Happy New Year! We begin 2024 with Madeline Linford, author of Out of the Window, who was appointed in 1922 by CP Scott to edit the newly launched women's page of The Manchester Guardian. When interviewed in 1963 she explained "My briefing was lucid and firm. The page must be readable, varied and aimed always at the intelligent woman." As a result, Miss Linford, as she was known to all, paved the way for outstanding Guardian writers such as Mary Stott, Jill Tweedie and Liz Forgan. (The photo, which speaks volumes, shows the newspaper's editorial team in 1921.)