28 Jul 2026
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Annie Thomson, who recently stepped down as headteacher of The Marlborough Science Academy after 22 years.
Have you ever Googled yourself?
I have never Googled myself ever – I’d be terrified and I’m not that important.
What is your favourite music?
I love music, any type of music and prefer vinyl – my all-time favourite band is Pink Floyd but to be honest this changes depending on my mood – love Faithless – always have done, always will!
Who is your best friend?
I am blessed to have many friends, but my greatest friend is my Uni friend called “Joy”, “Joysie”, “Sister Joy”, we are like chalk and cheese, she actually makes her own but I love her with all my heart – as I do all my friends – Chris, Di, and Marie, and my husband and Jo and my son.
Have you ever had a nickname?
Betty Boo (there were probably a lot worse than that).
What is your favourite food?
Tapas or sausage, mash and mushy peas. (I know, I know, I know!), and Mrs Kusman’s chicken soup or the Wolsey!
I don’t really like pizza but sadly I will eat the leftover deep-filled cheese crust bit.
What were you like as a child?
I was well-behaved and worked hard (most of the time), I just tried not to get caught.
What is your favourite place to have breakfast?
My favourite place to have breakfast in St Albans is “The Harry” brunch, they have started doing breakfast and honestly, it’s fabulous!
If you had a time machine where would you go?
If I had a time machine, as a teenager, I’d like to go back to the ‘60s – I loved the music, the fashion, the rebellion, the revolution, I still remember a red plastic pinafore with a flower on it (after a cartoon character), if you put your hand on it you could make a wish (it didn’t ever work).
If you could have a chat with somebody who had died, who would it be and why?
If I could speak to anyone who has died it would be my dad, my hero! Why was he my hero? Well, my mum chucked Sean Connery to go out with him (huge, huge mistake!!!), he was kind, empathetic, an entrepreneur, forgiving (he had to be), thoughtful and a feminist, way before that was a thing!
Would you survive a zombie apocalypse?
I would not survive a zombie apocalypse, nor would I want to.
