03 Jan 2026
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Jane Slatter, communications officer for women’s group Soroptimist International St Albans & District.
What’s the first thing you do after you’ve woken up in the morning?
Make a cup of tea – nothing fancy – Sainsbury’s Red Label with milk – best drink of the day!
Who was your first best friend?
I met Helen when we both moved to Exeter age 6. We lived two doors down from each other, sat next to each other at school and our birthdays are three days apart! Our families moved to Hertfordshire and Berkshire at about the same time so we were able to see each other regularly as we grew up. We’re still friends now even though she lives in Cornwall.
How often do you check your phone?
Too often! I have it on silent because all the alarms drive me nuts, but that means I have to keep checking it…
What TV did you watch as a child?
I loved The Magic Roundabout, Wacky Races and both Blue Peter and Magpie. I remember being allowed to stay up late to watch Monty Python.
Are things getting better or worse?
Worse. As a member of Soroptimist International we can see women’s rights being eroded all over the world. The online world has made the abuse of women and girls much worse. There seems to be a lot of anger everywhere which never solves anything.
Were you well behaved at school?
I misbehaved if I wasn’t challenged so as a result I had many detentions. I could forge my Dad’s signature so I used to tell my parents I was going into town after school and they only found out about my detentions when they got my school report at the end of the year.
Have you ever had a nickname?
My nick-name is Pinky because I like to wear pink whenever I can. When I worked for Reuters nearly all of my colleagues were men with everything black and grey. I stuck out like a sore thumb anyway so thought I may as well add to it so had a pink phone and a pink car – I loved seeing people’s reactions to my pinkness!
Odyssey or Netflix?
I absolutely love The Odyssey!
What is your most-missed St Albans shop, pub, café or restaurant?
I used to love The Hollybush and am really sad that it’s closed. I hope the brewery can get someone else to take it on, it’s such a lovely old building and a beautiful location.
Most inspirational St Albans person – living or dead?
Audrey Collins OBE – Audrey was an inspirational Soroptimist – a pioneer of women’s cricket and a trailblazer for women. She was also kind and great fun to be with. Audrey was always telling us how lucky she was to have had such a wonderful life, and I can only say how lucky I was to have known her.
For more see: https://sigbi.org/st-albans-and-district/about-our-club/inspirational-members/audrey-collins-obe-1915-2010/
