A Letter from the Editor

December 21st, 2022

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Issue 35.

I was recently browsing through back issues of StepAway Magazine, and found myself reading “Let there be Peace” by the poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL, whom we had the pleasure of publishing in our third issue, way back in 2011. The poem is as relevant now as it was then, if not even more so. My eye rested specifically on the lines: “Let there be peace…So war correspondents become travel show presenters” and “Let there be peace…So the broken can rise and dance in the hospitals.” As the festive season approaches let these words become our mantra, as we hope for positive change in the new year.

I would also like to draw your attention to The Christmas Dinner, an annual project founded by Mr. Sissay for communities to provide an amazing Christmas Day for care leavers aged between 18 and 25 – one they’ll never forget. Each Dinner is organised by a steering group of people who come together to make the Christmas Day magic happen. There are so many worthwhile causes to support at Christmas, but here at StepAway, this one is particularly close to our heart.

For those who enjoy urban wandering, our thirty-fifth issue is a treat – as always. Our writers explore the beauties and burdens experienced by the ever-observant urban walker. Thank you so much to all of those who contributed: Geoffrey Aitken, Enda Boyle, Lee Campbell, David Capps, Lorraine Carey, Pamelyn Casto, Gram Joel Davies, Gregory Luce, Isabel Miles, Heather Sager, John Savoie and John Short.

Now, all that remains for me to do is wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year from everyone at StepAway Magazine.

With the warmest of festive wishes,

Darren Richard Carlaw

editor@stepawaymagazine.com