5

A Cab at the Door – this time at the kind invitation of one of our

arrival of the autumn issue and the publication of V. S. Pritchett’s

As ever, we raised a glass of something stronger to celebrate the

coffee, or even something stronger, will usually sort out a problem.

to spend too much time ‘in meetings’ – a few words over a cup of

cuss things round the kitchen table. Fortunately we have no need

loyalty in supporting us. We’re still a very small staff and we still dis

amused!) by your letters and phone calls, and truly grateful for your

to friends. We’re constantly cheered and encouraged (and often

but we still feel that each issue goes out, not just to subscribers but

Now the number of Slightly Foxedreaders may have increased,

people want to be reminded of them.

be read than the ones featured in the weekly review pages, and that

place – that there are many more interesting and amusing books to

ported the truth of the simple idea that had got us started in the first

launched.The cheering response to our early issues certainly sup

word about, and on this tide of help and goodwill Slightly Foxedwas

relations came up with lists of likely subscribers and generally put the

either. But friends and relations, and friends of friends and friends of

Sometimes, in darker moments, we felt it couldn’t possibly work

a lot of people felt couldn’t possibly work.

how to get the word out about a new quarterly that – let’s be frank –

printers and finances and page designs and paper thicknesses, and

were sitting round the kitchen table, arguing about a title, discussing

birthday. It seems no time ago – certainly not twenty issues – that we

This issue marks a bit of a celebration for us – Slightly Foxed’s fifth

From the Editors 6

The late Pugwash, by Mark Robinson

hazel wood

gail pirkis

Office Dog – after a suitable interval, of course.

much discussion about what kind of dog should succeed him as

we still think we hear the sound of paws in the passage. Now there is

a cocker spaniel. He was buried in Devon, in his favourite wood. But

peacefully this summer at the age of 15– an honourable innings for

Finally, a piece of sad but not unexpected news. Pugwash died

and 92.

Meanwhile, do have a go at our Christmas competitions on pp.56

the issues so far, and you’ll be receiving a free copy in the spring.

index ofbooks, authors and contributors that have appeared in all

mas present. And on the subject of presents, we’re compiling a new

now combined in one volume, are – we think – the perfect Christ

delightful A Boy at the Hogarth Press andA Parcel of Time (see p.13),

Christmas. Talking of which, the latest of them, Richard Kennedy’s

lots of Slightly Foxed Editions were snapped up in preparation for

Board members in Edinburgh. There was an excellent turnout and

From the Editors