pups.

I remember scrambling on the rocks at the head of the valley. It was used as a training ground for novice climbers. What are ropes to a ten year old?

I remember my first day at Grammar School; the only one to go from our village; lonely, afraid and very unsure.

I remember us rolling a rear tractor tyre down a five hundred foot hill, and watching it bounce over the river and demolish two sheds. I lived in fear of discovery for years.

I remember Toni, and the realisation that a lad could have a girl as a friend, as opposed to a girlfriend.

I remember Sunday tea with lots of cakes and pies and pop.

I remember hay-making into the long summer evenings, followed by a slap-up supper for all the workers.

I remember driving a tractor at thirteen and mowing a whole field at fourteen.

I remember old Jed who had a single-adit coal mine up the valley. He loved mint balls and spitting with great accuracy.

I remember shooting a crow with my air rifle. I never shot another thing.

I remember visiting the Lake District at the age of twelve, for a lifelong love affair.

I Remember: Post your own memories

Cromwell — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:41:41 GMT

In response to our "I Remember" feature with Imogen Stubbs in our September issue, reader Jon Cooper sent us his own list of memories:

I remember my Grandfather and Father used to argue a lot about politics.

I remember my Russian Teacher shutting the car door on one of my fingers when she took me to a Chess Tourament.

I remember having an accident on my horse and ending up in hospital and my Mother apologising to the Nurse because of I was wearing odd socks!

I remember taking my brother on the bus to watch Everton play against Manchester United.

I remember my Aunt shouting at me for sniffing in my bed, but I had a nose bleed.

I remember my first day at School but only the bit where I stood outside the door waiting to go in, in fear and trepidation.

I remember listening to my parents arguing at night, and crying in my bedroom.

I remember making my cousin cry because she had some sweets and she didn't want to share them so I told her she was naughty.

I remember taking £5 from my brother's bedroom and not owning up. I still feel guilty about it to this day!

I remember fondly playing Whist every Tuesday with my brother and my Grandparents at their house.

I remember my father making me clean the whole tack room and tack, so he would pay for a pair of boots for me.

*****

Please post your own lists below. We look forward to reading them, and they may even make an appearance in a future issue.

What are your views on Eton?

Cromwell — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:22:50 GMT

In this month’s Reader’s Digest magazine, editor-in-chief Sarah Sands speaks to Eton headmaster Tony Little, who says we should regard Eton as an institution of excellence and celebrate its values. But do you agree with his views?

Online Banking: Help or Hindrance?

Cromwell — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:49:30 GMT

In the July issue of Reader's Digest magazine, we ran a feature extolling the benefits of online banking. But do you find online banking the best method? Please let us know your thoughts.

Back issues wanted

errezzaki — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:25:57 GMT

Could you please send me some back issues copies of RD magazine or some similar magazines and books .It's hard to find them here in my remote village in southern Morocco .

my address is the following :

Mr. Elhassan Errezzaki

Douar Tarna Aday

Anezi 85100

MOROCCO

Thanks very very very very much in advance .

The Olympics: Does sportsmanship still exist?

Cromwell — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:46:04 GMT

In the July issue of Reader's Digest magazine, we ran a feature giving stirring examples of Olympic sportsmanship down the years ("Great Sports"). But do you think the true spirit of the Olympics still exists? Please post your comments below.

My Story: Rosanna Cirasuolo

Cromwell — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:39:17 GMT

In the July edition of Reader's Digest magazine, we carried a story by Rosanna Cirasuolo, a woman who set up her own bridal shop in Worcestershire after moving back to England from Italy to escape an abusive relationship

If you have any questions or comments for Rosanna, please post them below. Rosanna will be monitoring this forum for the next month and will try to answer your queries.

I'm not recieving my readers digest

gem0047 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:30:14 GMT

I've rang to change my address but I'm still not recieving the magazine to my new address.

Ecotab

lochee — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:23:16 GMT

we have recently subscribed to ecotab to reduce our fuel costs and carbon reduction. showing 8% in feul costs and 47 % in carbon reduction redirect to www.ecotabsales.com for further info.

2008 US Elections

Cromwell — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:01:52 GMT

This really is the most exciting US election I can remember! The battle between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democrat nomination has been engrossing, but if Obama wins (as expected), the contest between him and the Republican John McCain is a mouthwatering prospect. They're both such different politicians, with different priorities and different ways of presenting themselves.

What does eveyone else think? Who deserves to win? Or has the whole election had too much coverage already?

April article, MONKEY DO by Jan Godwin

emily glencross — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:25:10 GMT

The story of Minnie the Monkey being trained to help her paralysed owner was extraordinary. Should we be looking to breed and train monkeys like this in the UK?

Bodyflying

mustang1 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:24:49 GMT

There was a story on bodyflying in The Guide section of the magazine which sounded like a lot of fun considering I'm afraid of flying but have always wanted to give skydiving a go. Only problem is, my adventurous boyfriend, who has skydived, wants to take it a step further and do the weightless experience where you go up in a plane and then it freefalls, and it's like being in space. Is this safe?! Has anyone else heard of this, or even done it?

Harrison Ford--May issue

hoopla — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:42:05 GMT

I really enjoyed your article on Harrison Ford and I can't wait to see the new Indiana Jones movie. I don't believe he's good at ironing, though. Come on! He's a Hollywood superstar!

Hay fever

Mary3 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:36:03 GMT

I have recently been diagnosed with hay fever. I went to the doctors after reading the symptoms from Dr Rob Hicks page, but it's not bad luckily.
I am now worried that I will have to lock myself away all summer.
Do people really put their clothes in a plastic bag and carry them to the washing machine and dry their clothes inside?
It seems a bit extreme to me.

Your article called Makin' Bacon

hoopla — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:47:36 GMT

I enjoyed reading about Tim Hayward's attempt to cure his own bacon, but it seems odd that he's got enough time to wory about such things. Is it really worth it? What do other people think?

Debit Card Traps

bromley7 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:28:25 GMT

I too had my credit card "skimmed" in a restaurant. The first I knew was when my bank rang and asked if I'd been to Spain recently. It seems the reason they knew there was something fishy was because the thieves used my card to hire a large Mercedes limo. They knew I could only ever afford cheapo budget cars…
I'll be using cash only in future.