A look back at 21 years of community, friendship, local businesses and one woman who accidentally created something rather special. This September, P-O Life turns 21 years old…
Which seems impossible, because we’re fairly sure 2005 was only about six or seven years ago.
Back then, Kate launched what was a modest little publication aimed at helping English speakers make sense of life in the Pyrénées-Orientales. It wasn’t trying to conquer the world. It was simply offering useful information, local knowledge and the occasional honest opinion.
People liked it.
Quite a lot, as it turned out.
One issue became another. The readership grew. More businesses got involved. More readers discovered it. More people shared it with friends. Before long, P-O Life had become something rather special.
Twenty-one years later, it is difficult to imagine the local anglophone community without it.
Over the years, P-O Life has helped newcomers find their feet, holidaymakers discover places they would otherwise have driven straight past, and residents uncover events, businesses and hidden gems across the region.
It has also done something that can’t really be measured.
It has brought people together.
Friendships have been formed through P-O Life. Businesses have grown through P-O Life. Readers have met neighbours, discovered clubs, found trusted tradespeople and occasionally settled long-running debates about where to find the best fish and chips in the department.
Not bad for what started life as a small pamphlet.
Now, if you’re reading this and know Kate personally, you’ll already know she’s probably rolling her eyes and muttering something about us making a fuss over nothing.
Unfortunately for her, we’re ignoring that.
Because while she would never say it herself, what she has created over the last two decades deserves recognition.
For 21 years she has championed local businesses, promoted local events, supported charities, helped newcomers settle in and shared her knowledge of the region with anyone who needed it.
That’s a pretty remarkable achievement.
And so, we’ve decided to celebrate.
A Special Anniversary Magazine
Our next magazine, due out in the coming months, will be our special 21st Anniversary Edition.
We’ll be looking back at some of the stories, people, places and memories that have helped shape P-O Life over the years.
There may even be a few embarrassing photos. No promises
.
We’d Love to Hear From You
One thing we’ve realised whilst planning this anniversary is that P-O Life isn’t really about magazines, websites or newsletters.
It’s about people.
Many of you have your own P-O Life story.
Perhaps you found your first home here through an advert. Maybe you discovered your favourite restaurant in the pages of the magazine. Perhaps you met friends through one of the events. Maybe P-O Life simply helped make a new country feel a little less unfamiliar.
Whatever your story, we’d love to hear it.
We’ve set up a special email address where you can send your memories, experiences and messages for Kate.
And before anyone asks, yes, we’ve deliberately chosen an email address she can’t access.
We know what she’s like.
You can send your messages to:
(Please note that this email address is purely for anniversary memories and messages. If you’re trying to renew an advert, report a pothole or ask what time the market starts, please use the normal channels.)
Raising a Glass
We’re also planning a special wine tasting event to celebrate the launch of the anniversary magazine.
The event will take place at the wonderful Caves Maillol in Argelès-sur-Mer, a fantastic local business that we’re delighted to support.
The date is still being finalised, but we’ll share details as soon as we have them.
Frankly, we felt a wine tasting was a far better way to celebrate than a commemorative mug.
And Perhaps One More Surprise…
We’re also having some exciting internal discussions about a Christmas celebration later this year.
Nothing is confirmed just yet, but we’d love the opportunity to bring together readers, advertisers, contributors and friends of P-O Life for an anniversary get-together.
Watch this space!
For now, we’d simply like to say thank you…
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for supporting local businesses.
Thank you for commenting, contributing, advertising, sharing and helping P-O Life grow over the years.
Most of all, thank you for being part of a community that has made the last 21 years possible.
Here’s to 21 years of P-O Life.
And, hopefully, many more to come…
