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AycliffeToday
FEATURE
FROM BYERLEY PARK
TO OXFORD
STREET
Aycliffe Today editor Martin
Walker catches up with an old
Greenfield School pal who’s doing
alright for himself…
Speaking from his plush Oxford
Street office in the middle of London,
Gareth Jackson remains as grounded
as ever despite a hugely-successful
career to date.
The 36-year-old, who went to Byerley
Park and Greenfield schools before
spreading his wings, still holds very
fond memories of the town in which
he grew up – despite his globetrotting
which has taken him to just about
every corner of the world.
Rare football wins over his rival
school teams, larking about around
the Chase housing area and Bluebell
and, of course, his schooling all remain
close to his heart.
But his life lies very much in London
these days. He’s lived there on and
off for about 14 years – in between
travelling the world – and is now
settled in his own house in Balham,
near Clapham, in the South-West area
of the city.
“I have great memories of growing
up, I had lots of fun,” says Gareth.
“Going to school, playing football
against our teachers once a week,
always beating them!
“I went to Byerley Park, it was a small
school but you knew everyone and it
was close-nit.
“Then I went to Greenfield and
they were good memories as well.
Although I remember I went through a
bit of a dodgy spell, I started knocking
around with a couple of wrong-ens
and I nearly got moved down a few
classes after my schoolwork dropped.
“My dad came in from a parents
evening one night and quickly put a
stop to that nonsense!