From politics in London to a country art gallery (From Stroud News and Journal)

From politics in London to a country art gallery

LONDONERS often fantasise about jacking it all in, packing up and going to live in the countryside.

For most city workers who have spent years bustling about in the capital, the thought of one day running a small art gallery in a picturesque Cotswold town must seem like an impossible dream.

But one woman who recently set up business in Nailsworth has done exactly that. Judi Jackson opened the Rivers Gallery on Market Street on November 1. Before entering the artistic world, she spent 17 years working for Labour MPs in the House of Commons.

From 1980 to 1997 she was the right-hand assistant to leading politicians such as Alf Dubs, former MP for Battersea, who later became Lord Dubs and from 1997 to 1999 was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Judi also worked for Willie McKelvey, chairman of the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs for five years from 1992.

But when Willie suffered a stroke and decided to stand down at the 1997 General Election, Judi turned her back on Parliament.

First Judi went to work as a senior executive for environmental body ENTRUST, regulator of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.

Then last May she decided she wanted another change.

She sold her house in London and with the proceeds bought a place in Rodborough and set up her business.

She said: "It was just time to move on. "You know when you've come to the end of something.

"I had been working 70-hour weeks for so long. "I fancied doing something different."

Her dogs were overjoyed with the move. Now they get taken out for walks every morning on the common, which is just a few minutes away from their home.

Judi said: "I love living in the countryside. "I've got all the proper gear - my car is covered in mud and I've bought a wax jacket and wellies.

"And I've got a beautiful view of the Stroud valleys from my home. "It's wonderful here."

Judi chose the Stroud area because her daughter, well-known local artist Amanda Lowery, lives in Horsley.

Amanda, who made her reputation as a printmaker in London and Northern Ireland, has produced public mosaics for county groups the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and GLOSS - Arts in Education.

Judi has two other daughters, one who lives in London and one who has just started a drama course at Hull University.

Judi's friends in London envy her courage in making such a radical change. She explained: "They think I'm very brave.

"But all I know is, you can't go through life just being one thing. "You have to keep re-making yourself.

"People didn't do it in the past because they didn't have the choices we do. "But our generation has always had the attitude that you should never give up - you can do anything if you set your mind to it."

Judi first moved to London at the age of 16. She worked in a variety of jobs before going on to university.

She said: "In those days, you could change your job if the boss so much as said a cross word to you. "We were lucky.

"We didn't have to worry about whether we'd be able to find other employment. It's different for youngsters these days."

Judi studied Sociology and Political Science, then went to Warwick University to do an MA in Industrial Relations.

She was always active in politics and spent eight years as a Councillor in Watford.

Her political career involved acting as a personal assistant, researcher and press officer to Members of Parliament.

She said: "Things were completely different when I first started at the House of Commons.

"People didn't seem to use their MPs like they do today. "Some of them didn't even have assistants or secretaries.

"Now politicians get great sackfuls of letters. "They are much more approachable."

Judi used to come across key figures like Tony Benn, Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock at Party functions.

But now she divides her time between manning the gallery and finding new pieces. The Rivers Gallery shows pieces from a variety of regions, including some by local artists and some from as far away as Spain.

Judi spends each Sunday and Monday sourcing material, then opens her shop from Tuesday to Friday between 11am and 5pm and on Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

One of the nicest things about being in Nailsworth, she said, is that there are so many artists in the area.

"It's not just that there are people who supply art," Judi explained. "Everyone in Gloucestershire seems to buy art as well.

"In London, professionals go to Ikea for prints. "But here people from all walks of life buy original works."

Judi has also been impressed with how friendly other local gallery owners have been. She keeps flyers for other exhibitors, such as Stroud's Rope Store Gallery, in her own shop.

She said: "I think there's an understanding that more galleries attract more people to the area.

"There isn't the rivalry you'd find with other businesses. "And every piece is original, so we're not selling the same things. It's great to be in such an artistic area."

The range at the Rivers Gallery includes paintings, prints, jewellery, sculptures and hand-made Christmas decorations. Contact it on 01453 836885.