One of the privileges of publishing Soar Valley Life for the past fourteen years has been the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and build lasting relationships throughout our community.
This month, I would like to share a little news from behind the scenes.
Many of you will know that since the very beginning, Soar Valley Life has very much been a partnership between Mary and myself. While my name may appear at the bottom of this letter each month, the truth is that without Mary’s dedication, encouragement, patience and hard work, this magazine would never have come into being.
Together, we have guided the magazine from a simple idea around our kitchen table to a publication delivered to 40,000 homes every two months. We have celebrated successes, overcome challenges and, like many
businesses, navigated the uncertainties of the Covid pandemic. Through it all, Mary has been a constant source of support, wisdom and determination. For that, I owe her more thanks than I could ever adequately express.
As many of our readers know, Mary’s health has presented some challenges over recent months. Whilst she continues to make progress, we have jointly decided that now is the right time for her to step back from her day-to-day responsibilities within the business and enjoy a little more relaxation, tranquillity and well-earned time for herself.
That does not mean she is disappearing altogether. Far from it. Mary will remain very much at my right hand, continuing to offer the advice, encouragement and support that she always has. Her influence on Soar Valley Life will remain woven into everything we do.
At the same time, I am delighted to formally introduce Sarah White, who has joined us to help lead the next stage of our journey.
Mary and I have known Sarah for more than twenty years. She is a fiercely local person with a genuine community spirit, excellent communication skills and a sharp business mind. Since joining us in March, she has already made a significant impact on the business.
Sarah has brought fresh energy and organisation, particularly in the digitisation of our information systems, the ongoing development of our Website Directory and the strengthening of our social media presence. She has embraced the values of Soar Valley Life from day one and shares our passion for supporting local businesses, community groups and charities.
Looking ahead, Sarah will gradually take on more responsibilities within the business. This will allow me to spend more time focusing on the areas I enjoy most — developing new ideas, creating magazine content, writing features and continuing to grow the creative side of Soar Valley Life.
Every successful business reaches moments when it must evolve while remaining true to its roots. This is one of those moments for us. We move forward with gratitude for everything Mary has helped to build, confidence in Sarah’s abilities, and excitement about what the future holds.
As always, thank you for your continued support. We couldn’t do it without you.
Steve
Editor, Soar Valley Life
