Aycliffe Monthly #2 | Page 20

20 | www.aycliffetoday.co.uk 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!