15 Jul 2025
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Gail Jackson, environmental and community-based activist, chair of Sopwell Residents Association and former trustee of Sustainable St Albans.
What’s the first thing you do after you’ve woken up in the morning?
I make a jug of coffee and do Wordle with the aim of beating the Wordle bot!
What super power would you like to have?
I’d like the power to immediately halt all oil and gas production across the Earth, and with a second wave of my hand to vanish every last piece of the hugely destructive single-use plastic (made from oil and gas) that is polluting our planet – earth and water – and takes hundreds of years to break down.
What was your first job?
My first full time job was a hack on my local newspaper The Slough Observer! I used to write for my local youth magazine – in fact we printed it ourselves on an old Gestetner machine and I got the local newspaper job on the back of that – and I loved every minute of it. After a year I left to go to uni – never been sure that was the right decision! I have never forgotten the regular lunch-time get-togethers in the pub – nor the ‘5 W’s’: Where, Why, What, Who, When.
If you could have a conversation with someone who had died who would it be?
I’d want to talk to my father again – a man of great integrity and kindness – and he spoiled me rotten – but I know how terribly sad he would be to see the state of political leadership and the environmental collapse of our beautiful world. He was a pacifist at the start of the Second World War but was persuaded that the Nazis needed to go, and he joined the RAF as a navigator securing a place in the renowned 617 Squadron – just months after the Dambusters raid. He had many stories to tell of flying low-level raids on military targets including the Tirpitz in Norway via the Soviet Union– and flying low across the Channel in Operation Taxable on D-Day dropping “window” (strips of aluminium foil) to create a false radar image.
He spoke of the war-time bombings with much sadness. I miss his humanity and immeasurable patience.
What’s your favourite place to have breakfast in St Albans?
I love a good, cooked veggie breakfast so it has to be Café on the Corner. It’s a friendly atmosphere and great place to chat – it’s run by the Camphill Village Trust supporting adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues to work in the community.
Have you ever been arrested and if so for what?
I was summoned to court (together with thousands of others) for non-payment of the original poll tax “Can’t Pay! Won’t Pay!” that Thatcher introduced in 1990. I did my own defence in court – thoroughly enjoyed that!
What’s your favourite hidden gem in the district?
This has got to be the Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre down the road from where I live! I was part of the Cottonmill and Sopwell Hub campaign group – together with my amazing women colleagues, Michelle, Elaine, Kate, Janet, and Jo – all from around Cottonmill – and we campaigned for over five years to get this centre built and opened in 2023. We worked with the council architects to make sure the building was fully accessible, with Changing Places toilets, and a quiet room, and it sits in a beautiful green area – from where you can see the Cathedral. It’s so well used by local people and groups like Sopwell Residents Association; Leeanna’s Wish and St Albans Community Pantry – and is a real community hub. Pop down for a coffee sometime – or book it for your next event!
Odyssey or Netflix?
The Odyssey is truly one of the wonders of St Albans – and I love to treat myself to a posh downstairs table sitting over coffee or wine, with a bundle of neighbours and friends to watch a film and enjoy a long IRL conversation afterwards…
Where do you most like to have a picnic in St Albans?
It has to be at the annual Cottonmill Gathering community summer festival. There’s a friendly atmosphere – beautiful grounds to lay out your picnic – and ice cream available to round off lunch. If you’re lucky you can grab a shady spot under the old oak tree – and while away the afternoon listening to the live music. Kids have loads of games and activities to do – and the grown-ups can wander around the crafts and community stalls.
Have you ever asked for an autograph?
As a young teenager I joined an Oxfam sponsored walk from Windsor Castle to London – with two girlfriends each wearing mini-skirts up to our ears. Waiting around at the start we saw Jimmy Saville in an official BBC car and asked for his autograph – then giggled as he asked if we wanted to accompany him in his sports car driving all the way to London at the front of the walk. Luckily, we turned him down – preferring to walk to get our charity sponsorship money!
